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This thread is dedicated to the discussion of HAM and amateur radio related topics. This thread can also be a place to discuss alternative communication technologies such as LoRA, Meshtastic, Satellite communications (Iridium, QO-100), and CB.

Why would anyone be interested in this?
Radio lets you communicate anywhere on earth across distances of thousands of miles without any infrastructure. It is the ultimate form of peer to peer communication. There are many things to do in this hobby from listening to number stations to bouncing signals off the moon and back. Packet radio lets you send data over the air. Digital modes like JS8call can get your signal from New York to Tokyo with 5 watts of power. Some people build and launch picoballoons with radio repeaters strapped to them that circumnavigate the globe.

Should the Internet ever go down or become a dystopian nightmare, HAM will always be there. It's a vital tool and a fun hobby.

Useful info
Want to get started listening to signals from around the world? WebSDR and KiwiSDR are two websites that provide a browser controlled receiver.

A device like the RTL-SDR is a radio receiver you can plug into your computer. If you are intersted in getting started with the hobby, I would recommend buying one of these. They can be purchased for $20 online and let you view the entire signal spectrum from HF to 2.4 GHz

Should I get a license?
That is entirely up to you. If you are from the United States the process of getting a license is easy and straightforward. The main drawback is when you get a license, you are entered into a callsign database on the FCC's website which is publically searchable. This could potentially let anyone who knows your callsign find your name and address.

Recommended radios:
HF:
Best for budget: Xiegu G90 ($390)
When you want to upgrade: ICOM 7300 for a base station, Yaesu FT-891 for portable ops

VHF/UHF:
Handheld: TYT TH-UV88 ($30)
Base station: AnyTone AT-778UV ($130)
If you are looking to get into the 2m side of things I would recommend getting a base station before a HT first. Repeaters can be hard to hit sometimes with low power and having a base station with more transmit power can make a significant difference.

HAM related lolcows and liddery:
HAM has it's fair share of lolcows who go by the term lids. While many may think of the hobby as elderly boomers tapping away at a morse key HAM is home to some of the biggest flamewars.

Todd Daughtery, N9OGL is our resident HAM lolcow. Arrested twice for terrorism and child pornography. Being that HAM is the Proto-Internet, it attracts autists of many varieties. Another HAMcow is Karol Madera, VE7KFM.

Links:

• The /diy/ HAM Radio FAQ
• Realtime HF propogation
• Signal Identification Wiki
• RadioReference
• NOAA Solar Weather