Ham Radio: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
Fix: Push actual content, not filepath |
||
| (2 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| 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 == | == Ham Radio Protocols == | ||
[[File:US Army 52421 Signal Corps Radio.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The lineage runs deep - Army Signal Corps, 1940s]] | |||
=== GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) === | === GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) === | ||
| Line 11: | Line 17: | ||
Licensing: $35 FCC registration, no examination required, 10-year term covers immediate family. | Licensing: $35 FCC registration, no examination required, 10-year term covers immediate family. | ||
CTCSS/DCS: Privacy codes prevent interference but | CTCSS/DCS: Privacy codes prevent interference but don't provide security - all transmissions remain receivable. | ||
=== Amateur Radio Fundamentals === | === Amateur Radio Fundamentals === | ||
[[File:Yaesu FT-857D.jpg|thumb|left|200px|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). | 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). | ||
| Line 19: | Line 27: | ||
70 centimeters (420-450 MHz): UHF band with +5 MHz offset for repeaters. Regional variations exist - West Coast often uses -5 MHz. | 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): | 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). | 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. | Exam structure: 35 multiple choice questions, 74% passing score. No Morse code requirement since 2007. | ||
{{clear}} | |||
=== Mesh Networking === | === 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. AES-256 encryption with rotating keys. | [[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. | Hardware: ESP32-based nodes, typical 1-10km range depending on terrain and antenna height. | ||
| Line 33: | Line 45: | ||
Protocols: Position sharing, text messaging, sensor data relay through multi-hop mesh. | 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. | '''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. | Equipment: Ubiquiti devices flashed with AREDN firmware. Bandwidth up to 150 Mbps depending on modulation and channel width. | ||
=== ATAK Integration === | === ATAK Integration === | ||
[[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. | TAK (Team Awareness Kit): Military-derived situational awareness platform using Cursor-on-Target (CoT) messages in XML format. | ||
| Line 49: | Line 63: | ||
Plugin architecture: Supports various radios through TAK server or direct integration. Amateur radio provides backup when primary data links fail. | 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|thumb|right|250px|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. | |||
{{Navbox Technical}} | |||
[[Category:Technical Systems]][[Category:Radio]][[Category:Emergency Communications]] | |||
Latest revision as of 23:50, 7 December 2025
Ham Radio
Your comprehensive guide to radio frequencies, protocols, and the tools to explore them.
Ham Radio Protocols
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
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.
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. 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 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
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 |