Ham Radio

Because we are all retro obsessed hipsters. What would you say is the cheapest way into HF, but still allowing me to hook the radio up to my computer? I really want to hear old people talk about their gout from more than 1000km away.

So you just want to listen to radio from your computer? If you are fine with not being able to broadcast, is rtl-sdr (software defined radio) what you want? Get a cheap rtl-sdr usb dongle, and using the Free GNU Radio program, you should be able to do this. Example video (using different program but w/e) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR0Lz4JOoBU (there are plenty of guides all over the net to get into this)

Well, I have a Yaesu FT-891 that I connect to my computer with a SignaLink USB for digital modes. I live in a city where there's a lot of interference, but I do okay on PSK-31. JT-65 would probably be good too but I haven't tried it yet.

>>1383 How good are those rtl-sdr dongles for picking up less powerful signals? I've heard that dedicated shortwave radios are better, though you need to spend a bit more than an rtl-sdr dongle to get a shortwave radio that features SSB.

>>1389 RTL-SDRs don't really reach far enough down for HF, for that your gonna want something like a HackRF. For receive-only you might want to just screw about with WebSDR.org in the meantime.

>>1393 You can use upconvertors with rtl-sdr to reach HF.

Purchased the last kenwood th d74 i could find. Cant wait to play with APRS AND DSTAR. Mobile ham for life. Im going to be tracking some weather balloons. id like to also set up an antenna on my truck to get out more when I like to go innawoods. Overall probably a lot more radio than I can handle right now but thats not a bad thing. Im running ubuntu, and recommendations for APRS, GIS, DSTAR software?

>>2876 Ubuntu is Debian based so there should be metapackages for Ham Radio.

>>2876 APRS - multimon DSTAR - digital speech decoder I have no idea about GIS

Give me the rundown on ham radio Where do I start? who can I talk to? how can I encrypt my signal?

>>2953 First step is studying to get your license and being allowed to transmit. Exam includes both legal and technical knowledge related to ham radio. Encryption is forbidden, and you're required to identify yourself with your license number every time you transmit. (That's in France, might be different where you live.) Just in case you or someone else speak french, here is a good pdf to prepare the exam.

>>1339 bitx40 (http://www.hfsigs.com/) or a Youkits rig (https://youkits.com) with a TNC. They're QRP and the bitx40 is locked to 40m but it's a start from $60-$200 or so. Note that these are QRP rigs. http://websdr.org if you just want to tune around without any investment. >>1389 RTL-SDRs are normally VHF/UHF. Most HF SDRs are quite expensive. See the above link for RX. >>2876 I like Xastir for APRS. There was a more portable Java based APRS program but I forget the name. >>2953 If you're in the US, hit up ARRL.org for lots of details. You basically need to memorize the questions for a test and then regurgitate them. Many hams will be upset with me for that response but it's true. You can fully learn once you have your ticket. Sites like qrz.com and eham.net have practice tests you can rock through. Find a VEC in your area that's providing tests. The ARRL site will have more information on that. You cannot encrypt anything over amateur radio except to control spacecraft. Also note that (if you're in the US), your personal information (name, address, phone number, etc.) is in a publicly and easily searchable FCC database. There is no expectation of privacy. There are so many things you can do with the avocation. Talking to people isn't the only possibility. There's long range contacts, low power operation, mesh networks, satellites, digital modes, radio control of planes and "drones", and on, and on.

Had the th d74a for a while now and can't praise it enough. I put a screen protector on but that's the only addition. What a wonderfully complete package! Feels like a brick in all the right ways. So what are you talking on lain? >>2962 >>2931 >>2939 Thank you, lain!

>>3018 Yaesu FT-60R for FM satellites and terrestrial repeaters. LNR Precision MTR-5B for QRP CW.

I plan on taking my exam at FOSSCON in Philadelphia. Who can give me a good book to study in English?

>>3029 Libgen probably has the arrl study guide or the Gordon West book.

>>3032 Check out hamstudy.org Very good site for practice and info

I'd like to add to this thread something I learned the hard way about software radios. The broad spectrum type like HackRF and Ettus have a transmit range similar to Wifi routers. The ones powerful enough to communicate to other hams will be restricted to HF amateur band frequencies and they don't come cheap. You can add in line amplifiers, but it's better to figure out exactly what you want to do before you blindly jump in. RTL-SDR is cheaper than 10 sacks of dirt and you can buy old school HF transceivers from old farts looking to upgrade. Be sure your outdoor antennas are grounded to code, and get your license before transmitting. I don't know what the rules are for other countries, but it's legal to receive as long as you're not in a moving car, or looking at cellular frequencies.

>>3068 Ah, this site rules. Thank you so much

Do any of those sites where you listen to police band radio still work, or is it all encrypted these days?

>>3095 love you lain

>>3127 <3 <3

I made some gifs to get people interested.

