Lori Meyer
What are the benefits of obtaining a ham radio license other than reporting severe weather in the absence of cellular reception? I have finally graduated from nursing school and am now ready to delve back into the study of weather.
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Danny Neal
EF5
Ham radio allows you to connect with all the different spotter groups fairly easily. I think ham radio is dying off in popularity with the innovations of eSpotter and Spotter Network where you can just send in your reports at the click of a mouse. When you don't have cellular reception as you noted, it makes it that much easier to transmit to the parties involved.
I think another useful thing a HAM could be used for is pre-post chase. More so post chase you can find someone to talk to to keep you up, keep your mind active.
I know a lot of NWSFO have a HAM relay so you can report directly to them. A lot quicker and easier than a computer or a cell phone.
You just may have to contend with some of the hostile spotter net controls that may not like a new comer reporting on their net.
Rob Wadsworth
EF5
1) In case of a national emergency, HAM's can be useful
2) In case of a road eergency, relaying info to a HAM ase staion can be effective if cellular reception is poor.
3) Talking to a space staion/astronauts can de done for enjoyment.
Other than that, I dom't see the need unless I would also become a member of SKYWARN...
2) In case of a road eergency, relaying info to a HAM ase staion can be effective if cellular reception is poor.
3) Talking to a space staion/astronauts can de done for enjoyment.
Other than that, I dom't see the need unless I would also become a member of SKYWARN...
Chris Nuttall
EF5
As far as storm chasing goes, the two main uses are reporting severe weather to NWS offices and car-to-car communication if you are chasing with other people. Yes, you could use a CB or the two-way radios that you can buy at Wal-Mart for talking between cars, but personally, I think all radio communication (available for public use) is inferior when compared to amateur radio. There's more that you can do with the equipment, communication distances are much greater, and more importantly, with licenses being required, it really cuts down on the crap chatter that's all over CB.
I really didn't think I would use it much outside of chasing, but I found myself routinely talking to other radio operators almost on a nightly basis. Ham operators are also called for other events, such as parades. You can even use a simple 2m/70cm radio and a Tech license to use the OSCAR satellites and talk to people in other parts of the world.
If you're worried about how hard the test is, it's a piece of cake. You can obtain a General license now without knowing Morse code. There are books availabile that contain all of the questions that could be asked and plenty of study materials. When I took the Technician test, all it really consisted of where rules and regulations, the band plan, and some basic electrical physics that you would find in a high school science class (reading basic circuit diagrams, equations for voltage, wattage, amps).
I really didn't think I would use it much outside of chasing, but I found myself routinely talking to other radio operators almost on a nightly basis. Ham operators are also called for other events, such as parades. You can even use a simple 2m/70cm radio and a Tech license to use the OSCAR satellites and talk to people in other parts of the world.
If you're worried about how hard the test is, it's a piece of cake. You can obtain a General license now without knowing Morse code. There are books availabile that contain all of the questions that could be asked and plenty of study materials. When I took the Technician test, all it really consisted of where rules and regulations, the band plan, and some basic electrical physics that you would find in a high school science class (reading basic circuit diagrams, equations for voltage, wattage, amps).
Brandon Sullivan
EF5
When we were chasing this year in Kansas. We came into a situation requiring emergency assistance.
We lost Radar (internet) and 3 seperate cell phone companies worth of service. There were no houses w/in range due to the situation. We still had wx radio which was not very comforting considering it kept alerting us to Tornado Warnings heading right for us. Meanwhile we are stuck and it is night so we are blind..
Just then I realize I brought my ham radio repeater directory, and we used it to find a nearby repeater and were able to get some help.. A true lifesaver...
It was crazy, but ham radio really helped.. So whether you are going to Chase or Spot, it is very nice to have.
We lost Radar (internet) and 3 seperate cell phone companies worth of service. There were no houses w/in range due to the situation. We still had wx radio which was not very comforting considering it kept alerting us to Tornado Warnings heading right for us. Meanwhile we are stuck and it is night so we are blind..
