HAM operator trying to talk me into broadcasting without license

[McCarthy84]

So I just placed an order for my HAM radio just a few days ago, with the idea to listen to whatever I can find, while sitting down and learning for tech. I didn't even order a mic, that will happen the day the FCC puts my call sign up. I'm really looking forward to this process.

Now, the guy that helped me with some details on my radio and antenna, started talking me into hooking the radio and antenna up first thing, so we can talk on 2 meters right away. When I told him that I will not broadcast until I have my license, he kept pushing with statements like: "There are so many talking on 2 meter without license, nobody cares."

When I replied with "I won't screw it up for the community" or "I will not break the law", he came back with that there is no "law" standing in the way. When I posted a link to the FCC regulations and the fact, that congress delegates those as law, he just laughed and kept pushing more.

In the end I stopped talking to him, because I can't stand it when somebody is trying to talk me into something I don't agree with.

So what is going on here? Are HAM operators not taking those rules serious (anymore)? Is 2 meter some band of a wasteland?

Keep in mind, this is not some 5 watt handheld. I ordered a 100 watt radio.

 

[vagrant]

It happens but not often. When I hear non-hams, which is rare, I encourage them to get their license and tell them they would be welcome to use the repeater. As to HF, there’s a lot of nomenclature typically used and it would be easy to spot. That’s just my little corner of the earth in central California. On the other hand, Amateur radio in the Los Angeles area is significantly different. We simply do not have that mess up here. Look up and listen to the “renegade repeater”.

By the way, right now you could talk on the amateur bands if a licensed amateur was with you at the control point. You would use their callsign and are limited to the privileges of their license class.

Also, one aspect of the hobby is direction finding, often referred to as a T-hunt or fox hunt. While HF would be geographically problematic, VHF and UHF is much easier for those of us who are experienced and have levels of gear towards that effort.

 

[nd5y]

So what is going on here? Are HAM operators not taking those rules serious (anymore)? Is 2 meter some band of a wasteland?

That depends on your location.

 

[trentbob]

On 2 m you would be using a repeater most likely from a club or a simplex point to point frequency of which there's just a few that a geographical area would use regularly and usually has regulars who use it.

In my area everybody follows the rules as far as call letters, station ID every 10 minutes and other etiquette. You would stick out like a sore thumb and be confronted pretty quickly.. you're not a ham radio operator and won't sound like one. If you make call letters up they can be looked up very quickly so expect that you would be caught.

Study for the test and take it and then learn ham radio operations like everybody else does. I wouldn't even be entertaining the idea of doing what you are thinking of doing.

 

[AK9R]

So I just placed an order for my HAM radio just a few days ago...

The term "ham radio" is a colloquial or informal term for amateur radio. It is not an an acronym, so it doesn't need to be capitalized. If "amateur radio" is too much to type, just use "ham radio" with no capital letters.

...while sitting down and learning for tech.

When do you plan to start? I found a post from you from January 2021 where you said that you had looked into getting your license 3 years prior to that. Seven years have passed and you still don't have the basic and easy-to-pass Technician license?

Now, the guy that helped me with some details on my radio and antenna, started talking me into hooking the radio and antenna up first thing, so we can talk on 2 meters right away.

First off, the radio you bought will not transmit on 2m. So, I don't know how this person expected to talk to you on 2m.

Secondly, if he's "helping" you to transmit in violation of FCC rules, I think I would be skeptical of everything that person says. There is a tradition of mentoring in amateur radio. That tradition does not include encouraging people to violate the rules.

When I told him that I will not broadcast until I have my license, he kept pushing with statements like: "There are so many talking on 2 meter without license, nobody cares."

Again, I would push that person out of my life. He is imposing his view of the amateur radio world on you and that view is apparently one of a scofflaw.

When I replied with "I won't screw it up for the community" or "I will not break the law", he came back with that there is no "law" standing in the way. When I posted a link to the FCC regulations and the fact, that congress delegates those as law, he just laughed and kept pushing more.

Apparently, this person has no appreciation for the rules that govern amateur radio or communications regulation in the US. That's not a person I'd want in my life.

So what is going on here? Are HAM operators not taking those rules serious (anymore)? Is 2 meter some band of a wasteland?

There is a segment of the radio hobbyist world who don't believe the rules apply to them. Personally, I try avoid associating with people who hold those beliefs. If an unlicensed person showed up on a 2m repeater in my area, the local hams would recognize it immediately. They would point out that a license is required. They would encourage the person to get their license. If the person persisted in using the repeater, the repeater trustee might turn off the repeater. It would be easier to get away with non-compliant operation on a 2m simplex frequency, but on most 2m simplex frequencies, there would be very few people to talk to.

Keep in mind, this is not some 5 watt handheld. I ordered a 100 watt radio.

As I said before, if this person expected to talk to you on 2m simplex using the Kenwood TS-890 that you ordered, that person simply does not know what they are talking about. Find someone else to help you.

 

[WB5UOM]

smh

 

[W4AXW]

So what is going on here? Are HAM operators not taking those rules serious (anymore)?

The vast majority of licensed amateurs respect and appreciate the rules since they keep things civilized for all to enjoy. If this is anything more than a DRAMA/TROLL thread then post this guy's callsign.................

 

[Omega-TI]

First, you don't "broadcast", you have QSO's. Third, if this story is true, don't let him Elmer anyone, he sounds like an outcast.