How to get a license and radio quickly

[mmckenna]

If I limit my goal to my friend in Illinois (1k miles), will that make things easier on the requirements for the antenna?

No.

What size are we talking in this case? I'm on a small 1/4 acre lot in a HOA regulated community. Will call a board member tomorrow and ask if there are any limitations. I do have a pretty big attic, will that work at all?

HOA and amateur radio antennas. Yeah, you've got your work cut out for you. Free speech isn't your only challenge here.
You can do wire antennas, and size will depend on what frequencies you want to use. If they'll let you put up a dipole or G5RV antenna, you may get something that will work.

But before you talk to your HOA, you need to study up on HF antenna. Even mentioning external antennas to some HOA's will result in a certain amount of panic. Once they panic, anything you do that even looks remotely like an antenna will result in issues.
Figure out what you need first, then consider your options. Once you know what you need, -then- talk to the HOA.
Yeah, you can put some in attics, but it depends on your roofing material. Not ideal, but it can work. 1000 miles reliably on HF is going to be a challenge if you get your antenna options limited.

What is the average range of the Kenwood THD74A? Trying to figure out if this will work for my local goals.

Simplex/without repeaters? A few miles, depends on terrain.

 

[K4EET]

@McCarthy84, I have the Kenwood TH-D74A which ended production on 31 December 2020. Ham vendors will continue selling them until their stock is depleted and that will be the end of that series. I also have the Yaesu FT3DR which is the competitor to Kenwood's now discontinued flagship HT. Now IF you have a D-STAR access point where you are and IF your friend likewise has a D-STAR access point in Illinois and IF both of you can establish a common room to talk in, THEN the two of you should be able to communicate. With D-STAR or Yaesu's System FUSION, worldwide communications are possible but not guaranteed. It all depends on how repeaters are configured or perhaps you and your friend use a HotSpot that is connected to the Internet, it is all about configuring things correctly to achieve long-distance communications.

Now what @mmckenna posted above on HF is accurate too. I am talking about the HT working in digital mode to accomplish the long-distance communications. In the wonderful world of ham radio, there are a lot of ways to do things. And we have barely scratched the surface on this topic.

 

[McCarthy84]

No.



HOA and amateur radio antennas. Yeah, you've got your work cut out for you. Free speech isn't your only challenge here.
You can do wire antennas, and size will depend on what frequencies you want to use. If they'll let you put up a dipole or G5RV antenna, you may get something that will work.

But before you talk to your HOA, you need to study up on HF antenna. Even mentioning external antennas to some HOA's will result in a certain amount of panic. Once they panic, anything you do that even looks remotely like an antenna will result in issues.
Figure out what you need first, then consider your options. Once you know what you need, -then- talk to the HOA.
Yeah, you can put some in attics, but it depends on your roofing material. Not ideal, but it can work. 1000 miles reliably on HF is going to be a challenge if you get your antenna options limited.



Simplex/without repeaters? A few miles, depends on terrain.

Makes sense. I will start with a quality handheld. Finally found some range info online on that Kenwood, 20 miles simplex seems to be no problem in a flat area, one even reported up to 100 miles from a mountain top.

If I can find a new Kenwood TH-D74A tomorrow, I will order it. I need to get my hands on something right away, even if I can only listen for now. This is how I commit myself to doing both test.

I will only start working on the home base setup once I passed both tests and learned everything needed to make a wise decision.

 

[K4EET]

<snip> If I can find a new Kenwood TH-D74A tomorrow, I will order it. <snip>

Slow down a bit! Please... You don't even know if you and your friend have D-STAR repeaters that you can access. You might be in an area that only has Yaesu's FUSION (WIRES-X). Do you understand what I am trying to tell you?

<edit> Your friend would also need to hurry up and buy the Kenwood TH-D74A before the stock dries up.

