Ham Radios

Several months ago, my sister, Kelly, was approached by our church and they asked her to get her ham radio license so she could communicate with others during emergencies. Her community has a whole system of people and they regularly do emergency communications to get ready in case there is an actual emergency. She passed her test, and was so excited. She has a great support group to help her in her new hobby.

A few months ago, we had a situation with Allen, and we saw that there was really nothing in his life that he was really excited about. He didn't have anything to look forward to. As we talked through things, I found that he loved going to visit Kelly, and helping her to take care of all of her animals. I called to arrange to have him come and help her out for a few weeks. We discussed many details, and then came up with some tentative dates for him to go and stay with her.

Not long after we got off the phone, she called me back. Allen has always loved video games, and electronics. She asked me if I thought he would enjoy learning about ham radios. Since his birthday was coming up, he received his ham radio book, and a promise of a payment for when he actually took the test. He also got a ham radio.

I decided that as long as we had the book, and the radio, I was going to get my license also. I started studying, and I have to tell you, it was not easy. There were several sections that I had to have hubby explain to me. He actually got out his college textbooks, and showed me pictures to explain the different ideas and formulas that I needed to learn. I was very worried about Allen. I was concerned that the concepts would be much too difficult for him. He is really smart, and he actually understands the scientific concepts much better than I do. He also loves to rub that in.

I started listening in on the radio on a local repeater. (A repeater helps people reach further than they can with their little radios. It is kind of like a chat room. Many people use it, and you can listen in on their conversations.) One Wednesday, I was listening, and I heard some scouts working on getting their ham radio merit badge. They called out to find people who were listening (in "ham" language we call this "calling CQ") and there were a few different people who responded. One of the responders was a woman who explained her story. She was an 85 year old widow. Just before her husband died, he bought an RV. After he died, when life got tough, or when she would get depressed, she would hop in the RV, and take off. She wouldn't tell anyone, she would just leave. Her son was very concerned, and so he made her get her ham license so he could contact her when she disappeared. Another responder told his story. He had received his license just a few months before the big earthquake in San Francisco. He was not involved in the emergency efforts, but he saw how ham radio operators did help out. He is now very involved in emergency operations in our local cities, and he helps to train people. I had so much fun listening in, and I couldn't wait until I could talk with others as well.

The tests for licensing are only offered on certain days of the month. I finished studying for my test, and still had two weeks to wait before the next available testing date in my county. I was very impatient, so I got online, and I found a test that was about an hour away. I drove the hour, took the test, and passed. I had to wait 4 days to get my call sign, but I am finally official.

The first time I actually got on the air and spoke to others was scary, and thrilling. I talked to several people, and I am really enjoying it. Allen has been able to get on and talk to other hams (there are actually several young hams in the area) and he is really enjoying it. Hopefully it will inspire him to get to work and get his license. Hubby is also planning on getting his license.