Things new hams should know

[GMRSJohn]

As of tonight, I’ve been blessed to become an amateur amateur radio person. 
 

So, with all of y’all’s knowledge and expertise, what tips, suggestions, advice, dingleberries of wisdom do y’all have for new hams?

[RevEric]

I just passed my TECH and am awaiting arrival of my sparkling new call sign. I can say that the best thing I am doing is being a part of REACT. Their mission gives me a sense of purpose and gets me out of the house once in a while. Plus the people in the group are wonderful and so helpful. Find a group like that John. One that gives you a reason to grab your radio with great people to support you.

[GMRSJohn]

5 minutes ago, RevEric said:

I just passed my TECH and am awaiting arrival of my sparkling new call sign. I can say that the best thing I am doing is being a part of REACT. Their mission gives me a sense of purpose and gets me out of the house once in a while. Plus the people in the group are wonderful and so helpful. Find a group like that John. One that gives you a reason to grab your radio with great people to support you.

I absolutely agree that support is crucial! And people you can learn from.
 

There’s quite a few radio clubs within my vicinity. One has an emergency team that seems interesting. I’m sure I’m going to have to have my general license to join that. But it gives me a reason to learn and be proficient! 

[GMRSJohn]

Would it be better to get a home base kind of radio or a handheld? I feel like a home base sort would have more power. There’s more accessories for that sort of radio…

[Hoppyjr]

Pro Tip: wear your walkie-talkie on your belt, because women find that sexy. Add a shoulder mic if you feel “tactical”. Don’t worry, we will be laughing because we’re jealous.

[WRQC527]

23 minutes ago, GMRSJohn said:

Would it be better to get a home base kind of radio or a handheld? I feel like a home base sort would have more power. There’s more accessories for that sort of radio…

It really depends on what you want to do with your new-found ability to communicate with radios. A lot of us have base stations, handhelds, and mobile radios in our vehicles. Examine your possible use cases and you'll have a better idea of what to get. I use a base station when I'm running my weekly net on my repeater, I use my mobile radio every day in the car, and I use my HTs when we're out hiking.  But not everyone needs all three of those capabilities.

[SteveShannon]

41 minutes ago, GMRSJohn said:

Would it be better to get a home base kind of radio or a handheld? I feel like a home base sort would have more power. There’s more accessories for that sort of radio…

Handheld plus a spare battery at first, preferably inexpensive and simple. The Baofeng UV5R is a good one to learn the basics.
Then, as you learn what appeals to you you can always get something else. 

[wayoverthere]

31 minutes ago, WRQC527 said:

Examine your possible use cases and you'll have a better idea of what to get. I use a base station when I'm running my weekly net on my repeater, I use my mobile radio every day in the car, and I use my HTs when we're out hiking.  But not everyone needs all three of those capabilities.

Good point.  It's easy to get caught up in all the different flavors of digital, but it's worth looking at what's on the air in your area, or areas you frequent before going down one of those roads. 

I have mostly Yaesu mobiles in use (mainly for the APRS), but there's basically no Fusion repeaters around me, so that feature is not super useful.

[WRUU653]

I’m a proponent of starting with an inexpensive HT and get acquainted with the hobby. Lots of radios with different purposes to spend your money on out there. Take your time getting to know what interest you. 
Congratulations @GMRSJohn and @RevEric on passing your exams and getting your amateur radio license. 73’s

[GMRSJohn]

8 hours ago, SteveShannon said:

Handheld plus a spare battery at first, preferably inexpensive and simple. The Baofeng UV5R is a good one to learn the basics.
Then, as you learn what appeals to you you can always get something else. 

Thanks for the recommendation! I’ve been looking at the TYT TH-UV88 Ham Radio Starter Kit on that buy 2 way radio website. Do you know anything about these radios?

[GMRSJohn]

7 hours ago, WRUU653 said:

I’m a proponent of starting with an inexpensive HT and get acquainted with the hobby. Lots of radios with different purposes to spend your money on out there. Take your time getting to know what interest you. 
Congratulations @GMRSJohn and @RevEric on passing your exams and getting your amateur radio license. 73’s

You and Wayoverthere have a good point.. getting my license is kind of like being a kid and your mom gives you $20 and turns you loose in a candy store. The buck wild starts itching…

[WRXB215]

[Lscott]

People talk about equipment choices, but that's not the only thing.