 

[McCarthy84]

@McCarthy84, I have the Kenwood TH-D74A which ended production on 31 December 2020. Ham vendors will continue selling them until their stock is depleted and that will be the end of that series. I also have the Yaesu FT3DR which is the competitor to Kenwood's now discontinued flagship HT. Now IF you have a D-STAR access point where you are and IF your friend likewise has a D-STAR access point in Illinois and IF both of you can establish a common room to talk in, THEN the two of you should be able to communicate. With D-STAR or Yaesu's System FUSION, worldwide communications are possible but not guaranteed. It all depends on how repeaters are configured or perhaps you and your friend use a HotSpot that is connected to the Internet, it is all about configuring things correctly to achieve long-distance communications.

Now what @mmckenna posted above on HF is accurate too. I am talking about the HT working in digital mode to accomplish the long-distance communications. In the wonderful world of ham radio, there are a lot of ways to do things. And we have barely scratched the surface on this topic.

I'm trying to be independent from the internet for this form of communication. As a matter of facts, I'm pretty tired of the fast paced online developments. Don't get me wrong, I am part of the internet, can code in 13 languages, my company sells online, we run our own servers, I run my own server rack, you name it. But I miss those times when a movie night started with a trip to Blockbusters for that VHS tape, and nobody was constantly distracted by a damn smart phone.

Besides the political reasons I mentioned, I really do love the technology from the past. And getting a HAM license and communicating with somebody on airwaves brings back memories from a time that I consider to be much better. I wouldn't mind spending my entire life in the 80s and 90s.

 

[McCarthy84]

Slow down a bit! Please... You don't even know if you and your friend have D-STAR repeaters that you can access. You might be in an area that only has Yaesu's FUSION (WIRES-X). Do you understand what I am trying to tell you?

<edit> Your friend would also need to hurry up and buy the Kenwood TH-D74A before the stock dries up.

You missed out on a couple posts. I will get 2 setups. The Kenwood TH-D74A is only for local range, and to get me started without having to plan for and install a massive antenna.

 

[mmckenna]

Makes sense. I will start with a quality handheld. Finally found some range info online on that Kenwood, 20 miles simplex seems to be no problem in a flat area, one even reported up to 100 miles from a mountain top.

Unlikely you'll see 20 miles on flat ground. If you are 6 foot tall, and using a hand held radio at face level, distance to horizon is 3 miles. If you are talking to someone else with a hand held radio, they'll have 3 miles visibility to the horizon. So 6 miles with zero ground clutter (crap in the way). VHF can bend a bit over the horizon, but not that much.
To get 20 miles between radios, one or both of the antennas are going to need to be quite a bit higher.

And don't assume throwing more power at the issue will change that much.

If I can find a new Kenwood TH-D74A tomorrow, I will order it. I need to get my hands on something right away, even if I can only listen for now. This is how I commit myself to doing both test.

I can appreciate your enthusiasm, but I'd really slow down. I'd not invest in a new amateur radio unless it had DMR capability. The TH-D74 does not have that. DMR gives you a lot more options, including some that may solve your needs for longer distance communications using gateways onto the internets. The Kenwood won't give you those options.

Study up on some of the DMR networks and how they'll allow you to connect to various repeaters around the world with just a hand held radio.

 

[alcahuete]

Makes sense. I will start with a quality handheld. Finally found some range info online on that Kenwood, 20 miles simplex seems to be no problem in a flat area, one even reported up to 100 miles from a mountain top.

Don't expect 20 miles simplex on handhelds. Not going to happen.

 

[K4EET]

What I am about to say is a little fuzzy right now. I am really tired. The CODEC in the Kenwood and Icom radios for D-STAR is proprietary and is not compatible with other CODECs. The CODEC in a Yaesu FT3DR is compatible with CODECs used for DMR, P25, NXDN, etc. With a HotSpot running PiStar, the Yaesu FT3DR can cross-mode connect and talk to DMR radios, P25 radios, etc. The Kenwood TH-D74A cannot do that. If anybody out there can explain that better than I just did, please help me out here.

 

[McCarthy84]

Again, I don't want to rely on the internet at all, see my post above. So if I understand DMR and D-STAR correctly, these features are moot for my desire. In a belly up situation, there is no (access to) internet, its either banned / censored or destroyed.

