Amateur "Ham" Radio - Just In Case
With all the turmoil in the world, I’ve started thinking about what would happen if the electrical grids went down. We’ve all dealt with power outages, maybe for an hour or even a few days, but what happens if it doesn’t come back on? What if it’s a national or even global event that shuts down the entire electrical grid?
We’re so used to everything running on electrical power that losing it would be more than an inconvenience. It would be something we haven’t yet experienced. ATM’s won’t work, grocery store checkouts wouldn’t function, we couldn’t get fuel, we couldn’t contact loved ones who live far away. It wouldn’t be apocalyptic, but it would be a real challenge. At the very least, it would be frustrating and for many, it would throw us into a state of complete panic.
Enter Ham Radio
Although I’m not a “prepper”, it makes sense to prepare for potential disaster. That’s when I started looking into ham radio. This reliable means of communication doesn’t need the electrical grid to function, they can use batteries, solar panels, or small generators for power which means we can still communicate when the electrical grid goes down.
For decades, amateur (ham) radio operators have been a critical link during emergencies when phones, the internet, and other systems fail. Remember those walkie-talkies we had as a kid? Well, ham radio operates in the same way. The devices send and receive signals through the air in radio waves and converts those waves into words. Invisible science feels like magic to me, but the fact that ham radios continue to work during a catastrophe makes it an invaluable tool.
Getting A License
Like driving, ham radio operation is serious business but it’s also a lot of fun. You need to study and take a test, then once you pass, you’ll be issued a “call sign” that is unique to you. There are different license levels, but the basic license is all you need to get started.
In the UK, tests are conducted through authorized providers, and Ofcom issues the license and assigns your unique identifying call sign. In the US, licensing is managed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Tests and study materials are surprisingly affordable, but there is a definite time and effort commitment to obtain a license.
The Lingo
Abbreviations and codes make using ham radio efficient and effective. We use codes all the time, like typing FYI (for your information) on social media posts and texts to friends and family. Amateur radio lingo uses a similar type of abbreviations and codes to open and close conversations, and to identify themselves and their locations.
You’ll need to know the NATO Phonetic Alphabet and use the proper lingo to start a conversation with someone. The lingo can be confusing at first, but there are “cheat sheets” that help you learn the codes and become acquainted with amateur radio language. Here’s an example of how a ham radio operator might open a conversation:
“CQ CQ, this is W6ABC, Whiskey Six Alpha Bravo Charlie, calling CQ.”
CQ is the code for starting a conversation, it’s like saying, “Hey, anybody out there want to chat?”
W6 indicates your location. In this case, it’s California. Location codes are assigned by each country/region.
ABC is your unique call sign. It is issued to you upon receipt of your operator’s license.
Let’s say you get the following response to your transmission:
“Hey there W6ABC (acknowledging your message), this is K2XYZ, Kilo Two X-Ray Yankee Zulu, calling from New Jersey, over.”
K2 is the location of the operator responding to your CQ. In this case, they’re transmitting from New Jersey.
XYZ is the unique call sign of the operator who’s responding to your CQ.
Over means you’re done talking and it’s their turn to transmit.
Just like police might say, “There’s a possible 47 in progress”, these message shortcuts are used by ham radio operators around the world, making for a well-organised and successful way of communicating.
Rules and Restrictions
There are strict rules that all operators must follow:
· No commercial business is allowed
· No music or obscenity
· No fake distress calls
· Do not operate on emergency channels
· Always give-way to emergency services
· Follow the transmission rules set by each country
Ham Radio as a Hobby
I admit to being overwhelmed by this rabbit hole I ventured into, but ham radio is more than just a great tool to have around “just in case” of emergencies. In fact, there are over 2 million licensed operators around the world who are finding connections based on topics of interest or just learning about different cultures. And you might be surprised to hear there are lots of clubs to join for social connections too!
In 1939, a woman named Ethel Smith started the Young Ladies Radio League (YLRL), an international non-profit organisation supporting female amateur (ham) radio operators. Back in the day, YL was the proper language used to identify the operator as a “young lady”. Of course, these days, YL just means the operator is a female. There is similar coding for men (OM – old man).
