How Far Can A Ham Radio Transmit (Part II) 20M, 15M & 10M | SHTF Emergency Communication

How Far Can A Ham Radio Transmit (Part II) 20M, 15M & 10M | SHTF Emergency Communication. As a companion to Part I (160M, 80M & 40M), this video discusses where you can talk using the 20M, 15M & 10M ham radio frequencies. This will help as a primer for emergency communications.
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[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I hope this gives a good overview of the higher HF bands! Amateur radio is a lot of fun but could also provide nationwide (and worldwide) communication during an emergency.

[@BenBRockN]

Can you do a part 3 using 6m, 2m, 1.25m, and 70cm?

[@Jeff-ml4uj]

I am a relatively new ham, having my General license about 18 months. I have talked around the world to approximately 70 different countries and all continents. I have also set up portable battery operated HF radios/antennas. You give an excellent presentation and approach for people wanting to learn and new hams that none of the other KZbinrs have been able to cover effectively. Another Great video! Please keep it up! Jeff KC3UKX

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thanks Jeff! I hope new hams (or wanna-be hams) will enjoy these videos! Thanks for stopping by to watch! 73!

[@jeffb5781]

You are an excellent Elmer! Thank you for your teachings.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thanks for the kind words. People asked and I filmed. I'm not a technical guy so it's easy for me to make these videos in plain language. Thanks for watching!

[@rajeshvaid9044]

Hello...sir I am from india & recently I got my Amateur Radio licence. I always use to wonder about how far one can talk on different frequencies alloted to Amateur Radio. Your videos Part 1 & 11 really cleared most of my doubts. Now I am just waiting anxiously for my first H.F. Radio. I have to plan about what kind of Antennas I should go for. Thankyou for the lovely videos maybe someday I might be talking with you on H.F bands....🙂🙂

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I hope you get the antennas in the air and your rig arrives. I can't wait to hear you on the air! 73!

[@ihaulscrap]

I'm really enjoying your series. I does fill in numerous gaps in the hobby.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

If you've got further questions, or have an idea for a video, let me know. 73!!

[@TypeR632]

Please keep making these videos!!Currently studying for my technician and general. Your videos are the most simplistic and easy to understand for someone that knows nothing about amateur radio. Thank you

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I'm glad these are easy to follow and helpful. It's a great hobby and you're going to have a lot of fun! Let me know when you get your ticket! 73!

[@TypeR632]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm Just passed my Technician!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

@@TypeR632 Yes!!!!!! Congratulations!!! Way to go! You've entered a whole new world and it's going to be a great hobby! Not sure where you're located but maybe we'll run into each other on 10 meters soon. Again, congrats! 73!

[@TypeR632]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm Just south of Birmingham Alabama.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

@@TypeR632 If you get set up on 10 meters, let me know. We should be able to work on 10m easily. Congrats & 73! Rich

[@BuilderBUBBA]

Wow..did it again..I understand what I studied..makes perfect sense ..the call signs relating to locale..never learned that in the online program..Again thank you..yo old Swede..from SC...1st time using my call sign..KQ4CD 😊

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Great on using your call. You'll really have a great time! Sometime we'll have to meet up on 20 meters. I used to get down to Columbia each month, for business. Loved the area, the people and the BBQ! 73 & enjoy your new hobby!

[@RonaldSchmid-xo8xs]

Great stuff Great rural area to propagate from. The older I get the more rural I like 🇨🇭

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I love the quiet area for the radio. I also just love the quiet of the country. No cars, etc. Cheers Ron!

[@murphmurph2124]

Boy I'd like to have a neighbor like this guy

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

There are several farms for sale in our area! Minnesota is a beautiful place to live!! 73!

[@alainbroekema5000]

A great video and easy to follow, thanks !

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thanks for stopping by to watch and comment. I'm glad you found the video helpful. Cheers!

[@alvarogaitan2529]

you are excellent teacher thanks fantastic video 73 from kb2uew

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thanks for the kind words! This is a great hobby and I'm hoping to help spread the news! 73!

[@ssfd739]

I really enjoyed these first 2 videos! From someone looking to get into this for practical conversations this has been quite informative. From the outside looking into ham, it often seems like the entire point is to build a radio shack and collect contacts. But some of us are looking to communicate to friends/family on a regular basis and at a set distance. This information helps me get started in a direction to choose a radio and antenna I’ll need by first choosing the correct band. Trying to talk from Northern WI to Madison, Dubuque or Appleton might have been really frustrating if I’d jumped into the wrong band.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

For those distances, 80M would be the choice. Strong signals and local coverage. A low dipole for 80M would be perfect and 100 watts should give great signal strength. Thanks for watching and commenting. If I can be of help, let me know. Cheers!

