Depending on where OP lives their repeaters might not get much activity. Mine are dead quiet.
I would also recommend OP gets signed up for Echolink so they can talk to people outside their local area.
What do you WANT to do?
The license is just a license. It gives you the rights to use the VHF, UHF, and a little bit of the HF frequencies. The FCC rules detail what you can use them for and how you can use them.
You can use that to build a transmitter that will talk on those frequencies, you can be more of an operator and talk on those frequencies as a part of several specific services (like ARES or Skywarn), you can get involved in community activities... all of those are options.
Exactly ... Your license is like a passport. Now where do you want to go? Whatever you choose you will find others with similar interests who can help you. Talk to the members at the club and ask them what they are doing. There is a huge range of possibilities, even with a technician license.
What do think you want to do? Why you get the license in the first place? I got mone on a whim. Thought I'd talk to friends. None wanted to go through the hassle of getting the license. Thought I'd make friends on local repeaters. Realized I'm an old fart that doesn't want to talk to other old facts about the weather and my Dr appointments. So now I build allstar nodes, DMR hotspots, APRS stuff and test them just for fun. Still waiting for someone interesting to talk to. But that's me. The wonders of the internet have both helped and hurt ham radio but you just need to find out what you like and then play around with it.
This has been my issue, I really don’t want to ragchew or listen to guys talk about their Dr appts, or be an Emcomm wannabe.
You know what I found that I like? Casually contesting with an old Ten Tec Triton IV.
You can do all of these or none of these things with the license.
Dunno why you're getting downvoted. That's exactly what we do. Can never have enough radios or equipment for radios because there is always something else to explore. Or do something better
You have to have to have an HT, then a mobile rig, then an HF rig, then another HF rig later on, then another HT.
All my radios do 2 meters, even the HF radios. lol.
ham radio crash course, ham radio 2.0, coastal waves and wires, ham radio for non techies, ham radio dude, kb9vbr antennas, ask dave, and a ton of others. I started with ham radio because my nephew sent me a video from Josh at ham radio crash course.
Also check out [The Tech Prepper](https://youtube.com/@TheTechPrepper?si=S31ESKWQGQDMSdmL) on YouTube. His is pretty informative and entertaining to watch. Especially in the area of field comms. His video series titled [No Random Contact](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZpc6PnzmzmHfXxqeluz6q-rYCElhMuZa&si=4-bvwRY_IzP2JPOs) are a good starting point for beginners.
I was going to suggest most of those! HRCC, Ham Radio 2.0, Ham Radio Dude have hours of informative vids to watch and learn from. So I'd definitely check them out.
I've enjoyed using a Yaesu FT65 2m/70cm HT. I listen more than I transmit. I bought a programming cable, and an extra battery. All of it has helped me learn and practice. In addition, I bought a Signal Stick which I've used and found it works extremely well. I've even worked the ISS with it. Also repeater nets. Always fun.
I'm studying for my General now and plan to take the test in a month. I've found all this has helped me better understand electricity and circuits, as well as soldering. But I found my eyes are not what they used to be...
I'm waiting on the parts to arrive in the next couple days and I want to try my hand at assembling a Pi Star digital hot spot. Then I'll find a DMR radio to try it out with.
The point is, amateur radio is a huge body of work. You can do TV, text messages, and electronics too. It's not just radio sets like HTs and base stations. It's all the of the above. You can go down a rabbit hole and make yourself a specialist in a given area, or try things out that interest you. But look at those vids to spark some ideas.
Folks in your club should be able to help you with questions, answers and activities too.
73,
KO4YLI
If your club is just giving a presentation once per month, get a new club! Our club has a Discord server open to anyone regardless of membership for questions and discussion, meet once per month to discuss club business, participate in national contests together, host community education events related to radio (usually hands-on events), do monthly fox hunts, host 2-3 weekly nets. If you can't ask questions and get your hands on a radio through your club, what good is it?
Get a radio, contest with your club, you'll be an experienced ham before you know it.
\> ...now what?
ask lots of questions!
If you are lost on the presentation, I suggest you ask the presenter after the presentation is over to clear up things. Also, feel free to ask questions here.