 

[K4EET]

Again, I don't want to rely on the internet at all, see my post above. So if I understand DMR and D-STAR correctly, these features are moot for my desire. In a belly up situation, there is no (access to) internet, its either banned / censored or destroyed.

Would a non-digital capable HT (FM only) fit the bill then? It almost sounds like you will never use the D-STAR capability. Dropping off that feature will save you a good amount of cash.

 

[trentbob]

The big tech companies now act as monopolies, they spread news like mainstream media outlets, but discriminate with a pollical agenda and narrative, without being held liable like regular news outlets. This is a new constellation. If we keep ignoring this new setup, we will be one step closer to 1984. Nobody with a clear mind - no matter what party affiliation - should be in support of limiting free speech or arguing against it, no matter how we define this. Limiting free speech was the first milestone in Hitler's Nazi regime, and those that started objecting his agenda, got removed from the gene pool. Same can be seen in Venezuela or China. If we repeat our mistakes, we can't expect a different outcome.

If I limit my goal to my friend in Illinois (1k miles), will that make things easier on the requirements for the antenna? What size are we talking in this case? I'm on a small 1/4 acre lot in a HOA regulated community. Will call a board member tomorrow and ask if there are any limitations. I do have a pretty big attic, will that work at all?

What is the average range of the Kenwood THD74A? Trying to figure out if this will work for my local goals.

I gave you a like here to acknowledge your passion more than what you are actually saying... You may not like what I'm going to say but I think you're barking up the wrong tree trying to use amateur radio for the purpose that you have described. It's as simple as that.

I am somewhat in the middle of the road here but I do acknowledge what you were saying with regard to 80 years ago in Central Europe, a minority overtaking and silencing the majority so rapidly and effectively, those who do not know history are destined to repeat it. I appreciate your reference to 1984 and George Orwell who said the party has told you to ignore evidence that's right in front of your eyes and ears. I appreciate your passion and understand your concern but ham radio is not going to end up being the answer to your issue. I just don't agree with that.

You are getting some great help here from experts. If I could just offer an alternative solution. I think swl is going to have a little resurgence coming up. To hear the news of the world is going to be more difficult to get... accurately... as censorship of our news increases. News from other countries will be culled out of our sources like MSM, Google and YouTube so I think shortwave listening will be more important than it has been. It's worth looking into. I understand you do not want to get involved with the internet but...

With the recent news of parlor being purged there is a new social media platform that is growing by leaps and bounds in the last 24 hours. It's called CloutHub, you won't hear this in the media of course but it has a new prominent member, the real... and yes I agree it will not be long before it is shut down but understand another one will come up and when they shut that down another one will show up.

Let's not forget Benjamin Franklin and his printing press which was instrumental in spreading the word against the oppression of the people. As each printing press was destroyed he made another one.

As far as the belly up situation and it all goes south, I still don't think amateur radio will be your answer as it will be totally dominated by activity it was intended for many many years ago. And why would you be worrying about a license then anyway if you are talking about the kind of situation I think you are LOL.

Sorry for not agreeing with your reasons for wanting to get involved with amateur radio. I just don't think it's going to be your solution. Sorry.

 

[mmckenna]

Again, I don't want to rely on the internet at all, see my post above. So if I understand DMR and D-STAR correctly, these features are moot for my desire. In a belly up situation, there is no (access to) internet, its either banned / censored or destroyed.

If you want zero reliance on someone else's infrastructure:

For short range (1-3 miles) an analog 2 meter portable radio will work.
For a bit more range, add a mobile radio to your car with an external antenna.
For more range than that (maybe 20 miles or so) add a 2 meter base radio at your home with a base antenna up as high as you can safely get it.
If you want more than 20 or so miles range, and no other infrastructure, then HF is your best choice.

Don't invest in digital radios until you know exactly what you need. There are a couple of different non-compatible digital modes used in amateur radio. Buying into one won't do you any good if everyone else is using one of the others.
The Kenwood is a nice radio, but it's big selling point is that it does APRS. That's where your GPS location is sent out. If that's something you are interested in, then great. But if you don't want a bunch of strangers knowing where you are, don't waste the money on it. A basic analog single band or dual band radio will do a lot and save you some money.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

Now that you mentioned it, I recall that piece from 3 years ago when I first looked into this.

