Radio direction finding:
How to make a phone call using a ham radio.
Ham Radio Linux Packet Nodes:
How to get started with Meshtastic playlist:
https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLshzThxhw4O5JTOACGHzYSSd3soDhoXKK
Nick Szabo & Elaine Ou on using Radio to transmit Bitcoin data.
Using Bitcoin over radio discussed on nostr:npub1vzjukpr2vrxqg2m9q3a996gpzx8qktg82vnl9jlxp7a9yawnwxfsqnx9gc with nostr:npub1gu47n7fxfm4py48jktmu6tdqcvva4e87fntynuzzf62zxnw2e7tsc6907g
& nostr:npub13tm98cj56xvugywflf89c4d3cp23h5wdegm2rjdz32npkzysetkskynkcs.
If you bitcoin, start learning radio. We will show you the way.
This is a neat documentary on ham radio from before Bitcoin.
Intro to WebSDR for Bitcoiners and Nostriches:
WebSDR (Web Software Defined Radio) eliminates the need for initial investment in physical equipment for individuals interested in ham radio or radio communications in general. Here's why WebSDR is particularly accessible for beginners:
1. **No Hardware Required**: WebSDR operates entirely through the internet. This means you can access a wide range of radio frequencies and signals using just your computer and an internet connection, without needing to purchase any radio hardware.
2. **Easy Access**: Since WebSDR is accessed through a web browser, it’s extremely easy for beginners to start exploring. There’s no need to set up complex equipment or antennas.
3. **Diverse Frequencies**: WebSDR servers are hosted by individuals or organizations worldwide, offering access to a variety of frequency bands and signals that you might not be able to receive with a basic personal radio setup.
4. **Educational Tool**: For those new to ham radio, WebSDR can be an excellent educational tool. It allows you to listen to different frequencies, understand how signals work, and get a feel for the radio spectrum without any upfront cost.
5. **Experimentation**: WebSDR provides a risk-free environment to experiment and learn about radio communication, which is invaluable for beginners who are not yet ready to invest in their own equipment.
6. **Community and Resources**: The WebSDR community includes experienced enthusiasts and professionals. Many WebSDR sites also offer resources, guides, and forums where beginners can learn and ask questions.
In summary, WebSDR is a fantastic starting point for anyone interested in ham radio. It offers an accessible, cost-effective way to explore and learn about radio communications, all without the need for purchasing any equipment.
W4EEY is a very knowledgeable & experienced ham radio operator and teacher. He has video playlists for all of the levels of ham radio licenses. The Bitcoin and Nostr community can learn a lot from the old hams like him even though they may not have the same interests/worldview as we do. In this context, we highly recommend him.
This is the playlist for the introductory ham license “Technician”. Getting the first license has a low bar to overcome, you only need to correctly answer 26 of 35 multiple choice questions (74% score or better). All of the questions are available online.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ_9BZQ8gpzgWJRLjQ18i124LqCVrdUo3
This is an app with a very cool AR feature to help you align satellite dishes. Would be useful for setting up a blockstream satellite node for example.
⚡️⚡️⚡️If running a satellite node is interesting to you, consider giving us a follow and repost to boost the signal as we are going to be putting out content to make it easy for everyone from plebs to devs to make their own Blockstream satellite node with low cost readily available parts online.⚡️⚡️⚡️
nostr:npub1jg552aulj07skd6e7y2hu0vl5g8nl5jvfw8jhn6jpjk0vjd0waksvl6n8n #HamPlebs #HamDevs #HamRadio
Introduction to Packet Radio:
Packet radio is a form of digital communication used in amateur radio to transmit data by dividing it into short bursts or packets. This technique allows for efficient use of the radio spectrum, error detection and correction, and easy sharing of a single frequency among multiple users. It's commonly used for wireless networks, emergency communication, and digital modes of amateur radio. Packet radio technology paved the way for modern digital communication methods and protocols.
⚡️⚡️⚡️ In late 2023, the FCC removed the baud rate limit on data transmissions. The FCC's decision to remove these outdated restrictions and replace them with a bandwidth limitation was made to incentivize innovation and experimentation in the amateur radio bands. This move is expected to provide licensees with greater flexibility to use modern digital emissions, potentially opening up new possibilities in the field of amateur radio. ⚡️⚡️⚡️
Late night radio history lesson: Project ELF
Several countries have explored or used Extra Low Frequency (ELF) communication systems, primarily for military purposes, particularly for submarine communications.
These ELF systems are primarily used for military purposes due to their ability to reach deep-sea submarines. The use of ELF by these countries reflects the strategic importance of maintaining secure and reliable communication with submarine fleets, especially those carrying ballistic missiles as a part of nuclear deterrence strategies.
In addition to making this piece on Project ELF, KB9VBR is a great source of information on ham radio, and operating portable.
Intro to Meshtastic / LoRa License Free Off-Grid Comms:
LoRa (Long Range) radio networks represent a compelling option for wireless communication, particularly for those in the Bitcoin and Nostr communities who are exploring decentralized and resilient network solutions. This technology stands out because it operates on frequencies that don't require government licensing, making it accessible and cost-effective.
For the Bitcoin community, LoRa networks offer an alternative way to transmit transactions and block information, which is crucial for maintaining decentralization. This can be particularly beneficial in scenarios where traditional internet access is unavailable, censored, or compromised.
In the context of the Nostr protocol, which is focused on creating a decentralized social network, LoRa networks provide a means of communication that is less reliant on centralized internet service providers. This aligns with Nostr's goals of censorship resistance and decentralization.
The use of LoRa is not just about avoiding government licensing. It's also about creating a more resilient and distributed network infrastructure that aligns with the ethos of decentralization inherent in both Bitcoin and Nostr. As these technologies and communities continue to evolve, LoRa radio networks could play a significant role in supporting their growth and ensuring their resilience.
HR4BTC’s Mission Statement:
Our mission is to bring Bitcoin Plebs & Devs into ham radio in order to help the bitcoin community to achieve proficiency in technical skills in radio communication techniques so that they will then be able to contribute to advancing the radio arts in alignment with the ethos of Bitcoin.
We are here to teach Bitcoiners about radio. We will roll out content that addresses this. For many Bitcoiners, government licensing is outside of their personal ethos. Ham radio provides a space to gain operational proficiency in radio and experimentation but it does come with some rules. We will address the trade-offs that are made in order to utilize ham radio. Ham radio is inherently a non-private way of communicating but it provides educational benefits and communication opportunities that we believe many Bitcoiners will find useful. It also can be very fun.
Everyone is ultimately responsible for their own actions/choices.
In short, this website is where the FCC publishes all of its enforcement actions.
How to Get a Ham Radio License or Upgrade an Existing License:
This is a great website for getting your ham radio license or upgrading an existing license. It is a free website, you should never have to pay to learn about ham radio.
They have practice tests and a tool that will help you get to a test session IRL or online.
**Exam Options:** Offers study materials for various exams like Technician, General, Amateur Extra, and several FCC Commercial Elements, along with Canadian qualifications.
**Guidance on Amateur Radio:** Explains what amateur radio is, its relevance in the modern era of the internet and cell phones, and answers frequently asked questions.
**Licensing Information:** Provides information on how to get licensed, including what it takes and where to start.
**Study Tips:** Offers advice on how to prepare for amateur radio exams.
**Exam Sessions Tool:** Features a tool to find test sessions, available both in-person and online.
print("hello world")