[@grampsradio]

9:24 - actually, it probably gives you an idea of where they "were" when they first got licensed. If they move across the country, they'll still have the same call sign unless they changed to a vanity call sign, in which case, they can choose any number they want. I got my General licence for one reason only and that was so that I could practice with and learn ham radio just in case I find myself in a widespread, long term grid down scenario where ham radio may be the only communication mode available. I'm a new subscriber and I'm enjoying your antenna and ham videos. It appears to me, that like Real Estate, where it's all about Location, Location, Location, Ham radio is all about Antenna, Antenna, Antenna!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

You're correct about where they "were." I'm not a fan of having a callsign in the wrong part of the country. Personal opinion. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@markblanchard4826]

Awesome informative video's. I am not a Hammie yet but I am an acoustic engineer. You mentioned wavelengths and how to measure them. You can use the formula of course to calculate wavelengths at specific frequencies, but the first guy doing this probably took a variable length antennae and looked at his gain meter to determine maximum signal. That is how I would have done it.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Great insight Mark! Thanks for stopping by to watch and comment! Have a great week!

[@tav9755]

Again a very good talk about ham radio. Just the right level to get people hooked to our great hobby. You are a fantastic advocate for amateur radio and I really hope to catch you on the bands for a proper rag chew one day. 73 de DD1TA

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

It really is a great hobby! I hope this will inspire newbies to get their license and get on the air! Talk to you soon! 73!

[@TAKEONEURBANPRODUCTION]

Part two even better info... great way you explaining propagation without getting so technical. Newbies will get it watching this.. coming from a long time ham op.. Kt2nyc

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thanks for the kind words! I was hoping to keep it light and easy to understand. I hope newer hams (or possible hams) will like this. Thanks again for stopping by! 73!

[@oliverallen5324]

Thanks for making this 🎉

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Glad it was helpful. Ham radio is so much fun and a great hobby. If you don't have your license, I hope you'll consider getting your ticket. Keep me posted! Cheers!

[@oliverallen5324]

@@TheOldSwedesFarmyessir! I got my tech & gen in one go. Going to join ARES and saving pennies for a IC-705 in the meantime. You’re answering the real questions.

[@sameerss232]

many many thanks to you dear ,, we do enjoy your videos . very simple . very interesting , easy to understand , go ahead bro , 7z1ss / saudi arabia again 😄😄😄

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thank you for watching again Sameer! I hope we can work each other on the air sometime! 73!

[@sameerss232]

for sure my friend 🌹🌹

[@Thomas-ZET]

Fantastic video, sharing these with my son who is working on his Tech, I have been using a DX commander and have made some great contacts over the pound, hoping to get a tower up next summer. 73 from N0ZET

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Getting a tower up will change your world. Even a small tribander will work incredible! Good luck to your Son with his ticket!

[@jamesmitchell8713]

Excellent job!!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thank you for stopping by to watch and comment! Cheers!

[@chipwright6193]

This is really interesting. I'm going to share your video with my Dad. Years ago he claimed that he was able to talk to his brother on the CB 160 miles away, from central Ohio to Western PA. He also claimed he was able to talk to someone in the Virgin Islands. This would have been back in the mid 70s to early 80s because I don't remember him talking on it. He had a Tram D201A that was modified for more wattage. I'm sure he had no idea about the solar cycle.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

He was probably bouncing off the F-layer and it was the peak of the sunspot cycle. When conditions are really good, CB will bounce all over! I'm sure he had fun! Cheers!

[@chipwright6193]

​@@TheOldSwedesFarmHe always talked like he enjoyed it. I asked him tonight and he said he had a Palomar 300 watt amplifier with it. Completely illegal, but another guy nearby was still talking over him with far more power

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

@@chipwright6193 300 watts?! Wow! That's a lot of power for CB! No wonder he got out well! Cheers!

[@TAKEONEURBANPRODUCTION]

Remember my cb days.. those suncycles in 80s and 90s spots were up to almost 300.. cb and and 10 meters had thousands of stations going non stop 24 hours a day! Yes 10 and 11 meters with only 25 watts.. ssb ..had ranger back then with simple vertical.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

@@TAKEONEURBANPRODUCTION During the peak of the cycles, I've loved 10 meters. I remember working Europe for hours each day on 10M back during my first cycle in the 80's. I bet CB was the same way. Lots of fun with low power and a small antenna! Thanks for stopping by to watch! Cheers!

[@TheCowEmporium]

That’s cool. I had no idea why the extra wire on the antenna. Glen’s gpa had VE6… Pretty neat to have conversations around the world. Are young people getting into this anymore?

