Top 5 Reasons to Get Your HAM Radio License - TheSmokinApe

Top 5 Reasons to Get Your HAM Radio License - TheSmokinApe
Just a quick video where I got through the top 5 reasons I tell people they should get their HAM Radio Operators license when I am asked.
Please go ahead and comment below if you think I left anything out, thanks for watching.
Link to where you can lean how to get your license: www.arrl.org/li...
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Thanks,
TheSmokinApe

[@communityprepper6153]

This is one of my preps of 2023. I hit many milestones over the past few years in regard to prepping and I now live in the mountains on NC. Lots of land, open spaces and very few people. I moved from a town of over a million to a town of just over 4K. A bit of a adjustment, but after 4 months here, I love it. I live in an area where cell service is spotty at times. I also do a lot of hiking and fishing off grid with my elderly father. This is a priceless skill to learn and get certified on. Also, if you've read this far, I'm thinking of taking the online course taught by Joe Basset

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey CP, good luck on the journey. RF based communications, as you likely already, know can be a very valuable skill set.

[@boknows7319]

This is something I really want to learn how to do, right now I just have basic two-way walkie-talkie style things in my kits. Thanks for the video!

[@TheSmokinApe]

It's not too hard to pass the test and you can get a hand held radio pretty cheap these days. Good luck moving forward with it...

[@bobsimmons5274]

I've been a ham ( off and on ) for 60 years. I've met a lot of hams I don't like, but I can honestly say I've NEVER met a ham that was 'boring'... if you dig down to learn about them, every single one of them is a pretty interesting and unique critter. Any place you find high technology, you will find hams also... usually they are the ones making things happen and pulling the levers... sometimes they are the ones MAKING the levers. It's not for everyone... but it does appeal to people with hungry minds....

[@TheSmokinApe]

Agreed, the is so much to ham radio that you will never stop learning. Thanks for the comment Bob 👍

[@Wolf-nj8qs]

I had no idea this HAM was a thing. But watching this video I’m going to look into more. Very interesting

[@TheSmokinApe]

Awesome man 👍

[@brazenbull636]

Radio is skill. Not a prep item you just acquire and shelve away. A baofeng in the hands of somebody who's radio illiterate is nothing more than a glorified scanner with an "interference generator" feature built in. There's a lot of totally legal "security through obscurity" potential in the radio world that people knowledgeable in ham radio have available to them that the average cellphone enthusiast or casual scanner listener won't have any clue about come shtf. Alot of which is VERY simple stuff. Get your tech license and casually work your way towards your general license. The skills gained really are worth the time put in. To me this ain't a hobby, its a prepper skill and a way i increase my independence from the grid. The more I learn, the more useful the equipment is too. Also seems to have a higher return on investment ratio than most other preparedness skills. Information is vital

[@TheSmokinApe]

Great post 👍

[@Helelsonofdawn]

is there alot of lonely men we can tell stories too while the crhistians listen in and pretend to no wanna be gay

[@wildandwackywade]

Be nice of someone was able to help woth testing and getting a license.

[@donaldsmith3048]

Ham Radio is not a Hobby! It is a Post-Apocalypselypse life skill! 73 W4DES

[@TheSmokinApe]

Haha, thanks for watching Don!

[@ThomasConnolly]

I recently got back in December of 2016 two Yaesu VX-3R transceivers. In late December 2016 I was in a mom and pop Ham Radio store that's about one hour away from me, which I go to a couple of times a year. At that time in December the owner said that Yaesu has discontinued production of VX-3r(ultra compact transceiver) as of 12/10/2016 and he had two of the VX-3r from the last production batch in stock(brand New/sealed), so I bought them both. I already had a Yaesu VX-3r, which I bought years ago when the upgraded 3r first came out.

[@TheSmokinApe]

+Thomas Connolly The VX-3r is a cool little radio to play around with, I really like the form factor which makes it super easy to carry around. Having a local shop would be great, I am not sure if any are around here, I mainly wait for the hamfests to roll around. Thanks for watching and for the comment.

