Ham radio operators sought for emergency aid

Don't be ridiculous.

Ham radio operators are often elderly men stereotyped (accurately) as buffoons.

No serious disciplined public safety organization uses Hams in a position of responsibility.

Mike aronson wrote:

Don't be ridiculous.
Ham radio operators are often elderly men stereotyped (accurately) as buffoons.
No serious disciplined public safety organization uses Hams in a position of responsibility.

That might be the case in LA. Maybe.

But when your fiber-optic lines were cut and there was NO phone service (landline or cell) and no internet a few months back, who came to the aid of the community and eased the burnden on the system?

Here in the Midwest, we have groups that work in close association with the local authorities-ever hear of the group called "Skywarn"? I know there aren't many tornados in your neck of the woods, but here, we report directly to the NWS and to local authorities.

There are also volunteer SAR groups and disaster response groups trained by the very authorites you seem to think wouldn't rely on us.

I've been a ham for 30 years, and we work closely with our City's Emergency Manager to provide emergency communications for the City, Red Cross, hospitals, and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). We will be operating the emergency medical communications for an upcoming major marathon.

There are hams from about 6 years old to over 100 years old, and we are teaching young people to be hams all the time.

During WWII, hams were pulled into service as radio operators, because they represented a pool of trained radio operators. Even FEMA recognizes the worth of hams in emergencies like floods, fires, hurricanes, earthquakes, etc.

Hams range from all levels of society. Barry Goldwater was a ham. The former king of Jordan, King Hussein, was a ham. Actor, Andy Divine was a ham. Many Boy Scouts and Sea Scouts are hams. We have hams who are lawyers,judges, policemen, firemen, engineers, technicians, teachers, nurses, doctors, plumbers, electricians, clerks, truck drivers, and just about any other occupation one can think of, including astronauts. And yes, there are hams who are retired and still serving their communities through amateur radio emergency communications.

Finally, I don't think a "buffoon" could pass the FCC exams to earn a ham license, even at the entry level of Technician and certainly not the highest level of Extra.

Oh, and I do live in the L.A. area.

Mike aronson wrote:

<quoted text>
Don't be ridiculous.
Ham radio operators are often elderly men stereotyped (accurately) as buffoons.
No serious disciplined public safety organization uses Hams in a position of responsibility.

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Binky-357 wrote:

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That might be the case in LA. Maybe.
But when your fiber-optic lines were cut and there was NO phone service (landline or cell) and no internet a few months back, who came to the aid of the community and eased the burnden on the system?
Here in the Midwest, we have groups that work in close association with the local authorities-ever hear of the group called "Skywarn"? I know there aren't many tornados in your neck of the woods, but here, we report directly to the NWS and to local authorities.
There are also volunteer SAR groups and disaster response groups trained by the very authorites you seem to think wouldn't rely on us.

~

Ah... the ignorant poster Mike Aronson is... Perhaps an iPhone addict. Too bad there is no such thing as AA for iPhone addicts. LOL.

Thank you for the great post Mr. Binky-357. I am not a ham operator yet, but I am eager to become one! I just finished reading "ARRL Ham Radio License Manual" by H. Ward Silver. I am ready to take a test at the end of this month (technician level).

Mike aronson wrote:

Don't be ridiculous.
Ham radio operators are often elderly men stereotyped (accurately) as buffoons.
No serious disciplined public safety organization uses Hams in a position of responsibility.

I supposed you would change your mind if the Big One, the great earthquake hits Los Angeles.

Mike aronson wrote:

Don't be ridiculous.
Ham radio operators are often elderly men stereotyped (accurately) as buffoons.
No serious disciplined public safety organization uses Hams in a position of responsibility.

I think you’re ridiculous to think that way. Elderly men stereotyped? Ham operators are for the young ones as well. I am in my mid 20s. I have been a Ham since I was 18.

Dave Praver wrote:

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I am ready to take a test at the end of this month (technician level).

About 7 hours from now I'm gonna take the test to upgrade to an "Extra" class license. Hope it goes well.

Dave Praver wrote:

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Ah... the ignorant poster Mike Aronson is... Perhaps an iPhone addict. Too bad there is no such thing as AA for iPhone addicts. LOL.
Thank you for the great post Mr. Binky-357. I am not a ham operator yet, but I am eager to become one! I just finished reading "ARRL Ham Radio License Manual" by H. Ward Silver. I am ready to take a test at the end of this month (technician level).

Ha ha ha... I had a second generation iPhone. Sucks! I use it for a door stop now.

Binky-357 wrote:

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About 7 hours from now I'm gonna take the test to upgrade to an "Extra" class license. Hope it goes well.

~

How's it going with the Extra class exam?

I didn't take the Technician class test on Oct 11, 2009. I had a terrible cold; didn't want to give others the nasty germs. The next text is going to be in Sylmar, CA on Saturday, Oct 24, 2009; about 45 minutes ride.

Do you mind if I ask your advice in the near future after I get my licence? I know there are things / questions the book or the Internet cannot answer. Only from experienced those type of knowledge we gained. That's what I believe.

