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Author Topic: I would like to use a fancy radio as well!!!  (Read 797 times)

CALLSIGNVIPER

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I would like to use a fancy radio as well!!!
« on: September 13, 2022, 07:57:08 AM »

Hi,

Let me start by saying that when you start reading this post, you might go, "Oh, just another troll!". LOL. Well, I hope you can make it past that and focus on what I am actually saying. : )

In order to get a Pilot's license, you have to pass a written test and a practical test. The written test is about knowledge. The practical test is about skill. Obviously.
An amateur radio license requires "only" a written test, because it does not take any skill to push a button.

Now, before you get all "mad", remember: I do not want to "insult" someone by saying that, nor do I want to troll. I am just talking about physicaly using a radio! You turn a knob, punch in a frequency and push a button. That's it. I understand that it takes knowledge to know, when and where you can use which frequencies, but at the end, you are just pushing a button. More like a "procedure" and not a skill. 
In other words: Even if you build the most complicated radio station, send a signal to the moon and back, which of course requires knowledge and skill, but at the end, you can have anyone sit there and push a button. There is no denying that.

What is my point!?

My point is that I like good quality stuff and gadgets, like Radios. However, the good and cool "high-end" radios all require an amateur radio license. Which sucks, because the 2-3 times I am planning on using the radios, makes getting an amateur license not feasible. In the meantime I am "stuck" with the radios that require no license. Those have less range and are [mostly] of lesser build quality. Actually, I should say that they are really just "lame" compared to the cool and fancy HAM radios. Just compare a Motorola XT460 PMR to a Yaesu FT5DE, and you know what I mean.

So, how could the FCC fix the "issue"? Really simple: Do the same they do with CB, FRS and PMR! Maybe take 16 frequencies (or whatever amount makes the most sense), in the amateur bands and "reserve" them for people who do not have an amateur radio license, nor plan on getting one. Just like that. I mean, if they can do it with other bands, why not do it with frequencies in the amateur bands!?

That way everyone who loves cool gadgets can get a bitching HAM radio and use it. AGAIN, please try to understand what I am saying. I am not talking about giving an amateur radio license to everyone out there. I am talking about "locking" HAM radios so they can only use those 16 channels. Same radio as you guys have, but via software (maybe) locked to a few channels. Why would that not work!?

Another option would be that manufacturer who make those "lousy" GMRS, PMR and FRS Radios step up their game and make radios like those "fancy" amateur ones. You know, the ones with the big cool screen and all the buttons, ha ha.

Hope this makes sense.

Thanks.

PS. I am new here and I am not sure where to post this, so please move it, if it is in the wrong place. : ).

PPS. Please don't just say, "Well, get the license, it is not hard!" Even though that might be the case, if I have a license, the other person I am talking to still needs one as well. That is a problem since I am planning on just randomly handing out radios when hiking, boating, biking and what not. You know what I mean.
« Last Edit: September 13, 2022, 08:03:42 AM by CALLSIGNVIPER »
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W7DGJ

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Re: I would like to use a fancy radio as well!!!
« Reply #1 on: September 13, 2022, 08:18:05 AM »

OK, you like to play with radios and we've got some cool gear on our side of the fence. I agree with you! Some of the greatest products in the radio hobby are produced for the amateur radio world. But it's not something that doesn't require any skill. You might be talking about a comparison of small handheld transceivers, because they both have rubber antennas and all you do is push a button. But that's not really what our hobby is all about. No sir . . . There is definitely skill involved, which is why you don't want a lot of unlicensed people running around on the frequencies, even if there were only a few "channels" as it were. When you study for your first ham license, you learn the formulas for making up an antenna, for example. What would some unlicensed person do to build a dipole that resonates on 20 meters??? How would you know anything about radio frequency interference and how to get your signal off the home intercoms at the house next door to you? In short, you learn these things through the ham radio licensing process. It's well worth it, believe me, and it's open for anyone from an 8 year old boy featured a couple of months ago in CQ, or to a 90 year old retiree. Anyone can study and take the tests, and there are even organizations that will pay the fee for you. I wouldn't push this message of yours any further, personally, as it won't "resonate" here and certainly the FCC is not going to just open up the amateur radio bands to everyone. There are enough Yahoo's out there who are licensed and abuse our bands, we don't need those to proliferate. This is not a dig at you -- become a shortwave listener (SWL) and you'll hear some kooks out there with ham radio licenses. Let's keep these special frequency bands as professional as we can make them!  Dave, W7DGJ
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K1VSK