Had too much noise in this.

whats your guys for favorite repeater derectory? repeaterbook isn't cutting it, i've found repeaters that aren't on the directory, and i've had trouble contacting/ finding repeater on this directory

>>3886 Well you certainly got me interested.

>>3096 Many public services are transitioning to P25 digital. Sometimes it's encypted, sometimes it isn't - use DSD to decode it. My local bolice is still using plain FM on 172MHz with repeaters' exits around 146MHz.

>>4778 SDRTrunk can handle Phase 1 P25. You need Oracle's JAVA and Ant as opposed to OpenJRE https://github.com/DSheirer/jmbe https://github.com/DSheirer/sdrtrunk

POCSAG (https://www.sigidwiki.com/wiki/POCSAG) is fun if you have an SDR. Hospitals use it for paging in VHF and UHF, so you can get strong signals pretty much anywhere.

>>2953 You don't necessarily need a license to start. Just listening for signals can be really interesting. Play with one of those WebSDR sites to get started. They usually cover the HF bands, which can travel around the world. Spend $20 on an RTL-SDR or $30 on a Baofeng UV-5R for VHF/UHF. VHF and UHF are shorter range, but repeaters that automatically re-transmit signals at high power to increase range. Get a shortwave radio with SSB (single sideband) like the Tecsun PL-600 which is around $80 to listen to HF. Using that radio, I've gotten signals from thousands of miles away using the wire antenna that came with it. You can learn morse and listen to conversations, decode all kinds of analog and digital signals, receive from satellites, build antennas, etc. Getting a license isn't hard though, and I definitely recommend it to anyone who thinks this stuff sounds interesting, but you can play around for years just on the receiving end.

Heckle checkles lain. OP here and I've found something that tickles my fancy. Stupid words aside. Anyone heard of the OpenHPSDR project? Get this, it is an Open Source Modular SDR that can actually TX at a reasonable(100) wattage with the right modules.

no

How do I decrypt signals?

I'd like to get into short wave listening, do I need a radio that is ssb capable or can/should I start with a cheaper one without?

>>4778 Some cities will transition to trunked radio but still simulcast some or all of their channels on separate freqs as a public service. Check radioreference.com for FM freqs or details on local trunked systems. Also, for all Lainons that want to get into radio but don't know the first thing about it: somebody finally reuploaded the ARRL's Technician course. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0RjctOqUf8 Very good starting point, starts at a ~6th grade level and is built around the general knowledge to get your license, rather than being built around the specific question pool for the year it was made like most training courses.

>>8443 cheaper

>>8443 a baofeng with a big antenna is like $25 USD my dude, and someone wrote a 300 page manual on programming it

>>9812 mind sharing that manual?

>>9813 Ill try to google it, cus i may need to go through 6TB to try to find it, and its going on 1 in the morning

>>9813 here isone of them, let me see if I can find the other ones

>>9816 thanks anon

>using KFS WebSDR >have no idea what I'm doing >pick a station in san fransisco >listen in to two old farts complaining about getting short-changed and stuff about their farmsteads Holy soykaf I have no idea what i'm doing or what anything means but it's still fun. I remember my dad used to a have a shortwave radio years ago when I was a kid and I would soykaftalk people on channel 32 as a thirteen year old

Maybe little bit satcom?

I own a Baofeng UV-82, use it primarily to talk with friends and to listen to local workers or security. Kinda funny and also saves money a little. Also have thoughts about making portable low-power FM transmitter (improve automobile one, actually) that can be received by usual radio. Broadcasting, anyone? >>10295 May the good filters and free line-of-sight be with you, comrade.

>>1339 Just remember – don't TX without license. Never. Also, stick to bandplan please.

Do you really *need* a license? Does anyone give a fuarrrk about encryption? I can't imagine anyone actually caring about enforcing something like this.

>>10819 It's a piece of cake to triangulate your signal, also TX'ing as unlis is actually making a harm to the rest of ham radio community in your country.

>>10820 A lot of things are a piece of cake, does anyone (who has the power to do anything about it) care?, and how would this harm ham?

>>1339 Any good GNURadio compatible SDRs that come in a rackmount form factor?

>>10821 Gives a bad name to amateurs if you're creating noise for chunks of radio infrastructure, encourages stricter controls for the future. I mean, that is if you're an asshole about it. If you stay tidy and nice I think you can get by. Anyone tried the cheap and cheerful QRP's like Pixie or 49r? I'm looking for my first transceiver assembly and they look like a nice start.

Yeah I am wanting to shrink a QRPp, hopefully by the end of the summer I have something. shrink the pixie I like this little intro to the pixie design and history. http://w1sye.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/NCRC_PixieOperation.pdf

>>4800 >30 on a Baofeng UV-5R for VHF/UHF I've heard those aren't very good Anyone reccomend a decent handheld scanner?

