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Welcome to the blog of Connor Boyack, a 20-something web designer, political economist, and budding philanthropist.
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HAMing it up

Posted by Connor on February 25th, 2007

This weekend I attended a HAM radio course held at Welfare Square in downtown Salt Lake City. Next Saturday I will take the test for the Technician level.

In my recent “preparedness mode” mindset, I’ve been thinking of what all I can do to be best prepared. A few weeks ago I became CERT trained, and another goal was to get a HAM radio license so that I could communicate in times of emergency (and for fun to practice!).

I think that we often take for granted the systems currently in place, whether it be the fragile food supply chain or POTS and cell phone networks. A recent example is how during the recent Trolley Square shootings, the cell phone network was jammed with traffic, leaving many people unable to get through and contact their loved ones.

In the event of a catastrophic emergency such as the earthquake we Utahns have been expecting, surely we will be unable to use standard methods of communication. Even the FRS “walkie talkies” that families like to use will be jammed with traffic as people will seek this option as a backup. Communication pandemonium will naturally ensue.

Having a HAM radio is yet another backup solution for your communication needs and will be another notch in your emergency preparedness belt! :) I highly recommend that anybody interested find a local HAM radio class (or just study the book yourself) and get licensed!

We are constantly charged with preparation in time of plenty against want in time of need. (via Quoty)

Read quotes about “preparedness” on Quoty

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6 comments so far. Care to chime in?

Connor

I do not know if you will be taking the Morse Code portion of the test, but I hope you will as it is a great deal of fun to learn an ability to communicate with others in what is becoming somewhat of a lost art. Anyway, I want to wish you success, and __. ___ ___ _.. ._.. .._ _._. _._ KC8WRF

#1 Michael L. Mc Kee | February 25th, 2007 8:54 PM

Connor

I see the dits & dahs didn’t come up the way I typed them. I do not know why exactly as they were right when I looked at them. The words in Morse Code are supposed to be GOOD LUCK.

#2 Michael L. Mc Kee | February 25th, 2007 8:57 PM

Wolp, I passed the technician level test yesterday, and have bought a couple radios to play around with and add to the preparedness stockpile. Yay!

#3 Connor | March 4th, 2007 12:48 PM

Connor

Congratulations, and thank you once again for your efforts to prepare yourself to contribute mightily to the work of the Lord, and His Church.

Did you take the code portion?

#4 Michael L. Mc Kee | March 4th, 2007 4:04 PM

Did you take the code portion?

No, I’ve yet to learn morse code. The FCC recently dropped the morse code requirement from the general level (technician doesn’t require it). I also took the general exam after I passed the technician, but not having studied for it I only got about a 50%. At least I’ll be up and operational now, and perhaps in the future I will consider trying to get a higher level license.

I bought two radios, an Icom IC-T7H and a Yaesu VX150. I should get them this week!

#5 Connor | March 4th, 2007 5:14 PM

Connor

If you would like a primitive form by which to learn Morse Code, I would be happy to send you some cassette tapes. Morse Code is becoming a lost art, and the FCC, in my opinion, was incorrect in their thinking. It may be outmoded by the standards of today, but we may need to revert back to a more primitive form of communicating, and a knowledge of Morse Code will further add to your accumulation of helpful assets.

I have an Icom IC-V8000 Transceiver, and an Icom IC-V8 Handheld. Unfortunately, I have not used them. I will be getting them going when the weather is more accomodating.

When I took the exam, I could not believe I had actually passed as I had little time to prepare, and felt rather certain that I would have to work a little longer to get my license.

I knew Morse Code from having learned it in 1968. It was part of my duties in the U.S. Army. I have not, as yet, taken the General test, but would like to do so before I get much older.

#6 Michael L. Mc Kee | March 4th, 2007 6:03 PM

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