[@mightygrom]

Lots of fun stuff to do with AR too... like foxhunting (using directional antennas to track a stationary or moving target) and Field Day (an international 3 day long communication exercise in July where folks compete to see how many contacts they can make in several different catagories). As for CW (morse code), you can get CW interfaces for your PC, or even stand-alone battery powered LCD modules that output the received code in readable text... This gives a new ham access to cheap used HF (CW only) radios that you can use for global communication... though you can get access to SSB and FM voice in most hf bands by just upping your license to General class (another multi-choice test) Something else to check out (if you haven't already mentioned them) is hamfests... basically flea markets with HAM gear and lots of other stuff... I've found vintage MASH gear and even a radiation meter at hamfests. --73's DE N3HQU

[@TheSmokinApe]

I should look into those interfaces. I got to hamfests all the time, I love them... thanks for watching and the comment.

[@mightygrom]

m.banggood.com/Morse-Code-Reader-CW-Decoder-Morse-code-Translator-Ham-Radio-Essential-Module-p-1026637.html?rmmds=search

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for the link!

[@TomokosEnterprize]

Good call bud. The reasons are clear and sound. Way too many out there crowding the band with no basic rules to abide by. When you can chat all over the world we need solid standards to abide by. I like seeing the Yaesu products. Over the years I have found their UH and VH products were not in for repair near as much as some. My preference is still Icom though.When unqualified folks get on in a bad situation that will most likely make a situation worse. Thanks bud ......Dean......

[@TheSmokinApe]

+Tomoko's Enterprize Thanks man, glad you liked the video. I really like Yaesu products but my experiwnce with iCom and Kenwood is limited. I do want to play around with dstar at some point. Thanks for watching.

[@TomokosEnterprize]

I really don't think it matters a lot. As long as they work as they should,give er bud !

[@WJ6FRadio]

Great list of reasons! I have learned more about electronics as a ham than I ever thought I would.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yeah, I’m so glad I decided to get into Amateur Radio 👍

[@irishbastard2815]

Top 5 reasons not to get a ham radio license 5 you go on a govt list 4 you go on a govt list 3 your name goes on the interwebs 2 you go on a govt list 1 the govt lays claim by rule of law that they cant really lay claim to. mostly i am joking here some i am not its kinda a catch 22 in the end and you have very valid points why to get your ticket

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yeah, I see your point and understand how and why folks feel that way.

[@Helelsonofdawn]

@@TheSmokinApe why do they feel that way? i just want one to listen to mormons and truckers just incase some commies go alalalalalakbar

[@karimalameddine5092]

Thanks! I'm going to get mine soon (-:

[@Robert08010]

I got my novice ticket in 1977 when I was 14 and then lost interest. I discovered computers! In recent years, I've had a mild curiosity about what if anything is going on in ham radio so I bought a sdr, the RSP1A. Last week, with zer0 prep, I took the technician practice exam. I passed it with ease. This really surprised me and so just to prove this was not a fluke, I took it again 2 more times. I passed each time. So it would appear I can get my ticket at any time. The question is why? What can I do with ham radio that isn't easier done on the web?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Well, it's hard to say what you could do that wouldn't be easier on the web so let me just say I can work the radio and communicate with folks without the web.

[@Robert08010]

@@TheSmokinApe So can I with my cell phone. I understood the value of it when my dad was a ham years ago. But that was pre-internet and then those first few years when the technology wasn't yet everywhere. Now it is. And even in a emergency, I just don't see how a civilian radio service can be of significant use.

[@TheHumanConfusion]

I work law enforcement in a mountainous area. We have to do work in the backcountry and cellphones do not function there unless you have a satellite phone. We use radios constantly because of this fact to coordinate. Having civilians with the capability of relaying information if we can’t reach out to our repeaters is great help. I think people forget that phones, technology, and all that only work in developed areas.

