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Now it's just the National Administration.
Jokes aside: I'm real worried about this. Not just in the "clinate change is coming" way either.
I rely on NOAA Emergency Alerts and Severe Weather prediction for safety. We get nasty weather, starting in this time of year, and I don't know if I can trust my weather radio anymore to alert my family if there is a situation we need to be aware of.
I know the feeling, the Ohio river is right across the street from me right now and it really shouldn't be.
Rivers that don't stay put make me nervous. Luckily we're something like 30 feet above the banks.
They want to privatize all these critical services or just strip them for parts if they can't deliver a profit. Scumbags
I did end up getting into ham radio, and one of my motivations was to keep in contact during a weather emergency as we get wild weather this time of year too. Thankfully there's a repeater nearby that talks about the weather and has spotters getting together when severe weather does come. I mostly rely on them these days. I think they are led by NWS staff, but amateurs from all over the area talk on there.
I really should be doing this. I've talked about it for years. I guess I didn't need a license to listen at least.
The technician (lowest license level) license is fairly easy if you take some online practice quizzes, or study the old-fashioned way if you want. But you're right, you don't need a license just to listen. A Baofeng handheld radio and maybe an upgraded antenna should be all you need to listen to local repeaters. You can look up your area online and find the frequencies and settings to access them. Transmitting without a license can get you into trouble, but exceptions are made for emergencies.
Got my GT-5R today. I found a club that hosts tests monthly, next one is next week, I'm not sure I'll do that one, but May is on the docket. Thanks for the motivation.