Excellent video. 3 yrs ago our cell phones went down, next morning I went to the local radio store and got study material for my tech. license and a Yeasu ft60. I passed my test and joined a club. Next step was my general and bought a Yeasu 450D 100 watt all for preparedness. Great video
Good video. Got BF-F8HP and heading for the tech license, then going to wait for that GMRS license like advised. Got my family into HAM radios for staying connected, and for the SHTF situations we may see.
Thanks so very much for you sharing all of this with us. I have watched many hours so far and I just placed an order for a Yaesu Ft891. I think it’ll do what I need and I’m going to put a couple of the 8w uv-5r into the mix while I listen and get my tech and general. Will be the first in my family with any radio knowledge.
A friend of mine told me about being stranded in the mountains with cold and snow and out of gas. He was able to send an SOS through a satellite and got help. Otherwise he would have died. Zello is a great tool anytime you are near to wifi.
Congrats! Make sure to study for your license and many of the ham bands will be open to you, even with just a technician license. You might want to get the programming cable for the BaoFeng also, as it makes programming much easier. This RUclips channel has several videos on programming a BaoFeng also.
@@tylerdean980 thank you! I found some good stuff online to help me study for it. I got the cable and programmed mine, and my dads radio. In the meantime I’ve enjoyed listening to the stations when people are on.
So many people complain about Baofengs but I'm sure that's what got them started just like me unless they had money to blow from the get go. I still have my Baofeng . Don't knock the youngster that can't afford anything else and then feel embarrassed to get on the air and get questioned ,what radio are you using.
A second Amen to that. After Covid there will be even more people with less cash reserves to buy radios from the big 3 due to the impact of longer term loss of jobs etc
WE were using HTs at the coffee shop! During the winter of 2020, and maybe even this year... The dining room was closed, but you could buy coffee and bagels for take-out dining, and so we did! We get coffee & bagels, then sit in the vehicles with the HTs plugged in to charge, and talk on the HTs. In the summer, we put chairs in the parking space next to the car. 😁😆
Recently bought a radio BF F8HP just to have and you have me now studying for "tech" and am considering just going extra. I am up to 72% aptitude and my background of being a telecommunications engineer/tech really helped me with a bunch of the stuff that is not specific just to ham. BTW, you also gained and APB subscriber! Too bad you dont live anywhere even close to me or I would be bugging you in your comm room daily. lol
one time on a ragchew 2m repeater... someone said "check in before you cant anymore" thats when i decided to get my tech... now im starting to study for my zoom test Gen test lol
Hey Josh, I really love your videos. I recently ordered a Yaesu FT-70 as a starter, I am also currently studying to get my tech license so I could transmit via simplex or ysf. I live quite far though (Philippines), I hope you notice my comment :)
Quick note, just bought a Nooelec NESDR SMArt v4 seems the manufacturing might be diff per device, was happy to see "you spoke, we listened! This premium RTL-SDR was designed, developed and fabricated by Nooelec in the USA and Canada"
I was confused by the made in China comment, but I guess it makes sense that Nooelec started out made overseas. Regardless, Nooelec has great customer service!
The beauty of owning an amateur radio is everyone can have one legally and are encouraged to own one to listen to it. The entry level radio hobbies has no license at all. They are a listener only. I have been listening for decades. Although I have no amateur radio. I have set up many. I just have an all band scanner and love the radio hobby.
yep! I have a car antenna for my jeep that is clipped to a 12 foot tall microphone stand currently 2nd floor bedroom i use for 2m/70cm with a pl259tosma-M to my HT's
Great videos. However, i find the audio on Superchat distracting, and it sometimes muddles over something important you are saying. It takes away from your excellent presentations. Could you turn it off?
Im taking my license test at the end of february (Which given my that my radios are coming from china they wont be here til the beginning of march) So wish me luck!
Cant beat analog for emergency communications, but in the Tulsa area we have a strong active ham radio community. Recently we have been working together in building allstar nodes, and have even began implementing the infrastructure to bridge dmr, c4fm etc along with allstar. We have a local link setup so that we can discuss different projects, problem solve as a group, and share new ideas. We are now setting up a reproducible schematic, instructions etc for allstar node builds, dmr hotspot builds etc. We are also donating time and money into building these for others in the area that either cant afford them, or possibly dont have the skill or ability to build their own. Between base allstar nodes and portable/mobile nodes, the system is really becoming a go-to for local communications.
I had a Kaito KA500, but it was almost impossible to tune to a specific SW station, like WWV, and I couldn't reveive NOAA weather without being outdoors or using a long wire antenna, so I bought the digital KA600 pro. Neither will decode S.A.M.E. messages from NOAA.
Six months ago, I bought a pair of Tenway Baofeng UV-5 clones for $85 on Amazon. Too much money you say??? In the box came two radios, two 1800 ma lithium ion battery packs, two chargers, two short antennas, (about 6 inches), two long antennas, (about 18 inches), two over -the- ear speaker / boom mics, two hand heald speaker mics, 2 manuals, (practically on microfilm though) and 1 computer programming cable. Bought separately, it would have cost a hell of a lot more. The computer programming cable alone is $20.00! They aren't Kenwood but they serve my purpose well. I'm happy.
am a newbie, interested in acquiring a ham radio, for the ability to maintain comms in potential troublesome times.. any recommendations for a good all-around set..
Not enough information. What range do you need? What bands would you like? Is portability important? If you just want everything in one radio, get a Shack-in-a-box style like the FT-991a or IC-7100. If you don’t need the range of HF, then you can get a much cheaper radio. VHF/UHF is good for up to 80 miles, if you’re using a repeater.
Just get two or three Baofeng UV5-R radios for the family or close friends. Tune them to the same VHF frequencies, but check the frequencies you're using so that you don't interfere with anyone else.
Your question is the equivalent of asking cars gurus "I'm tired of walking and dont have a drivers license yet so what vehicle should I buy?". Basically you will be looked upon with disdain so ignore those people. Go get yourself a baofeng uvr5. Then study to get your radio license. Learn to program, talk, and listen. You at this point have begun your journey.
