Where do I start to learn ham?

[res308]

Instead of resurrecting some of the older radio threads, I figured I’d ask here. I know there’s some hams on here. I need to know where to get started. I need real beginner level information. I mean ground level, white belt, pre-school, Forrest Gump, don’t know jack doodley beginner level. 
I’ve gone ahead and bought a couple cheap radios to get started with after I study up and get licensed. 
Right now though, I admittedly don’t even know where to get started with the learning. 

[bubbadavis]

I'd take a look on arrl.org and see if there is a local club. They can be very helpful - since you can sit down and talk to people. 

arrl.org also provides practice tests, when you are ready. I'd suggest getting a decent study guide and get ready for the Technical exam. Personally, I've had good luck with the ARRL books: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1625951558/?coliid=I3G0DKEKQYU5P2&colid=ZYN195036XL5&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it. But there are tons out there. Someone in a local club may have one they can loan you. 

I've been a Tech since the early 90s. Upgraded to a General earlier this year. I just need to upgrade my rig so I can get on HF.

 

[TripleGGG]

I am an Amateur Extra.

This guy has a great YouTube channel. He does full training classes for all 3 license levels.  He is very good explaining everything. Most just have you memorize information to pass the test. You will learn watching his classes. 

Finding a local club to join is definitely a must. 

https://w4eey.com/index.html

Websites for practicing for exams. 

hamradioprep.com

hamstudy.org

 

Edited June 26, 2023 by TripleGGG

[res308]

1 hour ago, TripleGGG said:

I am an Amateur Extra.

This guy has a great YouTube channel. He does full training classes for all 3 license levels.  He is very good explaining everything. Most just have you memorize information to pass the test. You will learn watching his classes. 

Finding a local club to join is definitely a must. 

https://w4eey.com/index.html

Websites for practicing for exams. 

hamradioprep.com

hamstudy.org

 

Thank you for that resource. I don’t know why he never popped up on all the searches I did. I just started on his first video. This looks like what I need. 
 

[TripleGGG]

18 hours ago, res308 said:

Thank you for that resource. I don’t know why he never popped up on all the searches I did. I just started on his first video. This looks like what I need. 
 

Glad you like it and have already started. Enjoy. 

[Sleep profit]

My local church have classes in Ham radio and prepping. Maybe some in your area do that 

[res308]

On 6/28/2023 at 4:51 PM, Sleep profit said:

My local church have classes in Ham radio and prepping. Maybe some in your area do that 

Sounds like you have some good churches in your area. I wish there were some around here like that. 

[Photoguy67]

If there are several people in the Nashville area that would like to get together most weekends, I would be more than glad to help you with a class. I am a general class operator.

[Gurn]

On 7/2/2023 at 7:59 PM, Photoguy67 said:

If there are several people in the Nashville area that would like to get together most weekends, I would be more than glad to help you with a class. I am a general class operator.

This would be fun

[spdfrk70]

I've been interested in some form of communication that doesn't rely on cell or internet 

 Thinking about picking up a couple of baofang uv5r or similar to get started

[BHunted]

ARRL - Home

eHam.net

Callsign Database - QRZ.com

 

[Photoguy67]

http://www.robertsoncountyarc.org/    Since you are in Robertson county, you might try these guys.

 

[spdfrk70]

On 1/5/2024 at 9:17 PM, Photoguy67 said:

http://www.robertsoncountyarc.org/    Since you are in Robertson county, you might try these guys.

 

Thank you sir appreciate that information

[Defender]

21 hours ago, spdfrk70 said:

Thank you sir appreciate that information

I’ve wanted to do ham radio most of my adult life, but never took the time to learn it.  In the beginning I was afraid of code, but then when that requirement went away, I was just too busy.  I had to retire due to time off for prostrate cancer treatment and an uncooperative employer, so provided this treatment works I will be taking some classes or self study and get my license.  I just wish I had bought a couple good radios before I retired and the money got short.

[Darrell]

24 minutes ago, Defender said:

 I just wish I had bought a couple good radios before I retired

You can find real bargains if you look around at Ham swap meets, eBay, etc. My first rig was a Heathkit that I built, but that really wasn't inexpensive. An older radio can provide a lot of hours of entertainment, you don't need the super-whiz-bang stuff to make contacts. I think my HF radio is about 20 years old now, and I bought it new. I expect it will keep working until I die.

