Amateur Radio License

cbshoestring wrote:
Does anybody even care about licensing???

There are approximately 750,000 licensed amateur radio operators in the U.S. The vast majority of them 'care' about unlicensed operation in their bands and yes, unlicensed operators are easily spotted and dealt with. It may take some time but the FCC does effectively control this problem if local hams cannot.

For the original poster: If you haven't already figured it out, you can start with the ARRL for your learning needs. A Technician class license and a simple 2M transceiver would be a relatively easy way to get started with amateur radio operation from an RV. Good luck !

cbshoestring wrote:
Does anybody even care about licensing??? Ok, I know you licensed and registered operators care...I mean those FCC guys.

Lord knows they don't fiddle with CB radios anymore. Not like they would in the haydays of the 70's. KBEA2274 if memory serves me right.

I know there are a lot of truckers running highbanned radios....and they ain't getting no govermunt ok-dokey.

Funny thing about that. The FCC doesn't actively go after them in general, but there are bunch of old Ham Radio Operators that are retired and have nothing but time - even some younger ones too - that participate in a Volunteer Observer program. They are primarily focused on the Ham bands, but also will work CB cases.

If a report is turned in, some of these folks will go out with Radio Direction Finding gear and find the culprit. I worked with one once at a truck stop in Salt Lake City. Found someone bragging about his illegal amp in his truck. Copies of the audio (including him bragging), RDF data, and photos of his truck made it an easy case for the FCC. If it's dropped into their lap like that, they are more than happy to do the enforcement.

Odds of getting caught? Generally pretty low. Cost if caught? Significant. Cost of getting a license and doing it legally? A little time and $15.00.

https://www.qrz.com/hamtest/ - free ham tests - between a read of the ARRL book and taking the online practice tests it isn't too tough to pass the licensing exams (heck, I did it...!). Nice to have the ability to remain in contact in places without (yes, they still exist...) cell service! ST

cbshoestring wrote:
Does anybody even care about licensing??? Ok, I know you licensed and registered operators care...I mean those FCC guys.

Lord knows they don't fiddle with CB radios anymore. Not like they would in the haydays of the 70's. KBEA2274 if memory serves me right.

I know there are a lot of truckers running highbanned radios....and they ain't getting no govermunt ok-dokey.

Well, yes we do. If you can't spend some time to get a license to be legal, forget it.What will happen is that if and when you try to talk to a real ham, they can go on line to see if you are real or not. If you aren't, you won't be talking to anyone but yourself.

A few years ago, a boot legger was in CA, disrupting repeater operations. Some hams with nothing better to do, used direction finding equipment and chased him down to his house. To make a story short, his equipment was seized and he was fined $25,000 and was a ham license forever. His next violation would bring a jail sentence

the law is Federal... not state or local.

and the Amateur Radio Group is protective of the law.

with internet.. a call can be checked in seconds. if Real or Not.
before just needed the "BOOK".

Chuck_thehammer wrote:
I have been a "HAM" almost forever.

on and off for years... 2m. I have a qsl card from the space shuttle. :). back when NASA permitted an Astronaut to use it. 80m contact to both poles.

Advanced class... got the extra theory. never was able to do 20 wpm... at 15 it just turns to mud.

N8BSJ. Chuck

I have an extra class and had to copy letter for letter for one minute during a five minute message. Its tough to write letters at that speed and to go higher you have to learn the sound of a word just like any language.

It is Federal and there are agreements with foreign countries. Not like CB, it is a serious violation when caught and you will be.