ham can be used for p2p or through relays / repeaters. aprs is typically done through a repeater, or digipeater. this is essentially a gateway to the internet that you can send and rx info from.
data modes like email can also be sent and received p2p. nvk sent a bitcoin TX over hf ham radio across the country from Canada.
I myself am working on a nostr over ham client, using HF frequency data bands to get notes, post to relays and eventually zap.
So cool. I need to get into it.
Its crazy how deep it goes, lol.
I think bitcoin transactions, nostr, email, other data streams will be easily done on ham radio when needed. Another guy I know is working on a relay to take mesh network Lora radios onto ham radio. Basically taking local mesh traffic, decrypt if needed, and send long range around country or world, and even back to a localized mesh.
Very cool.
What setup do you recommend I start with? I do live in a very populated area so I am sure there are repeaters in my range. Also, how would I find this out?
You have to get a license and study for the test. It's easy I thought.
Check out https://hamstudy.org/ and just look around. Lots of beginner YouTube videos too
Start with a cheap handheld dual band radio.
I like yaesu