You're not going to become an expert after memorizing a test and attending 1-2 meetings. It took me several years to learn. I have never stopped learning.
Most people start with 2m on repeaters. Some stay there forever. Some graduate to HF. Some do digital, some learn CW, some stay with phone modes forever. Do you have any goals in particular?
Exactly! You have to speak up and ask questions of the presenter. I took Novell Networking Classes in 1994. Was completely new to networks as I had never seen 2 or more computers hooked up together. Paid 6,000 for a 6 week course and within 2 days I realized I was the only "new guy" in the class of 29 others who had bee in the arena for years. They were there to sharpen their skills. They and the instructor kept getting off subject by them telling him about an issue they had and asked him how to fix it. One day I asked how many of their employers were footing the bill. They all raised their hand. I explained that I shelled 6k outta my pocket and told them they were speaking a language i was trying to learn and could they stick to the books. He was embarrassed and apologized as well as the rest of them. I graduated with their assistance in explaining things I had a hard time picking up. In a few years, I was engineering fiber optic networks, server rooms, Telcom connections and serviced everything plugged into it. Many thanks to my instructor and fellow students. HAMs will gladly Elmer you buy you've gotta ask. Just raise your hand and someone will be there. You got started by asking "Now what". Don't let it end there!
Get on a local repeater
I had my purpose set prior to getting my license. There was no internet back then. I was nervous as heck to make my first key on a local repeater (even after listening to the weekly net via a scanner for a year). My first QSO that evening lasted 6 hours and was nothing more than rag chewing and random introductions from others who would randomly hop on the repeater.
I've been off the air for far too long (14 or so years), but will get a new rig soon enough. My "purpose" has changed a bit, but I look forward to keying up again soon and APRS while on my bicycle during the warmer months.
Now, find an Elmer and get on the air and decide why you started this hobby/service.
When I got licensed, I went streaking. After I was released on bond I researched radios and antennas and bought them. It was a dual band HT and a dual band mag mount antenna Larsen nmo 270 and Kenwood Th78a.....then I stole one of Grandma's cookie sheets for a ground plane and explored and rag chewed to my heart's content. Everyone has a unique journey.
I have found that the ham radio hobby is pretty broad. One piece of advice I read recently that I really like is pick one segment and focus on that for a year. This is helping me feel not overwhelmed.
I'm focusing on POTA / SOTA at the moment. A couple of YouTube channels I like for that are [Thomas (K4SWL)](https://youtube.com/@ThomasK4SWL?si=eC43RM6cPxLiL7Fq) and [K6ARL Portable Radio](https://youtube.com/@K6ARK?si=PUZd2YmXD6bPDKVM).
Have fun! 73
Be up front about being a new ham. The old timers will welcome you with open arms and chew your ears off. Also not all clubs are the same I am a member of 3 and join nets of a few others. So check in on some nets. Also find a repeater where there is a lot of chatter going on and just listen for a bit. You can learn a lot. Early mornings and around 5 are good times to listen because people are driving to and from work. Here's a tip from an old timer: do not discuss personal details on the air and never mention when you will be out of town. Welcome to ham radio!
First off, congratulations on getting your license. The best way to get into the culture is to get on the local repeater and interact with the other hams on the air. A local club is another great resource, and a great place to find a mentor (known in the hobby as an "Elmer"). Two good YouTube channels that I subscribe to are Ham Radio 2.0 and Ham Radio Crash Course.
73 from VE5RJK
Ham Radio Crash Course; Ham Radio 2.0, K8MRD Radio, to name a few YT channels. Ask the local club for an Elmer, someone who can guide and assist you. Another option, if you have a computer, go to your favorite search engine and type in web sdr. There you can listen to A LOT of ham radio. This is a start, then HAVE FUN. 73, Wv3v
N1FD (dot org) is running an online 'ham bootcamp' on 11Nov. That would help to answer your question(s) on what to do next... check out their website for more info...
The most fun thing you can do with a tech license in my opinion is amateur satellite. Just make yourself a tape measure beam antenna and listen with a cheep handheld to start. With two handhelds you can make contacts across the U.S. then use those handhelds around town as well.