Just then I realize I brought my ham radio repeater directory, and we used it to find a nearby repeater and were able to get some help.. A true lifesaver...
It was crazy, but ham radio really helped.. So whether you are going to Chase or Spot, it is very nice to have.
Ross Kimes
EF0
I have wanted to get a license for awhile, but I do not own a radio yet, so I have not got around to it. Like others have mentioned before, they can be good to have if only for a backup for when other forms of data and communication die out, which seems to happen to me a lot when chasing.
Dustin Wilcox
EF5
I pretty much solely use my radio for communication with my friends, seems like more often than not we are in range and get a nice little 3 car posse rolling. We always find an off frequency and chat away, often I have as much fun on the marathon TX to Dakota trips as I do once in the target area, thanks to the ham. When not fortunate enough to be within the range of friends I use it for wxradio as its about the best reception you can get...
The radio’s are cheap, as little as $250 or so will get you a decent radio and antenna. The license is so easy to get, I knew/know absolutely nothing about radios or electronics, I literately spent no more than an hour studying, (actually memorizing is the better term) there are practice tests online with a pool of questions, the questions on the test come directly from that pool, just memorize them and you'll be able to pass the test by just looking at the answers and not even reading the questions. You won't know how to use the majority of the buttons on your radio, but its not like you need to know how to send Morse code to China while chasing...
The radio’s are cheap, as little as $250 or so will get you a decent radio and antenna. The license is so easy to get, I knew/know absolutely nothing about radios or electronics, I literately spent no more than an hour studying, (actually memorizing is the better term) there are practice tests online with a pool of questions, the questions on the test come directly from that pool, just memorize them and you'll be able to pass the test by just looking at the answers and not even reading the questions. You won't know how to use the majority of the buttons on your radio, but its not like you need to know how to send Morse code to China while chasing...
Tim Shriver
EF4
I highly recommend getting your ham ticket.
Despite what some may say here, ham usage for weather
is increasing. We see more then 30 new hams here every
6 months.
Cell phones are nice, but during large outbreaks reaching you local
WFO is going to be difficult. Busy signals and/or phone outages.
eSpotter is nice, but should not be used for tornadoes etc as per the
NWS when you log onto eSpotter.
Spotter Network is good, but many of the NWS WFO's do not
subscribe or use it.
If you have a good weather net or Skywarn group around the best
way, at least in my mind, is radio.
No busy signal, no lines to worry about. Just a good solid
time proven method of relaying important information when all else
fails.
Tim
Despite what some may say here, ham usage for weather
is increasing. We see more then 30 new hams here every
6 months.
Cell phones are nice, but during large outbreaks reaching you local
WFO is going to be difficult. Busy signals and/or phone outages.
eSpotter is nice, but should not be used for tornadoes etc as per the
NWS when you log onto eSpotter.
Spotter Network is good, but many of the NWS WFO's do not
subscribe or use it.
If you have a good weather net or Skywarn group around the best
way, at least in my mind, is radio.
No busy signal, no lines to worry about. Just a good solid
time proven method of relaying important information when all else
fails.
Tim
Mike Kovalchick
EF3
Save your time, effort and money. When I first started chasing, I did get my ham radio license and equipment like any respectable chaser. I eventually realized that unless ham radio is a hobby that interests you, it is 100% unnecessary for use with chasing.
I found that of all my "chase" equipment..the ham radio was the one thing that provided almost no benefit to me at all.
In fact, with so much going on during a chase..with information overload a problem...it may do more harm than good as it's a distraction that you can do with out.
I think you will find that most chasers today that are HAMs..are only HAMs due to their interest in that hobby...not because of any need for it in chasing. Spotter networks are an exception but even HAM use for that is becoming outdated.
Sorry HAMS but KC8IKO is signed out....for good!
