this post was submitted on 17 Jul 2024
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I remember in like 1997 or so, my friend's dad got VoIP working on his computer, and we would talk to random people from around the world. I still have fond memories of my first conversation. It was someone in Australia! All the way on the other side of the planet, and we were talking in real time, FOR FREE! I've been a computer nerd ever since.
I had a similar but very different experience. At the beginning of COVID my buddy and I got our ham radio licenses.
One of my earliest contacts was a guy in Japan, over 6000 miles away! Nothing between us but some wire strung up in a tree, and a couple of radios. Using the ionosphere to bounce our signals around the world.
So. Stinking. Awesome.
I've been hooked ever since.
It's funny because it's almost the opposite of your story, you were using the amazing new technology and infrastructure to make the trip. These days we take that very infrastructure for granted.
It's fun to try doing it with as little infrastructure as possible!
What time were you talking to the guy in Japan? I live in Japan and am (very slowly as technical and legal japanese are hard) working on my HAM license and would love to chat with my dad in the US eastern time zone. Still not 100% sure about propagation and other such. Thanks!
I'd have to check my logs, but it was something like spring or early summer. Honestly though the solar cycle has a much larger effect on propagation, and right now we're near solar maximum so things are really hopping. At the beginning of COVID we were just starting to come out of solar minimum.
I haven't been super active lately, so I can't comment on how often you'd be able to make contact. But with some coordination it's definitely doable. Especially if you get some decent metal in the air.
You still have US citizenship? You might be able to do your testing in the USA over zoom and use a reciprocal license, though I haven't looked deeply into it.
It's possible to get my US license and transfer it, yeah. I was unaware zoom was an option, so I might look into that. The 13-hour time difference (to US Eastern) might make the test a bit rough, hah. Cheers!
That's rad! I bought a ham radio during covid too, but I still haven't got my license. I've studied for the test several times, but never felt ready to take it.