Hi, new Ham here (KR4FGT). Just finished my General and working on my Extra. I live in Orlando, so I am sure that there is an active group. However, I am trying to get some contacts and learn a little bit with my HT before investing into more of a base station. Any tips on getting contacts? I am using the stations listed in repeater book. Do people not operate on the technician bands really? Any advice would be great. Also, is there a good discord group I can join?
Thank you,
Chris
@KR4FGT Hey Chris!!
Congrats on your General! HRP will be a great resource for you get work on getting your extra! As far as people operating on the VHF/UHF freq’s it really just depends on where your located and if the repeaters are active or not. Most likely they will be more active during net times if there are regular nets in your area. In my area (middle tn) UHF/VHF is pretty much dead, theres like one maaaayyybeeee two nets that happen regularly and its hit or miss if anyone is really even checking in.
I ended up getting a yaesu ft991a before i got my ticket thinking that it would be nice to have the ability to do both UHF/VHF and HF not really knowing that 2m/70cm is pretty much dead. With that, I kind of wish i would have went with a 710/dx10 instead because i pretty much exclusively work on HF however with that said, its still nice to have the option to use 2m/70cm if i ever needed in a pinch. I will say that ARES has nets whenever there is severe weather so its nice to be able to hear what’s going on around my QTH when bad storms roll up so that’s a plus.
You can always just hit one of your local repeaters and mention your a new ham wanting a radio check and im sure someone will come back to you and give you a signal report. When you make a contact see if there are any local nets and find out the times and days and set a reminder and the next one, check in.
Once you get an HF radio since you have your general the best way (i’ve found) to get started is to use the spotting tab inside your WRL logbook and start making POTA contacts on something like 20m and just start POTA hunting! Its super easy and alot of fun!
POTA Hunting Guide: Docs Home - Parks on the Air Documentation
POTA Site: Parks on the Air | POTA
You can filter for only US activators, filter by band/mode/etc and that’ll be huge in helping get started! Don’t feel nervous just listen for a few contacts to see how the activator is running his activation (usually a really quick “CALLSIGN your a 5:9 here to middle TN, thanks for being out there, have fun! 73”) and make a contact 
Again, Congrats on your General and good luck with your Extra!!
Thanks & 73
Brad K4AZE
Hi Chris,
The big group in Orlando is the Orlando Amateur Radio Club. Try the 146.76 repeater.
I’m in Titusville so if your ever out this way maybe we can have lunch. Welcome to the hobby.
73s
Jose KD4RVB
Hi @K4AZE, thank you for the reply. I will check out POTA see what that’s about. I think I will go and see about getting a base station that for HF. I am a bit limited though probably since I am in an apartment for now. However, I have read that it’s still entirely possible to get some good distance with the right setup.
Chris
Hi @KD4RVB, Thank you for the reply. I will check out the club and thank you for the repeater. I see they have a net tomorrow night so we will see if I am able to hit them from my location. Only have a starter HT right now but looking to get that corrected this week if possible. Have to try to find a local shop if I can.
Thank you,
Chris
Here’s a link to Ham Radio Outlet, which is our local candy shop.
Good Luck
Jose
Awesome! Not too far from me. I’ll head up tomorrow to see what they have. Thank you!