Comment on “Is anyone out There?” - HamRadio
CameronDev@programming.dev 1 day agoI agree in general, but not every country has a simple and easy licencing system. And if your just acquiring radios for shit-hits-the-fan scenarios, rather than regular use, expending the effort for a licence doesnt make sense to me.
In Aus, its a multiday in person class, with exams at fixed times during the year. And I’ve seen the course work, its mindnumbingly easy, it should be an online multiple choice. I would do it in a heartbeat if it were online.
NOPper@lemmy.dbzer0.com 22 hours ago
Maybe an unpopular opinion and I’m sure you don’t agree but even if you’re only looking at radio for some weird apocalyptic situation, the knowledge you need to be licensed is there to teach you standards and best practices that will only improve your odds of successful communication without stepping on other people trying to do the same. Its not (all) some bureaucratic bullshit there just to make a buck or let The Man control you. You said it yourself, its easy. Just do it and know you can actually check the box without screwing up someone else’s message or screaming into frequencies nobody is listening on anyway. Its a test to make sure you’re a responsible member of a community.
CameronDev@programming.dev 22 hours ago
I agree thats how it should be, but the licencing here in Aus doesnt line up with that.
The knowledge involved in the actual licencing isnt actually that useful for actually operating the radio. It was mostly tailored to designing radios from the ground up, and it was basically late highschool electronics.
The knowledge you need to operate the radios properly is all available online.
In my case, I am using handheld radios on the CB bands. I have limited the power correctly, but because they are capable of more power than allowed, that makes them require a licence, even when used in normal CB bands. It doesnt make sense for me to waste multiple Sundays to get a licence I am not actually going to take advantage of.
So here in Aus, it is just beaurocratic bullshit. And like I said, if it were online, I’d do it in a heartbeat.