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

There are youth getting on the air. Not enough, but we're working on it! I hope this video inspires others to get on the air. BTW, I've talked to a lot of VE6's. Alberta is quite active! Take care Annette!

[@nealfry2230]

"Thank you my Friend "

[@clivesconundrumgarden]

Thats so interesting that you skip "radius" depending on the meters. Really cool stuff Rich. Cheers Jason (VE) for now lol 🤜🤛

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

It's a great hobby and lots of fun. Enjoy your time up north! Cheers!

[@granitebuilt5836]

I currently use just a simple endfed and my challenge is to see how far into Europe I can reach and make contact. Then, I like to check out how many miles away the contact was. It's always amazing to see how far the signal traveled. Enjoyed the video!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

It is always amazing to see how far a simple antenna get help you work! I hope you can work beyond Europe to Asia, Africa (and beyond!)! Good luck! 73!

[@fredthorp6741]

Great video. Useful information for a curios newbie. Take the tests tomorrow.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Keep me updated on how the tests go. Hope it goes well!!

[@fredthorp6741]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm boom. They told me I’m a general. Now I need a radio.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

@@fredthorp6741 Congratulations Fred! That's a great accomplishment! If you're looking for a rig for home and mobile, I highly recommend the Yaesu 991A. You can see the 991 in action on a recent video I shot of the Minnesota QSO Party. A great rig and it's not expensive to buy. Let me know when you're set up and ready to go. We can make a QSO on 20 meters. Let me know if I can help you in any way! 73!

[@fredthorp6741]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm Thank you sir. I actually looked at that one and have gone with a FT 60 and 891.

[@Johnnyboy_584]

Great video! 73.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thanks Johnny Boy! I hope you enjoy all the ham radio videos. It's a great hobby and fun to share! 73!

[@gbltheolechurch5acrehomestead]

Didn’t know you were into AM Radio. We have at least 2 Friends on our channel with AM Radio channels!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I'll have to check out those channels. I love listening to distant AM stations. Lots of fun!

[@gbltheolechurch5acrehomestead]

Great Video Rich. My Dad had a CB channel back in the day…he was called “Duck Pond Radio”!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I love all the CB names. They sure were creative! Cheers Garry!

[@darinhitchings7104]

Good videos, thanks. Could you do one on all things digital and all things that connect ham radio with internet technology? The other thing I want more info on is on permanently installing radios in cars without making huge modifications or having to disassemble the whole car... I have a camry... Appreciate all the discussion of antennas and range- rings as a function of time of day. That was informative!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

These are great ideas but not an area where I have expertise. My mobile rig I use from the dashboard (not the safest spot for it). I'm not on any digital modes other than RTTY. I've watched someone making FT8/FT4 contacts and it looks completely boring. The computer is making the contact, not the operator. I don't consider it a valid contact, since the operator didn't do anything, so I don't use those modes. Almost 100% SSB and CW for me.

[@darinhitchings7104]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm I haven't tried so I don't know but I tend to agree... computer contacts could be very useful e.g. during an emergency, but it eliminates most of the social aspect of ham radio. Analog connections for us analog creatures are much more interesting... My questions about ham radio/internet and digital modes are more from a pragmatic preparedness perspective and less from a hobbyist this-is-fun perspective...

[@hangtownnewsnetwork4089]

I lived in St. Cloud for 40 years I now live in mountains outside of Lake Tahoe My Name is Eddie ebacher

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Went to St. Cloud State my freshman year. Fun town! Thanks for stopping by to watch and comment, Eddie! Cheers!

[@DaveCollierCamping]

Great info

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thanks for watching and commenting Dave! Cheers!

[@nicklewis7291]

Yes, CB is quite open these days. It has it's pros and cons. Your antenna, what do you do to make the radio use the coils for 20 and 15 meters then not use them for 10? Did it come pretuned, or did you have to adjust it for SWR?

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

The way it is set (with the traps), the radio only "sees" the length it wants. On 10M, the traps are ignored. On 15M, it sees the length of the antenna, plus one trap. On 20M, it sees the length plus both traps. Not sure how ti does all that but it all works. It's the "magic" of ham radio!

[@nicklewis7291]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm sweet

[@leestallard278]

Great videos. I’ve been binge watching your chicken videos. Looks like we worked back in December of 22 on 10m. Hope to catch you again sometime. 73..de KO4DNI

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I'm on a lot of contests. If you're on long enough, you'll work me! I'll see you at the end of the month in the CQ WPX. I'll be NT0EE. I'll look for the KO4 multiplier! 73!

