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HAM Radios

dangerousdon

dangerousdon

"I am Udderly Insufferable”
Veteran
Concierge Emeritus
I am considering jumping into the amateur radio space. I used to think that it was way too expensive for me to consider. I do understand that if you want to spend 200K plus, it's is fully possible. But I also recently realized that you can get started as a beginner for VERY reasonable prices. Just saw a handheld today for about $30. I understand that cheapest isn't always the best rout...but it seems that between handhelds and portables, this hobby is easy to get into. I know I need a license...but just wondering some thoughts on those here that are HAM operators. Some questions I am wanting answers to:

Best way to prepare for a test
Best beginner setup that won't break the bank
Any additional information the seasoned vet is willing to impart to someone who is less than a newbie

There are no limits to the amount of websites that give their best of...but I trust the Cadre more than them, I appreciate any info the wise Cadre has to offer.
 
I have a cousin that we camp a lot with and he always brings his stuff and I always enjoy watching him use it but I have never thought about jumping into it. Perhaps one day....
 
CVargo said:
I have a cousin that we camp a lot with and he always brings his stuff and I always enjoy watching him use it but I have never thought about jumping into it. Perhaps one day....
Click to expand...

Scuttlesoap said:
This sounds like a great hobby to get into
Click to expand...
I think the tech license is something like $15 and I saw this guy for $25.00. Not sayin that is where I want to start...but you can get in the game for super cheap. Plus it is very fashionable when I where my tin foil hat.

 
When you said "$30 handheld" I knew it was a Baofeng thread right out of the gate. I am an Extra Class licensed opperator and Volunteer Examiner, over the last decade. It is a fun hobby to be sure, if you are into techno sciency nerdy stuff, and or just want to have a better understanding of how you can communicate to folks in a not so cellphone and internet connected world.

Lets see what I can do to answer your initial questions:

Best way to prepare for a test
  1. -Ok. So there are two major schools of thought here, which can spark debate (as all things do)
    1. Actually Study: You can find a local study group related to a local ham radio club, or just get actual books for the topics at hand (Studying for a Technician License)
      1. The major advantage here is you'll actually learn stuff, such as frequency theory, how to make an antenna, how squelch works, etc. Good stuff for sure, but can be a bit dense
    2. Study the exam questions: This is the "controversial" part. The exams are public knowledge as they are from the FCC. Now an exam is made from a large pool so there are many possibilities but luckily there are websites that will help you study every question and every answer.
      1. Practice Amateur Radio Exams by QRZ Ham Radio <-- Take these regularly until you get 80% or better and then go test (either at a club event or online)
    3. My advise is to do both. Study theory, and then take exams to make sure it sticks.


Best beginner setup that won't break the bank
  1. This all depends on what you want to do.
    1. VHF/UHF [analog]: This starts with your typical "walkie talkie" type handhelds, such as UV-5R. These are typically used in conjunction with repeaters for local (30-ish mile) coverage.
      1. Digital VHF/UHF [DMR, C-4FM, D-STAR, P25, etc] a nifty advent that is a bit more modern and allows for repeaters to be internet connected for redundancy or other connectivity. Look into it for a handheld, as these will also do analog.
    2. HF: The real deal big boy fun. You can do very limited stuff with a Technician license (mostly voice/morse on 10m) but this is where you get your crazy multi-thousand mile point-to-point contacts. The real fun starts with your General license, so study up.
Any additional information the seasoned vet is willing to impart to someone who is less than a newbie
  1. Like most hobbies it can get DEEP. It is a great skill builder. Don't ever feel intimidated, always ask questions, and find an "Elmer" [ham speak for mentor] to help make practice sense of the technical jargon.
 
OpusX said:
When you said "$30 handheld" I knew it was a Baofeng thread right out of the gate. I am an Extra Class licensed opperator and Volunteer Examiner, over the last decade. It is a fun hobby to be sure, if you are into techno sciency nerdy stuff, and or just want to have a better understanding of how you can communicate to folks in a not so cellphone and internet connected world.

Lets see what I can do to answer your initial questions:

Best way to prepare for a test
  1. -Ok. So there are two major schools of thought here, which can spark debate (as all things do)
    1. Actually Study: You can find a local study group related to a local ham radio club, or just get actual books for the topics at hand (Studying for a Technician License)
      1. The major advantage here is you'll actually learn stuff, such as frequency theory, how to make an antenna, how squelch works, etc. Good stuff for sure, but can be a bit dense
    2. Study the exam questions: This is the "controversial" part. The exams are public knowledge as they are from the FCC. Now an exam is made from a large pool so there are many possibilities but luckily there are websites that will help you study every question and every answer.
      1. Practice Amateur Radio Exams by QRZ Ham Radio <-- Take these regularly until you get 80% or better and then go test (either at a club event or online)
    3. My advise is to do both. Study theory, and then take exams to make sure it sticks.