The YLRL is a worldwide network of chatty women that has quite a strong following. They have an annual Hamvention® which was attended by nearly 34,000 women in 2023. They have scholarship programs and awards and publish YL Harmonics magazine. They even let you listen in to women operators before making the commitment required to become a licensed operator. And dig this, the cost of membership is only $15/£12 a year!
In the UK, the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) can help you find training and clubs in your area. In the US, the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) can provide resources and guidance about getting and maintaining your ham radio license. These are just a couple of the hundreds of organisations supplying information and study tools online at prices that I found surprisingly low. That tells me there's a lot of enthusiasm for the decades-old hobby.
Equipment
This can be a very expensive hobby for very serious operators, I mean, some have license to chat with the International Space Station! The photo above shows a super fancy system that's far too sophisicated for my simple use. But entry level equipment might fit into your budget with prices starting around £30/$42 for a handheld unit with even nicer units just under hundred.
This basic radio has a built-in antenna that could allow you to transmit about 3-5 miles. But if you’re able to get close to an unobstructed tower, like the towers on TV buildings, you could potentially reach 20-50 miles with just a simple handheld radio. *
You can buy external antennas that can extend the range of your transmissions. If you lived in the middle of nowhere, having these additional pieces of equipment could allow you to keep in touch with people long distances away.
Equipment determines your range, clarity, and how far your voice can travel. Buildings, terrain, and weather can affect transmissions. Higher ground, unobstructed views, and moving closer to towers should provide better quality messages at longer distances.
Handhelds can cost under £100/$120 with prices jumping to over a thousand for the top-of-the-line equipment used by professionals who need advanced communication methods. But let’s say you fall in love with the handheld and want to improve your equipment, you can get a fully tricked out set of gear for about £800/$1100!
The Magic of Radio
Ham radio isn’t magic, and it won’t remedy all disasters, but here’s the good bit:
· There are out-of-the-box options at reasonable price points
· You can connect to others locally and worldwide
· It provides a backup link for emergencies
· The community is engaging and supportive
· Ham radio is engaging and fun
How to Get Started
I want older women like me to know about this topic because of the peace of mind it could give us, the sense of safety in knowing we can reach for help if we need it. But the social component of amateur radio has been keeping women active and connected for a long time. Those of us who feel alone and isolated could enjoy real-time conversations which can significantly boost our overall wellbeing and add joy to our lives.
So how to get started. Start by listening. Get in touch with your local club and ask for a listening session. Clubs will have an ELMER (a mentor) to help you learn the ropes.
Study for your license. Study materials range in cost from $15/£11 to about $30/£22. Be sure to study for the license based on your country.
Start with a handheld (HT) radio. They’re simple, affordable, portable, and enough to get you on the air after you obtain your call sign.
Since ham radio is such a popular hobby, operators often put their used gear up for sale, making it more affordable and easier to grow into more advanced equipment.
Closing Thoughts
I have learned to listen to my instincts and that’s how I got started exploring amateur ham radio. What I discovered would not only be a useful tool if the shit hits the fan, but there’s a lively society of people chatting all over the world about the weather, their families, and their favourite recipes from Perth, Australia (VK6).
Communities could invest in the equipment and pay for licensing 2 operators, ensuring a connection to the outside world in cases of emergency like natural disasters or the electrical grid shutting down. I know it would make me feel a lot safer.
Amateur radio is a hobby I could sink my teeth into, and it’s certainly worthy of consideration in my household. Because the hobby can seem more complicated than it really is, I’ve listed some additional reading and resources below for those who’d like to learn more.
Note – this article provides a general overview of amateur ham radio for informational purposes only. Regulations, licensing requirements, and operating practices vary by country and may change over time. Readers are encouraged to consult their national regulatory authority or a recognized amateur radio organisation for current guidance.
*** Prices may vary. These are estimates from typical radio shops as of January and should be used as such.
Additional reading and resources
Young Ladies Radio League
Website: https://ylrl.net
Hamvention®: https://hamvention.org
A great article at Research Gate
US Sources for study
The National Association for Amateur Radio
https://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session
Ham Book
UK Sources for study
The Radio Society of Great Britain
https://rsgb.org/main/clubs-training/for-students/foundation/
Radio World
https://www.radioworld.co.uk/blog/ham-radio-communities-and-resources
*Equipment Distance Estimates
https://brokensignal.tv/pages/how-far-can-ham-radio-really-talk.html