{"id":19495,"date":"2016-06-18T11:15:06","date_gmt":"2016-06-18T15:15:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=19495"},"modified":"2016-06-18T11:15:06","modified_gmt":"2016-06-18T15:15:06","slug":"when-everything-else-fails-amateur-radio-will-still-be-there-and-thriving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/06\/when-everything-else-fails-amateur-radio-will-still-be-there-and-thriving\/","title":{"rendered":"“When everything else fails, amateur radio will still be there\u2014and thriving”"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"IMG_6686\"<\/a><\/p>\n

(Source: ARS Technica<\/a>)<\/p>\n

\n

by Rupert Goodwins<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a good time to be technical. Maker communities are thriving around the world, tools and materials to create and adapt are cheaper and more powerful now than ever, and open source hardware, software, and information mean that if you can think it, you can learn how to do it and then make it happen.<\/p>\n

For one group of technological explorers, this is more than just a golden age of opportunity: it\u2019s providing the means to save one of the oldest traditions in electronic invention and self-education, one that helped shape the modern world: amateur radio. That matters.<\/p>\n

Radio amateurs get a sweet deal, with effectively free access to many gigahertz of the same radio spectrum that companies pay billions for. They\u2019ve earned it. Throughout the history of electronics, they\u2019ve been at the borders of the possible, trying out ideas that commerce or government deem impossible or pointless\u2014and making them work. One example of hundreds: Allied military comms in World War II needed a way to reliably control the radios used by front-line forces, replacing tuning knobs with channel switches. Hams had the answer ready and waiting: quartz crystal oscillators. (That’s part of computing history too\u2014you\u2019re probably using about ten of them right now.).<\/p>\n

[…]Then, there\u2019s backup. Take the European HAMNET, for example. That\u2019s a four-thousand-node high speed data network covering a large part of continental Europe and providing full IP connectivity at megabit speeds. It connects to the Internet\u2014ham radio owns 16 million IPV4 addresses, believe it or not\u2014but is independent of it, doing its own robust and flexible routing. If the Internet was to go away, HAMNET would still be running. The same\u2019s true of nearly all ham radio infrastructure: when everything else fails\u2014power, comms, roads\u2014ham radio is still there, and these days it can be a full-fat digital medium.[…]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Continue reading at\u00a0ARS Technica…<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(Source: ARS Technica) by Rupert Goodwins It\u2019s a good time to be technical. Maker communities are thriving around the world, tools and materials to create and adapt are cheaper and more powerful now than ever, and open source hardware, software, and information mean that if you can think it, you can learn how to do […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[599,545,3],"tags":[389,1125,2570,4102,4324],"class_list":["post-19495","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-emergency-preparedness","category-ham-radio","category-news","tag-amateur-radio","tag-arstechnica","tag-disaster-communications","tag-ham-radio","tag-prepper-radio"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-54r","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":32033,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/05\/kettering-freshman-is-bringing-back-ham-radio-club\/","url_meta":{"origin":19495,"position":0},"title":"“Kettering freshman is bringing back ham radio club”","author":"Thomas","date":"May 13, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: Michigan Public Radio) In a world of Skype and FaceTime, a Kettering freshman is bringing back ham radio club She may be busy with her double major in Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Physics, but\u00a0Kettering University\u00a0student\u00a0Ruth Willet\u00a0always finds time for her passion: amateur radio \u2013 also known as\u00a0\"ham radio.\" And\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/logo-mid-no14final-_1_.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/logo-mid-no14final-_1_.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/logo-mid-no14final-_1_.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/logo-mid-no14final-_1_.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":20126,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/07\/an-update-on-amateur-radio-activity-in-turkey\/","url_meta":{"origin":19495,"position":1},"title":"Alive and Well: Post-Coup Amateur Radio in Turkey","author":"Thomas","date":"July 24, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to a number of Post readers who shared\u00a0a link to this news item which claims that the\u00a0government of Turkey revoked 3213 ham radio licenses after the recent coup attempt. I was reluctant to post this story because I couldn't find any other news source substantiating the claim. Turns\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Turkey","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Turkey.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Turkey.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Turkey.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Turkey.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":28593,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/09\/npr-amateur-radio-operators-stepped-in-to-help-communications-with-puerto-rico\/","url_meta":{"origin":19495,"position":2},"title":"NPR: Amateur Radio Operators Stepped In To Help Communications With Puerto Rico","author":"Thomas","date":"September 29, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: NPR via Eric, WD8RIF) Volunteer HAM operators have set up informal radio networks to connect family and friends with their loved ones in Puerto Rico. NPR's Kelly McEvers talks to one of those volunteers, Greg Dober. Click here to listen via NPR.","rel":"","context":"In "Emergency Preparedness"","block_context":{"text":"Emergency Preparedness","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/emergency-preparedness\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Hurricane-Maria-Puerto-Rico.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Hurricane-Maria-Puerto-Rico.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Hurricane-Maria-Puerto-Rico.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Hurricane-Maria-Puerto-Rico.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16133,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/kcur-interview-us-amateur-radio-during-the-great-war\/","url_meta":{"origin":19495,"position":3},"title":"KCUR Interview: US Amateur Radio during The Great War","author":"Thomas","date":"December 12, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: KCUR via the Southgate ARC) When America declared\u00a0war on Germany in 1917, most radio stations came under government control, reserved for war efforts. On this edition of Up To Date, \u00a0we learn why HAM radio operators were prevented from broadcasting during The Great War. Guests: Jonathan Casey is the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"WWI-Battleships-Hochseeflotte_2","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/WWI-Battleships-Hochseeflotte_2.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/WWI-Battleships-Hochseeflotte_2.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/WWI-Battleships-Hochseeflotte_2.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":28588,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/09\/amateur-radio-playing-key-role-in-puerto-rico\/","url_meta":{"origin":19495,"position":4},"title":"Amateur radio: “Playing Key Role in Puerto Rico”","author":"Thomas","date":"September 29, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 (Source: NBC News) When things went dark and quiet in Puerto Rico, a cadre of amateur radio operators became a lifeline on the island. About two dozen amateur radio operators on the island helped police and first responders communicate when their radio networks failed completely. Some of the radio\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Icom-IC-7300-Front.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Icom-IC-7300-Front.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Icom-IC-7300-Front.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Icom-IC-7300-Front.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":38464,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/07\/ieee-spectrum-is-ham-radio-a-hobby-a-utilityor-both\/","url_meta":{"origin":19495,"position":5},"title":"IEEE Spectrum: “Is Ham Radio a Hobby, a Utility\u2026or Both?”","author":"Thomas","date":"July 12, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to a number of SWLing Post readers who have shared a link to the following article that follows the debate and discussion over an FCC proposal--RM-11831 (PDF)--to \u201cReduce Interference and Add Transparency to Digital Data Communications.\u201d The IEEE article, written by Julianne Pepitone, covers both sides of the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Icom-IC-7300-Front.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Icom-IC-7300-Front.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Icom-IC-7300-Front.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Icom-IC-7300-Front.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19495","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19495"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19495\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19495"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19495"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19495"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}