Ham Radio

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Ham Radio

General

Category

Communications

Encumbrance

20

Function

Listening to radio broadcasts and communication in multiplayer

Properties

Portable

False

Two-way

True

Mic range

5

Technical

Item ID

Radio.HamRadio1
Radio.HamRadio2
Radio.HamRadioMakeShift

A ham radio is an interactive item that allows the player to listen to radio broadcasts, including music stations, news reports, and military stations. As a ham radio is a two-way radio, it can be used for distance communication in multiplayer games through text and voice chat, or simply to "throw your voice".

Usage

An example of the interactive radio interface

Although they can only be used stationary and when placed, ham radios require batteries to function and cannot function off house or generator power. They will spawn with a battery already installed, however, having it turned on will drain its battery until it is consumed. Some radios can be found already turned on, these will have their batteries drained based off how long they have been turned on.

To use a ham radio, right-click it in the world and select "Device Options". This will open the radio control UI. Here you can see information about the radio's specifications and current settings, power it on or off, remove/replace the battery, adjust the volume, add headphones, mute the microphone, and select and edit preset frequencies.

Ham radios are two-way radios and will transmit and reproduce voices at a distance. This includes both the Shout command (default Q), chat messages, and voice chat (Default Lalt). Accidental transmission can be prevented by muting the microphone in the device options.

Noise received by a ham radio, either in text or voice form, will attract zombies. The range zombies will be attracted from depends on the type of ham radio and its volume setting. This can be avoided by using headphones.

Ham radios are particularly useful on multiplayer servers that have disabled global chat, and for those that enjoy role-play or more immersive game play. They are best set up at the player's base to communicate with other players from long distances.

Ham radios can also listen to the Automated Emergency Broadcast System (AEBS) radio station, which is randomized every game. Once the player finds a radio with the AEBS present saved, they can then use it on any other radio. By listening to the AEBS the player can become aware of helicopter events and power shutoff.

Disassembly

All ham radios can be dismantled with a screwdriver, producing a variety of components as well as a small amount of Electrical skill XP.

The obtainable items are as follows:

Icon	Name	Amount	Affected by electrical skill
	Aluminum	0-4
	Amplifier	0-1
	Electric Wire	0-4
	Scrap Electronics	1-5
	Green Light Bulb	0-1
	Light Bulb	0-1
	Radio Receiver	0-1
	Radio Transmitter	0-1
	Headphones	1 (if present)
	Battery	1 (if present)

The odds to receive items affected by electrical skill:

50 + (electrical Level)*5)%

Distribution

Ham radios can be found in containers, surplus stores, and military locations.

Frequencies and broadcasts

Most radios will be found with one or more preset frequencies, usually one of these local commercial stations:

Frequency	Station name	Purpose
89.4 MHz	Hitz FM	Music station.
93.2 MHz	LBMW - Kentucky Radio	News, music.
Random MHz	Automated Emergency Broadcast System	Weather, emergency.
98 MHz	NNR Radio	News station.
101.2 MHz	KnoxTalk Radio	Talk show, music.
Random MHz	Civilian Radio	Commentary, chatters.
Random MHz	Classified M1A1	Unknown.
Random MHz	Unknown Frequency	Unknown.

• Random MHz frequency stations require player to manually add preset with the correct radio spectrum. However, it should be noted that AEBS and Civilian Radio presets are the only ones that player can find available on pre-placed radios.
• Throughout the first week of the infection, news media and music stations will report on the Knox Event, and give the player outside information on world events, including riots, curfews being put into effect, and eventually, the breaking of the quarantine.
• Both scripted and non-scripted radio broadcasts will still occur after media blackout.

Types

Ham radios are one of the three types of communication devices.

• Consumer radios: Receive only, lightweight, commercial frequencies only.
• Walkie talkies: Short-range two-way, lightweight, more frequencies.
• Ham radios: Long-range two-way, exceedingly heavy, most or all frequencies. Earbuds cannot be used. Ham radios are best used as stationary furniture in a safe location.

Icon	Tile	Name							Item ID
				Mic.	Volume
		Premium Technologies Ham Radio	20	5	10	10 MHz	500 MHz	7500	Base.HamRadio1
		US Army Ham Radio	20	5	15	0.2 MHz	1000 MHz	20000	Base.HamRadio2
		Makeshift Ham Radio	20	5	10	10 MHz	500 MHz	6000-8000 (depends on electrical skill level)	Base.HamRadioMakeShift

Distribution

The loot distributions can be found in the table(s) below.

HamRadio1 distribution Show / Hide

Effective chance calculations are based off of default loot settings, and median zombie density. The higher the density of zombies in an area, the higher the effective chance of an item spawning. Chance is also influenced by the lucky and unlucky traits.

