{"id":42377,"date":"2020-03-19T08:03:59","date_gmt":"2020-03-19T12:03:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=42377"},"modified":"2020-03-19T08:03:59","modified_gmt":"2020-03-19T12:03:59","slug":"ham-radio-interest-soaring-in-wake-of-covid-19-pandemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/03\/ham-radio-interest-soaring-in-wake-of-covid-19-pandemic\/","title":{"rendered":"Ham Radio interest “soaring” in wake of Covid-19 pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

(Source: Southgate ARC<\/a>)<\/p>\n

The number of Americans obtaining their ham radio licenses is soaring as the country comes to grips with the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n

Just as shoppers are hoarding necessities and food in panic buying, more people have quickly studied to become amateur radio operators to ensure they can maintain communications with others in emergency situations and disasters.<\/p>\n

More than 765,000 in the United States already have their amateur radio licenses from the Federal Communications Commission, however, data from the FCC indicates a recent uptick in the number of new hams, especially since the outbreak of COVID-19 worldwide. In addition, HamRadioPrep.com, a website that teaches prospective hams what they need to know to pass the FCC tests, also has experienced a huge surge in new students in the past two weeks as news continues to evolve about the pandemic.<\/p>\n

In a comparison of the time period from March 5-13, 2020, to the same days in 2019, the number of persons signing up for amateur radio license courses on HamRadioPrep.com has soared more than 700% since news of the coronavirus outbreak dominated headlines. At the same time, the FCC shows a 7.1% percent uptick in new amateur licensees in the first week of March in 2020 vs the same week in 2019<\/p>\n

Read more at:
\nhttp:\/\/www.digitaljournal.com\/pr\/4623310#
\nixzz6GyaDCCSz<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Click here to read at the Southgate ARC.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(Source: Southgate ARC) The number of Americans obtaining their ham radio licenses is soaring as the country comes to grips with the coronavirus pandemic. Just as shoppers are hoarding necessities and food in panic buying, more people have quickly studied to become amateur radio operators to ensure they can maintain communications with others in emergency […]<\/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":[545,3],"tags":[8312,8358,4102,580],"class_list":["post-42377","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ham-radio","category-news","tag-coronavirus","tag-covid-19","tag-ham-radio","tag-southgate-arc"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-b1v","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":43553,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/05\/radio-waves-hacking-satellites-close-knit-ham-radio-culture-tv-drama-diplomacy-and-ofcom-relaxes-restricted-service-licence\/","url_meta":{"origin":42377,"position":0},"title":"Radio Waves: Hacking Satellites, “Close-Knit” Ham Radio Culture, TV Drama Diplomacy, and Ofcom Relaxes Restricted Service Licence","author":"Thomas","date":"May 28, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Radio Waves:\u00a0 Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio Because I keep my ear to the waves, as well as receive many tips from others who do the same, I find myself privy to radio-related stories that might interest\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0readers.\u00a0 To that end:\u00a0Welcome to the\u00a0SWLing Post\u2019s Radio Waves, a\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\/2020\/05\/satellite-NASA-e1590581853624.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/satellite-NASA-e1590581853624.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/satellite-NASA-e1590581853624.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/satellite-NASA-e1590581853624.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":42924,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/04\/radio-waves-burning-5g-wauk-simulcasts-c-19-radio-remote-us-ham-exams-and-guardians-top-10-radio-stations\/","url_meta":{"origin":42377,"position":1},"title":"Radio Waves: Burning 5G, WAUK Simulcasts C-19 Radio, Remote US Ham Exams, and Guardian’s Top 10 Radio Stations","author":"Thomas","date":"April 21, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Radio Waves:\u00a0 Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio Because I keep my ear to the waves, as well as receive many tips from others who do the same, I find myself privy to radio-related stories that might interest\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0readers.\u00a0 To that end:\u00a0Welcome to the\u00a0SWLing Post\u2019s Radio Waves, a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "FM"","block_context":{"text":"FM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/fm\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/CEll-Phone-Tower-5g-4g-1024x696.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/CEll-Phone-Tower-5g-4g-1024x696.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/CEll-Phone-Tower-5g-4g-1024x696.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":34691,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/11\/fcc-fines-ham-25000-for-operating-an-fm-pirate-radio-station\/","url_meta":{"origin":42377,"position":2},"title":"FCC fines ham $25,000 for operating FM pirate radio station","author":"Thomas","date":"November 2, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: Southgate ARC) FCC fines Amateur Radio licensee $25,000 for operating unlicensed FM station ARRL reports in an FCC Enforcement Bureau case going back to early 2015, a Paterson, New Jersey, Amateur Radio licensee has been penalized in the amount of $25,000 for allegedly continuing to operate an unlicensed FM\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "FM"","block_context":{"text":"FM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/fm\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Soundboard-Mixer-Microphone-Pirate-Radio-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Soundboard-Mixer-Microphone-Pirate-Radio-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Soundboard-Mixer-Microphone-Pirate-Radio-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Soundboard-Mixer-Microphone-Pirate-Radio-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":41728,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/01\/latest-issue-of-hackspace-magazine-features-ham-radio\/","url_meta":{"origin":42377,"position":3},"title":"Latest issue of Hackspace magazine features Ham Radio","author":"Thomas","date":"January 24, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: Southgate ARC) Issue 27 of\u00a0Hackspace\u00a0magazine features the Scottish Consulate Amateur Radio Club MS0SCZ, the free magazine PDF is now available for download The Scottish Consulate ARC is part of the 57North Hacklab in Aberdeen, the article by Tom Jones MM6IRQ is on pages 28-31. Also featured in the magazine:\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\/2019\/05\/Mission-RGO-One-Transceiver-Hamvention.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Mission-RGO-One-Transceiver-Hamvention.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Mission-RGO-One-Transceiver-Hamvention.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Mission-RGO-One-Transceiver-Hamvention.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":42574,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/03\/first-online-ham-radio-exam-in-the-usa\/","url_meta":{"origin":42377,"position":4},"title":"First online ham radio exam in the USA","author":"Thomas","date":"March 29, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: Southgate ARC) The first remote all-online amateur radio Technician license exam was carried out in the United States on March 26, 2020 Marcel Stieber @AI6MS Tweeted: Yesterday [March 26], our working group ran an \"all-virtual\" amateur radio technician license exam for the first time in history! Thanks to @W5YI\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\/2020\/01\/Mission-RGO-One-Paddle-Mic-Transceiver-5-993x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Mission-RGO-One-Paddle-Mic-Transceiver-5-993x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Mission-RGO-One-Paddle-Mic-Transceiver-5-993x1024.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":29105,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/11\/changes-to-icelands-ham-radio-call-sign-configuration\/","url_meta":{"origin":42377,"position":5},"title":"Changes to Iceland’s ham radio call sign configuration","author":"Thomas","date":"November 12, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: Southgate ARC) Iceland plans to end ham radio call sign discrimination On November 9, 2017 Iceland's Ministry of Transport and Local Government has published draft changes to the Radio Regulations for comment The national society,\u00a0Icelandic Radio Amateurs\u00a0(IRA), had proposed ending the practice of highlighting amateurs who had Novice call\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\/2017\/11\/website_head_ira_logo_arial-Iceland-e1510490586460.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42377","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=42377"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42377\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42377"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42377"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42377"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}