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What kind of radio should I buy?
The standard answer you will receive is, "It depends on what you want to do."
This is not as facetious an answer as it might seem. Amateur radio has
so many aspects to it that it really is impossible to give a simple,
all-encompassing answer. If, however, you have absolutely no idea
where to begin, I'd suggest 2-meters. Why? First, because it is simple
and requires a minimum of equipment. Second, because that's where you
are most likely to find other hams, especially local ones, who can
help you.
The radio:
Since you do not yet know what bands and which modes will appeal
to you, start cheap. Get a simple 2-meter hand-held radio (a "walkie talkie").
Don't worry about fancy features. Don't worry about "dual-band". Stick with
new equipment initially. The only special features you might need are
CTCSS tones and the ability to send and receive on different frequencies
(you will need these to access repeaters). Almost every new 2-meter
hand-held radio will have these features.
Once you've operated for a while, your future needs will become clear.
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I have a license and I have a radio. What do I do now?
- Listen. Get a feel for the procedures, the nets, the general usage,
and the other hams.
- Talk. Everyone goes immediately to the repeaters, but I really
recommend working on simplex until you are comfortable, confident,
and competent. Even when you move to repeaters, use simplex when you can.
I know far too many hams who use repeaters exclusively, even when
communicating the distance of about a block.
- Check the A.R.R.L., W5YI, Usenet newsgroups, and the World Wide Web
for activities. There is something out there that will
appeal to you.
- If you are still in the dark, do what my wife and I did: Upgrade.
Studying for the next license level gave us additional knowledge about
the hobby and led us down paths we had not known existed.
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I never get a reply when I put out my call sign. What should I do?
(This question and the following question are related, so read the
answers to both of them.)
The short answer is
"persist". Eventually someone will answer. You might also keep your
ears open and listen for someone else calling, then answer. They
will be as grateful as you would be.
Other considerations:
- Try the "calling frequency", both when calling and listening.
- Are there repeaters nearby? Try them.
- Can anyone hear you? You may be in a bad location or have
an inefficient antenna. If you are indoors or in a car, you really
need an outside antenna. If you are using a hand-held radio, the
"rubber duck" antenna supplied by the manufacturer is probably
not very efficient.
Remember, persistance pays.
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The "old guys" won't talk to me. Where do I find other "new guys"
like me?
(This question and the previous question are related, so read the
answers to both of them.)
This is a sad and self-perpetuating problem. You want to do exactly what
the "old guys" did. Some hams do, indeed, talk only to their "friends".
Many of them started in the same boat as you, unable to find other
people willing to talk to them. They eventually found other kindred,
"new guys" and formed a small insular group. Now they are
the "old guys".
I strongly urge you not to follow the same pattern. Learning to
communicate is an important part of this hobby, and that means
with strangers, even reluctant ones, not just with your buddies. Many
of us are naturally shy, so it can be tough, but hey! So was passing the
exam!
Suggestions:
- Find an open "net" and join in. That's a good ice breaker. You will
need to do this often. Eventually people
will become familiar with your call sign and you'll be "one of the guys".
- Find a local club and attend the meetings. Don't sit in a corner,
go introduce yourself.
Basically, it's up to you. You will have to be the one who seeks (and seeks
and seeks) contact until you succeed and become "accepted". Some of
the "old guys" are shy, too! Once you are part of the group,
don't ignore the next poor "new guy" that comes along.
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I have all kinds of questions. Who can I ask?
Easy question. Virtually every ham is willing to share his/her
"wisdom" with you. Beyond that, a nice list of "Elmer" resources
can be found at -
AC6V's ham help list
If all else fails, you can write to me. I'm not Super-Ham, but I'll try.
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I was thinking about joining the A.R.R.L. but have heard
some bad things about that organization. Should I join or not?
Some people have legitimate grievances against the A.R.R.L., and some
people just gripe about anything. I don't propose to get into a debate
about that here.
The key things you should know about the A.R.R.L. are -
- The A.R.R.L. is the largest, strongest amateur radio lobby group in the
United States.
- The A.R.R.L. has member-driven policy.
So my answer is: Yes. Join the A.R.R.L. The hobby needs a strong, politically-
savvy organization to protect it. If you don't like what the
leadership is doing, vote the bums out.
My own experience with the A.R.R.L. has been positive and I have benefited
from some of the organization's programs.
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