Containers

Building/Room	Container	Effective chance
Electrician	crate	1.65%
Electrician	metal_shelves	1.65%
bedroom	crate	0.41%
bedroom	crate	1.65%
closet	crate	0.41%
closet	crate	1.65%
controlroom	counter	3.98%
electronicsstorage	metal_shelves	12.41%
electronicsstorage	metal_shelves	60.41%
electronicsstore	counter	12.41%
electronicsstore	counter	60.41%
electronicsstore	shelves	12.41%
electronicsstore	shelves	60.41%
garagestorage	crate	0.41%
garagestorage	crate	1.65%
livingroom	crate	1.65%
pawnshop	crate	1.65%
pawnshopoffice	crate	1.65%
pawnshopstorage	crate	1.65%
pawnshopstorage	metal_shelves	1.65%
storageunit	crate	0.41%
storageunit	crate	1.65%
storageunit	metal_shelves	0.41%
storageunit	metal_shelves	1.65%

HamRadio2 distribution Show / Hide

Effective chance calculations are based off of default loot settings, and median zombie density. The higher the density of zombies in an area, the higher the effective chance of an item spawning. Chance is also influenced by the lucky and unlucky traits.

Containers

Building/Room	Container	Effective chance
Electrician	crate	1.63%
Electrician	metal_shelves	1.63%
all	militarycrate	19.27%
armystorage	metal_shelves	19.27%
bedroom	crate	0.41%
bedroom	crate	1.63%
closet	crate	0.41%
closet	crate	1.63%
garagestorage	crate	0.41%
garagestorage	crate	1.63%
livingroom	crate	1.63%
pawnshop	counter	19.27%
pawnshop	crate	1.63%
pawnshop	metal_shelves	19.27%
pawnshop	shelves	19.27%
pawnshopoffice	crate	1.63%
pawnshopoffice	crate	19.27%
pawnshopoffice	metal_shelves	19.27%
pawnshopstorage	crate	1.63%
pawnshopstorage	crate	19.27%
pawnshopstorage	metal_shelves	1.63%
pawnshopstorage	metal_shelves	19.27%
storageunit	crate	0.41%
storageunit	crate	1.63%
storageunit	metal_shelves	0.41%
storageunit	metal_shelves	1.63%

Code

Code snippet! This section contains source code from Project ZomboidShow / Hide

Premium Technologies Ham Radio
Source: ProjectZomboid\media\scripts\items_radio.txt

Retrieved: Build 41.78.16

item HamRadio1
	{
	    DisplayCategory = Communications,
		Type			= Radio,
		Icon			= HamRadioCivilian,
		Weight          	= 20.0,
		ConditionMax	= 100,

		DisplayName		= Premium Technologies Ham Radio,

		UseDelta		= 0.010,
		UseWhileEquipped	= FALSE,
		DisappearOnUse		= FALSE,
		TwoWay			= TRUE,
		TransmitRange		= 7500,
		MicRange		= 5,
		BaseVolumeRange		= 10,
		IsPortable		= FALSE,
		IsTelevision		= FALSE,
		MinChannel		= 10000,
		MaxChannel		= 500000,
		UsesBattery		= TRUE,
		IsHighTier		= FALSE,
		WorldObjectSprite	= appliances_com_01_0,
		Tooltip = Tooltip_item_Radio,
	}

US ARMY COMM. Ham Radio
Source: ProjectZomboid\media\scripts\items_radio.txt

Retrieved: Build 41.78.16

item HamRadio2
	{
	    DisplayCategory = Communications,
		Type			= Radio,
		Icon			= HamRadioMilitary,
		Weight          	= 20.0,
		ConditionMax	= 100,

		DisplayName		= US ARMY COMM. Ham Radio,

		UseDelta		= 0.014,
		UseWhileEquipped	= FALSE,
		DisappearOnUse		= FALSE,
		TwoWay			= TRUE,
		TransmitRange		= 20000,
		MicRange		= 5,
		BaseVolumeRange		= 15,
		IsPortable		= FALSE,
		IsTelevision		= FALSE,
		MinChannel		= 200,
		MaxChannel		= 1000000,
		UsesBattery		= TRUE,
		IsHighTier		= TRUE,
		WorldObjectSprite	= appliances_com_01_8,
		Tooltip = Tooltip_item_Radio,
	}

Makeshift Ham Radio
Source: ProjectZomboid\media\scripts\items_radio.txt

Retrieved: Build 41.78.16

item HamRadioMakeShift
    {
        DisplayCategory = Communications,
        Type			= Radio,
        Icon			= HamRadioCivilian,
        Weight          	= 20.0,

        DisplayName		= Makeshift Ham Radio,

        UseDelta		= 0.010,
        UseWhileEquipped	= FALSE,
        DisappearOnUse		= FALSE,
        TwoWay			= TRUE,
        TransmitRange		= 6000,
        MicRange		= 5,
        BaseVolumeRange		= 10,
        IsPortable		= FALSE,
        IsTelevision		= FALSE,
        MinChannel		= 10000,
        MaxChannel		= 500000,
        UsesBattery		= TRUE,
        IsHighTier		= FALSE,
        WorldObjectSprite	= appliances_com_01_56,
        Tooltip = Tooltip_item_Radio,
    }

See also

• Radio
• Television
• ValuTech PortaDisc
• Walkie Talkie