Among the myriad of factors , a very basic one is : Do you primarily want a private communications network for your family or small group ? Or do you want to be able to reach out and contact random people ?
Thanks for the video. Any ideas of when Icom will be updating the 7100? Liking the basic features of the 7100 over the 991a but hoping for some additional features in an updated model to compete with the screen and waterfall of the 991a.
Newbie here bought a baofeng uv-5r a couple weeks ago since watching one of ur videos and ordered the gordan west book and signed up for a class in my town that starts next weekend. i think alot more ppl are realizing that if shyt hits the fan ham radio will be the only way to communcate
having so much fun listening. you had a while ago sent me your recommendation on what radio to go with in the car. i do not remember what it is now. You mind helping men out again?
in the netherlands whe only have 2 test,the novice test,and full,and i think there is some test for cw i m not sure,i failed for my novice 2 times so i take a break from it,for now i m using my baofengs on pmr (still iligal i know) and lpd channels (i dont think you have that there) in here whe have lpd 69 channels in the 433mhz :) you can transmit free on there,i think its about the same as frs and gmrs (not sure as whe dont have that here )
Question? I purchased the Mobilinkd and cable with ferrite coupler, have it all hooked up and on a Baofeng. My question is VOX should be on, but what level should it be set to? The baofeng has 10 settings for VOX, I assumed 10 because more is better???
Local radio store near me is out of stock on everything. I went through a local guy that buys, sells and trades in all forms of radio equipment and picked up a Xiegu x5105 with a Pelican case and all OG accessories for $500, so now i have my bug out radio. But what i fear that the recent buy frenzy is by none licensed users and we're going to be hearing them on the air. There's a group here in Ohio that told me they just use a random call sign to get on the air, IMO these are the ones that cause the trouble on the air.
nothing for sale at all in alberta, canada. neither in store or on swap groups, unbelievable! i literally was forced to buy a baofeng, all other HT's on amazon sold out from the major brands.
This is an important topic. Way too many people are buying amateur radio equipment with the intention of operating unlicensed. If someone makes an emergency call into a repeater and doesn’t give a call sign most people will (I would) assume it’s a prank. I have heard those pranks. Ps: 900MHz is still UHF, SHF starts a 3 GHz
@@drinaz4070 Exactly right.Let a friend of mine borrow my hand held and he had a fire at the bottom of a hill not far from his house. There is no cell service there.He managed to get into a local repeater. Someone called the fire department for him. Sadly he passed away before he got licensed. I admit that was a very very rare thing to have happen.
Bless all their insane little hearts. Me, I'm looking forward to picking and choosing from all the amazing used gear deals in ... about 4 months I'm guessing
I'm not Christopher Otto nor a mind reader , but his probable meaning is obvious , and a cliche in other contexts . To wit ; when in the Course of Human Events there is a widespread perception among the general public that a potential state of affairs is if not eminent , substantially more likely than in normal times , to the point of being prudent to prepare for . Often times such ( whatever ) is something that has a learning curve , and requires a measure of knowledge , training , and applied skills in order to ( make use of ) in a moderately effective manner . In terms of this video , the potential crisis would be a breakdown of personal communications . Maybe from general societal breakdown , say an actual epidemic on the order of Bubonic Plague or pre antibiotic era Cholera or Small Pox . When 30% to 70% of the public is actually dead or bedridden , most everything modern and complex will probably not function . Or that politically all communication that is monitorable or passes through controlled nodes would be subjected to significant blocking or censorship . IF the potential Situiations of Concern don't come to pass , a significant percentage of the ( public who covered their bets to be prepared Just in Case ) will discover they aren't inclined to persue the ( whatever ) as a hobby in " normal " times . A sub percentage of those will decide to sell or trade their un or little used Emergency Preparedness gear , to use the resulting funds for other purposes . When enough people do this at the same time , there will be a glut on the market , depressing the market value of the used gear . Sucks to be a seller , but people with ongoing interest in ( whatever ) can get some screaming bargins .
LOL, I bought 9 Baofengs in December... Five GT3's and 4 UV-5R Mirkits. I sent all but one of the MIRKIT UV-5R's back a couple weeks ago. Wish I would've held and sold them locally, Sorry!!!!
If you are using an SDR that has a physical antenna, you do not need the internet. If you don't have a form of electricity, then no radio will help you I'm afraid.
On older FRS radios, you have14 to 22 channels. Now they're all 22 channels. It used to be channels 1 through 14 was FRS and limited to .5 watts and 15 through 22 was GMRS and limited to 5 watts. Now it's all FRS and channels 1 through 7 are still limited to .5 watts. Channels 8 through 22 is limited to 2 watts. All designs of FRS radios are required to have their antennas PERMANENTLY attached to the hand set. In the beginning, Radio Shack made an all in the mike, cigarette lighter powered, magnet mount antenna, 14 channel unit. What did I say about antennas? The magnet mount antenna gave it the potential for more than a 2 mile range. I could be wrong but I think I also read that back then, they were supposed to be powered by self contained batteries as apposed to a cigarette lighter plug but I'm not 100% sure of this. I'd even seen FRS desk top base units for sale like for a parent and their kids to communicate from a kitchen or home office but it too had a permanent antenna and ran on batteries. I bought 2 of the mobiles from Radio Shack for $40.00 total just before they came off the market. Sadly, they wound up in a box that went into my garage. I have my 100 unit CB radio collection out there in my shop and the worst that's happened to them is a layer of dust. The two FRS mobiles apparently had their coax insulation made out of recycled mouse food because there isn't an inch of it left. 😡 We live in the country with a hay field across the road. The field mice come over here on vacation in the winter when it gets cold. They keep our 5 cats and 2 of our dogs in great shape. They also come to visit whenever the farmer harvests the hay. HMMmm. According to Google and every other source of radio information that I've heard of over the decades, GMRS stands for GENERAL mobile radio service. Spoiler alert!!! Ham test incoming!!! Why do they call it HAM radio? Post an answer here if you want one. I'll watch for a few days.
