Latest revision as of 23:50, 7 December 2025

Ham Radio

File:FEMA - 37931 - Red Cross volunteer at communications system in Texas.jpg

When the grid fails, radio operators become the last information network

Your comprehensive guide to radio frequencies, protocols, and the tools to explore them.

Ham Radio Protocols

File:US Army 52421 Signal Corps Radio.jpg

The lineage runs deep - Army Signal Corps, 1940s

GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service)

Frequency allocation: 462-467 MHz, 22 channels total. Channels 1-7 and 15-22 allow up to 50W, channels 8-14 limited to 5W.

Repeater pairs: Channels 15-22 use +5 MHz offset (input 467.550-467.725, output 462.550-762.725).

Licensing: $35 FCC registration, no examination required, 10-year term covers immediate family.

CTCSS/DCS: Privacy codes prevent interference but don't provide security - all transmissions remain receivable.

Amateur Radio Fundamentals

File:Yaesu FT-857D.jpg

Yaesu FT-857D - all bands, fits in a go bag

2 meters (144-148 MHz): Most popular VHF band. Repeater outputs 144-145 MHz, inputs 145-146 MHz with +600 kHz offset. Simplex operation on 146.52 MHz (national calling frequency).

70 centimeters (420-450 MHz): UHF band with +5 MHz offset for repeaters. Regional variations exist - West Coast often uses -5 MHz.

6 meters (50-54 MHz): "Magic band" with sporadic E propagation enabling 500+ mile contacts during openings.

License progression: Technician (VHF/UHF privileges, limited HF), General (most HF bands), Amateur Extra (full privileges including exclusive subbands).

Exam structure: 35 multiple choice questions, 74% passing score. No Morse code requirement since 2007.

Template:Clear

Mesh Networking

File:LoRa logo trademarked.svg

LoRa - the protocol that lets you ping friends across valleys

Meshtastic: LoRa modulation on 915 MHz (US), 868 MHz (EU), 433 MHz (Asia). Spreading factors SF7-SF12, higher SF = longer range but slower data rate. AES-256 encryption with rotating keys.

Hardware: ESP32-based nodes, typical 1-10km range depending on terrain and antenna height.

Protocols: Position sharing, text messaging, sensor data relay through multi-hop mesh.

AREDN (Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network): High-speed mesh on 2.4/5.8 GHz using modified OpenWrt firmware. IP networking over amateur frequencies enables video, VoIP, file sharing.

Equipment: Ubiquiti devices flashed with AREDN firmware. Bandwidth up to 150 Mbps depending on modulation and channel width.

ATAK Integration

File:Cursor on Target XML Protocol.svg

Cursor-on-Target - military SA goes civilian

TAK (Team Awareness Kit): Military-derived situational awareness platform using Cursor-on-Target (CoT) messages in XML format.

Data sources: GPS positions, imagery, chat, file sharing.

Radio integration: APRS position feeds, voice coordination on amateur frequencies.

Mesh compatibility: Operates over any IP network including AREDN mesh nodes.

Plugin architecture: Supports various radios through TAK server or direct integration. Amateur radio provides backup when primary data links fail.

The Real Value

File:Shortwave Radio - kl.jpg

When everything else is noise, the spectrum speaks truth

Radio isn't about the technology. It's about information independence. When networks fail, when infrastructure crumbles, when algorithms control what you see - radio remains. No servers. No accounts. No terms of service.

Just you, the ionosphere, and whoever else is listening.

⚡ Technical
Core	Technical · CLI · Dotfiles · Nvim · SSH · VPS
Tools	Sketchybar · ArchiveBox · ThinkPad Linux
Systems	Automation · Personal APIs · Quantified Self
Reference	Runbooks · New Computer Runbook · Syntax guide