Just placed another order for "ARRL Ham Radio License Manual 4th Edition (Spiral Bound)".

Thanks!

I highly recommend anyone interested in amateur radio (or GMRS) having questions about propagation and antennas, get a copy of the ARRL handbook. It does not have to be the latest. In fact, getting a copy from the library is fine. Or buy several used editions over the past 3 or 4 decades because of the myriad of technologies. But you will find antennas and propagation theory unchanged.

 

[bb911]

...it became VERY clear how "fragile" our communication channels are.

Don't count on 2m. I can't think of any form of communication that will be more fragile than 2m Ham radio. A certain right-wing paramilitary terrorist group guaranteed that the other day. I best leave it at that.

 

[kinglou0]

Again, I don't want to rely on the internet at all, see my post above. So if I understand DMR and D-STAR correctly, these features are moot for my desire. In a belly up situation, there is no (access to) internet, its either banned / censored or destroyed.

This is out of left field since this is an Amateur Radio thread but there is always satellite communications with Inmarsat or Iridium if you want long range communications with minimal effort.

Expensive? Yes. Foolproof? No.

Belly up is relative.

If there was an event where the Internet was completely unavailable, we’re heading for a Mad Max type of situation where having an analog HT or a HF rig will be of minimal use.

I’m worried where things are headed like most people.

If you really do believe in what you fear, Do you think for a moment that someone wouldn’t happen across your conversation and turn you in?

Unless you use robust encryption, everything is in the clear.

Think deeper and possibly outside the box.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

Don't count on 2m. I can't think of any form of communication that will be more fragile than 2m Ham radio. A certain right-wing paramilitary terrorist group guaranteed that the other day. I best leave it at that.

Inquiring minds want to know.

I expect that virtually every frequency in the DC area is routinely recorded at baseband (using SDR) and that the Feds can go back and listen to the spectrum as it unfolded before during and after the insurrection attempt.

 

[AK9R]

Since digital voice modes (D-STAR, DMR, System Fusion, etc.) will not serve your local or long-distance communications needs, then you can eliminate those radios and potentially save some money. A proven reliable handheld radio like the Yaesu FT-60R will serve your needs for most local communications on VHF/UHF.

As for long-distance comms that don't rely on someone else's infrastructure, HF radio seems to be the solution for you. I live in central Indiana and can communicate with stations in Florida fairly easily on 40 or 20 meters depending on the time of day. From my location to the west coast requires 20 or 15 meters and usually only in daylight. That said, finding a suitable HF antenna for your situation will be a challenge. I have HOA restrictions, too, and I've found ways to communicate using wire and/or vertical antennas. But, it took some time and effort to develop a workable system.

I think you should focus on getting your Technician license first. You can upgrade to General as you develop your communications plans. Find a local club and attend their meetings, in person or online, to learn what the local groups are up to. Winter Field Day is coming up the last weekend of the month. There may be someone in your area who is setting up a temporary station to work WFD and I think it would be beneficial for you to visit and see how other folks do it.

I've been licensed almost 30 years and I'm still learning news aspects to amateur radio. Expecting to go from zero knowledge to effective long-distance communications in a matter of days or weeks is a bit unrealistic, I think. I urge you to slow down and eat the elephant one bite at a time.

 

[JimD56]

Took me 2 weeks of studying, an Online Zoom test, and my license was uploaded the next day. Had a UHF DMR Handheld 2 days after that.

 

[drdispatch]

At the risk of sounding paranoid, kicking a hornets nest, and veering your thread off a cliff into the abyss:
Ham radio is licensed and regulated by the federal government. Given your concerns about censorship and communication platforms being shut down, it is also possible (though not likely, I hope) that some future administration/regime could shut down ham radio and invalidate all licenses. Or raise the license fees to such a exorbitant level that most of us wouldn't be able to afford it.
It's been mentioned about using someone else's infrastructure; the (legal) use of ham radio requires permission from the government, and what the crown giveth...