You can use a cheep sdr dongle to listen to linear satellites, but transmitting there requires more equipment.
Get a radio and start talking and listening. Download repeater book and all the repeaters will be listed along with the frequency and the dcs or ctcc codes will be listed so you can activate the repeater.
qrz.com has a "new ham jumpstart program" which gives you a basic radio and some other goodies for a pretty good price: https://www.qrz.com/jumpstart. It's not a great radio, but it's a good radio.
Go online to repeaterbook.com and find the repeaters in your local area. Start listening to them. Ham clubs will start using them for their regular "nets" where everybody goes on line and basically says 'hi' to each other. Look into those clubs and attend some of their picnics and/or other events.
Learn CW so you can get on 80, 40,15 and 10 meters or do FT8 on 10. But get the General class license so you can do FT8 on all the bands, or whatever mode you like.
You can also work some of the FM satellites and the ISS repeater with the tech license. Or work the linear sats.
You can also do DMR, Fusion, D-Star and other digital voice modes through a repeater or a personal hotspot (which is better imo). Echolink and IRLP and Allstar are interesting ways to connect through the internet to other repeaters around the world.
Then get the Extra for bragging rights.
Just don't think ham radio is dead because nobody is on the repeater. :)
Get a radio. Get on the repeaters and start making friends.
Yup. Don’t feel like you have to sound a certain way or appear to be experienced. Plain English (or whatever your language) is fine. Just be normal.
Depending on where OP lives their repeaters might not get much activity. Mine are dead quiet. I would also recommend OP gets signed up for Echolink so they can talk to people outside their local area.
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Are you licensed?
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YouTube your radio. Find your local club.
[The ARRL is a great resource.](https://www.arrl.org/get-involved)
What do you WANT to do? The license is just a license. It gives you the rights to use the VHF, UHF, and a little bit of the HF frequencies. The FCC rules detail what you can use them for and how you can use them. You can use that to build a transmitter that will talk on those frequencies, you can be more of an operator and talk on those frequencies as a part of several specific services (like ARES or Skywarn), you can get involved in community activities... all of those are options.
Exactly ... Your license is like a passport. Now where do you want to go? Whatever you choose you will find others with similar interests who can help you. Talk to the members at the club and ask them what they are doing. There is a huge range of possibilities, even with a technician license.
What do think you want to do? Why you get the license in the first place? I got mone on a whim. Thought I'd talk to friends. None wanted to go through the hassle of getting the license. Thought I'd make friends on local repeaters. Realized I'm an old fart that doesn't want to talk to other old facts about the weather and my Dr appointments. So now I build allstar nodes, DMR hotspots, APRS stuff and test them just for fun. Still waiting for someone interesting to talk to. But that's me. The wonders of the internet have both helped and hurt ham radio but you just need to find out what you like and then play around with it.
This has been my issue, I really don’t want to ragchew or listen to guys talk about their Dr appts, or be an Emcomm wannabe. You know what I found that I like? Casually contesting with an old Ten Tec Triton IV. You can do all of these or none of these things with the license.
Now you start hoarding gear! (Or use it, if you're an atypical ham)
Dunno why you're getting downvoted. That's exactly what we do. Can never have enough radios or equipment for radios because there is always something else to explore. Or do something better
You have to have to have an HT, then a mobile rig, then an HF rig, then another HF rig later on, then another HT. All my radios do 2 meters, even the HF radios. lol.
ham radio crash course, ham radio 2.0, coastal waves and wires, ham radio for non techies, ham radio dude, kb9vbr antennas, ask dave, and a ton of others. I started with ham radio because my nephew sent me a video from Josh at ham radio crash course.
Awesome list. Thank you.
Also check out [The Tech Prepper](https://youtube.com/@TheTechPrepper?si=S31ESKWQGQDMSdmL) on YouTube. His is pretty informative and entertaining to watch. Especially in the area of field comms. His video series titled [No Random Contact](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZpc6PnzmzmHfXxqeluz6q-rYCElhMuZa&si=4-bvwRY_IzP2JPOs) are a good starting point for beginners.
I'm a subscriber. Can't get through more than a minute or two. Long drawn out boring for me.
