Understanding radio will help you to understand important security risks.
I would recommend you start learning first so that we can get you a radio that will serve the purposes you intend to. Major internet stores like Amazon sell radios, there are also ham specific shops, ham radio outlet, randl .com and many others.
This is a great playlist to get yourself on the path to knowing what you want and get your license.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ_9BZQ8gpzgWJRLjQ18i124LqCVrdUo3
Knowing how to use ham radio is a form of cyber pandemic insurance.
If you don’t already know, you can connect a radio to a computer and send data, emails, sms etc. You can even do this with the lowest level of licensing which 10 year old children can easily pass the test.
Intro to WEFAX for Bitcoiners:
WEFAX, also known as Weather Facsimile, is a method used primarily by meteorological services to transmit weather maps, forecasts, and other meteorological information over radio. These transmissions are sent as analog images, which are then received and converted back into images by a weather fax receiver equipped with a printer. WEFAX is particularly useful for ships at sea, where internet access is limited, as it provides valuable information for navigation and weather forecasting.
WEFAX, or Weather Facsimile, might not directly relate to Bitcoin or cryptocurrency activities, but there could be some indirect benefits for Bitcoin enthusiasts, especially those who are also involved in remote or off-grid activities:
1. Remote Operations: Bitcoin hodlers operating in remote areas without reliable internet access could use WEFAX to receive weather updates. This is crucial for planning, especially if their operations are dependent on solar power or other weather-sensitive conditions.
2. Resilience and Preparedness: Understanding weather patterns is important for maintaining the resilience of any operation, including Bitcoin mining or hodling. Severe weather events can impact the stability of power and internet services, which are critical for Bitcoin transactions and mining activities. WEFAX can provide advance warning, helping to safeguard equipment and data.
3. Off-Grid Living: Some Bitcoin enthusiasts are interested in off-grid living, valuing independence from centralized systems. In such scenarios, WEFAX can be a valuable tool for receiving weather information without relying on conventional internet services.
4. Maritime Applications: For Bitcoiners who might be operating from or traveling by sea (like in the case of seasteading, a concept popular in some libertarian and Bitcoin circles), WEFAX is a practical tool for receiving weather information crucial for navigation and safety.
5. Emergency Communication: In situations where traditional communication channels fail (e.g., during extreme weather events or in remote areas), WEFAX could serve as an alternative means to receive crucial updates, indirectly supporting the continuity of Bitcoin-related activities.
Great segment on the recent bitcoin.review podcast with nostr:npub1az9xj85cmxv8e9j9y80lvqp97crsqdu2fpu3srwthd99qfu9qsgstam8y8 and nostr:npub1mxrssnzg8y9zjr6a9g6xqwhxfa23xlvmftluakxqatsrp6ez9gjssu0htc discussing bluetooth radio man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks.
In case you were not aware, on bitcoin.review the topic of radio’s intersection with bitcoin frequently comes up. nostr:npub1ya20ep3dd0qt0suhzprxztv5y43arqwps73ercvqa44sp7qw0edsp4x9ty will produce a recap of those instances point forward with timestamps etc.
If you happen to go back and listen to the old episodes of BR and get timestamps of previous instances, hit us up or @ tag us and we will repost your nostr notes on that. The same goes for any other Bitcoin content that mentions radio&bitcoin.
#hamradio
https://twitter.com/bitcoinreviewhq/status/1733445149198365022
Great segment on the recent bitcoin.review podcast with nostr:npub1az9xj85cmxv8e9j9y80lvqp97crsqdu2fpu3srwthd99qfu9qsgstam8y8 and nostr:npub1mxrssnzg8y9zjr6a9g6xqwhxfa23xlvmftluakxqatsrp6ez9gjssu0htc discussing bluetooth radio man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks.
In case you were not aware, on bitcoin.review the topic of radio’s intersection with bitcoin frequently comes up. nostr:npub1ya20ep3dd0qt0suhzprxztv5y43arqwps73ercvqa44sp7qw0edsp4x9ty will produce a recap of those instances point forward with timestamps etc.
If you happen to go back and listen to the old episodes of BR and get timestamps of previous instances, hit us up or @ tag us and we will repost your nostr notes on that. The same goes for any other Bitcoin content that mentions radio&bitcoin.
#hamradio
https://twitter.com/bitcoinreviewhq/status/1733445149198365022
Have you seen the upgraded baofeng uv-5r yet? If not, check out this introductory video on the uv-5rm.
Some great tips for new users of Software Defined Radios aka SDRs.
How to Use a Manual Antenna Tuner:
An antenna tuner, also known as an antenna matching unit, is used in radio communications to match the impedance of the radio transmitter with the antenna's impedance. The need for an antenna tuner arises due to the following reasons:
1. Impedance Matching: The impedance of an antenna varies with frequency. An antenna tuner helps in matching the impedance of the antenna to the characteristic impedance of the transmitter or feedline, typically 50 ohms. This is crucial for efficient power transfer and to minimize signal reflections.
