When I first got my amateur radio license (also called ham radio), I really didn’t know what I was doing. I studied the recommended book, quizzed myself on the recommended website, and showed up and passed the test. Now what? I thought. Just because I can understand it in a book doesn’t mean I know how any of it works with a real radio!
So here’s what I’ve done that has worked to help me understand a little better how the ham radio world operates.
1. Join the local Amateur Radio Club. These guys and gals can be really helpful. Right after I passed the test, one of them loaned me a little hand held radio to use until I could get my own. It took me a year and a half to get my own radio (they’re not real cheap), but every time I saw this guy he just told me whenever I got my own he’d get his back. Sweet. The president of the club is the one who set up the whole repeater system down here and he’s extremely knowledgeable. Most of the members know what they’re doing well enough to help me with some questions. Another guy has the same radio as my new one, so he’s got it programmed for me and given me some good instruction.
2. Take part in the “Net”. A net is like a meeting on the radio where you don’t have to go anywhere, just call in from where you are at a specific time. The net is hosted and controlled by one radio operator and everybody else gets to check in and chat as their call sign is read. Visitors can check in after the club roll call, and sometimes we get people who are traveling through or visiting the area check in. Our local club net is Tuesday nights at 8:00. Yes, that’s right at bed/picking up son from scouts/feed the baby time, so I’m not too regular at taking part. But I have an alarm set on my phone so I don’t forget it’s happening and it’s okay to check in and out early so I really only have about 5-10 minutes invested in listening long enough to check in. Sometimes I’ll keep the radio on and listen to the whole net and occasionally I’ll stay on and chat during the “informals”. It’s a good way to let people in the area know who you are and get to know them as well.
3. Take part in work meetings and other club activities. Sometimes the repeaters or antennas will need some repair and the club calls for help fixing them. Go along. Even if you don’t know what you’re doing, you’ll get a good lesson in how things work.
Our club is also helping with a scout radio day, there are simulated emergency drills, “fox hunts” where you use your radio to locate a transmitter that is emitting a signal, etc. Get your radio out and use it. Don’t just assume that in an emergency you’ll be able to get it figured out.
4. Ask questions. I got a second radio from a guy at the club (I know, I return one, and get a different one!) I have no idea how it works. It is supposed to have an online manual, but it turns out it needs a power supply and I’ll probably need an antenna on the house to use it right. Well, when I asked the guy I got this radio from about how to plug it in, he just happened to have a power supply he wasn’t using, so now I have two thirds of what I need to get this second radio working. Fun.
5. Keep studying. So you got your technician license. Study for the General exam. Got your General? Study for the Extra exam. Got your Extra license? Help teach a class so people like me can learn more. There is a ham class planned for this fall and I’d like to go take it even though I already have my license. I’m thinking I’ll learn something more than what I already know (which, by the way, still isn’t much).
6. Keep your radio on. Listen to the other people on it and you’ll pick up on basic amateur radio speak. It’s not hard. Talk when you’re inclined to and someone will usually talk back with you. They know you’re just starting out and if they don’t, you can let them know and they’ll be happy to help you. It’s okay to still be “new” 2 years after you get your license!
So there’s a few ideas from a ham radio beginner on how to get more comfortable using your ham radio. Amateur radio is an enjoyable hobby (albeit quite similar to parts of my high school physics class) and something that you’ll want to have in your skill set for communication in an emergency.