[TripleGGG]

2 minutes ago, Darrell said:

You can find real bargains if you look around at Ham swap meets, eBay, etc. My first rig was a Heathkit that I built, but that really wasn't inexpensive. An older radio can provide a lot of hours of entertainment, you don't need the super-whiz-bang stuff to make contacts. I think my HF radio is about 20 years old now, and I bought it new. I expect it will keep working until I die.

Agreed. There are a lot of great inexpensive radios out there. 

[Defender]

On 1/21/2024 at 6:41 PM, Darrell said:

You can find real bargains if you look around at Ham swap meets, eBay, etc. My first rig was a Heathkit that I built, but that really wasn't inexpensive. An older radio can provide a lot of hours of entertainment, you don't need the super-whiz-bang stuff to make contacts. I think my HF radio is about 20 years old now, and I bought it new. I expect it will keep working until I die.

I found a Yaesu VX-5R Triband setup for what seems like a reasonable price, so I’m thinking hard about buying that. I also found an online study resource with an app that syncs across my iOS devices, so I’m slowly getting serious about my license. I may never get to my dream radio shack setup, but I’m close to actually getting a license and a handheld, LOL.

Edited Friday at 10:03 PM by Defender

[TripleGGG]

It's a great hobby. There are so many directions you can go the possibilities are endless. Here is a graphic of the contacts that I literally talked to just in November. Most were done on a single 73 foot wire I have 25 feet horizontal in the air at my house. But several were done with a 17 or 25 foot whip antennas from my truck. I used radios costing anywhere from $400 dollars up to over $5k. One of my furthest contacts was on the $400 radio. 

[Defender]

Wow!

[Defender]

My plan was to buy my equipment before I retired, but that didn’t work out as I had to retire sooner than expected. Now any radios I buy will have to be more moderately priced.  Getting a handheld first I think, a used Yaesu VX-5R I think, then will probably look at a modestly priced used base station. 

Edited December 7 by Defender

[TripleGGG]

1 hour ago, Defender said:

My plan was to buy my equipment before I retired, but that didn’t work out as I had to retire sooner than expected. Now any radios I buy will have to be more moderately priced.  Getting a handheld first I think, a used Yaesu VX-5R I think, then will probably look at a modestly priced used base station. 

The best bang for the buck right now is the Xiegu G90. I use it a lot for portable. A lot use it for home base stations.

[Defender]

Well I’m studying for my license now and I bought an older Yaesu VX-5R Tri-band handheld radio setup.  I also have a Baofeng UV-82 8 watt radio as well. I’m hoping these will be good for me as a beginner.  I need to get programming software for the Baofeng and programming software and a cable for the Yaesu.  I’m really lost here, but I will tinker with listening only on the radios if i can figure out how to do that, and keep studying for my license.

Edited Friday at 10:10 PM by Defender

[TripleGGG]

Chirp is what most use to program Baofeng, I use RT Systems for all my radios.

[Thearmededucator]

I’m a tech of the check the prepper box variety, but this is what I’ve found:
 

Ham Radio Crash Course is a great resource and has like minded people. It has a YouTube channel and a discord server. 
 

Chirp takes some getting used to, but the ability to clone the radios is great. 
 

I have some UV5Rs and a Yeasu 7250 as a mobile unit. 
 

Repeaterbook and QZR are good references for finding local repeaters and emergency frequencies to program into the radio. 
 

As a rule Better antennas have a better bang per buck than better radios 

One of the biggest fallacies preparedness aligned people have with radio is we focus on getting the gear, but lack the people to talk to

[TripleGGG]

29 minutes ago, Thearmededucator said:

I’m a tech of the check the prepper box variety, but this is what I’ve found:
 

Ham Radio Crash Course is a great resource and has like minded people. It has a YouTube channel and a discord server. 
 

Chirp takes some getting used to, but the ability to clone the radios is great. 
 

I have some UV5Rs and a Yeasu 7250 as a mobile unit. 
 

Repeaterbook and QZR are good references for finding local repeaters and emergency frequencies to program into the radio. 
 

As a rule Better antennas have a better bang per buck than better radios 

One of the biggest fallacies preparedness aligned people have with radio is we focus on getting the gear, but lack the people to talk to

Everything starts with a great antenna. Best radio in the world will never overcome a bad antenna. Most get caught up overthinking Antennas. Simple can be better.  

Walt's YouTube channel is one of the best about antennas and getting on the air. He keeps it simple and doesn't get all up in the hype. I've made more antennas since watching his channel than ever before. 

https://youtube.com/@coastalwaveswires?si=MgtCE9zHJU2J7k4_