Cris Schroeder
EF2
This is what I do, as well. I certainly wouldn't consider a ham license a necessity, but there are opportunities to use it if you have one. I've used my HF rig to listen to football games since it receives the normal AM broadcast band and outperforms normal radios.
If you have an interest in radio anyway, getting a ham ticket can be a lot of fun.
Dan Robinson
My feeling is similar to Mike's. I have never been involved in HAM radio and don't have any plans to. HAM seems to me to be mostly a sub-hobby in and of itself that I simply don't have any interest in. With the technology we have now, it seems slightly redundant and yet another task to attend to during a chase. I have considered it many times, but for me personally, I've never been able to justify the expense of equipment and the effort to get a license.
For calling in reports, my cell phone works nearly everywhere. For vehicle-to-vehicle communication, FRS radios work well enough.
I realize that HAM radio has its benefits and legit uses for those who have adopted it, and I have no problems with it at all - it's just not for me.
For calling in reports, my cell phone works nearly everywhere. For vehicle-to-vehicle communication, FRS radios work well enough.
I realize that HAM radio has its benefits and legit uses for those who have adopted it, and I have no problems with it at all - it's just not for me.
david diehl
EF2
I got my ticket about 6 years ago for the sole reason of storm spotting, now I am a general class operator, and have more fun on non chase days than when on a chase with the radios.
anyone interested in getting your ticket who might be concerned with proce of radio, you can always find radios on Ebay, and don't forget, look into old public service radios, most of them can eaisly be programmed, and tuned for the ham frequencies.
anyone interested in getting your ticket who might be concerned with proce of radio, you can always find radios on Ebay, and don't forget, look into old public service radios, most of them can eaisly be programmed, and tuned for the ham frequencies.
Eric Friedebach
EF2
One thing to remember is that some States restrict the use of scanners in vehicles, so even if you just use a scanner to listen to NOAA radio and Skywarn nets, you’re technically breaking the law.
In most cases that I’m aware of, having a ham license exempts you from that restriction.<O
</O
In most cases that I’m aware of, having a ham license exempts you from that restriction.<O
</O
david diehl
EF2
In most cases that I’m aware of, having a ham license exempts you from that restriction.<O
you are correct in stating most cases, the only state that I know of unless it has changed is New York.
If you plan to travel with a scanner in your vehicle, just be sure to check out the states scanner law
Jason Foster
A storm chaser....no need for the ham radio license.
While I am a ham radio operator, it was not because of my interest in storm chasing. Rather the fact that I was a license operator before I started chasing....way back when I was just starting high school.
I think the whole idea that if your a storm chaser or spotter (a comment seen a lot on the National Skywarn site) that you can help NWS faster or better by having a license. For many reason, a chaser...interested in chasing should not get a license as part of chasing. I in fact rarely use the ham in the capacity that is requiring the license. In fact, as stated earlier there are other means of two way communication (FRS, GMRS, etc.) that function just a well.
For reporting severe weather, it is easier to just program the NWS office into the cell, or keep a quick cheat-sheet of the 800 numbers to call to report the conditions, or even just call 911. 911 allow the police and fire rescue to respond if necessary faster than awaiting for the NWS alert.
While I am a ham radio operator, it was not because of my interest in storm chasing. Rather the fact that I was a license operator before I started chasing....way back when I was just starting high school.
I think the whole idea that if your a storm chaser or spotter (a comment seen a lot on the National Skywarn site) that you can help NWS faster or better by having a license. For many reason, a chaser...interested in chasing should not get a license as part of chasing. I in fact rarely use the ham in the capacity that is requiring the license. In fact, as stated earlier there are other means of two way communication (FRS, GMRS, etc.) that function just a well.
For reporting severe weather, it is easier to just program the NWS office into the cell, or keep a quick cheat-sheet of the 800 numbers to call to report the conditions, or even just call 911. 911 allow the police and fire rescue to respond if necessary faster than awaiting for the NWS alert.
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