Will There Be a HAM Radio Resurgence?
The
dedication of hardcore HAM radio enthusiasts has helped keep the tradition
alive with affordability playing an additional powerful role. But, is there a
swelling of interest among the younger generation in radio communications? If
you’re anything like the rest of America, you’ve seen, or at least heard of,
the Netflix original show ‘Stranger Things’ that’s captured the heart of
millions and kept them captivated by a world that embodies sci-fi, Stephen
King, and killer 80’s music.
The
show follows a group of kids who become mixed up in some dangerous scientific
experiments being conducted by a top-secret government agency. These courageous
kids, the heroes of the show, are avid HAMs. They are part of their school’s
A.V. club and often seen using the “Heathkit ham shack” on several occasions with
their CB radios to stay in contact over the course of some terrifying
situations. What started out as a fun hobby quickly escalates into a vital
skill imperative to their survival. Throughout the series, they demonstrate and
reference a variety of uses for amateur radios including covert communication
after their phone lines are tapped.
Photo credit: ‘StrangerThings’ thread
While
we all know that HAM radio is still heavily used today around the world with
over two million licensed HAMs, this compelling show may be helping boost
interest in HAM and radio communications. Not only does the show illustrate
radio’s indispensable uses, it also shows how much fun it can be to talk with
people from around the world.
Due
to the recent natural disasters around the nation, many have re-discovered the
benefits of having a familiarity with HAM radio operations. When landline and
cell phone access is interrupted, HAM radios can be the only lifeline to the
outside world, including law enforcement. Designated radio frequencies provide
weather and emergency information that can be lifesaving.
Between
natural disasters, trending pop-culture references like ‘Stranger Things,’ and
technological advances that have made radios easier to use, amateur radio sales
are on the rise. People are looking to invest in their own amateur radio kits
and learn how to build and repair radios themselves. There’s a clear, upward
trend in Google searches for “ham radio stores near me” in the past 5 years and
the interest is only growing.
Not
only is it incredibly inexpensive to buy or build your own HAM radio, obtaining
a licensed isn’t as hard as it once was. For starters, you no longer need to
know Morse Code to get your license. Although it’s certainly still advantageous
to learn, this was definitely a barrier for many people.
For
most people, getting a license only takes a day or two. Moreover, there are
free radio classes across the country. Most radio classes cover about six hours
of material in a day, but some are stretched out over a few days or a week. You
can look up classes near you through ARRL.
An
additional benefit helping amateur radio resurgence has been the availability
of quality programming software. It’s easier than ever to program your radios
using our RT Systems Interface, which means you no longer need to program your
radio manually using its buttons and knobs – hoping that you’re doing it right.
We carry a variety of software programs available for virtually every type of
radio. RT Systems Programs are digital, run independently from each other, and
can run side by side with each other. Rather than guessing if you’re on the
right frequency, you can see what you’re programming on your computer screen.
It
doesn’t get any easier! However, in case you’re new to radios, our support team
is available 6 days a week to help you find the right software program for your
radio and walk you through the setup. If English is your second language, we
offer our programs in seven different languages.
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