Hey Josh, not sure you have noticed, but the Kenwood D74 has disappeared (not even listed for sale/back order) from all the major retailers (HRO, DX Engineering, Giga Parts, etc.) Seems there is a big run on HTs. Have you heard anything as to why some HTs seem to have just dropped off the radar? Cheers and 73!
I am very much enjoying your content. Thank you! :) I just cant let bad arguments around this go by without a little keyboard pounding. Please dont take it personally. If the goal is better cooperation and coexistence over this scarce resource and to get people involved then those that refuse to teach or communicate with unlicensed people are working directly against those goals. Dont relegate people not wanting to kiss the FCC's ring to ignorance that will make it harder for them to voluntarily learn how to be responsible with their use of the technology. If you ostracize them they will have little choice or reason to try to be non-disruptive. I'll never kiss the ring, I'm going to use this technology, and I am ready willing and thirsty to learn all I can to be a responsible and knowledgeable operator.
I completely understand your point of view. The problem is that it’s flawed when you consider *all* the entities that want access to rf space. The reason for licensing is to keep all the entities separate. That’s either done by 1. The radio being limited in capabilities. FRS GMRS, etc. or you have broadcast radios, commercial radios. And so on. They all have clearly defined licenses or the radio themselves are licensed and meet certain standards to reduce people interfering with each other. Amateur radio offers the post privileges to experiment with rf technologies, as such requires the most rigor in maintaining responsible operation. Licensing is one way (*maybe not the way I would do it*) the FCC attempts to maintain a sort of baseline. There was a time when broadcasters, commercial users and amateurs all battles on the air for the same frequencies and it was not productive and lended itself to degradation in its effectivity.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse Is there a best way to reach you privately? I'd love to extend an invitation to continue this conversation either privately or on my show (Disenthrall). I think this is a great teaching topic to think through.
Think about it: If SHTF I would not use radios of any kind to get help, there won't be any, just folks looking to take what you have. Rely only on those you already know in your circle, etc. Instead I'd use scanners to listen to what everyone else is doing and what's happening. I have all bands/channels in this area programmed. I also use the 'signal stalker' feature on one radio to pick up 'danger close' radios & personnel, ie, those that may encroach my ranch fence lines. Using Ham radio to talk to pple 200 miles away is pointless. To talk to family all over the ranch when SHTF, we're considering 49 Mhz band, no one uses it due to low power limits, so no one is listening either. We're looking at 49Mhz AM radios built for .5W to 2W ERP with off-channel freq's. CB, FRS or GMRS is like a white flag on your front door! Imho.... comments??
Yes and no. Yes that signals intelligence would be paramount. Which I definitely talk about. But… your group you mentioned would need comms. Close in comms would still be valuable and you would run the least amount of power to make that work. Also consider mesh systems like LoRa. They distribute your signals away from where you are and can be replaced quickly and easily.
Parts! it's PARTS that's the problem. Lots of people want to buy radios but if you want a Yaesu 991A you are SOL. Same with Ford trucks. There is a parts shortage that's going to bit us in the butt really soon.
@@coleporter20 the 70 is a good radio. I had one. Be sure to buy an xtra battery and keep the mic gain down. Also get the desk charger. You can thank me later.
A few days ago, I saw the employees at a Walmart warehouse were all using UV-5Rs for their in-warehouse communication. Unless they are all tech licensed, they shouldn’t be using it, right? Also, it’s not like anyone would know the difference or care
Watching after the fact but it would be nice if you could master the audio a little hotter, My speakers are semi limited and some of your videos I have to use headphones or rely on YT's wonderful subtitles.
I am just getting started in the Ham Radio world and purchased a cheap BAOFANG, I find it difficult and confusing. Do you have any advice for a SUPER novice like myself? Thank you!
@@HamRadioCrashCourse my goal is to upgrade to Extra while it’s still free, then get my GMRS after the fee drops lol. Hopefully that plan doesn’t bite me in the arse
Josh - love the content! I would love to know what wire style antenna that is on your FT3D and also what adapter is needed for it. I swap antennas a bit often, I use the HT for SOTA and everyday carry. Help from anyone would be welcome.
The dude at the end who wanted to build a radio with only cash could just put that cash on a pre-paid Visa, checkout as a guest, have the stuff sent to a PO box and BOOM. Untraceable radio bits. Though I have no idea why (even if there was a radio ban) anyone would use credit card and online recipes to track down radio operators. How do they know you havent sold or destroyed what you bought in the past? Or is this just about cash? Or was this a weird way of asking if there are still any stores like radio shack?
Looking at the Amazon reviews on the Kaito radios - it seems that there are more negative reviews than positive mostly surrounding the charging and life of the internal batteries which would be the real reason for having this unit.
I'm setting up a small repeater, went to order a pair of baofengs I bought sometime in 2019 for 22 bucks each on Amazon - they're now 36 each. Regular plain old UV-82's. Ended up finding a pair of UV-82HP's (8w 3 power setting version) with 2 regular size batteries, 2 3800ma/hr batteries, and 2 whip antennas in addition to the 2 rubber ducks = for under 90 bucks. So for the same price as the "cheap" radios are going for, I got a TON of extra stuff. Not prime though, and long delivery time - but whatever.
KV4ZB. Licensed but useless for all practical purposes. I have 2 small baofeng radios, no local ham group, no close repeater. I need to set up a small shack of my own I guess.
@@nicholasbuckley3842 I was not familiar with the SOTA activations so I looked it up and it seems like a great option. I am an avid hiker, but live in a coastal plain...no summits here! It is only a few hours drive inland to mountains however, and I will definitely look further into this. Thank you so much for the suggestion.
