Ham Radio

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Ham Radio
HamRadio1 World.png
HamRadio2 World.png
HamRadioMakeShift World.png
General
Category
Communications
Encumbrance
Moodle Icon HeavyLoad.png
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.png Aluminum 0-4 Not affected by electrical skill
Amplifier.png Amplifier 0-1 Is affected by electrical skill
ElectricWire.png Electric Wire 0-4 Not affected by electrical skill
ElectronicsScrap.png Scrap Electronics 1-5 Not affected by Electrical skill
LightBulbGreen.png Green Light Bulb 0-1 Is affected by electrical skill
LightBulb.png Light Bulb 0-1 Is effected by electrical skill
RadioReceiver.png Radio Receiver 0-1 Is affected by electrical skill
RadioTransmitter.png Radio Transmitter 0-1 Is affected by Electrical skill
Headphones.png Headphones 1
(if present)
Always given if present
Battery.png Battery 1
(if present)
Always given 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 ham radios will be found with one or more preset frequencies, usually one of these local commercial stations:

Station name Purpose
89.4 MHz Hitz FM Music station.
93.2 MHz LBMW - Kentucky Radio News, music.
Random Automated Emergency Broadcast System Weather, emergency.
98 MHz NNR Radio News station.
101.2 MHz KnoxTalk Radio Talk show, music.
  • The player can set any frequency they want and save it to their presets. They can then access the preset on any other radio.
  • There are 'hidden' broadcasts on non-commercial frequencies, which include civilians noting military presence, and military broadcasts.
  • 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.

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 Encumbrance Noise range (tiles) Frequency range Transmit range (tiles) Item ID
Mic. Volume Minimum Maximum
HamRadioCivilian.png HamRadio1 World.png Premium Technologies Ham Radio 20 5 10 10 MHz 500 MHz 7500 Base.HamRadio1
HamRadioMilitary.png HamRadio2 World.png US Army Ham Radio 20 5 15 0.2 MHz 1000 MHz 20000 Base.HamRadio2
HamRadioCivilian.png HamRadioMakeShift World.png Makeshift Ham Radio 20 5 10 10 MHz 500 MHz 6000-8000 (depends on electrical skill level) Base.HamRadioMakeShift

Code

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

HamRadioCivilian.png 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,
	}


HamRadioMilitary.png 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,
	}


HamRadioCivilian.png 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