Absolute beginner with a BIG question - cross country communication.

[nateelgrate]

I don't even know where to start with something like this, so I chose you guys (be kind, I am new). I spent 15 years as an IT Professional and now I am a Media Producer so I know my way around technology, but I know little to nothing about long distant radio communication. Here is my wild idea: My parents live in Florida and I live in NW Iowa. Is it possible, with the correct licensing and equipment, to communicate with them over some sort of radio if the internet/cell services went down during an emergency or war? If so, what type of equipment would be necessary, what sort of licenses would we need. If it is possible, please point me in the right direction so I can start doing research.

Thanks!

 

[Ham4CW]

Welcome to the forum!
Don't worry, no question is too simple or dumb. There's always a dozen other folks out there that want to know the answer to the same question.

Short answer is yes, it is possible to communicate over long distances using radio.

Ranges vary depending upon the frequency band you use, propagation conditions at the time (how well the signal 'carries'), efficiency of the aerials used and so on. Also the mode used will have an effect upon range. By modes I mean things like AM or FM (probably modes you are familiar with from broadcast stations), and on to such things as more specialist modes like Single Sideband (SSB), and digital phone modes.

As you are located in the USA your best port of call would be to look up the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). The ARRL is the national body for Amateur Radio in the US, and they can help you with information about where to go to take tests, what training you would need etc.

On the right-hand side of their home webpage https://www.arrl.org/ is a section headed up "Licensing Links" which would be a good starting point for your journey!

Hope that helps.

Mark...

 

[N8TGQ]

I second starting with the ARRL website. They have all the info you need to get started. Especially check out their club locator. A club can offer classes, licensing sessions and hands-on experience with some radios and the supporting gear you'll need.

Your experience with IT and media will give you a great start! Welcome to the hobby and we're here to help with any questions you have. Let us know how it goes!

Rick N8TGQ

 

[nateelgrate]

This helps! I actually currently work at a Radio Station (RadioWorks, KWOA AM-FM) with 4 FM stations running and 1 AM station. I should know more about licensing from this but I do not . All I know is that my engineer says I can't buy a 100,000 watt system like we run, he says 2 watts maximum for me lol. Thanks again for the info!

 

[N8TGQ]

One thing to understand is that to make long-distance contacts that you asked about means having a General class license for both operators. It also means studying and passing two tests because you have to pass the Teccnician license before you can test for the General license. Your parents may not be that interested!

Many hams participate in radio traffic nets. These networks use ham radio to send messages across the country and around the world, especially in emergencies. It's not a perfect or very fast way to keep in touch, but it may be an alterative that may work for you.

You could just get your license and contact hams in your parents area to pass messages them.

The first two tests are really not that hard, and I hope you go on to get your license. When you do, let us know so we can be some of your first contacts!

 

[nateelgrate]

One thing to understand is that to make long-distance contacts that you asked about means having a General class license for both operators. It also means studying and passing two tests because you have to pass the Teccnician license before you can test for the General license. Your parents may not be that interested!

Many hams participate in radio traffic nets. These networks use ham radio to send messages across the country and around the world, especially in emergencies. It's not a perfect or very fast way to keep in touch, but it may be an alterative that may work for you.

You could just get your license and contact hams in your parents area to pass messages them.

The first two tests are really not that hard, and I hope you go on to get your license. When you do, let us know so we can be some of your first contacts!

Now this was very useful information! I have been doing more research and have read about licensing. I made a mistake and bought baufang radios without doing any research, finding out that I cannot legally use them for FRS or GMRS, only HAM frequencies. So I will be getting my technician license at the very least (more prepping), to contact 13 miles away. Any more information would be highly appreciated!

 

[Ham4CW]

A 'non ham" route might be to use satellite phones, not a cheap option but at least it would not require any technical knowledge, also the system does not rely upon ground based relay systems.

Use of satellite based internet access such as StarNet might also be a possibility.

Any system that uses radio waves as it's carrier medium could of course be susceptible to jamming and propagation failures, so there is no 100% guaranteed method in reality. I'm sure I read somewhere that even HF (shortwave) propagation that us hams rely upon so much can be greatly impaired by the use of nuclear weapons.

73, Mark...

 

[N8TGQ]

Don't underate your Baofengs. My longest contact with a portable radio like that is 60 miles. Having good antenna up as high as possible makes it work.
Repeaters also extend your range. You transmit to it and it retransmits your signal with higher power, a good antenna and from an optimal location.
I haven't looked into 2 meters for a while, but there were repeaters set up in networks that would let you work thousands of miles using your little radio. I once talked to Tennessee from N Ohio sitting on the front porch.
You can also use the Echolink and Allstar digital links to go all over the world, but that involves internet connections.

Another Technician license perk is doing voice and morse code on the 10 meter band. 10 meters can be unusable at certain sunspot levels, but wen it opens up, a little 10 watt signal can go a very long way. I remember listening to a ham in France talking to a ham in Boston through a repeater in the Bahamas. The bad thing is the Technician doesn't have access to the 10 meter repeaters, but the frequencies he has will still go those far distances. The anyennas on that band can be very small also.

The other thing a tech can access is satellites and the space station. There are even repeaters in space!

If you learn morse code, the tech can use some of the long distance HF bands, but unless you really get interested, it's easier to just get your General license then you can use voice and digital modes.

I hope I didn't overwhelm you with too much info! Welcome to ham radio. The hobby of a thousand hobbies.

73 de N8TGQ

 

[nateelgrate]

The satellite route has been considered, but it falls into a similar category as cell phones. The whole idea behind the radio communication was if America was attacked or if the internet went down, I need to contact my parents and let them know where to go and at what time so that I can fly a aircraft down to them and pick them up. I realize there is no communication that is guaranteed to work, but I think internet, and cell towers would be the first to fail. The satellite phones would likely work for longer, but if things got really bad, they would likely be down shortly after.

I like to think I am preparing, not being paranoid of disasters and war. The repeater network is one thing I still have not grasped, but seems like the best fit for what I am trying to do. I need to do more research in that area and find out if there is one within reach of my radios or if I need something bigger. I do have a pole on top of my house about 25 ft up that used to hold a tv antenna. I may permanently mount something up there to get a farther reach.

Thanks again for all of the info guys!

 

[N8TGQ]

If America is attacked enough that cell service and internet go down, I doubt there will be many planes flying.

By satellite, I meant the ham radio satellites. I have heard traffic on them, but never tried transmitting.

10 meter SSB voice may be the best choice for your goals.

 

[nateelgrate]

I appreciate the info. I'll do research on repeaters and 10 meter SSB Radio. I have access to a PC12 and Cessna Citation, if anything unprecedented happened to America I'm going to do my best to go get my family and bring them home, however unlikely and unrealistic that may be. I see relationships as the most important thing in this life.

I think radios are far more useful than just the extreme example I brought up in the original post though. As you all know better than myself, there are countless uses of radio and communication and general, which is why I'm so appreciative of all of your responses and suggestions.