I’ve never done a sota activation but I am planning to do one. It’s really playing radio after exploring the wilderness. I’m keen. Also consider getting a digital radio and setting up a Pi Star in your house linked to a repeater over the internet
I tried your Radio Oddity link and the site offered $15 off. But when I tried to use it, the order page said it was not valid. You on bad terms now? Ask to borrow money in a relationship that's not that close? LOL! I'm having fun with you (but the discount really did fail). I ordered the GT-5R and a couple more items. Now I gotta learn what I've gotten myself into.
Imagine if you were a passenger in your friends car driving around town. So now you needed to go to the bathroom so you asked your friend to get you to the nearest gas station quickly. He says okay sure but insists on driving at 3mph the entire way. It’s like his gas pedal doesn’t exist. Anyway it seems you just never get there........
DC to Daylight is cute but the em spectrum goes far beyond visible light. So DC to Gamma Rays would be the correct way to refer to the entire em spectrum. Yeah I know...
Yeah from what I got out of it. The illegal activity is directed at patriots using ham/GMRS/frs/ murs to organize protest. They are attacking all forms of communications now that they stole the election.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse found the second one. That is wierd that it did that. Figured I would use Spotify since Apple podcasts was giving me issues streaming it
I need some help choosing a long-range 'walkie talkie'. I have some far-flung international locations in mind for an adventure for myself and a mate, places such as the Sahara Desert, the Atacama Desert in South America, jungles of Asia, and so on and so forth, you get the point, Bear Grylls shit... Money is no object and I only need two units. I have zero experience with radio comms other than the CB radio my dad set up for me back in 1996 when I was 12 years old. I just want to pretty much be able to buy the pair of radio handsets, charge them up and get chatting to my mate in the event we are separated in a precarious situation. I don't want an overly complex unit that requires a good knowledge of programming the channels, just a high wattage unit that's simple to operate - Any pointers???
@@12vibaba That's overkill for my use-case, being that I will never be more than a few hundred metres from my friend.. Getting a satellite subscription for this purpose is definitely overkill..
TOTAL BUZZ KILL,,, just ordered a ft3d..... so most hams use ssb?? i was hoping to at least HEAR something in the lower freqs.... welll I live by KAPA BuckleyAFB and DIA so will at least hear airband.. and the Buckley MILairBAND hopefully
Since when couldn't someone go general or extra first? Back when the novice class was available, my uncle went straight to tech after the FCC confiscated his "10 1/2" meter equipment. You mean someone who has a PhD in electronics couldn't read all the ham study guides, master the obsolete Morse code and take the general or extra test bypassing tech? Maybe not likely but not impossible.
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
Excellent video. 3 yrs ago our cell phones went down, next morning I went to the local radio store and got study material for my tech. license and a Yeasu ft60. I passed my test and joined a club. Next step was my general and bought a Yeasu 450D 100 watt all for preparedness. Great video
It would be great if you can do an updated version of what you would buy if you had to do this again in 2023!
I like it!
Agreed. There is about to be a huge market for basic ham comms based on recent activity
Good video. Got BF-F8HP and heading for the tech license, then going to wait for that GMRS license like advised. Got my family into HAM radios for staying connected, and for the SHTF situations we may see.
Thanks so very much for you sharing all of this with us. I have watched many hours so far and I just placed an order for a Yaesu Ft891. I think it’ll do what I need and I’m going to put a couple of the 8w uv-5r into the mix while I listen and get my tech and general. Will be the first in my family with any radio knowledge.
This was so informative and understanding the different types and uses of today’s radios.Great Job Sir 👏 Thanks
A friend of mine told me about being stranded in the mountains with cold and snow and out of gas. He was able to send an SOS through a satellite and got help. Otherwise he would have died. Zello is a great tool anytime you are near to wifi.
Indeed. Those satellite beacons can be life savers.
Thanks again, from a noob here. I reaaaaaally appreciate your channel, your teaching, your dedication. I'm learning super fast TYVM!!
Thank you!!!
I'm working on my license. Not because of all the panic right now. Just thought it would be fun! I'm an old CB user from years back.
Welcome!
That is exactly why I am doing it. It is fun, interesting and at the same time complicated. It’s a new challenge.
Many hams (including myself) were CB'ers at some point, Scott.
Getting my UV-5R tomorrow and am stoked to get into HAM radio. Looking at getting deep into the hobby for sure already!
Congrats! Make sure to study for your license and many of the ham bands will be open to you, even with just a technician license. You might want to get the programming cable for the BaoFeng also, as it makes programming much easier. This RUclips channel has several videos on programming a BaoFeng also.
@@tylerdean980 thank you! I found some good stuff online to help me study for it. I got the cable and programmed mine, and my dads radio. In the meantime I’ve enjoyed listening to the stations when people are on.
So many people complain about Baofengs but I'm sure that's what got them started just like me unless they had money to blow from the get go. I still have my Baofeng . Don't knock the youngster that can't afford anything else and then feel embarrassed to get on the air and get questioned ,what radio are you using.
Amen!
A second Amen to that. After Covid there will be even more people with less cash reserves to buy radios from the big 3 due to the impact of longer term loss of jobs etc
I just purchased a baofeng uv-5r on ebay for $19.90 last week! Great little radios on the cheap. oh and ty, subbed.
WE were using HTs at the coffee shop! During the winter of 2020, and maybe even this year...
The dining room was closed, but you could buy coffee and bagels for take-out dining, and so we did!
We get coffee & bagels, then sit in the vehicles with the HTs plugged in to charge, and talk on the HTs.
In the summer, we put chairs in the parking space next to the car. 😁😆
The voice on the super chat is neat for the 1st couple of times. After that it's distracting. Great show
I was wondering what that was. It's extremely annoying. It was funny the first time. After that, it was absurd.
@@brontoab1 agreed, its way too loud and talks over top of the host. glad im not the only one.....
That was such a great presentation.. very helpful..TY!!