Some new Hams are interested in using their new found ability to communicate in a volunteer capacity. A few guys I know like to work at various parades, marathons, take part in emergency training drills etc. In fact one buddy just took part in an "active shooter" training drill conducted at the major regional airport a couple of days ago. Others are involved with "SkyWarn", "Races" and "CERT" groups.

https://www.weather.gov/skywarn/

https://www.usraces.org/

https://community.fema.gov/PreparednessConnect/s/article/Keeping-Lines-of-Communication-Open-CERT-Ham-Radio

He's also a volunteer "first responder", plus uses his skills to build communication command vehicles used by local Ham clubs and some cities. I've seen a few of his projects he's worked on. Top notch work and VERY professionally done too.

[GMRSJohn]

12 minutes ago, Lscott said:

People talk about equipment choices, but that's not the only thing.

Some new Hams are interested in using their new found ability to communicate in a volunteer capacity. A few guys I know like to work at various parades, marathons, take part in emergency training drills etc. In fact one buddy just took part in an "active shooter" training drill conducted at the major regional airport a couple of days ago. Others are involved with "SkyWarn", "Races" and "CERT" groups.

https://www.weather.gov/skywarn/

https://www.usraces.org/

https://community.fema.gov/PreparednessConnect/s/article/Keeping-Lines-of-Communication-Open-CERT-Ham-Radio

He's also a volunteer "first responder", plus uses his skills to build communication command vehicles used by local Ham clubs and some cities. I've seen a few of his projects he's worked on. Top notch work and VERY professionally done too.

I’m certainly interested in doing something like that. One, it helps people and two, it makes me have to learn and be good(ish) at it. 

[WRUU653]

1 hour ago, GMRSJohn said:

Thanks for the recommendation! I’ve been looking at the TYT TH-UV88 Ham Radio Starter Kit on that buy 2 way radio website. Do you know anything about these radios?

Here’s a video review from HRCC on the TYT (I like Josh’s videos). My first ham radio was a Baofeng GT-3WP. Cheap, waterproof, good for hiking and it works. I have the bug and my purchases continue to grow but I don’t regret my first cheap radio. 

[UncleYoda]

12 hours ago, RevEric said:

 being a part of REACT.

REACT HQ would not even give me a contact for my state

[SteveShannon]

2 hours ago, GMRSJohn said:

Thanks for the recommendation! I’ve been looking at the TYT TH-UV88 Ham Radio Starter Kit on that buy 2 way radio website. Do you know anything about these radios?

I have a TYT UV-380 that I replaced the firmware with the firmware from the Open UV380 project.  It works well as both an analog and DMR radio. Fit and finish seem to be good and one of my friends tells me it has the best sound reproduction of any of my handheld radios. I like it.  I haven’t tried the TH-UV88, but the review that @WRUU653  provided will give you an idea.

 

[SteveShannon]

48 minutes ago, WRUU653 said:

Here’s a video review from HRCC on the TYT (I like Josh’s videos). My first ham radio was a Baofeng GT-3WP. Cheap, waterproof, good for hiking and it works. I have the bug and my purchases continue to grow but I don’t regret my first cheap radio. 

Hear hear!

A person always needs a handheld radio to throw in the pocket of a coat. You can use a handheld radio with a mobile antenna or a base station antenna for many basic purposes. Beginning with just a base station or just a mobile station doesn’t allow the same flexibility.

[SteveShannon]

11 hours ago, GMRSJohn said:

Would it be better to get a home base kind of radio or a handheld? I feel like a home base sort would have more power. There’s more accessories for that sort of radio…

Congratulations on becoming a ham! A home base would have more power, but one of the first things you’ll learn is that power is one of the least important aspects of a radio, especially on VHF and UHF.  Power isn’t totally unimportant, but the range of a VHF or UHF radio is affected much less by power than a person might expect. 

[SteveShannon]

12 hours ago, RevEric said:

I just passed my TECH and am awaiting arrival of my sparkling new call sign. I can say that the best thing I am doing is being a part of REACT. Their mission gives me a sense of purpose and gets me out of the house once in a while. Plus the people in the group are wonderful and so helpful. Find a group like that John. One that gives you a reason to grab your radio with great people to support you.

Congratulations on becoming a ham!  Great job diving in to help with REACT!

[WRYZ926]

First congratulations on getting your Tech license.

Yes the TYT TH-UV88 is a pretty good radio for the price. I have the Explorer QRZ-1 that is nothing but a TH-UV88 with custom firmware that can't be unlocked. Check with QRZ to see if they still have their New Tech program where they sell the QRZ-1 at a discounted price. I think I paid $25 for mine a year ago.

https://www.qrz.com/jumpstart

I actually started out with a Baofeng GT-5R and a borrowed Icom IC-208H. I was using a mag mounted antenna in the vehicle with the GT-5R and had another mag mount antenna placed on a cookie sheet right outside the house.