[@Robert08010]

@@TheHumanConfusion Excellent point. Thank you and for your service to your community.

[@AvoidingChores]

gotta say, this matched pretty much my experience with ham when I got into it several years ago. The downside in my area is that traffic is very "clique" like and more in HF than on the very good 2m repeaters we have. During storms and such you don't get any traffic at all, I know you want to keep the airwaves clear for EMO, but if they are using their digital trunks, the hams can use the repeaters at the very least.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Jim Cyr We have a bunch of repeaters this way, you can almost always find some action. HAM repeaters shouldn't effect public services. Maybe they want them open incase HAM support becomes required.

[@dont4450]

I'd love to get a ham license. But at 72yo, my memory just cannot remember all that I'd have to remember. All I'd want to do is talk to people. I got my GMRS license, but no one else around here uses gmrs. So I've decided to just buy a couple of vintage Kenwood receivers and listen to shortwave, and whatever else I can get.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Sorry to hear the troubles, SWLing or Short Wave Listening is a popular hobby 👍

[@JonathanBaileyn2u]

Just by your philosophical value.. I subbed 💯👊

[@TheSmokinApe]

Welcome aboard!

[@Ron_C]

Excellent points! An aspect I enjoy is fulfillment. In that I'm able to talk to someone thousands of miles away using an antenna I made out of speaker wire. Getting the Tech license is just a tease, you really want to get that General ticket to play on the fun HF bands! I'm taking the CW Academy next month! Hopefully I'll put the microphone away for a while!

[@TheSmokinApe]

That's a good point about fulfillment, forgot about that one! Good luck with the CW, I just can't seem to get that... I know it takes tons of practice, I should give it a try again.

[@Ron_C]

Yeah man, give it some time! If you're ever on 20m, or 40m, let me know and I'll meet you on the air. I think you have my call sign.

[@baudelliocharles1318]

I plan on getting mine and to have a couple mobile radios and an couple handhelds and fuck with sota and aprs

[@TheSmokinApe]

baudellio charles Awesome man, good luck with the test!

[@baudelliocharles1318]

TheSmokinApe any plans to switch to vidme since KZbin is a dying platform

[@TheSmokinApe]

+baudellio charles not yet, I will say getting videos demonetized sucks...

[@hemantparakh8995]

Kindly suggest a HAM radio scheme of two frequencies

[@myadventureoutdoors]

I'm afraid to even get started with Ham Radio. I would probably get obsessed. Good info SmokinApe.

[@TheSmokinApe]

+Adventure Outdoors Its an easy trap to fall into, its a great hobby though.

[@TheSmokinApe]

michael potts haha

[@baudelliocharles1318]

I have some training using simplex when I worked armed security

[@TheSmokinApe]

+baudellio charles any experience will help with passing the test.

[@tommyboy7820]

Thanks for sharing

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for watching!

[@fbrieden]

First exposed to Ham around eight or nine years old, but no real encouragement available, although I built a KnightKit Star Roamer at twelve. Got side tracked through high school, and basically forgot about it. Fast forward fifty years, and at sixty seven, I received my Technician License on 6/5/2023. Retirement is not in my vocabulary, and plenty of time at night in hotels affords constructive use of time on 2 meter and 70 centimeter bands. Also, my interest in electronics, which fell by the wayside all those years ago, is increasing exponentially. The ARRL publications I'm securing for study-reference are stmulating mathematical concepts I haven't used in a long time. A good way to maintain mental sharpness, and have fun at the same time. KC3VXP

[@TheSmokinApe]

Welcome, "back" to the hobby. And, yes, the ARRL publications are fantastic resources... thanks for watching!

[@flyfisherman3649]

There should be 2 tests. One for those stay at home operators with pretty equipment and those who plan for the SHTF scenarios. There is no "skill set" needed, just configuration and functionality. Then for those at home there is much more electronics, but seriously handheld radios are so freaking simple.

