Amatuer radio at Defcon

[nak]

A fox hunt would be really fun, and it would force me to learn about directional antennas.
For a beacon that can be picked up on "normal" tuneable FM radios, information unlimited sells kits so people wouldnt really have to look far or spend lots of $$... if there would be a hidden transmitter on a person (besides the running man) for some reason, like the scav hunt :-P

[astcell]

You could always do a foxhunt. Or better yet, combine a foxhunt with Spot the Fed and plant a transmitter on a fed, then try to find him...

Sounds like a Scavenger Hunt item.

[bascule]

You know, there must be a dozen ways we could bring a HAM contest into all this, but I can't think of any that would be even SOMEWHAT legal.

You could always do a foxhunt. Or better yet, combine a foxhunt with Spot the Fed and plant a transmitter on a fed, then try to find him...

[russ]

You know, there must be a dozen ways we could bring a HAM contest into all this, but I can't think of any that would be even SOMEWHAT legal.

haha

[nak]

Heh, thanks for the information guys, sorta :-P
I have been fortunate enough to get my hands on a optoelectronics scout, so that will be interesting (frequency counter and recorder) and my ICOM handi-talkie has been modded for sometime now :-)
Defcon will be fun, I can hardly wait :-D

[Cowthief]

Ham radio at DefCon.

Hello.

The most common area for DefCon seems to be a tossup of MURS and GMRS/FRS.
The hotel uses the color-dot type of thing for housekeeping.
There is a "hospitality network" for both the shuttle bus and security.
None of this is digital or trunking, so a dual band ham talkie with freeband mods will work just fine.
The thing to remember, the feds are at DefCon, so, if you do something really dumb, you stand a really good chance of getting busted.
Remember, anyone at DefCon is the carrot on the end of the stick.

[A]

bascule missed a few:

5. License, ummm, you need a license for this thing?

6. The band for 90% of users goes from 108-221.950 MHz & 303-580 MHz.

7. If hams in southern Utah arn't complaining about you, you need a bigger amp.

8. Stay off of the pirate FM frequency used by Defcon Radio.

[bascule]

There's usually a repeater up. However, be aware of a few variances in the typical ham rules at Defcon:

1. Use of profanity is compulsory

2. IDing is expressly forbidden. You should only ID with a special handle of your choice that meets the requirements of rule #1, such as 'cockgoblin' or 'cumchugger'

3. NEVER wait for the courtesy tone/squelch drop when using the repeater. If the repeater times out while you're transmitting, you win a prize

4. Transmitting music is still taboo. If you want to transmit music, use the police band

[nak]

Yeah I saw that thread when I did a search for HAM radio, but seeing that I don't own a car yet I use a magnet-mount antenna when I want to ham on road trips.
I plan on getting a car before DC13 though.

Is there much HAM radio activity in LV (during defcon in particular)? Where I live its pretty much limited to older folks and obnoxious middle aged men on 2M, therefore I am not very active

[noid]

Ah, you're a HAM. Maybe you could add your input on this thread:

http://forum.defcon.org/showthread.php?t=5626

[nak]

I think it would be cool if there was a small ham-net on a local repeater at a set time. A set simplex frequency so ham hackers could listen for others could also work to unite hackers with licenses. Never attended DC before, it's just a thought.