Join the Fun on Amateur Radio
Info about Amateur Radio - updated 2022-03-01
Join the Fun on Amateur Radio
If you’re not yet licensed as an Amateur Radio Operator, and would like to join the fun by literally having a license to experiment with radio technology, here are some pointers:
Ham Radio for Dummies by Ward Silver N0AX is a great overview of Amateur Radio. N0AX is a gifted writer and HRFD is now in its 4th edition. HRFD is my standard gift to a prospective Amateur Radio Operator.
My two favorite YouTube channels for a good overview of Amateur Radio are AmateurLogic.TV. and Ham Nation (part of Ham Radio Crash Course). These folks just seem to have so much fun!
Radio Amateur Training Planning and Activities Committee (RATPAC) offers weekly presentations on general Amateur Radio topics (Wednesdays) and emergency communications in Amateur Radio (Thursdays).
Dan Romanchik KB6NU offers a free No-Nonsense Study Guide for the Technician test (PDF).
HamExam.org Amateur Radio Practice Exams offers good Flash Card and Practice Exams.
When you’re ready to take an Amateur Radio examination (Tech, General, or Extra), W1MX - The MIT Amateur Radio Society offers remote exams, free for students and youngsters. There are apparently many other remote exam options.
Bonus - with an Amateur Radio license, you’ll be more attractive on dates 😀
Thanks for reading!
Steve Stroh N8GNJ (He / Him)
These bits were handcrafted in beautiful (but could be sunnier…) Bellingham, Washington, USA
Updated 2022-03-01
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Portions Copyright © 2021-2022 by Steven K. Stroh.
Blanket permission granted for TAPR to use any Steve Stroh content for the TAPR Packet Status Register (PSR) newsletter (I owe them from way back).
Remote testing is good for when there is no other alternative, but going to a local club’s VE testing has the advantage of actually meeting people from the ham radio community. This might be your first step in joining a club. Ham radio - depending on which one of the thousand hobbies that make up ham radio you pick - may have a steep learning curve, so getting to know people who can answer questions and lend a hand for challenging projects is a good thing. You can find in-person testing on the ARRL web site https://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session and in HamStudy.org (also a great site to study for the test). Don’t forget that local clubs often have license classes as well (I teach the Technician class in Rochester, NY at Rochesterham.org)
de K5KHK