A brief prepper's guide to UK ham radio

[Zai]

Hi all, I wrote a brief guide to ham radio with the preppers in mind. If anyone has any comments about it or suggestions, reply here and I'll add it.

I'll stop banging on about it shortly I promise

http://www.m6fng.co.uk/?p=166

[metatron]

Hi all, I wrote a brief guide to ham radio with the preppers in mind. If anyone has any comments about it or suggestions, reply here and I'll add it.

I'll stop banging on about it shortly I promise

http://www.m6fng.co.uk/?p=166

Where are you finding used IC-718 for £300?, I'm guessing ham swap meets or a friend as they tend to go for at least £160 more than that online/from suppliers who sell used goods, or even ebay. A Yaesu FT-450 tend to run about the same priced, its a better radio for the money imo.

[Technik]

Thanks Zai. Everyone in the prepper community should read that and think about a ham radio imo.

[Zai]

Hi all, I wrote a brief guide to ham radio with the preppers in mind. If anyone has any comments about it or suggestions, reply here and I'll add it.

I'll stop banging on about it shortly I promise

http://www.m6fng.co.uk/?p=166

Where are you finding used IC-718 for £300?, I'm guessing ham swap meets or a friend as they tend to go for at least £160 more than that online/from suppliers who sell used goods, or even ebay. A Yaesu FT-450 tend to run about the same priced, its a better radio for the money imo.

That's how much I got mine for about three years ago, prices have gone up a bit! I'll change that.

[C4tch]

Thanks for adding this. Ham radio is on my to do list for next year. Really looking forward to getting in to it. Seems a bit daunting with all the boosters, radios and masts etc. Is it possible to get range without the extras by using the radio itself or do you need to add things to the outside of the house? Really new to this as you can tell!

Cheers,


C

[gary5wift]

Hi c4atch

If you get a cheap handheld UHF/VHF radio like a Baofeng UV-5R, cost about £35 off ebay, you can reach anywhere in the world by using the repeater network without adding an external antenna but an external antenna will give you better reception.

A HF radio will cost more and will give you greater range without using the repeater network but will need a decent antenna, you can get loft antennas but external would be much better.

It's really not difficult - your local amateur radio club will have you on the air in no time at minimal cost

[C4tch]

It's really not difficult - your local amateur radio club will have you on the air in no time at minimal cost

Great info so thanks for that. I am defo on for this next year. Just have to get the training in

C

[Zai]

Thanks for adding this. Ham radio is on my to do list for next year. Really looking forward to getting in to it. Seems a bit daunting with all the boosters, radios and masts etc. Is it possible to get range without the extras by using the radio itself or do you need to add things to the outside of the house? Really new to this as you can tell!

Cheers,


C

Gary pretty much nailed it, all I'd add is: 1. If the SHTF, your local repeater might not be working. In that case with a handheld radio depending on where you are (ie on a hill or down a well) you could get in excess of thirty miles. Also, as far as hf is concerned, a general rule is the more metal in the air the better it gets, but I had a dipole (cheapest, easiest antenna) in my loft (totally hidden) and managed to work Canada and Brazil with just ten watts.