Hello, My name is Tristan and I am a homeschooled High school student in North Idaho. I like picking up new skills whenever I have the opportunity. I have been interested in Ham radio for several years but have never really had a reason or known where to start… In the last year or two I have started working and going out on my own more (I am currently about 4 flights away from getting my pilots license) the area I live in has very bad cell coverage, especially in the areas where you would probably need it most (the roads get fairly bad in the winter and I have been stuck twice). My family is also fairly large and we wanted better communication on the farm and when we are out hunting and things. A couple of weeks ago some friends told us of a ham radio class being held in town, we decided to go, currently we are working on getting our technicians license however I plan to take the test for the General at the same time. I am happy to have found such a wonderful resource and I plan on making as much use of it as possible. I like to learn so any advice is more than welcome.
Hey @K4VED , welcome to the club! I am ALSO considering an attic antenna. Really clever way to keep the roof clean but get some real HF going 
we’ll have to stay in touch on that project. Thanks for being a VIP, we’ve been working like crazy on the new platform so its so cool to see your feedback. I started my career working pretty heavily in linux too (red hat). Small world
Hi @tristanlikes2fly , thanks so much for joining! Sounds like you really have knack for learning new things. I’m really glad you stumbled upon our club. I’m jealous you are getting your pilots license! I hope you enjoy the new General videos, if you sign up for the general course.
Thank you @N0WRL, I have already started on the General course, I took your Technician course because I was having a hard time with the in person class, it really helped me. I like the Generals class however for learning I feel that the style of the technician course was slightly easier to retain. That being said I think that it is very good and I really appreciate the courses.
I had an attic antenna when I lived in a condo. A fan-dipole worked best for me. I might have a picture or 2 somewhere.
Hi Angelina (@member210),
I am in much the same situation as you though I do have my own baofeng, I would love to hear about anything that you learn and I will certainly share what I learn.
~Tristan (@tristanlikes2fly)
Hi Angelina, sorry for the delayed response. I have built a few antennas and can probably help you out with resources. If you wouldn’t mind making a post in the Antennas - American Radio Club forum, we’ll get a conversation started.
Hello, my name is Nevin and I am new to shortwave radio. I am looking for sources to help me learn how to use my radio correctly. There are no classes that I can find outside of the licensing classes. I used the Ham Radio Prep website to pass my Technician test (precursor to this website). I have tons of reading materials, etc. but I can’t find anything to help me with the step-by-step, how-to’s in order to learn to properly tune my radio to the channels I am permitted to use. Something that speaks layperson language, walks you through the use of the radio. I have the TYT TH-9800, Radiodity GS-5B and other radios like GMRS and CB’s. YouTube has lots of amateurish videos that discuss a subject outside of the needed “Turn your radio on and do this” to have it start to let you communicate.
Any suggestions on where to find classes, tutors, mentors to learn the proper uses of a shortwave radio? This is a case of information overload, there are so many sources with so much information, I just want the basics of getting started.
Thanks
Hi Nevin, welcome!! We are HARD AT WORK at exactly this! We are filming some new content tomorrow starting with handhelds step by step. We will be moving on to shortwave and much much more, very quickly. For now, youtube is your friend. Thank you so much for joining and we will be sure to keep you updated as the new training videos drop! Welcome!
Hi @KC3TDX. Just to define terms here, are you taking about shortwave from the perspective of listening to broadcast stations like WWV and the BBC? Or are you just looking to get transmit functionality out of the radios you have? I say that because the 2 radios you mention are not set up to receive below 25 MHz where most of the shortwave action happens.
Hi Jim, thank you for your reply and inquiry.
Yes, a radio designed to communicate both ways.
It is difficult to filter the irrelevant information out of what I am looking for or what I should have purchased.
I am currently studying for my General license to allow a broader array of communication.
The stickler is knowing what I need to purchase to achieve this in a productive way.
Any suggestions, comments are more than welcome.
Thank you
As @N0WRL mentioned, we have a really good video coming soon with the basics. A bunch of tips videos are in production as well. In the mean time @KC3TDX pick a radio you would like to focus on and make a post in VHF operations - American Radio Club. We can dive in deeper there.
Hello all, I’m John (KF0BRN) and I’m new to ham radio. I’ve been a CBer for many years as I am a truck driver, but my brother and I got into this to be able to communicate from a distance. He’s in Arkansas and I’m in Colorado. I’m currently a technician, but I’ll have my general next Friday. I’m considering going on to get the amateur extra, but I’m not sure yet. Is it worth it?
@johnmpowers thanks so much for joining and for being a VIP. Great to see a CBer and trucker here! I’m a General class currently, and it has served me well. Has plenty of HF privileges for longer range communcation. This guide has a bit more information that might be helpful. There are some dedicated frequencies on HF set aside solely for Extra, but you should probably be good with just General: Ham Radio Licenses: Which is right for you? - American Radio Club
Hello, my name is Pete, I am currently taking the Level 1 Technician License course.
I do not own any radio equipment at this time.
When I was young I had always been very interested in electricity/electronics, particularly radio frequency. I learned most of what I know, or now forgotten, from my father.
At this point in my life, I would like to “rekindle” my passion for RF.
I’m not sure where to start, other than to work on receiving my license. Eventually, I would like to become involved in emergency radio services.
I look forward to becoming a part of this entire community!
Hi everyone! I’m Dan (KD9-UCI) out of the Illinois. I’m not technically a “flat-lander” as I’m originally from Wisconsin, land of cheese & the Packers but married into this state about 5 years ago. I’ve always been curious about HAM radio, since a child, but never pursued it until my wife gifted a Yaesu FT-60 to me this last Christmas. Little did I know I’d be on a mission to get my Technician License, immediately! Very happy to have passed the course but realize I have A TON to learn. I’ve only made contact once, since last December, but have been listening-in to gain a better understanding of HAM procedure’s & lingo. I must say, I get stage-fright as I’m nervous that I’ll make a fool out of myself! I’m interested in any tips & suggestions you may have and hope to learn more about RACE so I can better prepare in the even of any National Emergencies…blackouts, downed cell towers, etc. I look forward to meeting everyone and apologize, in advance, if I don’t respond to you in a timely manner as I just moved to a new home so am crazy busy for another week or so.
Three big reasons to get your Extra in my mind:
- You are big into HF and want access to the spectrum that General doesn’t have access to
- You want to be a VE, at the Extra Level you can proctor all the exams.
- You travel internationally with Ham Radio, many of the reciprocal licenses want you to have the top level of license.
Does that help?
Hi Dan! We’ve heard this a couple of times on “mic fright.” One of my tips is fine a friend (het your wife licensed?) and play on simplex just to get the experience.
Another option is to join a repeater net. On those, you only have to give your name, location and call sign. So it’s very scripted. It’s also a gateway to Emergency Communications since they use nets very frequently.
Good Day to All! Semi-retired professor newbie here - had to wait til I was semi-retired to start my ham radio hobby. Full bore now - learning something new each day. Wish I would have started years ago… LOL. Athens Ga. Area. Member of the Athens Area Radio club, ARRL and now American Radio Club!
73 de KO4UAL Mark
Welcome to another Georgia neighbor!