Yup - it still exists.  Just a few thoughts to share.

I am not currently involved, but I have been and am thinking about getting more active.  Of the folks I've met in the hobby, the majority are conservative and gun enthusiasts.  The technology is current.  Much of the communications involve hand-held units, often not too much larger than cell phones.  Some are digital.  The communication is usually through repeaters, allowing you to communicate far beyond the point-to-point limitations.  Many repeaters are linked to the internet, so two people on opposite sides of the world can communicate both using handhelds.  There are also discussions involving groups of people, some scheduled, some ad hoc.  In keeping with today's technologies, the licenses required to communicate via handhelds are quite easy and do not require Morse code.  In fact, you can read a short book to prepare for an easy multiple choice test.  There are local clubs all around the country.  If you are out in rural areas out of cell phone coverage, this method of communication can be a life-saver.  Many units today have built in GPS so you can transmit your location if enabled.

Pretty random thoughts.  You can find much more information by googling Ham Radio.  The primary and oldest organization is ARRL.

Quote from: USAPatriot on December 20, 2012, 07:44:05 AM
Yup - it still exists.  Just a few thoughts to share.

I am not currently involved, but I have been and am thinking about getting more active.  Of the folks I've met in the hobby, the majority are conservative and gun enthusiasts.  The technology is current.  Much of the communications involve hand-held units, often not too much larger than cell phones.  Some are digital.  The communication is usually through repeaters, allowing you to communicate far beyond the point-to-point limitations.  Many repeaters are linked to the internet, so two people on opposite sides of the world can communicate both using handhelds.  There are also discussions involving groups of people, some scheduled, some ad hoc.  In keeping with today's technologies, the licenses required to communicate via handhelds are quite easy and do not require Morse code.  In fact, you can read a short book to prepare for an easy multiple choice test.  There are local clubs all around the country.  If you are out in rural areas out of cell phone coverage, this method of communication can be a life-saver.  Many units today have built in GPS so you can transmit your location if enabled.

Pretty random thoughts.  You can find much more information by googling Ham Radio.  The primary and oldest organization is ARRL.

Almost all the farmers around me have 10 meter radio with repeaters set up all around.  There in all the trucks, tractors and most cars.

Quote from: walkstall on December 20, 2012, 08:04:50 AM
Almost all the farmers around me have 10 meter radio with repeaters set up all around.  There in all the trucks, tractors and most cars.

That's quite interesting.  I did not realize 10 meters had become popular for that kind of communication.  It's propagation can vary widely depending on sunspot activity and it can carry a long ways.  They can reduce interference by using tones or codes, but it still seemed to me to be more for hobbyists.  I would have thought VHF would be more reliable for those applications, but the allocation of repeater frequencies might not be available.

When I was a boy in early 60s I had my General ham ticket - K3RSS.  I kept it when I joined the Air Force, where I had some fun with K6FCT which was on MARS hill at Hamilton Field (now kaput).  We had log periodic beam up on a 100ft+ tower, a Collins S line which could run 100 watts or so barefoot.

But I let my 5 year ticket expire and the decades swept by...  In my day political free speech was frowned on, when on the air.  Talk about contests, your shack, QSL cards, DXing etc., but avoid politics.

Today I have forgotten most of my Morse code, electronic savvy etc. so even if I wanted to get back into it - not likely.

Quote from: Skull on September 12, 2020, 04:05:35 PM
When I was a boy in early 60s I had my General ham ticket - K3RSS.  I kept it when I joined the Air Force, where I had some fun with K6FCT which was on MARS hill at Hamilton Field (now kaput).  We had log periodic beam up on a 100ft+ tower, a Collins S line which could run 100 watts or so barefoot.

But I let my 5 year ticket expire and the decades swept by...  In my day political free speech was frowned on, when on the air.  Talk about contests, your shack, QSL cards, DXing etc., but avoid politics.

Today I have forgotten most of my Morse code, electronic savvy etc. so even if I wanted to get back into it - not likely.

There are so many Phone operators, and rag chewers... then there's the newer Digital Modes, HAM is as busy as ever.
All bands, all modes, and yeah, people do talk politics... moonshining too!   In my area of Southern Virginia, we can get on the air, anytime, just about any band, call CQ and have a conversation.  Granted some of it's better during seasons, and band opening, but I've had plenty of 80 meter conversations, with S-9+ noise floor.. and a Kilowatt of power (turn the RF gain down, and AMP up!).   The stuff you can get today, is really good, cheap, and really sensitive (IC-7300 = $1000).

BTW... the CW code requirement was dropped completely in 2007.  I'm a no-code extra.

Quote from: Skull on September 12, 2020, 04:05:35 PM
When I was a boy in early 60s I had my General ham ticket - K3RSS.  I kept it when I joined the Air Force, where I had some fun with K6FCT which was on MARS hill at Hamilton Field (now kaput).  We had log periodic beam up on a 100ft+ tower, a Collins S line which could run 100 watts or so barefoot.

But I let my 5 year ticket expire and the decades swept by...  In my day political free speech was frowned on, when on the air.  Talk about contests, your shack, QSL cards, DXing etc., but avoid politics.

Today I have forgotten most of my Morse code, electronic savvy etc. so even if I wanted to get back into it - not likely.

You may like to PM Hoofer he is a ham operator.

Quote from: Hoofer on September 12, 2020, 04:38:44 PM
There are so many Phone operators, and rag chewers... then there's the newer Digital Modes, HAM is as busy as ever.
All bands, all modes, and yeah, people do talk politics... moonshining too!   In my area of Southern Virginia, we can get on the air, anytime, just about any band, call CQ and have a conversation.  Granted some of it's better during seasons, and band opening, but I've had plenty of 80 meter conversations, with S-9+ noise floor.. and a Kilowatt of power (turn the RF gain down, and AMP up!).   The stuff you can get today, is really good, cheap, and really sensitive (IC-7300 = $1000).

BTW... the CW code requirement was dropped completely in 2007.  I'm a no-code extra.

Thanks for the update, but past is past.  If I had more space around me and many more years of life ahead, I would consider getting another ticket.  But I will stick with my books, my friends and a little internet/email dabbling.