HAM Radio License

My wife, my oldest daughter & I just passed the test to get our Technician level HAM radio licenses. We tried to study at home using the online study guides, but just couldn't focus enough to do it.  So, we went to Boot Camp.  Steve Whithead (call sign NV7V) and several other HAM enthusiasts donate their time to put on a FREE study class nearly every month to help others prepare for the test (which does cost $14).  The next class will be on Saturday, Dec. 21st. at 7:30 a.m. at the BYU law library.

The test is mostly about the rules governing HAM radio activities as well as a bit about the physics and principles of radio communications.  It can seem boring to sit in class early on a Saturday morning.  But it is quite the sense of accomplishment to pass the test (I got 100%!) and know that you've joined with others that in times of emergency will be able to assist the community when telephones, texting and internet may not be available.

After one lady successfully completed the test, she asked "Now what do I do with this license that I have?"  Inquiring what her purpose and goals were for taking the class & test, she responded "I saw a notice in the ward bulletin on Sunday stating that more people were needed for the class, so I signed up!"  What a sweet lady: willing to help keep this program going, not even realizing what it would do for her.  Now she needs to go buy a radio and get started.

Getting started need not be expensive.  There are inexpensive Baofeng UV5R handheld radios available for as little as $33 that can get you going. Check out www.HAMradio.com.  Upgrade to hardy, drop resistant Yaesu FT60R or submersible VX8DR models for $180 - $240 and add back-up batteries and interchangeable antennas later.  If you get addicted,  sit for your General Operator level license,  install a tower antenna & get a base transceiver worth >$2,500 that will allow you to talk to people in Europe, Asia or Australia.

Mapleton North Stake tests it's HAM radio emergency network ("net") each Sunday evening at 9:00 p.m.  Anyone with a HAM radio is welcome to participate by simply listening to any announcements, review of rules or procedures, and then by "checking in" with your call sign.  In this manner, the Church keeps an active emergency communication plan ready from the stake to the region to Church headquarters in the event an actual crisis arises.

1st Sundays, the net is on the 2 meter band at frequency 145.770 MHz using what is called simplex (just radio to radio).
Other Sundays, the net is at 146.800 MHz using Mapleton's new repeater (one of the best in the country).

You can listen and even check in with the Mapleton Stake net at 8:45 p.m. each Sunday evening.

Short of getting a HAM radio, Mapleton has a plan using just the FRS (Family Radio Service) walkie-talkies for communication among ward neighborhoods.  Our ward is assigned channel 7 (go figure) without any subchannels.  These can be purchased just about anywhere and can make family hikes more fun and safe, while learning how to communicate during emergencies.