Very good Josh I watch your show all the time
Heads up like your show
Recently bought a radio BF F8HP just to have and you have me now studying for "tech" and am considering just going extra. I am up to 72% aptitude and my background of being a telecommunications engineer/tech really helped me with a bunch of the stuff that is not specific just to ham. BTW, you also gained and APB subscriber! Too bad you dont live anywhere even close to me or I would be bugging you in your comm room daily. lol
Oh yeah, with your background please at least aim for general.
one time on a ragchew 2m repeater... someone said "check in before you cant anymore" thats when i decided to get my tech... now im starting to study for my zoom test Gen test lol
Hey Josh, I really love your videos. I recently ordered a Yaesu FT-70 as a starter, I am also currently studying to get my tech license so I could transmit via simplex or ysf. I live quite far though (Philippines), I hope you notice my comment :)
General mobile radio GMRS not Ground. I just went to Amazon and there are plenty of Baofeng uv5r.🤔 Great video.
Quick note, just bought a Nooelec NESDR SMArt v4 seems the manufacturing might be diff per device, was happy to see "you spoke, we listened! This premium RTL-SDR was designed, developed and fabricated by Nooelec in the USA and Canada"
Great!
I was confused by the made in China comment, but I guess it makes sense that Nooelec started out made overseas. Regardless, Nooelec has great customer service!
The beauty of owning an amateur radio is everyone can have one legally and are encouraged to own one to listen to it. The entry level radio hobbies has no license at all. They are a listener only. I have been listening for decades. Although I have no amateur radio. I have set up many. I just have an all band scanner and love the radio hobby.
yep! I have a car antenna for my jeep that is clipped to a 12 foot tall microphone stand currently 2nd floor bedroom i use for 2m/70cm with a pl259tosma-M to my HT's
Hey Josh @1:18:00 you threw a battery monitor on the table do you think you could post a link of where you got that one 🙏
Great videos. However, i find the audio on Superchat distracting, and it sometimes muddles over something important you are saying. It takes away from your excellent presentations. Could you turn it off?
Yep! Thanks!
Or at least mute the audio from Superchat, even though the graphic still displays.
Im taking my license test at the end of february (Which given my that my radios are coming from china they wont be here til the beginning of march) So wish me luck!
Update: I have my ticket and am on the airwaves as KO4MNM
The can of drink with the background of the video was like a an acid trip 🤣🤣🤣
Thanks Josh.
So i have the baofeng uv-16 pro Says its a 10 watt radio.... My question is what would be a good antenna for my ford ranger?
Cant beat analog for emergency communications, but in the Tulsa area we have a strong active ham radio community. Recently we have been working together in building allstar nodes, and have even began implementing the infrastructure to bridge dmr, c4fm etc along with allstar. We have a local link setup so that we can discuss different projects, problem solve as a group, and share new ideas. We are now setting up a reproducible schematic, instructions etc for allstar node builds, dmr hotspot builds etc. We are also donating time and money into building these for others in the area that either cant afford them, or possibly dont have the skill or ability to build their own. Between base allstar nodes and portable/mobile nodes, the system is really becoming a go-to for local communications.
I love analog, but I also agree, more mods and an active commuity is best!
I had a Kaito KA500, but it was almost impossible to tune to a specific SW station, like WWV, and I couldn't reveive NOAA weather without being outdoors or using a long wire antenna, so I bought the digital KA600 pro. Neither will decode S.A.M.E. messages from NOAA.
Six months ago, I bought a pair of Tenway Baofeng UV-5 clones for $85 on Amazon. Too much money you say??? In the box came two radios, two 1800 ma lithium ion battery packs, two chargers, two short antennas, (about 6 inches), two long antennas, (about 18 inches), two over -the- ear speaker / boom mics, two hand heald speaker mics, 2 manuals, (practically on microfilm though) and 1 computer programming cable. Bought separately, it would have cost a hell of a lot more. The computer programming cable alone is $20.00! They aren't Kenwood but they serve my purpose well. I'm happy.
am a newbie, interested in acquiring a ham radio, for the ability to maintain comms in potential troublesome times.. any recommendations for a good all-around set..
Not enough information. What range do you need? What bands would you like? Is portability important? If you just want everything in one radio, get a Shack-in-a-box style like the FT-991a or IC-7100. If you don’t need the range of HF, then you can get a much cheaper radio. VHF/UHF is good for up to 80 miles, if you’re using a repeater.
Just get two or three Baofeng UV5-R radios for the family or close friends.
Tune them to the same VHF frequencies, but check the frequencies you're using so that you don't interfere with anyone else.
Your question is the equivalent of asking cars gurus "I'm tired of walking and dont have a drivers license yet so what vehicle should I buy?". Basically you will be looked upon with disdain so ignore those people. Go get yourself a baofeng uvr5. Then study to get your radio license. Learn to program, talk, and listen. You at this point have begun your journey.
Among the myriad of factors , a very basic one is :
Do you primarily want a private communications network for your family or small group ? Or do you want to be able to reach out and contact random people ?
I’m late to watching but the receive only with so MUCH it can pull in is just what my radio bug needs until old enough to get his HAM.
Love your "I just got out of bed morning hairdo"
Thanks for the video. Any ideas of when Icom will be updating the 7100? Liking the basic features of the 7100 over the 991a but hoping for some additional features in an updated model to compete with the screen and waterfall of the 991a.
Just got the PR-40 this past week. Really nice mic. Run my RX audio through the Heil PRAS....also really nice. Good stuff
Newbie here bought a baofeng uv-5r a couple weeks ago since watching one of ur videos and ordered the gordan west book and signed up for a class in my town that starts next weekend. i think alot more ppl are realizing that if shyt hits the fan ham radio will be the only way to communcate
@@georgeconnor1561 NH
@melissa also in CA!
having so much fun listening. you had a while ago sent me your recommendation on what radio to go with in the car. i do not remember what it is now. You mind helping men out again?
in the netherlands whe only have 2 test,the novice test,and full,and i think there is some test for cw i m not sure,i failed for my novice 2 times so i take a break from it,for now i m using my baofengs on pmr (still iligal i know) and lpd channels (i dont think you have that there) in here whe have lpd 69 channels in the 433mhz :) you can transmit free on there,i think its about the same as frs and gmrs (not sure as whe dont have that here )
ive got a BF and Tenway for sale... $10 each one is a triband and the other is a 8W
Question? I purchased the Mobilinkd and cable with ferrite coupler, have it all hooked up and on a Baofeng. My question is VOX should be on, but what level should it be set to? The baofeng has 10 settings for VOX, I assumed 10 because more is better???
