My not-so-long day at work
First, everyone who had last week off is having a much longer day than I today.
Second, I'd decided some time ago to get a HAM radio license but never did anything about it. The good people at Cobb County CERT/SAR have trolled up an opportunity that required three consecutive Saturdays and costs $15 to take the test at the end. Already hearing the voices of skepticism, I googled "benefits of a ham radio license" to see what to say in response.
TL;DR assuming you keep your ham radio charged, it will work when anything requiring not just a power grid but other infrastructure goes kerflooey. Hams who are not bug-eyed paranoiac preppers already have a history of helping out in emergencies.
That said, googling that phrase? CUE THE BUG-EYED PARANOIAC PREPPERS.
First response: I can't have my name in a federal database as would be the case in getting a ham license. The odds that this guy has a lawfully registered vehicle, a license to drive it and maybe a registered firearm are absurdly high.
Second response: I'll just set up a ham radio shack without a license, cunningly concealing my long distance antenna in the trees. NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW.
I'm nowhere near licensed but can, based on my wireless communications career choices, make really big funny faces at this one. Antenna hidden in trees...defeats the purpose of an antenna, as wireless communication without infrastructure is heavily dependent on line of sight. Anyone who thinks they can power up a radio station and not have anyone else notice? Is unclear on the nature of radio communication.
The ham at my Search and Rescue class said the FCC has a sport called "fox hunting," where the hunt down and shut down illegal radio stations. I assure you that wireless communications carriers with whose infrastructure these illegal setup are likely screwing will render all needed aid in the endeavor.
So, yeah. Main benefit: communications without infrastructure for as long as you can keep your radio lit. Side benefit: no longer need to rely on walkie talkies during search & rescue.
Second, I'd decided some time ago to get a HAM radio license but never did anything about it. The good people at Cobb County CERT/SAR have trolled up an opportunity that required three consecutive Saturdays and costs $15 to take the test at the end. Already hearing the voices of skepticism, I googled "benefits of a ham radio license" to see what to say in response.
TL;DR assuming you keep your ham radio charged, it will work when anything requiring not just a power grid but other infrastructure goes kerflooey. Hams who are not bug-eyed paranoiac preppers already have a history of helping out in emergencies.
That said, googling that phrase? CUE THE BUG-EYED PARANOIAC PREPPERS.
First response: I can't have my name in a federal database as would be the case in getting a ham license. The odds that this guy has a lawfully registered vehicle, a license to drive it and maybe a registered firearm are absurdly high.
Second response: I'll just set up a ham radio shack without a license, cunningly concealing my long distance antenna in the trees. NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW.
I'm nowhere near licensed but can, based on my wireless communications career choices, make really big funny faces at this one. Antenna hidden in trees...defeats the purpose of an antenna, as wireless communication without infrastructure is heavily dependent on line of sight. Anyone who thinks they can power up a radio station and not have anyone else notice? Is unclear on the nature of radio communication.
The ham at my Search and Rescue class said the FCC has a sport called "fox hunting," where the hunt down and shut down illegal radio stations. I assure you that wireless communications carriers with whose infrastructure these illegal setup are likely screwing will render all needed aid in the endeavor.
So, yeah. Main benefit: communications without infrastructure for as long as you can keep your radio lit. Side benefit: no longer need to rely on walkie talkies during search & rescue.