|
|
|
|
Do I really have to get a HAM license?
(Bobsprit) wrote
Why can't I just operate
without a license? Who will know?
RB
Well, there are many pirate/fake call sign operators out there, but legit
operators may not want to talk to you if you can't give a valid call sign.
Also, in the rare case that the FCC catches you, they can lay a big fine on you
and block you from getting a license in the future.
This is a good comment. Legitimate operators
will spot you if you are a fake. Taking the
short cuts to get on the air illegally will
be obvious. In short, nearly everyone will
know you are a fake.
HAM radio is not CB!
Operating without a license and people won't
talk to you. They will use the perfect filter
--the on/off switch.
There are many call sign databases on CD-ROM
which vary by year. Hams often look up the call
signs of people they are talking to. It is easy
to spot a fake by the lack of knowledge of radio
procedures, or general radio knowledge, location
and personal information, former call signs, etc.
If you are a significant pain, people will file
complaints with the FCC and use direction finding
equipment to track you down, or else give the FCC
enough information to speed up their investigations.
Many Hams record broadcasts that violate the law
and provide these tapes to the FCC. So if you want
to be a bootleg operator, you better know a lot
about radio, and you better make people like you or
else they will turn you in.
Ham Radio has it's share of fools. And there are
lots of tricks to avoid them. Changing bands and
frequences, using directional antennas, and various
power settings are all tools that can be used to
side step such people.
No one will talk to you if you are a bootlegger or
an ass, or if they do, it will be to berate you to
others by "talking over" you with more power. If
you are talking, you won't hear the s******s and
laughter. There will always be a HAM with more
power than you, better antennas and more knowledge.
Some people will just pretend they don't hear you.
Hams often operate several radios at the same time
and monitor multiple frequencies using scanners or
advanced scanning features of certain radios.
Parallel conversations happen all the time. Bad
reputations spread very fast and some people won't
talk to you or listen to you. The will move to other
parts of the band to avoid you, and you will be
clueless.
Most Ham's take pride in having a good reputation.
They treat each other fairly, trading, selling,
and often give away parts and equipment. They are
generally very respectful people--something you
would do well to emulate.
Bart Senior
|