On reddit/amateurradio, a new ham shared these observations after being licensed for two months. At Ham Radio School, we are always looking for ways to help folks get started in ham radio. We think these are useful points and are sharing them here, along with some comments.
Observations from a new ham:
Lots of information, [there is] no one complete source. There’s a bit of a fraternity aspect to this hobby, where you can’t really get all the even initial information you need in one summary somewhere. It’s part of the fun but can also be frustrating. You have to pay your dues in research and that’s expected but hams are generally helpful.
HRS: Amateur radio has a wide range of interests and activities so it is difficult to cover it all. Here at Ham Radio School, many of our articles address questions that newcomers to the hobby have.
Our online courses provide all the new ham needs to prepare for licensing. Following licensing, we recommend getting familiar with FM simplex and repeater operations using a handheld transceiver (HT) and/or mobile FM transceiver, each with dual-band function (2-meter and 70-centimeter bands).
Antennas! The big barrier to entry is not the license test, the radio equipment, or even knowledge: it’s friggin’ antennas. They are hard for beginners to understand and hard to assemble without effort and unsightly effects at a house. V/UHF are easier and smaller; HF harder. New folks: start with V/UHF (e.g., N9TAX), then end-fed wire RECEPTION, then end-fed wire Tx (baluns, SWR, etc), then dipoles, etc.
HRS: That's very true, especially for HF antennas! VHF antennas are not usually that big of a barrier. Typically, VHF/UHF HT antennas and mobile antennas that may be magnetic or clip mounting on a vehicle are easy to install and ready to operate without operator adjustment. We have quite a collection of articles about antennas. Also, keep in mind that antennas are a fun area to experiment with or 'home brew' at a reasonable cost.
There’s a lot less to listen to most of the time than expected (depending on location). Most V/UHF repeaters lay silent most of the time. You need to know specific times for “nets” (meetings), and that commute times are busiest. For HF, it’s very dependent on your antenna, of course. Start by listening to a local SDR on the web, then buy a cheap SDR box for your computer and hook up to an end-fed to experiment with the antenna at home in comparison.
HRS: Many regions have plenty of repeaters to choose from, but they are often very quiet. Finding local nets is a great way to be sure there is activity at a particular time and frequency. This article has some ideas on finding repeaters: How to Choose a Repeater.
It feels like there are lots of modes, but early on it feels like 3: voice/SSB, CW/morse, and a gazillion digital modes. I haven’t made it past voice yet.
HRS: Another good point. Most new Technicians will start out using FM on the VHF/UHF bands. Until you've spent some time studying Morse Code, that mode won't be a viable option. SSB is the other most common voice mode, especially on the HF bands. This article provides an overview of all these modes: Loads of Modes.
Radios vary a lot, but the main factors are (a) power (100W for base stations, less for portable, 5W for handhelds/“HTs”); (b) size/portability; (c) digital modes supported; (d) frequency bands supported (all bands or just HF or just V/UHF); (e) user interface.
HRS: These are more good observations, but Ham Radio School would approach the topic in a different order. The typical handheld transceiver (HT) is often a good first radio because it provides some useful capability at a low cost (<$100). It also lines up well with the VHF/UHF privileges of the Technician license. Even if you have your eyes on more advanced ham operating, having an HT available is a good thing. This article discusses some other radio form factors and band configurations: What Are the Different Kinds of Ham Radios?
Hobby is very heavily male, heavily older, skews higher IQ. Generalizations, and just my observations.
HRS: The available data supports this observation. It is generally a good group of folks, although you can run into the occasional grumpy old dude who is wound a bit too tight. Being a technical hobby, you will encounter many people with a wide range of knowledge and skills, many of them are topic experts.
Need a General license to really explore HF. Self-evident by frequency access, but as a new person it’s not entirely clear. There are two worlds in ham radio: V/UHF and HF, roughly corresponding to local vs distant (DX) comms.
HRS: This is very true. The Technician license lets you get a taste of HF operating, primarily using SSB on the 10-meter band. Right now, we are at the peak of the sunspot cycle, so 10-meter propagation is excellent during the day. Technician license holders may communicate around the globe using the 10-meter band. To gain access to the other HF bands, you'll need to upgrade to General. This article explains it all: Tech, General, or Extra License... What's the difference?
Hams are pretty tolerant of new-person ignorance/mistakes. Just don’t transmit on a frequency you’re not licensed for, that’s not forgiven easily (and is illegal generally). And don’t get into the “emergency use” debate!
HRS: Most hams are understanding if you make an honest mistake. They've been there themselves and even experienced hams will screw up from time to time. The important thing is to have an attitude of trying to do things right and learn from your mistakes.
The hobby is more fun if you think of it as a journey vs arriving at a destination. Learning is continuous, it seems.
HRS: Absolutely! It would be boring if you just learned it all in a few weeks and were "done." There are many things to learn, and it's all fun. The typical ham learns significantly across the preparation for Technician to General to Extra license, but there is a ton to learn beyond the fundamentals covered in the exam topics.
Most hams will engage in life-long learning through hands-on operations, observations, affiliation with other knowledgeable hams, conducting online research, and just trying new things. There are so many facets to ham radio, "the hobby of a thousand hobbies," and technological development is continuous. It is virtually impossible to become an expert in every aspect of ham radio.
Don’t be afraid to transmit (legally). The hobby is more about short conversations with a lot of different people than long conversations with a few. Or just learning. There are LOTS of nooks and crannies to the hobby. Likely you can find one you like. It takes time.
HRS: And we will add, try some things and "get on the air."
That completes the list of observations from a new ham. For other tips on getting started with ham radio, take a look at these articles: Five Common Mistakes New Hams Make
If you are ready to earn your Technician license and get started in the world of ham radio, or if you are ready to take the next step and upgrade to General or Extra, Ham Radio School is here to help. Check out our license preparation courses: Technician General Extra
We offer personalized email support with every course subscription so that you can get your questions answered. Our online courses offer multiple ways to learn and prepare for the license exam. Every lesson features a book section reading, a video lecture, a review of exam content, an interactive quiz, and depth options for learning 'beyond the exam.' Each course also provides practice exams to test your readiness for the real exam, as well as pointers for finding exam sessions in person or online.
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