2. SWR Reduction: Standing Wave Ratio (SWR) is a measure of how efficiently radio frequency power is transmitted from a transmitter to the antenna. A high SWR indicates poor impedance matching, leading to power being reflected back into the transmitter, which can damage the transmitter. An antenna tuner adjusts the impedance to minimize SWR.
3. Bandwidth Enhancement: Some antennas have a narrow bandwidth where they perform efficiently. An antenna tuner can extend this bandwidth, allowing the antenna to operate effectively over a wider range of frequencies.
4. Versatility: With an antenna tuner, a single antenna can be used for multiple frequency bands. This is especially useful for amateur radio operators who may want to operate on various bands without changing antennas.
5. Improved Signal Quality: By ensuring better impedance matching and lower SWR, an antenna tuner can help in transmitting a clearer, stronger signal and receiving signals more effectively.
In summary, an antenna tuner is a critical component in a radio setup for ensuring efficient transmission and reception of radio signals, protecting radio equipment from damage due to mismatched impedance, and providing greater flexibility in using different frequencies and antennas.
An SDR radio mount for folks on the go.
This is a very interesting and versatile setup.
Another question I get frequently is what does encrypted voice sound like on the radio:
Short answer, I think it sounds really cool. This video has a demonstration of what a voice signal sounds like initially and every stage thru the process, make sure you watch the whole thing.
⚡️⚡️This is presented for educational purposes, you are ultimately responsible for your own actions.⚡️⚡️
https://youtu.be/BLKHf40K0Wk nostr:note14z3jy2x5eawhucmd5rj2qzlxdqm3zzmnjp8lp5l3dee48enddggqa4s0sx
One of the top questions I receive is regarding encryption and ham radio:
In the US, the FCC's rules are outlined in Part 97 of the Commission's rules, specifically in Section 97.113(a)(4), which states that "messages encoded for the purpose of obscuring their meaning" are not allowed in amateur radio communications. This rule aims to ensure that amateur radio remains a resource for public service and emergency communications, where the ability to monitor communications is crucial. Exceptions to this rule are limited. One notable exception is for control commands to space stations or radio-controlled models, where encryption may be used to protect against unauthorized access or control.
Everything has trade offs. Ham radio is an excellent resource that allows folks to gain proficiency in radio communications. There are limitations. The skills you can learn in ham radio can be applied to other parts of the radio spectrum that do allow for encryption and/or unlicensed uses.
Down the road, these rules could change as more Bitcoiners enter this space, change ham radio culture and ultimately exert influence* over FCC policy to have additional exceptions as we innovate in the radio arts in alignment with our ethos.
*Do not underestimate the amount of influence we are going to have in the years to come.
📻🔑🔑📡
Bienvenidos amigos.
I would recommend you start to listening to this playlist so you can get on HF if you want. As you are learning, think about what you could do with radio as a bitcoiner/nostrich.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ_9BZQ8gpziv2a26B_IoQ1RbXbIqieP2
Thinking out loud: Idea for HR4BTC community project
BLUF. Make a reproducible build for a full suite of ham radio applications using Nix for bitcoiners by bitcoiners.
Check out this GitHub for the types of ham apps this would/could have. https://github.com/dslotter/HamPi
The benefit of using nix to create a reproducible build would be that it would remove complexity and create uniformity so that everyone from plebs to devs can become interoperable without having to worry about the issues caused by everyone operating out of a different environment.
We would also provide a list of “suggested hardware” to help further standardize and streamline onboarding, with a focus on low cost, reliable and readily available components.
Thinking out loud: Idea for HR4BTC community project
BLUF. Make a reproducible build for a full suite of ham radio applications using Nix for bitcoiners by bitcoiners.
Check out this GitHub for the types of ham apps this would/could have. https://github.com/dslotter/HamPi
The benefit of using nix to create a reproducible build would be that it would remove complexity and create uniformity so that everyone from plebs to devs can become interoperable without having to worry about the issues caused by everyone operating out of a different environment.
We would also provide a list of “suggested hardware” to help further standardize and streamline onboarding, with a focus on low cost, reliable and readily available components.
What is a Blockstream Satellite Node:
A Blockstream Satellite Node broadcasts Bitcoin blockchain data via satellite, enhancing the Bitcoin network's accessibility, resilience and privacy. Could be done for less than $100 fiat:
1. ⚡️⚡️ Satellite Transmission: Transmits Bitcoin data, reducing reliance on internet connections.
2. ⚡️⚡️ Global Access: Provides Bitcoin data access in regions with limited internet.
3. ⚡️⚡️ Network Resilience*: Increases resistance to internet disruptions.
4. ⚡️⚡️ Privacy Benefits: By not relying on local ISPs, which might monitor internet traffic, satellite nodes enhance privacy and reduce surveillance risks.
5. ⚡️⚡️ Equipment Needed: Requires a satellite dish, USB satellite receiver, and a computer.
6. ⚡️⚡️ Lower Costs: Reduces bandwidth costs in areas with expensive internet.
This system promotes Bitcoin network decentralization and ensures privacy by enabling access and participation without traditional internet dependency.
