Anyone Else Use Ham Radio? You might want to.

Jake Watrous · May 15, 2023

Just got into ham radio recently, and using APRS for super local weather reports is awesome. I can see, while out and about or before I even leave home, whether the wind (and other data) is favorable in a given location, and it tends to be more accurate than Windy, WindfinderPro, etc. https://ambientweather.net/ is still a favorite, but requires a smart phone, reception, and eyes-off-the-road.

I can’t be the only person who does this, can I? Do any of you use ham radio?

krusty · May 16, 2023

Jake said:
Just got into ham radio recently, and using APRS for super local weather reports is awesome. I can see, while out and about or before I even leave home, whether the wind (and other data) is favorable in a given location, and it tends to be more accurate than Windy, WindfinderPro, etc. https://ambientweather.net/ is still a favorite, but requires a smart phone, reception, and eyes-off-the-road.

I can’t be the only person who does this, can I? Do any of you use ham radio?

I think it's struggling to survive against other forms of communication that present far fewer barriers to entry.

Peyton00 · May 16, 2023

In honor of OMJ.

Open the door and look for yourself.

...........kids these days.

Wakingflies · May 16, 2023

Been into it for many years; my call sign is N7TRE, but my station has been down for a while, needs work, and maybe by June, it will be up and running.
Mid 90's, I tried to get a flyfishing net on 40 meters and collected a few people, but not enough interest.

Brute · May 16, 2023

I have one in one of my jeeps for long range communications...

Mossback · May 16, 2023

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Had a novice license when I was 14...back then you had to pass the test and know Morse code, I remember it was easier to send than recieve. Never got a general though so never could do voice. I think I heard licensing is different now.
Haven't been active for almost 50 years.
Had 50's era Hallicrafters I got from an older neighbor, old tube job.
Buddy had a Yaesu FT 101e in the 70's, quite the setup back then...
Cool stuff, wish I would have stayed with it.

krusty · May 16, 2023

Wakingflies said:
Been into it for many years; my call sign is N7TRE, but my station has been down for a while, needs work, and maybe by June, it will be up and running.
Mid 90's, I tried to get a flyfishing net on 40 meters and collected a few people, but not enough interest.

I suspect the overlapping Venn diagram for flyfishing / HAM radio commonality is even far less populated today than it was in the mid 90's.

Jake Watrous · May 16, 2023

krusty said:
I think it's struggling to survive against other forms of communication that present far fewer barriers to entry.

It is in a general sense, but for niche things like this it is rather handy. I can also call and text regardless of whether I've got cell or satellite coverage.

Jake Watrous · May 16, 2023

krusty said:
I suspect the overlapping Venn diagram for flyfishing / HAM radio commonality is even far less populated today than it was in the mid 90's.

So, you're saying its just me.

Jake Watrous · May 16, 2023

Peyton00 said:
In honor of OMJ.

Open the door and look for yourself.

...........kids these days.

My door isn't anywhere near the south Sound, else I would.

krusty · May 16, 2023

Jake said:
So, you're saying its just me.

Oh no...it's not you...it's me.

krusty · May 16, 2023

Jake said:
It is in a general sense, but for niche things like this it is rather handy. I can also call and text regardless of whether I've got cell or satellite coverage.

In the 10 years or so I've had a Garmin I've never not had satellite for texting, email, emergency help, and I occasionally use their hourly weather forecast for my specific location when I can't see much regarding incoming weather because I'm in mountainous terrain. The Iridium satellite system is quite remarkable. I very rarely fish or hike where there's cellphone coverage. NE WA and the Idaho Panhandle doesn't have many towers.

Sam Roffe · May 16, 2023

Good for you Jake, getting into ham radio. I too am a ham. Been licensed since 1983 or 84. It has been a fun hobby, along with other expensive hobbies. I too look at weather reports on the APRS network. HF is my jam.

Jake Watrous · May 16, 2023

Sam Roffe said:
Good for you Jake, getting into ham radio. I too am a ham. Been licensed since 1983 or 84. It has been a fun hobby, along with other expensive hobbies. I too look at weather reports on the APRS network. HF is my jam.

If I were better at math, I might go for my general. HF seems fun.

krusty · May 16, 2023

What would really be useful for me is a way to communicate with logging trucks. There are few things that elicit excessive sphincter tightening as much as suddenly encountering a huge Kenworth radiator barreling downhill towards my little ToyotaTacoma on a single lane USFS road. A little bit of forewarning would allow me to get the fuck out of their way.

Had a few close calls. Buying a new truck would be fine...but you really gotta be alive to fully enjoy it.

Sam Roffe · May 16, 2023

Jake said:
If I were better at math, I might go for my general. HF seems fun.

you can do it!

Jerry Daschofsky · May 17, 2023

I have but haven't used it in years. For life of me I can't remember my call. I still have it on my small portable unit. At my old house I had the big antenna out back. Never got back into it after I moved.

krusty · May 17, 2023

Jerry Daschofsky said:
I have but haven't used it in years. For life of me I can't remember my call. I still have it on my small portable unit. At my old house I had the big antenna out back. Never got back into it after I moved.

Did the antenna technology change? There used to be huge HAM radio antennas all over Spokane, but very few are in existence these days.

Back in the early 70's when I was overseas in the Marine Corps MARS was the only way I could actually speak to my wife back in the states. Text, emailing, and video conferencing sure would have been nice in those days of waiting for snail-mail.

Irish11 · May 17, 2023

There are some evolutions in the hobby with FT8 seeming pretty popular right now so I think it will have a place for sure with people who are interested in radio and people who look to it as emergency comms. I think it does have a lot of competition with lower barriers of entry like GMRS. Where people just want to use it to talk and don't want to learn how it works (guilty, I got mine because my friends had licenses, but I went on to get a general because it was interesting). I've noticed since GRMS became more popular more of my friends are getting that license over ham for offroad and outdoor communications.

dirty dog · May 19, 2023

I was a radio operator while in the Army.
In those days we used short wave.
I saved many a life while setting in the radio shack miles away from the shit.
Short way kicks ass. I have talked to people all around the world using short wave.