Cheap Comms - Baofeng Radios

[Grant H.]

I mentioned to my wife that I had read this thread and thought I better get back into Ham Radio again.
I did it extensively when I wintered over in Antarctica in 1968-1969 with the MARS network relaying messages from us to our families in the States.
We could go over to Scott's Base and make direct radio contact with friends in New Zealand.
Long before satellite communications.
I would go for my General license, but I don't think I know morse code anymore - haven't used it since 1970.

They changed the rules a few years ago such that no licenses require code. Basically they realized that the majority of the code folks are all ~139 years old and most of the upcoming generations didn't want to.

My radios and antennas arrived, still waiting on the cable. Looking forward to learning.

Question: what happens if someone uses certain frequencies without getting licensed? Do authorities actually try to locate and prosecute such villains?

I didn't say this, but... (it's the anonymous internet, right?)

The FCC enforcement division won't give a rat's behind about you playing around. They have much bigger fish to fry (read corporate interests having them pursue license offenses that generate fines, payable to the FCC, to the tune of $10,000/site/day of offense (including retroactively)...)

The FCC relies on repeated complaints of offense before chasing someone down, and that list gets prioritized by potential risk to life, then monetary motives, then when they have time, (which was back in oh, 1803) they go after small potatoes...