[@williambetzelberger6128]

There can be some skill, or at least basic knowledge that would help, since UHF/VHF is Line of Sight you could say how to program a repeater and the placement of that repeater would be helpful. Basic knowledge and understanding of how radios work and the limitation of different kinds of radios would be very good knowledge to those working with them. Just my 2 cents

[@ericlamey2387]

Appreciate your video.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks, glad you liked it.

[@pmm4177]

Still not sure why this is relevant in flying multirotors

[@TheSmokinApe]

Me either

[@LosVille95]

Rip i have to read/study technical 1 module and my math head sucks. :l

[@TheSmokinApe]

You can do it, good luck with the test!

[@Gollammeister]

I'd love to get my foundation license but like most people can't afford to risk money on a maybe plus no local clubs so I only carry a ham for purely emergency comms so no license needed So if they want new members numbers to suddenly Increase then they should scrap foundation exam and people just pay for a callsign basic license that gets there foot in door and can get practical experience to learn so if they then choose to progress further they can

[@williambetzelberger6128]

Unfortunately that's not up to the clubs, it's all based on FCC rules and regulations, they are the ones requiring Amateur Radio Operators to be licensed and they assign the callsigns, not the clubs

[@sometrucka5881]

Thanks for the vid.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@lambo25]

Hello TheSmokinApe love the informative videos i just need a walkie talkie to communicate with another car in front of me. once or twice a year I have the cheaper cobra microtalk with 22 channels I think it is .5 watt not even a full watt. Walmart special buy. I want to upgrade to something better. Either the Yaesu FT-60r or Baofeng BF-F8HP. Do i need to upgrade? We will be taking the radios on a Caribbean trip and will be communicating in areas where there are lots of trees and hills. Not sure if any repeaters in the area. We also will be communicating from within 2 vehicles at times on road trips. Which radio would you recommend? Yaesu FT-60r or Baofeng BF-F8HP or something cheaper. Should i stick with the cobra walkie talkie i have or upgrade. what do you think??? will get licence if have to. but do i need it for once or twice a year vacation??? cheers

[@TheSmokinApe]

Note that you need to be a licensed HAM to use the Baofeng or Yaesu radios. I recommend either based off your budget. You might be best off using frs radios.

[@DeanO]

There are many ham radio clubs for this hobby - and a $10.00 donation is nice

[@TheSmokinApe]

+Dean O Yeah, we have at least 3 in my county, they are everywhere.

[@aldzjervinreyes7624]

So do i need a license if i have 4 ham radios and gave them to my family to talk to each other?

[@TheSmokinApe]

To talk or transmit any signal on a HAM radio requires a license 👍

[@joeshmoe7899]

CB radio

[@CasonovaCorkClub]

If u had a CB with a cigarette lighter plug, .. how can I use it inside? .. What can I do to get power with that 12 volt plug with a regular inside outlet? .. or can I?

[@TheSmokinApe]

+R.I.P. Democrat Party I use a switching power supply; kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHbdi3l3iNd8kKc

[@CasonovaCorkClub]

So u plug that into a regular outlet?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yes

[@jasonshepherd6752]

Get an alinco power supply

[@outbackeddie]

I thought about getting my license but I am afraid of talking on a repeater and making mistakes that make me sound like a total doofus. Are experienced ham radio operators tolerant of newbies or would they just "hang up" on me if I made a technical error of some kind?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Nah, most folks are helpful and will help you learn. Try to fins a net on a local repeater and join in the fun... good luck with the journey. Thanks for watching.

[@irishbastard2815]

99.999% of hams are really nice and will help a noob out once in a blue moon you will get a jackwagon who thinks they own the airwaves and the rest of the good hams will let that person know and report them if needed

[@paulsilva6543]

What is “talking on a repeater?

