Get them interested in LoRa. Ham radio might follow after that. LoRa is the new ham radio anyways.
this post was submitted on 22 Mar 2025
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I’ve been really interested in the LoRa stuff especially as the state of communication infrastructure (and the electrical infrastructure behind it) is always at the brink of collapse where I am. The only problem is that there is zero chance I can even buy the parts for this “strange encrypted radio” without being arrested under accusation of espionage. If not by the government then by the other guys.
As a backup emergency messaging system we really need it but I really need to not rot in a jail cell that smells of death 20 meters under Beirut street level and need both of my kneecaps.
I love LoRa for IoT devices, sensor nodes, automation, environmental monitoring, etc... And I think it is absolutely the future for outdoor electronics. As far as communication I am really not so sure.
What benefits does it have to ham radio though besides no license? There is no real time communication, no possibility of voice, mesh-based which results in delays or dropped messages, and it only works within walking/short biking distance (a couple kilometers) without line-of site tower infrastructure or in mountainous areas.
I could see a potential use of it as a broadcast system during emergency by a central tower for messages that work over text, but further than that I have only seen personal projects or youtubers use them.
Camping isn't even a great usecase (in my opinion) because in an emergency there are 3 things needed for communication
- Satellite or very long-range communications/broadcast to alert S&R
- GPS location
- real time communication to guide someone out of a dangerous situation or guide them to you using descriptive markers (especially not having to use fine hand motor skills like typing)
Lora only has the possibility of one of them: telling people your location who are within walking distance. Not to mention it is blocked to a degree by vegetation. Most people go camping with all of their important people within like 100m, and the number one rule of backpacking is don't go off on your own, especially not off-trail.
@JustEnoughDucks @crazyminner LoRa #APRS on 433 MHz is actually quite useful and fun. Tracking with very low power works quite well if you have a network. Take a look at what people have done with it in much of Europe, as well as Denver, Chicago, etc.
Exactly, that is not communication like ham radio though. Hence why i said for IoT and automation. Tons of potential for sending small sensor packets! Just not communication in my opinion unless you want specifically text messages and no voice during an emergency for some reason.
Exactly, that is not communication like ham radio though
What passes for communication in ham radio is usually just long winded monologuing. Which isn't a conversation.
Make it so federal agents don't show up if you do it wrong?
I found the most effective way to get a nerd into ham is: mention that ham radio is in the criteria to become an astronaut. Suddenly they're doing the study courses all on their own. Granted, they have to already be a nerd. ;)
For the non nerds, the prepper angle seems to work with some.
The thing you have to deliver is the "why", not the how. If they've decided they want to learn it, they will.
Make it affordable isn't a reasonable request...
How about don't trash talk inexpensive equipment. "This $4k radio is what you need, not that Chinese junk." Watch the majority of people will just walk away.
My unused general license is a perfect example. The multiple free HF antennas and free LMR400 run to my free 30' antenna mast I was given didn't even put a dent in offsetting the cost of a radio to use the equipment I have rotting away.
I'll keep my dual band tyt and my 2m Kenwood. If there's an emergency where it is useful, I'll use it.
Make it easier to get into? I've wanted to for years but when I looked into studying for the test (which can only be taken in another city in my state and only a few times a year), I found a like 4 hour long video and when I tried watching it it was like someone speaking a foreign language. I don't have a ton of free time to study for the test and it seems like I need to already be a master electrician to even study for the test.
So yeah, maybe don't make it so difficult and more people might want to get into it?
If you're in the US, you can test online! https://hamstudy.org/sessions/remote
I do agree that the test itself could be tuned down a bit, especially for the tech license. hamstudy.org also has all of the test questions available online to help you study.
Thanks, I'll try to remember to check this out after work!
Are you eligible for a US license? HamStudy.org and study for the Technician’s license. Memorize the answers. Then when you are passing practice exams with a solid 80% or better, schedule your remote exam through the HamStudy website, take it, then get on the air.
I did my Tech from a beachside resort in the Philippines during the peak of the pandemic.
You can do it!
This is helpful advice, thank you.
I'm intensely jealous of people who couldn't work during COVID (well more specifically those who could manage or were being paid still). Working at a grocery apparently makes you as essential as a doctor or nurse...
Great advice though, sir or madam.
I had been looking for remote testing since about 2018 because personal circumstances had me moving about quite a bit. Possibly there were some options back then, but I had not been able to find it; Covid certainly made that widely available. As soon as I had discovered it, I booked my appointment and studied/memorized.
Covid was a tough time for many, and a tragedy for others. I am thankful for folks, like you, who worked during that difficult global time, to ensure access to food went basically uninterrupted.
This exactly. My brother keeps trying to get me into it. It's hard to even take the test let alone how boring it is to study for. I want someone who's passionate about it to explain it to me. I also have hella ADHD so that's a factor for me personally lol.
Oh same here. It's a struggle to listen to a monotone voice talk about numbers and electrical terms I'm completely unfamiliar with.
At least when my brother talks about it he's excited but his ADHD is unmedicated so I still don't know much because we start talking about that but then we somehow end up replacing a window or something and have no idea how we got there... Lmao
Embrace digital modes.
What is a digital node?
Basically you encode data in a digital stream and send it over the air as a radio transmission. Here a very brief overview: https://www.arrl.org/digital-data-modes
I'm not actively involved in radio but I do have my license. Last I looked hams in general really poo-poo'd digital modes.
Thank you for sharing.
I love the idea of using it, but between getting married, looking for better jobs, and maintaining friendships, I haven't found the time to study for the amateur radio exam, which appears to be considerable.
GMRS is $35 and a license so that I can use a radio with my family, husband, and licensed friends while skiing or mountain biking, making localized communication easy, while the cert process was mostly friction free (looking at you, ancient FCC website and the guides needed to figure out licensing- something less dedicated people forgo, hint hint). The friction for getting ham licensed makes it difficult for young people who don't have much time for additional hobbies.
I do hope it's around when I'm older and (hopefully) have more free time!
Present it as an alternative to social media -- one without the kinds of mental health issues and corporate controls.
Present things like electronics tinkering as a life skill instead of a hobby. That includes the Tech license.
It's a long shot, sure.
Offer alternatives such as all-beef radio, or turkey radio.
Insert "soy radio" / [radio station you dislike] joke here
I have a ham radio
Allow encryption.
I don't want to talk on open air with anyone and everyone able to listen in.
I'm not on it myself because permits. I am on meshtastic and helping to grow the mesh, because no permits. I'll end up getting GMRS (instead of continuing to use it illegally) because no test, but haven't yet because permit. "No encryption" is also pretty lame.
I don't even mind that if I could use it, all there is in my area are geezers talking about their lawnmower and what they're grilling today, that's kinda nice actually, but I have to learn 433 questions because you never know what'll be on the test and my ADHD respectfully declines.
That's just me, I'm sure others have other reasons.