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+= Ham Radio =
+[[File:FEMA - 37931 - Red Cross volunteer at communications system in Texas.jpg|thumb|right|280px|When the grid fails, radio operators become the last information network]]
+Your comprehensive guide to radio frequencies, protocols, and the tools to explore them.
 == Ham Radio Protocols ==
-Your comprehensive guide to radio frequencies, protocols, and the tools to explore them.
+[[File:US Army 52421 Signal Corps Radio.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The lineage runs deep - Army Signal Corps, 1940s]]
 === GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) ===
-‘’‘Frequency allocation:’’’ 462-467 MHz, 22 channels total. Channels 1-7 and 15-22 allow up to 50W, channels 8-14 limited to 5W. ‘’‘Repeater pairs:’’’ Channels 15-22 use +5 MHz offset (input 467.550-467.725, output 462.550-462.725). ‘’‘Licensing:’’’ $35 FCC registration, no examination required, 10-year term covers immediate family. ‘’‘CTCSS/DCS:’’’ Privacy codes prevent interference but don’t provide security - all transmissions remain receivable.
+Frequency allocation: 462-467 MHz, 22 channels total. Channels 1-7 and 15-22 allow up to 50W, channels 8-14 limited to 5W.
+Repeater pairs: Channels 15-22 use +5 MHz offset (input 467.550-467.725, output 462.550-762.725).
+Licensing: $35 FCC registration, no examination required, 10-year term covers immediate family.
+CTCSS/DCS: Privacy codes prevent interference but don't provide security - all transmissions remain receivable.
 === Amateur Radio Fundamentals ===
-‘’‘2 meters (144-148 MHz):’’’ Most popular VHF band. Repeater outputs 144-145 MHz, inputs 145-146 MHz with +600 kHz offset. Simplex operation on 146.52 MHz (national calling frequency). ‘’‘70 centimeters (420-450 MHz):’’’ UHF band with +5 MHz offset for repeaters. Regional variations exist - West Coast often uses -5 MHz. ‘’‘6 meters (50-54 MHz):’’’ “Magic band” with sporadic E propagation enabling 500+ mile contacts during openings.
-‘’‘License progression:’’’ Technician (VHF/UHF privileges, limited HF), General (most HF bands), Amateur Extra (full privileges including exclusive subbands). ‘’‘Exam structure:’’’ 35 multiple choice questions, 74% passing score. No Morse code requirement since 2007.
+[[File:Yaesu FT-857D.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Yaesu FT-857D - all bands, fits in a go bag]]
-=== Digital Protocols ===
+meters (144-148 MHz): Most popular VHF band. Repeater outputs 144-145 MHz, inputs 145-146 MHz with +600 kHz offset. Simplex operation on 146.52 MHz (national calling frequency).
-‘’‘Packet radio:’’’ AX.25 protocol standard, typically 1200 baud on 2m (145.01-145.09 MHz). ‘’‘APRS:’’’ 144.39 MHz North America primary frequency. Transmits position, weather, messages using unconnected protocol. ‘’‘Winlink:’’’ Email over radio using Pactor, VARA, or packet modes. RMS (Radio Message Server) gateways connect to internet.
-‘’‘DMR (Digital Mobile Radio):’’’ Time-division multiple access, two talk paths per 12.5 kHz channel. Talk groups enable worldwide communication. ‘’‘D-STAR:’’’ Digital voice with 6.25 kHz bandwidth, internet linking via reflectors. ‘’‘System Fusion:’’’ Yaesu’s digital mode with analog fallback capability.
+centimeters (420-450 MHz): UHF band with +5 MHz offset for repeaters. Regional variations exist - West Coast often uses -5 MHz.
+meters (50-54 MHz): "Magic band" with sporadic E propagation enabling 500+ mile contacts during openings.
+License progression: Technician (VHF/UHF privileges, limited HF), General (most HF bands), Amateur Extra (full privileges including exclusive subbands).
+Exam structure: 35 multiple choice questions, 74% passing score. No Morse code requirement since 2007.
+{{clear}}
 === Mesh Networking ===
-‘’‘Meshtastic:’’’ LoRa modulation on 915 MHz (US), 868 MHz (EU), 433 MHz (Asia). ‘’‘Spreading factors:’’’ SF7-SF12, higher SF = longer range but slower data rate. ‘’‘Encryption:’’’ AES-256 with rotating keys. ‘’‘Hardware:’’’ ESP32-based nodes, typical 1-10km range depending on terrain and antenna height. ‘’‘Protocols:’’’ Position sharing, text messaging, sensor data relay through multi-hop mesh.
-‘’‘AREDN (Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network):’’’ High-speed mesh on 2.4/5.8 GHz using modified OpenWrt firmware. IP networking over amateur frequencies enables video, VoIP, file sharing. ‘’‘Equipment:’’’ Ubiquiti devices flashed with AREDN firmware. ‘’‘Bandwidth:’’’ Up to 150 Mbps depending on modulation and channel width.