[@janiceemery2008]

Thank you for sharing. Great video and good information without taking the deep dive. I am in the market for a new antenna but, not sure what to get. I was looking at a MyAntenna 80-10 EFHW. At this point, I am not sure if it is better to buy one antenna or two for the different bands. You talk about dipoles, I haven't even consider a dipole. Thank you again for the high level information. It is certainly helpful. KO4UWU

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

If you want a multiband vertical, I liked the HV6V from Butternut. Rugged construction and good performance. Make sure you get a LOT of radials beneath any vertical. 80M will be a compromise on most verticals (small bandwidth). Dipoles in the trees (for your favorite bands) will always perform well. If you can save for a small tribander (like mine), the performance will be great! For years I used a Cushcraft D3 (rotating dipole) for 10-20M and an HF2V vertical for 40-80. The HF2V is what I use on 40M now (shown in the video) and it works incredible! Let me know what you choose.

[@janiceemery2008]

Thank you so very much for the information. I will take a look at both antennas. I would like to have something portable. My base antenna was struck by lightning and I am kind of hesitant to put another one up. Thank You @@TheOldSwedesFarm

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

@@janiceemery2008 Don't be hesitant. We all get a hit (or nearby hit) once in our lives. Just make sure your antennas, rotor, support guys, etc. are all grounded. If there is a strike, it'll stay outside. Keep me posted on the antennas you choose! Cheers!

[@TAKEONEURBANPRODUCTION]

Funny how when dx comes in conditions are high short distance disapears!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

It is fun to watch all the different propagation methods and all the different angles of propagation. It's always fun to study propagation and try to understand it! Cheers!

[@gbltheolechurch5acrehomestead]

Like #1 here from Mr. Garry.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thanks for the support Garry!

[@StephenKlym]

Looking for distance and very local. So 10 miles to 400 Miles to overseas. I can’t get 4 towers up. I have the space but no time. Any suggestions. I think my neibour is on 6m

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I would use trees and string up some dipoles for the various bands. That would be simple. There are also multi-band verticals that work well. I use the HF2V (mostly on 40 meters) but there is an HF6V that has a lot of different frequencies covered. That might be the cure. Get a vertical and put a lot of radials under it. You could work a lot and it is simple. Hope this helps.

[@CustomCraftedDesigns]

Is there an antenna that can work on all frequencies or do you always need multiple different kinds of antennas?

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

The tribander I'm using works on 10, 15 & 20 meters. There are verticals that work on many bands (Look at the Butternut HF6V). Usually there are verticals that will do this more than beams. Check out the vertical and let me know if that is what you're thinking? Hope that helps. Cheers!

[@eremoshomestead7406]

I have a question.....I have a few handheld 2m radios for storm watch in my area but so far not too impressed with them. I am looking at a 10m mobile unit and am liking what I am seeing however...I hear alot of Hams talking that the band is good "right now". What does that mean for later when it isn't??? I don't mind spending a REASONABLE amount of money on a decent mobile radio so as such what would you recommend for the best band to use for weather watch, emergencies and chewing the rag as you all call it? I am not too concerned with talking globally but if it happens alright. I am more interested in a good radio that I can talk all over this country if and when SHTF. A good mobile and or portable antenna would be nice as well. Looking forward to your response!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Lots of questions here. First, regarding "good conditions." We're near the top of the 11-year sunspot cycle. Most days, ten meters is full of signals from all over the world. This will last for another couple years. Then conditions will decline and ten meters will be quiet for several years (worldwide). There will still be Sporadic E-skip in the summer but worldwide communications will be quiet. 15 meters will also decline. 20 and 40 meters will be hot all around the clock for years. Once you get on the air, you'll earn what bands are good at what times of day and what parts of the sunspot cycle. I use the Yaesu FT991A and I think it's a real winner. I've had it for years and it is great on HF, plus it has 50, 144 & 432 MHz. You can see the radio in action on my Minnesota QSO Party video on our channel. That is the 991A in action with a mobile whip antenna on my car roof. Lots of action from all over the country. 20 meters and 40 meters are the "money bands" for activity all day, all year, all cycle. You can always find QSO's on those bands. I hope this makes sense. Let me know what other questions you may have.

[@eremoshomestead7406]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm For SHTF scenarios how do you feel about normal CB radios? I think that for "local" comms it might be beneficial for regular CB comm. What are you doing for such a time?

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

@@eremoshomestead7406 Being a ham, I have many frequencies available to me. The CB band isn't very good for local communication and will "skip" out from 1000-1500 miles. Not sure I need to talk with a bunch of truckers. With various ham frequencies (144 & 432 MHz) I can talk locally and very reliable out to 100 miles. I can also use the lower ham frequencies (160, 80 & 40 meters) and talk from 20 - 400 miles. I'd rather rely on the ham freqs versus CB.