A minor point to make first, there isn't any broadcasting in ham radio. You only transmit to make contact with another person. Yes, everybody can hear you but if you want to make a news report you have to contact someone and give it to them.
Amateur radio equipment has been confiscated before so that's not out of the question. There is so much used equipment out there that it would be unlikely all of it would be found. Also, equipment can be modified - I have a wifi router that I uploaded some software to and now it transmits on amateur frequencies at amateur power levels. From the outside it just looks like a stock wifi router.
And there's also the problem that some of these hams can homebrew a radio out of garbage that other people throw out. There's even a free book on the internet that tells you how to build radios from scratch - [
link to www.qsl.net (secure)]
And, for a group that is technically competent, there sure are a lot of ham pages that are distinctly Web 1.0 :)
But to finish up, I think that in the US especially it would hard to go door to door. Hams are largely law abiding so all TPTB would have to do is restrict or do away with the amateur service and make examples of any scofflaws that they catch. But you only get caught if you transmit, listening is much harder to find. (It's possible, that's how television licenses are enforced in Europe)
Keep an eye out for scanners and general coverage receivers that you might run across. Monitoring communications and shortwave is a great way for someone that has physical difficulties to make a contribution.
I meant transmit, not broadcast - my apologies. New terminology. :)
I would LOVE to be of service, make a contribution, especially if I could do so sitting right here. And if the main receiver and scanner is/are confiscated, doggone that's a shame! Oh, wait - I might have something else tucked away in the back of the closet! I will be looking for used equipment, though I won't know what I am looking at. If the price is right, I'll drag it home, describe it to you, and suddenly discover what I found via your explanation! LOL
Has equipment been confiscated due to abuse and misuse, or something else? Non-licensed I understand.
Radio Free Europe was always a Godsend to listeners who managed a tiny transistor radio and could find one of those little batteries. They never transmitted, but would learn the truth of events in the world. Great groups of people would gather, as many as could feel safe sneaking along in the night or gathering in the back of a marketplace, and try to hear this tiny radio whispering truth to them. Learning of that might have been the beginning of my interest in HAM.
Another reason for my interest is knowing of all the times, especially in disasters, when HAM radios were the only way information could be transmitted to those who needed to know. HAM and MARS have been and continue to be an incredible blessing to so many people - I would be thrilled to help in that effort.
You refer to machines cobbled together from junk as a "problem" - why is that? I think it is terribly clever to be able to do that - it is beyond my talents and abilities so I would have to just buy things. And what you did with a wifi router - amazing! Not a clue how a person would do that, and what a great idea to have a disguise! I'd be all for a disguise of any equipment. Router, stereo, microwave, LOL, whatever!
Some of these are inexpensive - well under $100 for some. Is this better than a scanner? Both needed? [
link to www.ebay.com (secure)]
You are amazing! I'm so grateful for your presence here, and your willingness to be so forthcoming with every sort of assistance!
