You can buy a cheap Chinese HT like a Quansheng UV-K6 for like $40. These have open firmware and there’s a bunch of custom options radio nerds have whipped up. Get the USB programming cable even if you’re not doing custom FW, makes programming frequencies and tweaking options much easier. You’ll also need a license and in the US, HamStudy.org has the exact questions from the test. There’s a ton of YouTube channels you can watch and books you can read for general purpose radio knowledge. Then it’s just a matter of getting a good antenna and pointing it in the right place at the right time; there’s free resources online, paid apps, all that is out there and it’s just a matter of wanting to learn it. The actual hardware you need to get started is really cheap these days.
Everything they mentioned checks out, but keep in mind that every ham within line of sight to the station will be trying to get into the repeater as the ISS passes overhead. The number of people trying to talk could realistically be in the thousands when it passes over a large populated country. A full pass at a good angle takes ~5 mins.
People take turns, but it’s usually just a rapid-fire of IDing and maybe some very short pleasantries, then you get out. Anything more is could be considered bad etiquette, and calling the ISS is kind of a big deal! It’s not possible to have a full conversation unless you’re extremely lucky with timing and/or geography, or there’s an astronaut working the radio who wants to chat. I have heard astronauts operating. Sometimes directing and acknowledging contacts sometimes they will have longer form chats, but they’re not at the radio all the time.
It is really fucking cool, though, to be in say, New England and hear someone in Texas or Puerto Rico or Canadian Maritimes coming through on your dinky Chinese handheld! That is a big part of the appeal.
Honestly I’ve been doing this for like 2 years now and I’ve not really keyed up and transmitted in the amateur radio sense, just GMRS walkie talkie stuff with the homies. Still, it’s super cool being able to listen. Picking up satcom stuff is just neat. I also take it to the airport and listen to the pilots talk with tower/ground crew.
One of these days I’ll transmit for real, but I have no problem following the “LURK MOAR” guideline as applied to amateur radio as I learn the culture.
Honestly, just go take the test. I found https://hamradioprep.com/ useful as it has actual test material from past tests to practice with, and a nice mobile interface.
If I were to do it again I’d study for at least up to General. Most clubs will let you test for General for free immediately after passing Technician. I ended up passing Technician, but not General. It’s been a few years so I’ll have to re-study and go back.
You’d be better served learning how to do it yourself. It’s not hard and it’s a pretty cool skill to have (amateur radio).
not everything is an opportunity to teach- this is your chance to be a hero… punch the clock!!! you are “our” radio guys
It does sound interesting. Where do I start?
You can buy a cheap Chinese HT like a Quansheng UV-K6 for like $40. These have open firmware and there’s a bunch of custom options radio nerds have whipped up. Get the USB programming cable even if you’re not doing custom FW, makes programming frequencies and tweaking options much easier. You’ll also need a license and in the US, HamStudy.org has the exact questions from the test. There’s a ton of YouTube channels you can watch and books you can read for general purpose radio knowledge. Then it’s just a matter of getting a good antenna and pointing it in the right place at the right time; there’s free resources online, paid apps, all that is out there and it’s just a matter of wanting to learn it. The actual hardware you need to get started is really cheap these days.
Thank you!
Everything they mentioned checks out, but keep in mind that every ham within line of sight to the station will be trying to get into the repeater as the ISS passes overhead. The number of people trying to talk could realistically be in the thousands when it passes over a large populated country. A full pass at a good angle takes ~5 mins.
People take turns, but it’s usually just a rapid-fire of IDing and maybe some very short pleasantries, then you get out. Anything more is could be considered bad etiquette, and calling the ISS is kind of a big deal! It’s not possible to have a full conversation unless you’re extremely lucky with timing and/or geography, or there’s an astronaut working the radio who wants to chat. I have heard astronauts operating. Sometimes directing and acknowledging contacts sometimes they will have longer form chats, but they’re not at the radio all the time.
It is really fucking cool, though, to be in say, New England and hear someone in Texas or Puerto Rico or Canadian Maritimes coming through on your dinky Chinese handheld! That is a big part of the appeal.
Okay thanks for the heads up
Honestly I’ve been doing this for like 2 years now and I’ve not really keyed up and transmitted in the amateur radio sense, just GMRS walkie talkie stuff with the homies. Still, it’s super cool being able to listen. Picking up satcom stuff is just neat. I also take it to the airport and listen to the pilots talk with tower/ground crew.
One of these days I’ll transmit for real, but I have no problem following the “LURK MOAR” guideline as applied to amateur radio as I learn the culture.
Honestly, just go take the test. I found https://hamradioprep.com/ useful as it has actual test material from past tests to practice with, and a nice mobile interface.
If I were to do it again I’d study for at least up to General. Most clubs will let you test for General for free immediately after passing Technician. I ended up passing Technician, but not General. It’s been a few years so I’ll have to re-study and go back.
General unlocks a lot of the fun HF privileges.
I did - I’ve got my general license. Missed extra by 2 questions despite not studying for it whatsoever.