International Amateur Radio Day 2024 is on Thursday, April 18, 2024: ham radio during disasters?

Thursday, April 18, 2024 is International Amateur Radio Day 2024. April 18 Is World Amateur Radio Day the IARU Region 2 website.

Ham Radio or Amateur Radio as the Hobby is formally known, traces its roots to the invention of the Wireless Radio as a means of communication. It is the only Hobby that is internationally regulated by a UN Body, The International Telecommunications Union. In India the Hobby is governed by the Wireless Planning and Co-ordination Wing ( WPC ) of the Ministry of Communications.

The Hobby involves Licenced Hams using wireless transmitters to establish communications with other Licenced Hams worldwide for the purpose of scientific research, friendship and enjoyment.

It is important to note that both the sides have to be Ham Radio Operators, who are licenced by the provisions of their respective Governments. They can own and operate transreceivers, use the frequency spectrum for scientific research, friendship and fraternity. They are prohibited from using it for commercial gains.

In India , Hams have to procure a licence for this purpose, which is issued by the WPC after due examination.

CB radio frequencies?

Well, buddy, I think, if you're numbering is correct you are in possession of a 2 meter amateur transceiver. To use it for scanning is just fine, listen in on the simplex and repeater chatter to your heart's content.

To press that push to talk button, though, you will need a license.

To get a license you will have to pass an examination. I can direct you to a couple of websites, the first I have added is to Universal Radio's page on the specifications of your radio. It looks like a nice little 2 meter mobile/base rig. 50 watts max down to 5 watts minimum.

The next step is to hopefully encourage you to get your license. I've been a ham since 1968, when I was only 14. I will retire in 6 days and finally have the opportunity to be on the radio in the middle of a school day like the retired guys I used to envy when I was a kid.

The guys at the American Radio Relay League, our national organization, have put together a pretty cool looking webpage called "We-do-that-radio.org" I'm adding that as the second link.

It explains the kinds of things we can do, from emergency communications, to communicating with other hams who also happen to be astronauts on the International Space Station. They call this ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station), and they usually communicate on 2 meter FM, like the radio you have there.

The third link is about testing. The question pools are there. You have to take the elements of the exam in order, that is, the Technician (the license you will need to use that push to talk button), the General and the Extra. If you can take and pass all three at the same exam session, you have the same privileges as I do. The Technician license will give you the first step on the way to becoming a ham. That exam is 35 questions. The tests are given by a group of Volunteer Examiners, people with higher class licenses who have been trained, and administer the tests as a group. The current fee to take the exam is $14-$15 right now. If you take all three tests, it costs the same as if you take only one. There is no charge for the license itself. That sounds a little like smoke and mirrors, but what I mean is that when you renew your license, the FCC will not charge you a penny for the service. The fee the VEs charge is for materials, copying, and postage.

There are a variety of study materials out there. You can go the old fashioned route and buy a book, or use one of the online courses available, Gordon West's stuff looks good, though I always went with the plain old ARRL books.

If you're in Central Florida, there are a lot of hams in the area, I think. A lot of them are the guys who are ahead of me, and have retired already, lucky pups. I think there is an Amateur Electronic Supply and a Ham Radio Outlet in the Orlando area, you can google it and see. You can go in and browse around looking at all the nifty gadgets.

The last link is a link to the Club directory. This will allow you to search the clubs nearest to your zip code, by distances. Its one of the more important links I'll give you, because at one of these club meetings you may meet the guy who will advise you and help you with questions about the test, about what antenna to build or buy, and generally help you find your way in a hobby that has been on the cutting edge of technology for more than 100 years now.

I wish you luck, and I hope you decide to try for the Technician license. If you enjoy listening to the guys you hear on the air, just wait until you get a chance to talk to them, that first contact is a real kick. Mine was in January 1969 and I can still remember where I was, who else was in the room with me, and how excited I was to first hear my call come back to me in morse code.

Best Wishes (or 73)

AB9BD