Nah. Like 1 is why you use.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse thanks will give it a go, I had it working on the android app, but not working on the iOS app. Will have to figure it out !
Local radio store near me is out of stock on everything. I went through a local guy that buys, sells and trades in all forms of radio equipment and picked up a Xiegu x5105 with a Pelican case and all OG accessories for $500, so now i have my bug out radio. But what i fear that the recent buy frenzy is by none licensed users and we're going to be hearing them on the air. There's a group here in Ohio that told me they just use a random call sign to get on the air, IMO these are the ones that cause the trouble on the air.
nothing for sale at all in alberta, canada. neither in store or on swap groups, unbelievable! i literally was forced to buy a baofeng, all other HT's on amazon sold out from the major brands.
SSB CB is a good option for some folks.
Great show.
This is an important topic. Way too many people are buying amateur radio equipment with the intention of operating unlicensed. If someone makes an emergency call into a repeater and doesn’t give a call sign most people will (I would) assume it’s a prank. I have heard those pranks.
Ps: 900MHz is still UHF, SHF starts a 3 GHz
If its a real emergency I think most hams will try to help. But if its chit-chat you're going to need a call sign (license).
@@drinaz4070 Exactly right.Let a friend of mine borrow my hand held and he had a fire at the bottom of a hill not far from his house. There is no cell service there.He managed to get into a local repeater. Someone called the fire department for him. Sadly he passed away before he got licensed. I admit that was a very very rare thing to have happen.
Bless all their insane little hearts. Me, I'm looking forward to picking and choosing from all the amazing used gear deals in ... about 4 months I'm guessing
Christopher Otto
Why will there be an amazing amount of used gear to pick and choose from in 4 months?
I'm not Christopher Otto nor a mind reader , but his probable meaning is obvious , and a cliche in other contexts .
To wit ; when in the Course of Human Events there is a widespread perception among the general public that a potential state of affairs is if not eminent , substantially more likely than in normal times , to the point of being prudent to prepare for .
Often times such ( whatever ) is something that has a learning curve , and requires a measure of knowledge , training , and applied skills in order to ( make use of ) in a moderately effective manner .
In terms of this video , the potential crisis would be a breakdown of personal communications . Maybe from general societal breakdown , say an actual epidemic on the order of Bubonic Plague or pre antibiotic era Cholera or Small Pox . When 30% to 70% of the public is actually dead or bedridden , most everything modern and complex will probably not function .
Or that politically all communication that is monitorable or passes through controlled nodes would be subjected to significant blocking or censorship .
IF the potential Situiations of Concern don't come to pass , a significant percentage of the ( public who covered their bets to be prepared Just in Case ) will discover they aren't inclined to persue the ( whatever ) as a hobby in " normal " times .
A sub percentage of those will decide to sell or trade their un or little used Emergency Preparedness gear , to use the resulting funds for other purposes .
When enough people do this at the same time , there will be a glut on the market , depressing the market value of the used gear . Sucks to be a seller , but people with ongoing interest in ( whatever ) can get some screaming bargins .
Time passed. How'd you do?
@@PeterLawton tbh haven't gone shopping yet
How would EMP affect these?
Fried
How can you possibly give a single $ sign to the FT-4x?? It's FOUR times the cost of the Baofeng.
That's incredibly misleading for people new to Ham.
LOL, I bought 9 Baofengs in December... Five GT3's and 4 UV-5R Mirkits. I sent all but one of the MIRKIT UV-5R's back a couple weeks ago. Wish I would've held and sold them locally, Sorry!!!!
What is a good solar charger to use for my Baofeng? 25000, 28000, 30000? Thank you.
SDR: Not much use if the SHTF! No net and no electricity?
I can run my computers off my solar systems.
If you are using an SDR that has a physical antenna, you do not need the internet. If you don't have a form of electricity, then no radio will help you I'm afraid.
On older FRS radios, you have14 to 22 channels. Now they're all 22 channels. It used to be channels 1 through 14 was FRS and limited to .5 watts and 15 through 22 was GMRS and limited to 5 watts. Now it's all FRS and channels 1 through 7 are still limited to .5 watts. Channels 8 through 22 is limited to 2 watts. All designs of FRS radios are required to have their antennas PERMANENTLY attached to the hand set. In the beginning, Radio Shack made an all in the mike, cigarette lighter powered, magnet mount antenna, 14 channel unit. What did I say about antennas? The magnet mount antenna gave it the potential for more than a 2 mile range. I could be wrong but I think I also read that back then, they were supposed to be powered by self contained batteries as apposed to a cigarette lighter plug but I'm not 100% sure of this. I'd even seen FRS desk top base units for sale like for a parent and their kids to communicate from a kitchen or home office but it too had a permanent antenna and ran on batteries. I bought 2 of the mobiles from Radio Shack for $40.00 total just before they came off the market. Sadly, they wound up in a box that went into my garage. I have my 100 unit CB radio collection out there in my shop and the worst that's happened to them is a layer of dust. The two FRS mobiles apparently had their coax insulation made out of recycled mouse food because there isn't an inch of it left. 😡 We live in the country with a hay field across the road. The field mice come over here on vacation in the winter when it gets cold. They keep our 5 cats and 2 of our dogs in great shape. They also come to visit whenever the farmer harvests the hay. HMMmm.
According to Google and every other source of radio information that I've heard of over the decades, GMRS stands for GENERAL mobile radio service.