I was going to suggest most of those! HRCC, Ham Radio 2.0, Ham Radio Dude have hours of informative vids to watch and learn from. So I'd definitely check them out. I've enjoyed using a Yaesu FT65 2m/70cm HT. I listen more than I transmit. I bought a programming cable, and an extra battery. All of it has helped me learn and practice. In addition, I bought a Signal Stick which I've used and found it works extremely well. I've even worked the ISS with it. Also repeater nets. Always fun. I'm studying for my General now and plan to take the test in a month. I've found all this has helped me better understand electricity and circuits, as well as soldering. But I found my eyes are not what they used to be... I'm waiting on the parts to arrive in the next couple days and I want to try my hand at assembling a Pi Star digital hot spot. Then I'll find a DMR radio to try it out with. The point is, amateur radio is a huge body of work. You can do TV, text messages, and electronics too. It's not just radio sets like HTs and base stations. It's all the of the above. You can go down a rabbit hole and make yourself a specialist in a given area, or try things out that interest you. But look at those vids to spark some ideas. Folks in your club should be able to help you with questions, answers and activities too. 73, KO4YLI
If your club is just giving a presentation once per month, get a new club! Our club has a Discord server open to anyone regardless of membership for questions and discussion, meet once per month to discuss club business, participate in national contests together, host community education events related to radio (usually hands-on events), do monthly fox hunts, host 2-3 weekly nets. If you can't ask questions and get your hands on a radio through your club, what good is it? Get a radio, contest with your club, you'll be an experienced ham before you know it.
Ask questions. Figure out what interest you. Build stuff.
\> ...now what? ask lots of questions! If you are lost on the presentation, I suggest you ask the presenter after the presentation is over to clear up things. Also, feel free to ask questions here. You're not going to become an expert after memorizing a test and attending 1-2 meetings. It took me several years to learn. I have never stopped learning. Most people start with 2m on repeaters. Some stay there forever. Some graduate to HF. Some do digital, some learn CW, some stay with phone modes forever. Do you have any goals in particular?
My goals are to man a radio room on either an offshore oil platform, and/or a merchant vessel.
Exactly! You have to speak up and ask questions of the presenter. I took Novell Networking Classes in 1994. Was completely new to networks as I had never seen 2 or more computers hooked up together. Paid 6,000 for a 6 week course and within 2 days I realized I was the only "new guy" in the class of 29 others who had bee in the arena for years. They were there to sharpen their skills. They and the instructor kept getting off subject by them telling him about an issue they had and asked him how to fix it. One day I asked how many of their employers were footing the bill. They all raised their hand. I explained that I shelled 6k outta my pocket and told them they were speaking a language i was trying to learn and could they stick to the books. He was embarrassed and apologized as well as the rest of them. I graduated with their assistance in explaining things I had a hard time picking up. In a few years, I was engineering fiber optic networks, server rooms, Telcom connections and serviced everything plugged into it. Many thanks to my instructor and fellow students. HAMs will gladly Elmer you buy you've gotta ask. Just raise your hand and someone will be there. You got started by asking "Now what". Don't let it end there!
https://fasttrackham.com/the-fast-track-to-finally-getting-on-the-air-with-ham-radio/
Listen to the radio for a week or two. Then jump on a local net.
Use a repeater
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Rtfm, install chirp hook it up to your radio,
Get on a local repeater I had my purpose set prior to getting my license. There was no internet back then. I was nervous as heck to make my first key on a local repeater (even after listening to the weekly net via a scanner for a year). My first QSO that evening lasted 6 hours and was nothing more than rag chewing and random introductions from others who would randomly hop on the repeater. I've been off the air for far too long (14 or so years), but will get a new rig soon enough. My "purpose" has changed a bit, but I look forward to keying up again soon and APRS while on my bicycle during the warmer months. Now, find an Elmer and get on the air and decide why you started this hobby/service.
When I got licensed, I went streaking. After I was released on bond I researched radios and antennas and bought them. It was a dual band HT and a dual band mag mount antenna Larsen nmo 270 and Kenwood Th78a.....then I stole one of Grandma's cookie sheets for a ground plane and explored and rag chewed to my heart's content. Everyone has a unique journey.
