Does anyone use ham radios anymore?

Does anyone use ham radios anymore?

But then I remembered: When a disaster strikes, ham radios are pivotal to survival. There are now almost 725,000 licensed hams in the U.S., an increase of almost 200,000 since I bailed two decades ago. In part this is because of new technology that enables talk on previously inaccessible frequencies.

Is ham radio regulated?

Amateur radio is regulated in the United States by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). If you transmit on amateur radio frequencies without a license or break the Part 97 rules, you could be subject to massive fines. For example, some individuals have been fined as much as $17,000 for intentional interference.

Can you be tracked on ham radio?

Your signal can be tracked. It’s known as DF (Direction Finding) in the amateur radio world. Hams have made a sport of it which is called Fox Hunting. Someone known as the fox hides a transmitter or they hide with their transmitter and transmit at certain intervals.

Why do people still use ham radios?

People use ham radio to talk across town, around the world, or even into space, all without the Internet or cell phones. It’s fun, social, educational, and can be a lifeline during times of need. You can set up a ham radio station anywhere! In a field…

Can a ham radio listen to police frequencies?

Yes and no — many ham radios are “wide band receive” capable, meaning they can receive outside of the ham bands. These extra receive frequencies sometimes include police frequencies. In some states, it is illegal to listen on those frequencies, but an exception is made for amateur radio operators and some others.

Can a ham radio reach 1000 miles?

DX is ham-speak for distance and generally means communicating with stations outside your own country. However, in a large entity working across the country could also be considered DX since it may be well over 1000 miles.

Who is the authority on ham radio in the US?

The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the authority on not only ham radio regs, but also those involving television and radio transmission, telephone company operation, cellular phone transmissions, and a wide range of other communication venues, as their title implies.

When do new FCC rules impact ham radio?

NEW FCC Rules that impact Ham Radio. In September 2017, after a comment period, the FCC made changes to Part 95 Personal Radio Services Rules which included a restructuring and reorganization of the rules. Some of the changes became effective immediately and the final change becomes effective September 30th, 2019.

What are the rules for Part 95 radio?

95.335 states that you cannot use, with a few exceptions, a radio on any Part 95 radio service that has not been certified for use in that specific service. It also prohibits anyone modifying a radio so that it will operate in more than one service and using a transmitter that is not FCC certified voids your authority to operate that radio.

What are the different types of radio licenses?

There are two types of ‘license’ to use radio frequencies; one is a license specific to the radio service and the other is ‘license-by-rule.’ A license is specific to the radio service, i.e., if you have an Amateur Radio (ham) license it does not give you permission to operate in any other non-ham frequencies.