>>11200 There are some youtube review where they checked later models with spectrum analyzers. The modulation is more stable by now on some chink devices and they are not polluting other channels anymore. Sadly it is in german only: https://youtu.be/QYLF53MzlZY?t=3m20s Some bad examples included as well, Baofeng though good enough. Little issues, nearly as expensive hams.

>>11025 Woah lain. thanks that was a nifty and informative short read - at least for a beginner like me.

>>11025 saved, perhaps I use that as draft.

How useful are those STR antennas? is it worth getting cheap ones?

>>11687 They're all cheap, $50 USD max.

>>10815 Man that looks neat.

>>10815 I don't understand the license thing, how is somebody supposed to verify if you have one or not?

>>13888 Generally you'll be checked for a callsign in the FCC database, if its not there you'll be asked to immediately shutdown operation or face 10 years in prison.

>>15016 what if I comply and shut down, but start broadcasting again from a different position some time later? Sounds like you would be pretty safe transmitting with a mobile unit from innawoods as long as you don't overdo it.

based...

>>10819 >Does anyone give a fuarrrk about encryption? encrypting is illegal, but you are allowed to encode your transmissions, IF your intention is not to conceal or hide it's contents. but why would you encrypt your ham radio transmissions? there is literally zero point in doing so. >>15022 but why wouldn't you get a license? it's not hard at all to get one, and you will learn to operate and use your equipment. a license exam just you requires you to know very basic electronics and how to operate your rig. also, in many countries, it's also illegal to even just possess a radio transceiver if you don't have the required license and/or permission. most ham radio operators dislike "pirates" who transmit without a license because ham radio is privilege that can be taken away from all ham radio operators if it causes too much trouble for others.

>>15261 >but why would you encrypt your ham radio transmissions? What if I wanted to send a PGP encrypted email via EchoNet in a near-SHTF situation? That's a reason.

https://www.negativland.com/dumb/blog/archives/category/ham-radio-jammers Recordings archived by The Weatherman

>>15261 >there is literally zero point in doing so perhaps I wish to communicate without triggering the 500 boomers otherwise listening?

>>16212 ham operators are a pretty good split between bored engineering students and boomers and most other groups are outliers. Hackers are typically seen as pirates or malicious operators and the whole scene has a very whitehat purity checking soykaf mood to it.

>>16213 Boomers are vicious, if you don't abide to the FCC they'll hunt you down and report you to them.

>>3886 >>3887 >>3888 >>3889 >>3890 >>4292 What program is this?

>>16763 sdrtrunk, gnu radio, gqrx, gpredict

>>15294 If it is a true SHTF situation and the likelihood of them enforcing and regulating the radio waves then go ahead I am sure you are fine.

>>16247 Agreed. Nearly all hams are incredibly old men who get a little chubby for rules, regulations, and punishment. The 'greatest hobby' is dying off, ARRL is full of idiots who want to keep new tech locked out so they can continue LARPing about being radio operators during the Korean war in M.A.S.H. or whatever they do, m a s s i v e swaths of bandwidth are totally unused and are just going to get gobbled up by sleazy telecom companies that bribe the FCC--which is the entire reason the FCC exists. Can't deny it, it's obviously true. Most hams just wanna jaw about their goiters all day on really expensive pre-built period piece radios and do stupid contests that don't actually push the envelope like they're supposed to. Oh, and lecture others about the rules, argue about esoteric disagreements over the rules, narc on people, and foxhunt for more people to narc on. There's a few people who want to do really interesting new things with far more advanced tech than most hams use, such as maybe--I dunno--design a more robust and free internet that doesn't rely on monopolized infrastructure so it can be truly decentralized. But no. The only network for them is the damn trucker-net, where you talk in incomprehensible midwest accents all day about how mad you are that your wife is putting you on a low-cholesterol diet since you had your second coronary. Super depressing to scan that stuff all day.

>>17780 damn, that's really depressing to hear. so much for my interest in ham radio.

>>17791 HAM might not be all that interesting but radio in general is worth checking out, especially lower power local stuff people say "encryption is illegal" but there's an explicit exception for control signals. Many radio transmitters intended for drone/RC use are digital and allow arbitrary programming or signals, so that's one potential way around that restriction.

>>17791 >>17798 I'm the depressing guy: agreed. Still worth it to check out radio as a technology. Just forget about doing the usual ham things and most of the ham community. Currently I'm having a fun time with antenna design and connecting to satellites. I'm going to try and downlink from a satellite in the GOES constellation soon with a 3d-printed waveguide covered in foil and a big salvaged parabolic dish. Look up some of the satellite work with SDR. It's kind of fun. As the guy above also said, QRP is pretty fun--and basically nobody is going to catch you if you do it right, at a low enough power, keep the signals short, don't transmit on a predictable schedule, and move around between transmissions. Certain high-efficiency encryptions are also almost impossible to distinguish from noise as well, so that's fun.