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HF radio is a lot of fun and with the upswing of the solar flux more and more bands are coming alive. NVIS operation is common for emergency operations and other groups who need to maintain contact over a radius of operation (300-500 miles). Of course you can talk further if the band is open, but NVIS is used by the military to ensure communications on HF in an area. It works by having a near vertical signal path instead of a low take off angle.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_vert ... ce_skywave

I have used a wide range balanced antenna tuner such as an Icom AH-4 or SGC-237 with a 56 foot long wire suspended on 18 inch garden stakes from Home Depot with a 61 ft ground wire directly underneath. On 40 meters I was 20+ to 40+ over S9 in Houston, Laredo, and Fort Smith, Arkansas. Band conditions were good and you may have degraded signals when not so good conditions are present, but you can still communicate.

HF antennas on vehicles should just have the vertical radiator folded over for NVIS:

Before the current three licenses there was the Advanced class exam. That one was pretty hard and there were to0 many questions to memorize the answers for the formulaic questions for Reactance and other technical calculations. 13 wpm code exam too.

The questions have become more relevant in the later question pools for newer operators. Best bargain around having access to all of that spectrum!!!!

There are three Elements that must be passed sequentially:

1. Technician
2. General
3. Extra

You must pass the Technician first, then General, then Extra in order.

The questions pools change every five years on non-aligned schedules. Make sure you have a current question pool for the license you plan to test for.
You may also practice online here:

https://hamexam.org/exam/15-Technician ... ent 2 here

TECHNICIAN Class (Element 2) Pool is effective July 1, 2018 and is
valid until June 30, 2022.

GENERAL Class (Element 3) Pool is effective July 1, 2019 and is
valid until June 30, 2023.

EXTRA Class (Element 4) Pool is effective July 1, 2020 and is
valid until June 30, 2024.

The Technician pool was revised in 2018.
The General pool was revised in 2019.
The Extra pool was revised n in 2020.
No question pools will be updated or released in 2021.
The question pools review is part of a regular process.
Each question pool is reviewed and updated on a four year rotation.

FCC rules permit the EIC (engineer in charge) in various areas to restrict Part 97 operations in limited to unlimited restrictions as conditions warrant. Such conditions might be to limit specific bands/modes to a single operator to the entire band plan going dark.

There must be sufficient justification for a "black-out" of amateur radio Part 97 operations and the rules written for that were formulated when the primary means of telecommunications other than telephone or telegraphy was over HF radio.

Under newer rules the FCC also mandated services that could operate under vetted stricture under special rules, WERS (War Emergency Radio Service - VHF AM during WW2), RACES under Part 97 subpart E, which was designed to permit communications during the Cold War through Civil Defense authority.

I do not foresee and shutdown of Part 97 as long as licensed operators operate in accordance with CFR 47 Part 97 of the FCC rules and do not start using the amateur service for prohibited communications listed in subpart A and other areas of the rules.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/zello-confir ... a-channels

Expect more reflexive actions by telecommunications service providers as they dog pile on the current bandwagon of power grabs.

Get Signal as a personal communications option: https://signal.org/en/

GMRS and Part 90 licenses are also additional avenues for alternate communications capabilities.

Keep inflammatory and extremist statements off of public telecommunications systems! I am not an extremist, but I am a zealous protector of personal liberty and the US/Texas Constitutions.

This uproar will cool down and get back to a more normal pace in a month or two. Stay engaged with your local, state, and national representatives to let them know that you are not a friend of tyrannical leaders who are abrogating our Constitution Rights by their action,s and be committed to voting them out of office.

Be adult and measured with your interactions to set the example as a reasonable person who believes in the US Constitution and the Texas Constitution and as one who will work within the system NOW, to effect peaceful change.

comsec