Spoiler alert!!! Ham test incoming!!! Why do they call it HAM radio? Post an answer here if you want one. I'll watch for a few days.
Hey Josh, not sure you have noticed, but the Kenwood D74 has disappeared (not even listed for sale/back order) from all the major retailers (HRO, DX Engineering, Giga Parts, etc.) Seems there is a big run on HTs. Have you heard anything as to why some HTs seem to have just dropped off the radar? Cheers and 73!
Semiconductor supplier had a fire at their plant. A lot of radios have been discontinued due to parts being unavailable.
ive got 2 buttfangs 1 wouxan, an anytone 878 and wed... an ft3dr and am working on a 7300 .....if the guy is okay....
I am very much enjoying your content. Thank you! :) I just cant let bad arguments around this go by without a little keyboard pounding. Please dont take it personally.
If the goal is better cooperation and coexistence over this scarce resource and to get people involved then those that refuse to teach or communicate with unlicensed people are working directly against those goals. Dont relegate people not wanting to kiss the FCC's ring to ignorance that will make it harder for them to voluntarily learn how to be responsible with their use of the technology. If you ostracize them they will have little choice or reason to try to be non-disruptive.
I'll never kiss the ring, I'm going to use this technology, and I am ready willing and thirsty to learn all I can to be a responsible and knowledgeable operator.
I completely understand your point of view. The problem is that it’s flawed when you consider *all* the entities that want access to rf space. The reason for licensing is to keep all the entities separate. That’s either done by 1. The radio being limited in capabilities. FRS GMRS, etc. or you have broadcast radios, commercial radios. And so on. They all have clearly defined licenses or the radio themselves are licensed and meet certain standards to reduce people interfering with each other.
Amateur radio offers the post privileges to experiment with rf technologies, as such requires the most rigor in maintaining responsible operation. Licensing is one way (*maybe not the way I would do it*) the FCC attempts to maintain a sort of baseline.
There was a time when broadcasters, commercial users and amateurs all battles on the air for the same frequencies and it was not productive and lended itself to degradation in its effectivity.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse Is there a best way to reach you privately? I'd love to extend an invitation to continue this conversation either privately or on my show (Disenthrall). I think this is a great teaching topic to think through.
nope GMRS just sacrificed 70 bucks still .... been meaning to since October a friend just threw up a gmrs repeater then
You got some serious "Bed Head" there Buddy !
If you live on the water, why not also go to a marine VHF radio? They are 25 watts.
Think about it: If SHTF I would not use radios of any kind to get help, there won't be any, just folks looking to take what you have. Rely only on those you already know in your circle, etc. Instead I'd use scanners to listen to what everyone else is doing and what's happening. I have all bands/channels in this area programmed. I also use the 'signal stalker' feature on one radio to pick up 'danger close' radios & personnel, ie, those that may encroach my ranch fence lines. Using Ham radio to talk to pple 200 miles away is pointless. To talk to family all over the ranch when SHTF, we're considering 49 Mhz band, no one uses it due to low power limits, so no one is listening either. We're looking at 49Mhz AM radios built for .5W to 2W ERP with off-channel freq's. CB, FRS or GMRS is like a white flag on your front door! Imho.... comments??
Yes and no. Yes that signals intelligence would be paramount. Which I definitely talk about.
But… your group you mentioned would need comms. Close in comms would still be valuable and you would run the least amount of power to make that work.
Also consider mesh systems like LoRa. They distribute your signals away from where you are and can be replaced quickly and easily.
I’m worried that I won’t be able to to pass the technician test how difficult is the test?
It’s not. Just take the practice tests and study.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse is there math involved?
@@tatetuff Just study for the test. Any math on the Tech test is simple and easy to do.
Great content
Parts! it's PARTS that's the problem. Lots of people want to buy radios but if you want a Yaesu 991A you are SOL. Same with Ford trucks. There is a parts shortage that's going to bit us in the butt really soon.
OK, I will be back, have to checkout are you new to ham radio first
hoping to have a 7300 soon!!! on my local ham club swaplist.. but hoping to get it when i get paid again :) :) :)
Hello, Josh. Enjoy learning from you. Any word on if Icom is planning on updating the 7100 to more compete feature wise with the Yaesu 991a?
How does the Yaesu FT-70DR compare to the FT3D? I just bought it fir my first HT and I'm still figuring it out.
The 70 is like a kids bike with training wheels it'll do 70cm 2m analog or C4FM. The 3 is like a 10 speed bike. More features.
@@drinaz4070 yeah I just got my Tech license last week so I figured it was a solid one to start with for the money. I’ll step it up later on.
@@coleporter20 the 70 is a good radio. I had one. Be sure to buy an xtra battery and keep the mic gain down. Also get the desk charger. You can thank me later.
A few days ago, I saw the employees at a Walmart warehouse were all using UV-5Rs for their in-warehouse communication. Unless they are all tech licensed, they shouldn’t be using it, right? Also, it’s not like anyone would know the difference or care
They’re likely part 90 certified for business.
Your link for the study guide has a typo.
its not working Josh
Watching after the fact but it would be nice if you could master the audio a little hotter, My speakers are semi limited and some of your videos I have to use headphones or rely on YT's wonderful subtitles.
I am just getting started in the Ham Radio world and purchased a cheap BAOFANG, I find it difficult and confusing. Do you have any advice for a SUPER novice like myself? Thank you!
Yeah, I have a ton of videos on the baofeng. Check out the top playlist of my channel
Please buy a baojie 318 and do a review of it, i have two of them and they kinda impress me for the low price of $60 on ebay
General mobile radio service is $70 for 10 years. The scrambler features are not legal on frs or gmrs
What scramble features?
It’s $35 now
It will be $35 soon.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse my goal is to upgrade to Extra while it’s still free, then get my GMRS after the fee drops lol. Hopefully that plan doesn’t bite me in the arse
Josh - love the content! I would love to know what wire style antenna that is on your FT3D and also what adapter is needed for it. I swap antennas a bit often, I use the HT for SOTA and everyday carry. Help from anyone would be welcome.