Best beginner setup that won't break the bank
  1. This all depends on what you want to do.
    1. VHF/UHF [analog]: This starts with your typical "walkie talkie" type handhelds, such as UV-5R. These are typically used in conjunction with repeaters for local (30-ish mile) coverage.
      1. Digital VHF/UHF [DMR, C-4FM, D-STAR, P25, etc] a nifty advent that is a bit more modern and allows for repeaters to be internet connected for redundancy or other connectivity. Look into it for a handheld, as these will also do analog.
    2. HF: The real deal big boy fun. You can do very limited stuff with a Technician license (mostly voice/morse on 10m) but this is where you get your crazy multi-thousand mile point-to-point contacts. The real fun starts with your General license, so study up.
Any additional information the seasoned vet is willing to impart to someone who is less than a newbie
  1. Like most hobbies it can get DEEP. It is a great skill builder. Don't ever feel intimidated, always ask questions, and find an "Elmer" [ham speak for mentor] to help make practice sense of the technical jargon.
Click to expand...
This is a huge help...thanks. I am likely to start off with a portable for now. Though at the price of some of the hand held radios...it's hard to argue getting one or two of those as well.
 
global_dev said:
Can you guys explain the social side of the hobby to me?
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There are many:
  • Volunteer Event Coordination: Many ham clubs are the comms backbone for things like marathons, 5ks, bike races, public carnivals, etc.
  • Storm Spotters: When you hear the news folks say "storm spotters have reported..." those folks are usually hams. You can get the info first, and live. Also be in the field if you like chasing storms.
  • General EmComm (emergency communications): Groups such as ARES (ARES) exist to be prepared for emergency situations
  • HF/VHF Chat Nets: "Rag Chewing" or general chat around any topic local (vhf/uhf) or international (HF)
  • Contesting: Trying to get a quick contact with as many stations as possible in a period of time.
  • Collecting QSO Cards: When you get into HF you can essentially send confirmation to folks as a post card, and kind of "pokemon" contacts for fun awards, like "worked all states" or "century club [aka 100 countries]"

I am continually amazed with what radio can do. So many people walk around with a super computer in their pocket connected to the world with highly complex radio systems, and don't even think about it.

When I can send a text message to a rando in Australia, from a shoebox sized device in my house, and all it did was emit radio frequency radiation into the ionosphere, it gets my science nerd all tingly
 
OpusX said:
I am continually amazed with what radio can do. So many people walk around with a super computer in their pocket connected to the world with highly complex radio systems, and don't even think about it.
Click to expand...

I think about it all the time. I’m usually thinking about bad actors/middlemen attacks and how to balance always on signals and the opposite of deadman’s switch.

Btw bob’s burger ufo episode i literally and randomly watched yesterday kind of touched on amateur radio.

1653338296056.gif

Cool stuff. Always loved seeing a radio in someones garage and wondered who they were contacting on the otherside.
 
I've had my license since the early '90s, but I haven't been active for awhile. It is a fun hobby with many different areas of interest to pursue.

An interesting way to learn more about the hobby would be to find a local Amateur Radio Club and attend a meeting or two. Clubs love to welcome prospective hams and help them get started. If the club participates in Field Day (see below), that would be awesome way to meet some local hams and check out various aspects of the hobby.

Field Day

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the national association for amateur radio, connecting hams around the U.S. with news, information and resources.
www.arrl.org www.arrl.org
 
wristwatchb said:
I've had my license since the early '90s, but I haven't been active for awhile. It is a fun hobby with many different areas of interest to pursue.

An interesting way to learn more about the hobby would be to find a local Amateur Radio Club and attend a meeting or two. Clubs love to welcome prospective hams and help them get started. If the club participates in Field Day (see below), that would be awesome way to meet some local hams and check out various aspects of the hobby.

Field Day

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the national association for amateur radio, connecting hams around the U.S. with news, information and resources.
www.arrl.org www.arrl.org
Click to expand...
Awesome suggestion! Thanks!
 
I too obtained a couple Baofengs. The study books for the technician test lay unused on my desk. I programmed local scanner frequencies into them (and some gMrs) This may move me to at least crack the book.
 
wristwatchb said:
I've had my license since the early '90s, but I haven't been active for awhile. It is a fun hobby with many different areas of interest to pursue.

An interesting way to learn more about the hobby would be to find a local Amateur Radio Club and attend a meeting or two. Clubs love to welcome prospective hams and help them get started. If the club participates in Field Day (see below), that would be awesome way to meet some local hams and check out various aspects of the hobby.

Field Day

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the national association for amateur radio, connecting hams around the U.S. with news, information and resources.
www.arrl.org www.arrl.org
Click to expand...
Glad to see you catch this one Charlie. When I saw the topic you immediately came to mind and I thought of tagging you in.

May I trust you and Kathy are well?
 
Majorrich said:
I too obtained a couple Baofengs. The study books for the technician test lay unused on my desk. I programmed local scanner frequencies into them (and some gMrs) This may move me to at least crack the book.
Click to expand...
I can see it now...Majorrich and dangerousdon...communicating across the stars...discussing all things sumo wrestling and alligator wrangling!
 
Bill M said:
Glad to see you catch this one Charlie. When I saw the topic you immediately came to mind and I thought of tagging you in.

May I trust you and Kathy are well?
Click to expand...
Hello Bill, and thanks for checking on us. All good here, and I hope it is well with you and your Bride also.

We were fortunate to take a couple of extended trips to Florida and Italy, so I've laid low on posting. Mostly just following along in the background for now.
 
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