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Re: I would like to use a fancy radio as well!!!
« Reply #2 on: September 13, 2022, 08:50:06 AM »

You want to legally play with “cool” radios but don’t want to make any effort to do it legally so let’s change the rules to accommodate your choice. That pretty much sums it up.
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CALLSIGNVIPER

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Re: I would like to use a fancy radio as well!!!
« Reply #3 on: September 13, 2022, 08:50:52 AM »

OK, you like to play with radios and we've got some cool gear on our side of the fence. I agree with you! Some of the greatest products in the radio hobby are produced for the amateur radio world.

Exactly! I love the gear!

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But it's not something that doesn't require any skill.


I thought I already covered this!? LOL. Again, try to understand what this is about. It is is NOT about an Amateur Radio License and what you can/are allowed to do with. It is just about using a HAM Radio that is locked to certain channels.

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But that's not really what our hobby is all about. No sir . . .


Hate to say it, but I only care about talking to one person at a time. A person I hand a radio and that's it. : )

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There is definitely skill involved, which is why you don't want a lot of unlicensed people running around on the frequencies, even if there were only a few "channels" as it were. When you study for your first ham license, you learn the formulas for making up an antenna, for example. What would some unlicensed person do to build a dipole that resonates on 20 meters???


Again. I do not want to build anything, or have the "right/license" to build anything. Just talk. That's it.

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How would you know anything about radio frequency interference and how to get your signal off the home intercoms at the house next door to you?


Why would I have to know about radio frequency interferences, when I use the same frequencies someone uses with a license!? I would think those frequencies have been cleared by the FCC to not cause any issues. Right!? I mean, I know nothing about anything when it comes to that, but I am still using a cell phone, a radio controlled car/drone and all kinds of other equipment. None of those require a license. You know why!? Because they are "dialed" in and ready to use. Like I said, there is no reason why they can't make a HAM radio like that!

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In short, you learn these things through the ham radio licensing process. It's well worth it, believe me, and it's open for anyone from an 8 year old boy featured a couple of months ago in CQ, or to a 90 year old retiree. Anyone can study and take the tests, and there are even organizations that will pay the fee for you.


I agree with everything you say, but it does not fix my "problem". Me having a license is not going to allow the other person to now use a HAM radio. Which btw makes zero sense. If one person has a license and is overseeing the "situation" then why would the other person have to have a license as well!? You do not need to have a gun permit (or what not) when you go to a gun range, right? Because the dude there is qualified and oversees what you are doing.

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I wouldn't push this message of yours any further, personally, as it won't "resonate" here and certainly the FCC is not going to just open up the amateur radio bands to everyone. There are enough Yahoo's out there who are licensed and abuse our bands, we don't need those to proliferate. This is not a dig at you -- become a shortwave listener (SWL) and you'll hear some kooks out there with ham radio licenses. Let's keep these special frequency bands as professional as we can make them!  Dave, W7DGJ

Dave, no worries. I am not taking it personally. I actually appreciate you replying, even though you are missing the point, and I hope you are not taking it personally. : ). I understand that the FCC is not going to just open up some of those channels and that sucks. I just hope that maybe one day they will. 

Thanks.
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K7JQ

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Re: I would like to use a fancy radio as well!!!
« Reply #4 on: September 13, 2022, 08:51:36 AM »

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N8YX

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Re: I would like to use a fancy radio as well!!!
« Reply #5 on: September 13, 2022, 09:02:16 AM »

Stick with CB/MURS/FRS/GMRS.

It's better there. Trust us.
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CALLSIGNVIPER

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Re: I would like to use a fancy radio as well!!!
« Reply #6 on: September 13, 2022, 09:05:08 AM »

You want to legally play with “cool” radios but don’t want to make any effort to do it legally so let’s change the rules to accommodate your choice. That pretty much sums it up.