I'll echo what others have said. Start out simple and inexpensive until you decide exactly what you want in a radio. In hindsight I should have spend a little more and got an Icom IC-2730 first instead of the TYT TH-7800 for my base station. Nothing wrong with the TYT mobile radios but the Icom is better.

I'll be a parrot again. Using a good antenna and good coax is as important as what radio to get. And you will want to get your antenna as high as you can.

When it comes to coax, use LMR400 or equivalent for VHF/UHF. Avoid the cheap stuff on Amazon.

[UncleYoda]

3 hours ago, GMRSJohn said:

Thanks for the recommendation! I’ve been looking at the TYT TH-UV88 Ham Radio Starter Kit on that buy 2 way radio website. Do you know anything about these radios?

It has some issues you should be aware of.  The BTWR owner would not post my review where I explained all this. 

When setting tones or just changing channels, holding down the arrow keys does not work to cycle through like it does on every other radio I have.

Starting a scan takes 3 button presses instead of holding down one button.

The channel numbers on the right are really small - I need high magnification glasses to read the chanel numbers.  The extra info across the top is tiny too but that is less important usually than channel number.

The mic port went bad on mine in less than a year.  I usually listen on earphones with a mic button; the speaker port still works and I can still talk by using the PTT button as I would without the earphones.  Not a big deal but I expected better quality from TYT since my 12 yr old UV5Rs never went bad.

It does receive well, better than the newer UV5Rs which have somehow been modified to not pick up weak signals as well as the older ones did.  Transmission sound is good too.  I believe it's supposed to be good as far as harmonics but I can't test.

One feature I like is the screen backlight can be set to stay on - I hate radios that go dark just to save battery power, I want to see that my radio is on and be able to glance at the screen.  I leave mine on 3, the middle setting, brightest is too bright and dimmest is too dim.

The battery eliminator which I got started having problems - somewhere inside or in the cord there is a loose connection.  I use battery eliminators indoors whenever I can.  Other people may not care.  And I've only had this one so I don't know if it's a common problem.

The battery release, on the bottom, is really hard for me to operate.

It's a good, mostly well built HT.  But overall I was not impressed enough to buy more.  As it ships (AT LEAST WHEN I GOT MINE), VFO mode is locked out, which is ridiculous for a ham radio (but common in Part 90 radios).  The key sequence for unlocking VFO is posted on the BTWR site.

 

[dosw]

I'd start with a 2m/70cm handheld, an SDR, and a discone with mount and cables to be swapped over to the SDR or the HT as needed at home. ...and a few adapters to fit it all together.

 

For an SDR, you can spend a lot to get one with wide bandwidth and wide frequency range reception, or you can go inexpensive with an RTL-SDRv4. With an SDR you'll hear so much more, and see so much more than what you would be aware of with just the handheld alone. You can learn a lot by watching the waterfall, tuning to the signal you see, setting the right mode, and listening. With my SDR I've listened to not just UHF and VHF, but also HF signals from all over the world. The antenna makes a lot of difference, of course. I find I use the SDR more than my HTs and mobile units. Hearing the ISS pass by is pretty cool. One time I picked up a Q&A session between Sunita Williams and amateur operators from hundreds of miles around. And it's really cool seeing the waterfall shift due to the doppler effect as the thing approaches and recedes. Also watching for SSB signals in the Tech portion of the 10m band is fun. I don't have HF equipment yet but it's nice to see that there is some activity there. 

 

Everyone's reason for getting into amateur radio may be different, so what I find enjoyable may not be what you do. I'm bored with the concept of 2m/70cm nets but others may really like the social aspect of amateur radio. I guess I'm drawn into the mechanics of it all.

[808Beachbum]

13 hours ago, GMRSJohn said:

There’s quite a few radio clubs within my vicinity. One has an emergency team that seems interesting. I’m sure I’m going to have to have my general license to join that. But it gives me a reason to learn and be proficient! 

 

Why would you think a general license is required? Many clubs, and I dare say most "emergency teams" for a specific local area likely have, or have access to, a repeater system. Often this is a State or County owned or subsidized system. UHF/VHF is predominant use. Certainly, HF is used in more remote locations, but Red Cross, ARES, RACES, and local Emergency Management heavily utilize UHF/VHF in many urban areas. SOME of these are adding GMRS capability, just not as a primary.

[SteveShannon]

Back to the title of the thread, one thing all new hams should know is to keep your handheld antenna vertical.