I'm a 2 meter guy. I'm debating on testing up but haven't done it yet. I'm KM4LBG. Who else is a hammer and what is your call sign and what frequencies do you frequent? I'm usually on 147.140 but monitor fire/police a good bit as well.

Before my old truck was wrecked, I had a 2 meter/440 Yaesu 8800 in it.

I was usually on 145.350. When that repeater went down for an extended period, I kind lost interest as the folks I generally talked to moved to another repeater I couldn't get to on my mobile.

I still have it and plan to put it in my new truck, I just haven't figured out a good spot for it. The .140 machine has a good foot print, and I used to be on there quite often years ago.

My call is KK4BDM. I hold a general class ticket, but just never wanted to invest the time or money to get set up for HF. I also don't really have the time to just sit around and rag chew at home. It's hard to key a mike and work on a gun at the same time. When I'm in my truck, it's generally such a short time, I'd for get to turn it on.

What exactly is HAM radio used for these days? Is it mainly just a "community" of folks that shoot the breeze with one another (kinda like this message board), or does it have a specific purpose/use?

Not a ham, but they can do it as a hobby or even play a role in supporting the state and federal response to domestic disasters or other emergencies. We rely on Army MARS for that.

KK4NGC here. I am rarely on the air anymore with the busyness of life. I am still a technician that got into it because my son (KKGNGD, an extra) was into it. He has his extra and was the Young Ham of the Year for Alabama one year. He too has gotten busy with work and nursing school.

Jeremy

Yeah pretty much.

In times of natural disaster HAMS will move in and set up comms to aid in coordinating various relief/rescue efforts.

The rest of the time it’s like ALDEER on the airwaves. LOL

Well on some repeaters anyway. The Bham repeater has a lot of serious HAMS and they don’t put up with a lot of nonsense.

W4DOB general. I listen a lot because I am all over north Alabama. But for me it is kinda like the cobblers children having no shoes. I get on and listen every now and then. But when I start hearing BS about technical stuff I turn it off. There is a lot that isn't BS though. Yea its just a community like on here. Most of the vhf/uhf around here is pretty tame. Start monitoring HF and you can hear some very crazy/entertaining stuff. I get on websdr.org and listen some while I am in the reloading room.