Hello amazing patriots!

We recommend the Baofeng UV-5R as a starter radio.

We will have some radios pre-programmed and available for purchase for $23 (this is cost including tax). They may be ready Monday Jan 11th. If not, definitely by January 18th for our ham radio class. Please let Jennifer know if you want one. Limited supply. (208) 304-8357 - you can pay cash Monday 1/11 or through Venmo. Please confirm with her, and she will send Venmo link. The more people that pay in advance, the more radios we can have on hand.

Monday Jan 11th 6-8pm at 14438 N Hwy 41 Rathdrum, ID - first hour we have a guest speaker who will educate us on local committees and meetings that we need to know about. Seconds hour is the constitution class we are finishing. All are welcome to attend.
 

Monday Jan 18th 6-8pm at 14438 N Hwy 41 Rathdrum, ID - We have Gordy Ormesher coming to teach us the basics about 2-way radios and ham radios. The capabilities and limitations of each, and answering questions you may have. Please attend even if you know about ham radios. We need all the extra input we can get, given our large group interest. Our hope is that each LGOP (little group of patriots) that we created last week, will have people with radios and that you will then go back and practice using them in your small groups.

Terms to note: 

"Simplex" is where you transmit a signal from a radio to a radio.

"Duplex" is where you transmit from a radio to the repeater and then a radio receives it.

FRS - Family Radio Service - no license needed

GMRS - General Mobile Radio Service - no test but need license; $35 per family; lasts 10 years.

MURS - Multi Use Radio System - must take test; cost just increased to $35 per person; lasts 10 years.

If you do not ever plan to get your Ham license but would like to have access to the GMRS frequencies, Go here and create an account. Then go here to login and request your GMRS license. If it still says $70, just wait. The fee was just reduced to $35 last week and the website may not be updated.

>>>Here are some links to items you can purchase on your own. We have not yet found a local source for ham radios in stock. Everywhere we have called are sold out currently. 

Baofeng UV-5R Dual Band Two-Way radio

Here is a larger 15" whip antennae. Whichever one you buy, it needs to say "sma-female" in order to be compatible with the Baofeng UV-5R. Remember it's all about the antennae.

Here is a larger 42" foldable tactical antenna. Again whichever brand you buy, it needs to say sma-female and make sure it's compatible with the UV-5R model. This is the one Jennifer spoke of last week, where she was able to talk from Hayden/airport area to Athol off Clagstone. She could not be heard going that distance on the small whip antenna above.

NOTE: how far you can transmit has a little to do with the power (5 watts vs 25 watts) of your radio but more to do with the length/height of your antenna. 

Here is the website to sign up to take the ham radio test online. Please read all the details. You must have internet and a web camera. 

You can download an app to your phone or tablet and study the questions for the test. It can be recommended to get a repeated high percentage of atleast 90% or better before taking the test. You will practice many questions but only 35 will be on the test. So just keep studying through the app until you reach proficiency. Here is one option. There are several in your App Store. More links for online practice exam sites are:
ARRL.org Practice Exams
DXZone.com Practice Exams
eHam.net Practice Exams
QRZ.com Practice Exams
RadioExam.org Practice Exams

>>>If you want to nerd out a bit, here is a guide for choosing a ham radio: http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Ham%20Radio%20License%20Manual/HRLM%203rd%20ed/Choosing%20a%20Ham%20Radio-2014.pdf

>>>If you want to study about repeaters in the area, download the app called "RepeaterBook".

>>>Or go to the following sites to see a list of linked repeaters: https://www.blossompeak.org/ ; https://kbara.org/

One local ham club is the Kootenai Amatuer Radio Society (KARS) - the President Frank Krug came and spoke to us a few months ago. Consider becoming a member and help support the club and the repeaters we get to use. $15/year

>>>Here is a link to info about the Northwest Traffic Net where you can listen in every night to local people checking in. - these repeaters will be programmed in your radio if you program at a PR meeting. 

>>>More interesting ham radio links and info to other county sites.

We are so grateful to be able to learn these new skills with our community and we look forward to seeing everyone on Monday Jan 11th and again on the 18th.

- Area 1S Assistants