[@baron8107]

Outside of a total collapse, VOIP (i.e. Discord, Teamspeak) is theoretically superior to HAM Radio. I'm surprised VOIP servers aren't a thing in small towns today.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hadn’t considered anything like that.

[@paulsilva6543]

Wrong. All of those things require internet. Not reliable

[@EASTNSIM9454]

cracked open a rolling rock beforehand. I should be asleep. but now I wont.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Nothing wrong with a Rolling Rock 👍 🍻

[@yannickseibert8647]

In 2023 im considering getting a ham license in germany. But in different boards you read posts like "the bands are dead" or "ham radio is dying". Whats your opinion about this in 2023?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Bands are fantastic, we’re getting some of the best propagation in decades. Ham Radio is alive and well..

[@johnrenzcaballero4308]

Do you need a club to be a ham ?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Nope, anyone can go a take the exams.

[@la5984]

Do dmr projects

[@TheSmokinApe]

Been thinking about it, not sure what radio I want to buy.

[@RESlusher]

The way you train is the way you'll operate when you need it. Good video again, Ape. If the FCC can identify someone who's operating without a license or causing interference to licensed operators there are some pretty hefty fines that can be imposed.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yeah, not worth risking it... thanks for the the comment, glad you liked he video!

[@robreke]

can the government track your location when you're transmitting?

[@TheSmokinApe]

They probably can track you when you aren’t transmitting 👍

[@robreke]

@@TheSmokinApe well, yeah by your cellphone and laptop signal. I meant, the radio signal

[@TheSmokinApe]

They could if they wanted but it’s unlikely unless you are up to no good 👍

[@ChadAF_YT]

I’m currently trying to figure out the CORE registration on FCC website, so I can apply for a gsmr license. This may be a really stupid question, but do I need to have a radio before I get my license??? I won’t get my radio for another week and a half. Do I have to wait to get it in order to get the license?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Nope, you can get licensed first 👍

[@junky802]

Lol 5 min cold one.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Right 👍

[@Etk93]

I laughed and grabbed a cold one. Didn't take much convincing 😅.

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@Etk93 lol

[@robertheintz8017]

Let me see. Your reasons for becoming a ham is to understand how the equipment works and to volunteer in a disaster. Sorry but my life isn't that pathetic yet. LOL

[@TheSmokinApe]

Your life isn't pathetic enough to do those things, yet you watch videos of people talking about them... OK.

[@robertheintz8017]

@Nachos Livestream Hams live by the concept of "if" something happens. I have had a cell since 1991 and it has never once let me down because of some obscure natural disaster that the hams warn us about. If there was a natural disaster, satellite would be the way to go anyway.

[@triple9fine]

@@robertheintz8017 yet in 2021! Was without cell service for 4 day no internet either. Major ice storm

[@robertheintz8017]

@@triple9fine Whatever causes the cell service to go down causes ham to go down too. When was your last major ice storm, 25 years ago?

[@joemason9187]

I dont suppose anyone really cares if a ham operator talks to none licenced operator, funny thing is you most likely started at the same place, even though some of your former radio buddies may still be using there multi bands

[@brad349miller]

So, you’re into ham radio because you find value in how the equipment works? Lame. What is the point of amateur radio?! You get to broadcast your call sign. Lame. What else?

[@thesickening0169]

With respect, I'm sure you're intelligent enough to think about and realize the value of learning HAM radio. I doubt learning HAM is just so some people can use their call sign.

[@Sheridantank]

All it takes is the imagination (of reality) that phone lines can go down, internet and all, and with that all communication short of radios, or face to face won’t exist. There could be countless things to cause loss of communications. I’d list some it you need me to but I’ll respect the intelligence I think you have and let you think about it. If you don’t know, I’ll gladly get into it. Then again, if you don’t know, how can you make such strong negative opinions.

[@williambetzelberger6128]

I think learning a new skill, learning and understanding more about the world around us and how it works, and in the process maybe being able to help those in need is never lame.