Hmm? I thought I made myself clear!? I do not want to change the rules. I would like the FCC to add some. Let them open up a few channels so that I can use HAM radios without a license. Like I said in my last post, which you may have not seen yet, but that's how phones, drones, R/C cars and all sorts of things work. I do not need a license to use a RC transmitter. How come? The TX is transmitting just like a HAM radio does, so why no license? My guess would be because I cannot mess with the frequencies. Back in the days you could, but with 2.4GHz not anymore. Same goes for a cell phone. Transmits, right. Do I need a license? Nope. Exactly my point. The devices are made so anyone can use them because the FCC went ahead and made sure that the device does not interfere with anyone or anything.
Please explain to me why this would not work on a HAM radio!?

Thanks.
« Last Edit: September 13, 2022, 09:07:42 AM by CALLSIGNVIPER »
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K5LXP

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Re: I would like to use a fancy radio as well!!!
« Reply #7 on: September 13, 2022, 09:19:46 AM »

What's the difference between a commercial channelized radio vs a crippled ham radio that's locked to the same channels?  What makes ham radios versatile is their frequency agility and attendant memory management and manipulation.  Reduce operation to a few channels and all the distinctive features become superfluous.

As an aside, anyone that decides to commit to a few hours of study can pass the tech test.  I had a ham radio license before I legally required a fishing license.

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM
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K7JQ

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Re: I would like to use a fancy radio as well!!!
« Reply #8 on: September 13, 2022, 09:33:39 AM »


There are enough Yahoo's out there who are licensed and abuse our bands, we don't need those to proliferate.


I hate to think what the bands would sound like with "unlicensed hams". Maybe you should quit while you're behind.
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SWMAN

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Re: I would like to use a fancy radio as well!!!
« Reply #9 on: September 13, 2022, 09:36:18 AM »

 Just curious, why don’t you want to get a license ?
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WB8VLC

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Re: I would like to use a fancy radio as well!!!
« Reply #10 on: September 13, 2022, 09:39:02 AM »

The only way that the FCC will change rules and give you some free frequencies is if you have a big enough lobby to line their pockets.

I'm sure with enough monetary pull they would be very glad to give you some channels adjacent to 1575.42 MHz, 1227.6 MHz or 1176.45 MHz,  L1, L2 and L5 GPS respectively but forget about anything in the HF region.
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K7LZR

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Re: I would like to use a fancy radio as well!!!
« Reply #11 on: September 13, 2022, 09:44:58 AM »

You want to legally play with “cool” radios but don’t want to make any effort to do it legally so let’s change the rules to accommodate your choice. That pretty much sums it up.

This is exactly what he is saying. OP says that he doesn't want to change the rules but then he asks for new rules in order to accommodate his wishes.

Study, get the license, play with your "cool" radios legally. Life goes on.

Or,

You can always play with these "cool" ham rigs by modifying them to work on the 11m CB band. Usually very easy to do. Wrong and illegal of course but many people do this and the FCC can't really do anything about it so they pretty much gave up except for an occasional bust.
« Last Edit: September 13, 2022, 09:57:44 AM by K7LZR »
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KD6VXI

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Re: I would like to use a fancy radio as well!!!
« Reply #12 on: September 13, 2022, 09:51:21 AM »

What you are asking for is already available.

Buy a CB.

You want to use a cool ham radio, get your license.  You don't want to get a license, get a CB.

I don't think anything needs to be changed.  There are requirements to legally use a ham radio.  If you don't want to work to getting those requirements done, then you can be a CBer.

Not knocking CBers.  Their are guys there doing amazing things.  Full hifi broadcast, amplifiers that will make you say WTF. 

But, you want to use ham radios, get a license.

--Shane
WP2ASS / ex KD6VXI
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W0CKI

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Re: I would like to use a fancy radio as well!!!
« Reply #13 on: September 13, 2022, 10:06:12 AM »

Why don't you get a fancy ham license, put it in a fancy frame on your fancy wall. Then you'll be an all-around fancy boy.
Gary W0CKI
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KA2DDX

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Re: I would like to use a fancy radio as well!!!
« Reply #14 on: September 13, 2022, 10:24:12 AM »

Add me to the list of nay sayers. This makes no sense whatsoever.
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