I talk all about it here. Its a Signal Stuff Signal Stick. ruclips.net/video/5-95vlOMYOU/видео.html
rf 3 modulator atv from old analog tv equipment vcr`s
The dude at the end who wanted to build a radio with only cash could just put that cash on a pre-paid Visa, checkout as a guest, have the stuff sent to a PO box and BOOM. Untraceable radio bits. Though I have no idea why (even if there was a radio ban) anyone would use credit card and online recipes to track down radio operators. How do they know you havent sold or destroyed what you bought in the past? Or is this just about cash? Or was this a weird way of asking if there are still any stores like radio shack?
Looking at the Amazon reviews on the Kaito radios - it seems that there are more negative reviews than positive mostly surrounding the charging and life of the internal batteries which would be the real reason for having this unit.
Can anyone give me an exact URL to pay for and receive my GMRS license? It all seems a mystery?
Got my GMRS license already, if I get my amateur license do I get to use the same call sign?
No, completely separate
I'm setting up a small repeater, went to order a pair of baofengs I bought sometime in 2019 for 22 bucks each on Amazon - they're now 36 each. Regular plain old UV-82's.
Ended up finding a pair of UV-82HP's (8w 3 power setting version) with 2 regular size batteries, 2 3800ma/hr batteries, and 2 whip antennas in addition to the 2 rubber ducks = for under 90 bucks. So for the same price as the "cheap" radios are going for, I got a TON of extra stuff. Not prime though, and long delivery time - but whatever.
KV4ZB. Licensed but useless for all practical purposes. I have 2 small baofeng radios, no local ham group, no close repeater. I need to set up a small shack of my own I guess.
Have you considered SOTA activations?
@@nicholasbuckley3842 I was not familiar with the SOTA activations so I looked it up and it seems like a great option. I am an avid hiker, but live in a coastal plain...no summits here! It is only a few hours drive inland to mountains however, and I will definitely look further into this. Thank you so much for the suggestion.
I’ve never done a sota activation but I am planning to do one. It’s really playing radio after exploring the wilderness. I’m keen.
Also consider getting a digital radio and setting up a Pi Star in your house linked to a repeater over the internet
@@nicholasbuckley3842 I’ve been watching some you tube videos on it. I’m quite interested to try it.
I tried your Radio Oddity link and the site offered $15 off. But when I tried to use it, the order page said it was not valid. You on bad terms now? Ask to borrow money in a relationship that's not that close? LOL! I'm having fun with you (but the discount really did fail). I ordered the GT-5R and a couple more items. Now I gotta learn what I've gotten myself into.
Lol. The $15 page is theirs. I have no control over it.
Great，professional,条理清晰，很专业
Imagine if you were a passenger in your friends car driving around town. So now you needed to go to the bathroom so you asked your friend to get you to the nearest gas station quickly. He says okay sure but insists on driving at 3mph the entire way. It’s like his gas pedal doesn’t exist. Anyway it seems you just never get there........
Where can I get the USB cable
Great video!!!
crosss band repeat,,, wouxun kd-uv9d havent done it yet because i dont have an antenna yet.. but waaaaaant to
Is there an Alinco radio that would be equivalent to the icom 7100?
@@samanthacliford3061 I am near Atlanta Georgia
No
35:14 the scrambler makes you speak French
Josh even our fire dept cannot order radios our radios have been on back order for a while now
DC to Daylight is cute but the em spectrum goes far beyond visible light. So DC to Gamma Rays would be the correct way to refer to the entire em spectrum. Yeah I know...
Sure.... But it gets pedantic when talking about radios.
i was told there was a Fire in Japan
Interested on you thoughts on yesterday's FCC warning to ham operators.
OH, I’ve got a lot of thoughts.
Yeah from what I got out of it. The illegal activity is directed at patriots using ham/GMRS/frs/ murs to organize protest. They are attacking all forms of communications now that they stole the election.
So glad I was here LIVE, tonight. Ravens v. Bills game didn't look that exciting.
NFL is over. Get a life.
ham radio was more interesting than the NFL tonight. I am proud.
@@robbiagio2824 couple more weeks left...
Podcast is no longer updating on Spotify Since August 2020
There is a second feed. For some reason they were split. See if that helps.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse found the second one. That is wierd that it did that. Figured I would use Spotify since Apple podcasts was giving me issues streaming it
10-12 handheld units & one base station
I need some help choosing a long-range 'walkie talkie'. I have some far-flung international locations in mind for an adventure for myself and a mate, places such as the Sahara Desert, the Atacama Desert in South America, jungles of Asia, and so on and so forth, you get the point, Bear Grylls shit... Money is no object and I only need two units. I have zero experience with radio comms other than the CB radio my dad set up for me back in 1996 when I was 12 years old. I just want to pretty much be able to buy the pair of radio handsets, charge them up and get chatting to my mate in the event we are separated in a precarious situation. I don't want an overly complex unit that requires a good knowledge of programming the channels, just a high wattage unit that's simple to operate - Any pointers???
Wow, apparently not.
get a satelite telefone
@@12vibaba That's overkill for my use-case, being that I will never be more than a few hundred metres from my friend.. Getting a satellite subscription for this purpose is definitely overkill..
TOTAL BUZZ KILL,,, just ordered a ft3d..... so most hams use ssb?? i was hoping to at least HEAR something in the lower freqs.... welll I live by KAPA BuckleyAFB and DIA so will at least hear airband.. and the Buckley MILairBAND hopefully
If you don't use your radio know your radio and have your radio programmed it's like having a computer with no programming in it or software
No, you had it right, please do tell me what I WANT. HA
Since when couldn't someone go general or extra first? Back when the novice class was available, my uncle went straight to tech after the FCC confiscated his "10 1/2" meter equipment. You mean someone who has a PhD in electronics couldn't read all the ham study guides, master the obsolete Morse code and take the general or extra test bypassing tech? Maybe not likely but not impossible.