Perturbation

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CQ Doomsday

Posted: 15 Jan 2016 07:38 AM PST
http://ke9v.net/2016/01/15/cq-doomsday/


Since opining that an impressive number of new licensees hasnt resulted in
a noticeable spike in on-air activity, Ive received several notes from
those convinced that our recent growth has been fueled by the prepper
movement. The notion being that these new licensees value the benefits of
two-way communication capability without interest in typical ham radio
activities.

This isnt the first time Ive considered such a thing, but it doesnt seem to
make sense.

Why not just stockpile two-way radio equipment and use it without a
license? I dont ever recall anyone in the Thunderdome being overly
concerned about government rules. Especially considering the budget cuts
that have reduced FCC enforcement to two guys and a truck. Besides, the
intrinsic value of ham radio during a natural disaster is its ability to
contact someone who can arrange to send help from outside the area.

Robust radio communication from an area devastated by hurricane or
earthquake is invaluable because that area is likely cut-off from the rest
of the world. In that scenario, sending messages to those in unaffected
areas to SEND HELP makes perfect sense.

But in a post-apocalyptic world where the entire system has melted down,
who you gonna call?

In that case, the ability to make contact with someone far away might help
mend a lonely heart, but I imagine the actual conversation might go
something like this:
Are you guys as screwed as us?

Yeah, were totally screwed

You got food?

Nope, were starving here too

Okay, talk to you tomorrow if we dont all die tonight

73 and good luck

Silly me, it just seemed unlikely that preppers would embrace amateur radio
in any significant numbers. And I was comfortable believing that until a
photo appeared this week of an Oregon Militia member carrying what looks
like a Chinese, dual-band amateur radio transceiver I guess I could be
wrong?

Is the #OregonMilitia using #hamradio for communication? That looks like a
#BaoFeng UV-5R https://t.co/j5bllTNkS3 pic.twitter.com/zUy8zD8yAw

— AmateurRadio.com (@amatradio) January 14, 2016
Filed under: Ham Radio Tagged: preppers