Anyone here have a HAM radio?

[Akilldema]

For one, I doubt the FCC has the ability to track every device that operates on those frequencies as if each has a unique signature(or how they would know which are licensed while doing so). Additionally he lives in a large apartment complex and it's a handheld. Those guys on youtube that were wreaking havoc with drive through windows from their front porch never got caught, so I must LOL at the all seeing eye of the FCC.

[Particle Man]

Originally Posted by Akilldema

For one, I doubt the FCC has the ability to track every device that operates on those frequencies as if each has a unique signature(or how they would know which are licensed while doing so). Additionally he lives in a large apartment complex and it's a handheld. Those guys on youtube that were wreaking havoc with drive through windows from their front porch never got caught, so I must LOL at the all seeing eye of the FCC.

Have him talk on 2 meter without a license a couple times (which has it's on over-air identification rules) and see what happens.

IIRC, the mcd pranksters were using 10 meter radios that were modified (I've used a Kenwood 10 meter to pick up local stuff like that - it's kinda cool, the stuff you can pick up when atmospheric conditions are just right). A bit harder to track but not by much.

[Trip]

I foresee another digifox thread in your future.

[Adeptus_Minor]

Originally Posted by Particle Man

Have him talk on 2 meter without a license a couple times (which has it's own over-air identification rules) and see what happens.

What he said.
And it's not just the FCC, the amateur radio community self-polices quite a bit as well.
They don't want unlicensed operators trying to use their repeaters and bringing unwanted FCC scrutiny on them.
It may seem petty, but as they see it, they had to go through the necessary requirements to get licensed when it was much harder. As easy as it is now, there's no excuse not to.

FCC concerns aside, who does your friend expect to talk to?
Without the license and knowledge of repeaters and operating procedures, a 2m/440MHz is just a very expensive walkie talkie with maybe a 10-15 mile range and a limited user base.
He'd need a base station and a large, directional antenna to really get any distance.
I believe by 'freebanded' you can tune into police frequencies as well.. which also makes it a glorified police scanner.

I'm sure your friend will do what he wants to do, and will probably just lose interest in it.
To that end, my best advice is to have him turn it on and spend some time listening to what all is out there. If it appeals to him, why not get the license?

[Particle Man]

[Particle Man]

Hmmm, it really HAS been a while. Apparently the Novice level no longer exists and you go right into Tech.

[Adeptus_Minor]

Originally Posted by Particle Man

Hmmm, it really HAS been a while. Apparently the Novice level no longer exists and you go right into Tech.

Better than that... they've knocked the code requirement off of not only Tech but also General class.
I was studying up for the no-code Tech class at one time but never got around to setting up my test. I think I decided I wasn't going to want to spend all the money on radios, antennae, etc.

[101lifts2]

You have to be a ham to operate a Ham radio.

[Particle Man]

Originally Posted by 101lifts2

You have to be a ham to operate a Ham radio.

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[Flexin]

Originally Posted by Particle Man

?

Hmmmmmmmm Haammmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!

James