+[[File:LoRa logo trademarked.svg|thumb|right|150px|LoRa - the protocol that lets you ping friends across valleys]]
+'''Meshtastic:''' LoRa modulation on 915 MHz (US), 868 MHz (EU), 433 MHz (Asia). Spreading factors SF7-SF12, higher SF = longer range but slower data rate. AES-256 encryption with rotating keys.
+Hardware: ESP32-based nodes, typical 1-10km range depending on terrain and antenna height.
+Protocols: Position sharing, text messaging, sensor data relay through multi-hop mesh.
+'''AREDN (Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network):''' High-speed mesh on 2.4/5.8 GHz using modified OpenWrt firmware. IP networking over amateur frequencies enables video, VoIP, file sharing.
+Equipment: Ubiquiti devices flashed with AREDN firmware. Bandwidth up to 150 Mbps depending on modulation and channel width.
 === ATAK Integration ===
-‘’‘TAK (Team Awareness Kit):’’’ Military-derived situational awareness platform. ‘’‘Protocols:’’’ Cursor-on-Target (CoT) messages in XML format. ‘’‘Data sources:’’’ GPS positions, imagery, chat, file sharing. ‘’‘Radio integration:’’’ APRS position feeds, voice coordination on amateur frequencies. ‘’‘Mesh compatibility:’’’ Operates over any IP network including AREDN mesh nodes.
-‘’‘Plugin architecture:’’’ Supports various radios through TAK server or direct integration. ‘’‘Frequency coordination:’’’ Amateur radio provides backup when primary data links fail. Voice channels coordinate movement and logistics.
+[[File:Cursor on Target XML Protocol.svg|thumb|right|200px|Cursor-on-Target - military SA goes civilian]]
+TAK (Team Awareness Kit): Military-derived situational awareness platform using Cursor-on-Target (CoT) messages in XML format.
+Data sources: GPS positions, imagery, chat, file sharing.
+Radio integration: APRS position feeds, voice coordination on amateur frequencies.
-=== Software Defined Radio ===
+Mesh compatibility: Operates over any IP network including AREDN mesh nodes.
-‘’‘HackRF One:’’’ 1 MHz - 6 GHz coverage, half-duplex operation. ‘’‘Sample rate:’’’ Up to 20 MSPS, 8-bit resolution. ‘’‘Software:’’’ GNU Radio, SDR#, GQRX, Universal Radio Hacker. ‘’‘Applications:’’’ Spectrum analysis, signal reverse engineering, protocol development, interference hunting.
-‘’‘RTL-SDR:’’’ $20-30 dongles covering 24-1700 MHz (with gaps). ‘’‘Chipsets:’’’ RTL2832U + R820T2 common combination. ‘’‘Uses:’’’ ADS-B aircraft tracking, ACARS decoding, trunked radio monitoring, ISM band analysis.
+Plugin architecture: Supports various radios through TAK server or direct integration. Amateur radio provides backup when primary data links fail.
-=== Flipper Zero Capabilities ===
+== The Real Value ==
-‘’‘Sub-GHz radio:’’’ 300-928 MHz coverage using CC1101 transceiver. ‘’‘Modulations:’’’ ASK, FSK, GFSK, MSK with configurable parameters. ‘’‘Applications:’’’ Garage door analysis, weather station monitoring, ISM device research. ‘’‘Storage:’’’ Raw recordings and protocol analysis for reverse engineering.
-‘’‘Additional radios:’’’ 125 kHz RFID, 13.56 MHz NFC, infrared transceiver. ‘’‘GPIO interface:’’’ External radio modules and sensors. ‘’‘Firmware:’’’ Open source with active development community.
+[[File:Shortwave Radio - kl.jpg|thumb|right|250px|When everything else is noise, the spectrum speaks truth]]
-=== ADS-B Surveillance ===
+Radio isn't about the technology. It's about '''information independence'''. When networks fail, when infrastructure crumbles, when algorithms control what you see - radio remains. No servers. No accounts. No terms of service.
-‘’‘Frequency:’’’ 1090 MHz, Mode S transponders. ‘’‘Message types:’’’ Position, velocity, identification, status. ‘’‘Range:’’’ Line-of-sight, typically 100-250 miles with elevated antenna. ‘’‘Decoding:’’’ dump1090 software with RTL-SDR hardware. ‘’‘Integration:’’’ Feeds to FlightRadar24, ADSBexchange for global tracking network.
-‘’‘Military/sensitive aircraft:’’’ Often operate with transponders disabled or on different frequencies. ‘’‘MLAT:’’’ Multilateration using time-difference-of-arrival from multiple receivers enables tracking without GPS broadcasts.
+Just you, the ionosphere, and whoever else is listening.
-=== Programming Procedures ===
+{{Navbox Technical}}
-‘’‘TH-D3 offset programming:’’’ Menu → Frequency → Offset Direction (+ or -) → Offset Frequency → Enter value → Store. ‘’‘Memory channels:’’’ Menu → Memory → Channel number → Store current frequency/settings. ‘’‘CTCSS:’’’ Menu → Signaling → CTCSS → Tone frequency selection.
-[[Frequencies]]
+[[Category:Technical Systems]][[Category:Radio]][[Category:Emergency Communications]]