Dave Praver wrote:

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How's it going with the Extra class exam?
I didn't take the Technician class test on Oct 11, 2009. I had a terrible cold; didn't want to give others the nasty germs. The next text is going to be in Sylmar, CA on Saturday, Oct 24, 2009; about 45 minutes ride.
Do you mind if I ask your advice in the near future after I get my licence? I know there are things / questions the book or the Internet cannot answer. Only from experienced those type of knowledge we gained. That's what I believe.

Took the test and passed it on the first shot.

Any questions you might have, or requests for advice, can be directed to my gmail account: binky.357@gmail.com (It's my anonymous "throw away" account, so I don't check it every day, but I do check it periodically).

You have got to be kidding me? That is how miss informed you are. I am an ER nurse, also a Ham Radio Operator and I am not old, unless you call 40's old. More and more people are becoming Amateur radio operators. When you do not have any cell towers, DSL or satellites, what are you going to use. Or when you do not have electricity what are you going to use?
For your information, Ham Radio Operators will be the only link between you and the outside world if ever a disaster occurs.

Mike aronson wrote:

Don't be ridiculous.
Ham radio operators are often elderly men stereotyped (accurately) as buffoons.
No serious disciplined public safety organization uses Hams in a position of responsibility.

Binky-357 wrote:

<quoted text>
Took the test and passed it on the first shot.
Any questions you might have, or requests for advice, can be directed to my gmail account: binky.357@gmail.com (It's my anonymous "throw away" account, so I don't check it every day, but I do check it periodically).

Awesome! Congrats! Thanks for the email info.

I passed the Technician class; however I don't have the radio yet. Looking to get 2 Meter radio. I still can't make a decision which one to get. There are 4 of them available at the local Ham Radio Outlet store in Burbank, CA.

ICOM IC-2200H 65 W
Kenwood TM-271A 60 W
Yaesu FT-2900R 75 W
Allinco DR-135TMKIII 50W

Any advice or opinion from anyone would be appreciated. I don't know anything about 2 Meter Radio.
Thanks in advance.

Dave wrote:

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Awesome! Congrats! Thanks for the email info.
I passed the Technician class; however I don't have the radio yet. Looking to get 2 Meter radio. I still can't make a decision which one to get. There are 4 of them available at the local Ham Radio Outlet store in Burbank, CA.
ICOM IC-2200H 65 W
Kenwood TM-271A 60 W
Yaesu FT-2900R 75 W
Allinco DR-135TMKIII 50W
Any advice or opinion from anyone would be appreciated. I don't know anything about 2 Meter Radio.
Thanks in advance.

I have had the ICOM IC-2200H in my suv and it hits repeaters 150 to 300 miles away that 65 watts realy gets out it 15 more watts than most 2 meter mobile rigs. Also it will scan all high band emergency freqs for police and fire. I live in NY and talk on repeaters in canada and new hampshire easy. Also you can program and operate it all through the micrphone keypad.
Its well worth the price. If you get it and have any programing questions let me know, I have my Extra class..........73's

American_ patriot wrote:

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I have had the ICOM IC-2200H in my suv and it hits repeaters 150 to 300 miles away that 65 watts realy gets out it 15 more watts than most 2 meter mobile rigs. Also it will scan all high band emergency freqs for police and fire. I live in NY and talk on repeaters in canada and new hampshire easy. Also you can program and operate it all through the micrphone keypad.
Its well worth the price. If you get it and have any programing questions let me know, I have my Extra class..........73's

Thanks for the suggestion. I do like the way ICOM looks. It's available at the local store for $156.99 plus tax. It says "it NEEDS IC-UT118 FOR DIGITAL" which I have no clue what it means. Do I need it?
Thanks again for being very helpful.

Its a great radio. Take the time and read the manuel make up cheat sheet for a quick guide to progam new frequencys with the mic key pad.

You dont need the IC-UT118 it is for digital voice funtions like to transmit your call sign with a digital voice.

You will love it. I have my ic-2200h manual here at my radio shack desk.

American_ patriot wrote:

Its a great radio. Take the time and read the manuel make up cheat sheet for a quick guide to progam new frequencys with the mic key pad.
You dont need the IC-UT118 it is for digital voice funtions like to transmit your call sign with a digital voice.
You will love it. I have my ic-2200h manual here at my radio shack desk.

Thanks for the explanation of IC-UT118. I am really happy with the IC-2200H I purchased. I installed it in my car with Wilson 2 meter antenna. I also bought IC-V8000 75 Watts for my base station.

American_ patriot wrote:

Its a great radio. Take the time and read the manuel make up cheat sheet for a quick guide to progam new frequencys with the mic key pad.
You dont need the IC-UT118 it is for digital voice funtions like to transmit your call sign with a digital voice.
You will love it. I have my ic-2200h manual here at my radio shack desk.

Hey American Patriot. Time flies, it is December again. Happy Holidays to you and your love ones.

I made my wife to take the test last week. She passed. I am thinking about getting Kenwood TM-271A 60W for her car. It's on sale for $139.00. Would you recommend something else? Money is tight as I haven't been able to find a job after I got laid off.