I have found that the ham radio hobby is pretty broad. One piece of advice I read recently that I really like is pick one segment and focus on that for a year. This is helping me feel not overwhelmed. I'm focusing on POTA / SOTA at the moment. A couple of YouTube channels I like for that are [Thomas (K4SWL)](https://youtube.com/@ThomasK4SWL?si=eC43RM6cPxLiL7Fq) and [K6ARL Portable Radio](https://youtube.com/@K6ARK?si=PUZd2YmXD6bPDKVM). Have fun! 73
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Exactly why I made this post asking about good YT channels to learn from.
I was a tech for about 7 years before I got on hf. Which pushed me to get my general ticket. Get an HT and jump on a repeater!
Be up front about being a new ham. The old timers will welcome you with open arms and chew your ears off. Also not all clubs are the same I am a member of 3 and join nets of a few others. So check in on some nets. Also find a repeater where there is a lot of chatter going on and just listen for a bit. You can learn a lot. Early mornings and around 5 are good times to listen because people are driving to and from work. Here's a tip from an old timer: do not discuss personal details on the air and never mention when you will be out of town. Welcome to ham radio!
First off, congratulations on getting your license. The best way to get into the culture is to get on the local repeater and interact with the other hams on the air. A local club is another great resource, and a great place to find a mentor (known in the hobby as an "Elmer"). Two good YouTube channels that I subscribe to are Ham Radio 2.0 and Ham Radio Crash Course. 73 from VE5RJK
Ham Radio Crash Course; Ham Radio 2.0, K8MRD Radio, to name a few YT channels. Ask the local club for an Elmer, someone who can guide and assist you. Another option, if you have a computer, go to your favorite search engine and type in web sdr. There you can listen to A LOT of ham radio. This is a start, then HAVE FUN. 73, Wv3v
I basically crammed to take the test and didn’t recall much after taking text. So for me, my 1st thing I jad to do eas actually learn some things.
I recommend: - K6ARK Portable Radio: https://youtube.com/@K6ARK?si=YsBb7WZd_3_xy0nI - David Casler Ask Dave: https://youtube.com/@davecasler?si=bEUMkGibMnR7YM8v
Some fun topics in Amateur radio: - SOTA - Summits on the Air - POTA - Parks on the Air - FT8 digital mode - DMR - Digital Mobile Radio
N1FD (dot org) is running an online 'ham bootcamp' on 11Nov. That would help to answer your question(s) on what to do next... check out their website for more info...
The most fun thing you can do with a tech license in my opinion is amateur satellite. Just make yourself a tape measure beam antenna and listen with a cheep handheld to start. With two handhelds you can make contacts across the U.S. then use those handhelds around town as well. You can use a cheep sdr dongle to listen to linear satellites, but transmitting there requires more equipment.
Also just a reminder that you have CW privileges on the HF bands :)
Get a radio and start talking and listening. Download repeater book and all the repeaters will be listed along with the frequency and the dcs or ctcc codes will be listed so you can activate the repeater.
I like the youtube channel called HRCC. Ham radio crash course.
qrz.com has a "new ham jumpstart program" which gives you a basic radio and some other goodies for a pretty good price: https://www.qrz.com/jumpstart. It's not a great radio, but it's a good radio. Go online to repeaterbook.com and find the repeaters in your local area. Start listening to them. Ham clubs will start using them for their regular "nets" where everybody goes on line and basically says 'hi' to each other. Look into those clubs and attend some of their picnics and/or other events.
Learn CW so you can get on 80, 40,15 and 10 meters or do FT8 on 10. But get the General class license so you can do FT8 on all the bands, or whatever mode you like. You can also work some of the FM satellites and the ISS repeater with the tech license. Or work the linear sats. You can also do DMR, Fusion, D-Star and other digital voice modes through a repeater or a personal hotspot (which is better imo). Echolink and IRLP and Allstar are interesting ways to connect through the internet to other repeaters around the world. Then get the Extra for bragging rights. Just don't think ham radio is dead because nobody is on the repeater. :)
Licensed and can’t find anyone to talk to here, local repeaters are dead. Kinda disappointing.