Ham Radio - 3 Tips for the new Ham

You’ve got your ticket from the FCC telling you that you are now a Licensed Amateur Radio Operator. But are you a HAM? Here’s 3 tips to help you move from one to the other…

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00::45 Congrats on your ticket – but
01:22 Tip 1 – Take it slow
02:20 Tip 2 – Know your Limits
04:30 Tip 3 – Don’t Give Up
05:45 Summary – Wrapping it up
06:57 End Notes

[haldensickles]

Great comparison to getting licensed to drive and getting your ham radio license. I never thought about it that way.

[johnfloy]

Excellent advice Tom, KI5TKD new ham here

[plato]

Keep it simple stupid. I wish I followed that idea. I bought a used radio (FT847 shack in a box) from a well known shop and by the time I got my antenna set up I had bought a second radio, the 891 that I took out on a club camping event.. The 891 worked great but showed me that my used radio had something seriously wrong with it and that it wasn't user error that caused the problems. It was now well past the chance to complain to the seller or return it. When A-B ing the two radios I found that the strongest signal on the new radio was barely audible over the noise floor on the used radio. There was a definite problem. Mind you I found a great repair shop, in Texas. They got it all sorted out for $$135 but with all shipping it cost $270. Perhaps I should have simply bought a new radio in the first place. Sometimes a bargain isn't a bargain.
Now I'm forging ahead to mobile HF. What a clusterf*ck that is. Getting the SWR down and getting a screwdriver antenna dialed in. Whoa! Not for the faint hearted. I'm faced with the dilemma of possibly having to need to drill a ball mount into a 2yo vehicle because all evidence seems to show that gives the best ground. I'm going to continue experimenting before doing that.
Yeah, keep it simple. When you get bored then branch out. Not before.

[paulhastings]

been off radioing for over 20 plus years. the technology is over welling. I need a a butterfly net.
the radios are computers with a radio. Just keep watching Youtube
Thank you de KQ4CD

[Bobu]

Tip 4: Don't let 'experienced' hams pressure you to buy stuff from them without testing it first.