Top 5 Mistakes New Hams Make - Ham Radio
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- Опубликовано: 26 июл 2024
- Just a short video where I talk about some of the mistakes that new Hams may make when starting out in Ham Radio. Share yours below...
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TheSmokinApe Развлечения
I'm a new ham looking for guidance. Your sober, common-sense advice is a great sign that I've come to the right place.
Welcome aboard! Thanks for the comment Matt!
I to am a ham noob and bought the RTL-SDR to get my feet wet. So far I am enjoying the hobby and refer to your videos quite extensively.
For real.
Ants are famous in the world of biology for using pheromones to warn other ants about danger or guide them to food
I’ve been involved in several serious hobbies of the years and this is great advice for any hobby
Yeah, it's pretty straightforward common sense stuff but it's easy to get caught up in the excitement. Thanks for the comment Randy 👍
I'm a senior now but had tech no code for twenty years and let them expire. Tried to renew them a few times but apparently I wasn't doing something right. Medical profession says I have stage four bone cancer, prostate cancer and lymph node cancer but I would still like to get my license back. Being bed bound makes for some long days with nobody to chat with...lol
@@boskans7800 I am so sorry to hear that. I’m sure it would be nice to visit with people like you said. Prays for you and your family.
Great video. I have had my ham license since 2019 and never really did anything with it. I was one of those who wanted to get into the hobby but family and circumstances came first. I have stuck with it since getting my technician in 2019 and have now studied and operated with a local club. As of october of last year I was able to upgrade to general, and just this past march 17th I tested and upgraded to extra. I fully agree with the fact that you never stop learning. I am working with my local club to learn more about tube radio and amps, and how to fun and repair them. I am also learning from our repeater trustee on how to maintain those and keep them running. The more you raise your hand and want to learn, the more fun you will have in the hobby. There is nothing like your first DX contact in non-ideal connections with a barefoot setup and getting a confirmed QSO.
73s to all
Ryan - W8PNP
That's awesome that you stuck with it, sounds like you are having a good time. Thanks for the comment Ryan!
My $40 TYT HT radio is hitting the club repeater, I have no idea how I sound, but I hear everyone and the net controller hears me, so I am slow rolling my upgrade. I am going to purchase a mobile rig next, starting with an antenna. I hope it improves the HT tx while I save up for the radio. I am enjoying the hobby so far and truly appreciate RUclips for the sharing of tribal knowledge. Thank you for creating this video.
Thank for checking out the video Christin
Great advice-for all hams-new or old. The grumpy and or know it all types caused me to walk away from the hobby for years. And they were the ones wondering why there were fewer new hams! Keep it up- 73 AA7MO-Mike
Thanks for the feedback Mike, glad you liked the video 👍
Love your channel bro! I'm a relatively new Ham, I got my Tech back in April and my General in October...The thing that sets your channel apart from the rest is your not constantly pushing new gear, your videos are educational and that is what is needed..
Thanks man, that's the exact vibe I am going for!
I'm one of those guys that took the tech and general at the same time. My reason is the repeaters in my area aren't very active. So I'm on HF, but I know I don't know jack about the stuff that most technicians get into. Know what you don't know can be part of that keep learning part.
For sure, welcome to the hobby and thanks for the comment Gregory 👍
Just an FYI. DO NOT USE "BREAK BREAK" unless you have an emergency! According to the ARRL, "break break" is only to be used to interrupt a conversion with a priority or emergency message. If you want to get into a conversation it is good practice to simply throw out your call sign. Never say "BREAK BREAK" to get into a conversation.
Good point
@@TheSmokinApe I hope I didn't come over disrespectful. I love watching your videos. Just had to correct that. I am running a local traffic net here in Broward and I had an incident where a station tried to get my attention by using break break. I literally stopped the net and went into emergency mode only to find out the station was unaware of the real meaning of break break and only tried to check in.
@@CharlieArtner not at all, you make a good point that should be noted 👍
@@CharlieArtner The term "contact" or "your call sign" between transmissions is what I've seen most often...
Isnt the proper term CQ CQ instead or wait your turn before sounding off?
New expensive gear is nice, but, always a but, the more a rig costs, the more complicated it is! This is why my 12 year old step son always had to program the VCR back in the day! Even a "simple" UV5R is daunting to a new ham, imagine facing the menu system on a modern SDR transceiver if you have no real knowledge of digital modes, even the different "flavors of Morse keys could stump new boy or girl. Remember the KISS Principal (Keep It Simple Stupid), get the basics right and then with a sound knowledge base, move on up to more versatile gear, There is no fun sitting in front of 3 grands worth of kit and not know how to switch the darn thing on! 73 Jim M7BXT
I have noticed that Yaesu radios are a lot easier to program than the baofengs. I'm sure Kenwoods and Icoms do as well, though I have never owned one. If there are any noobs out there that struggle to program baofengs, Don't worry, it gets easier as you go along.
Haha, Baofeng's can make you sweat! Yeasus are much easier... Thanks for the comment.
I've had to use radios for over 25 years in a couple of jobs, never as a hobby. I do like to follow this hobby though and I have a shortwave radio to listen to you operators from time to time.
All of these things you mentioned concerning transmitting and receiving are very important. It's really the ESSENCE of radio operation.
Send or receive the required information and know if you need to reply or wait for a reply(aside from an acknowledgment). Done.(and have pen and paper at hand all the time)
Know what you have to say before you key up. And have your ears ready to hear the message the first time.
Thanks for the comment Darkstar 👍
One of your best videos, Ape - excellent summary for new and seasoned veterans, alike. Thanks for taking the time to put these tips together - much appreciated. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thanks Scott, glad you liked it 👍
This was a great topic to talk about. I got my Technician in 2019 and just upgraded to General last month. My experience with the amateur radio community has been a great and educational experience. The guy who introduced me to amateur radio has been doing it since 1963, and he’s one of the most humble and enthusiastic person I know. I’ve seen the Elmers in the area really take a lot of people under their wing and teach new operators when ever they can. I thought you were dead on about purchasing equipment, and getting to use the radio prior to making the purchase will save you money and headaches later on. Thanks again!
Thanks Walter, sounds like you were able to hook up with a great group of hams!
Don't chase DX with ever increasing power - learn to use the antenna force and all will be well young Skywalker :-).
Great point, thanks for checking in John!
I've an EFHW in a tree outside my apartment window. I'm also DXCC #68,350. I also have 1500 watts of power when I need or want to use it. I can buy and use expensive equipment, what I cannot do is erect a large antenna structure and slap a big set of stacked beams on it. Your advice is, put simply, ill informed at best.
Really enjoyed your video I am not a new ham as have held an advanced license for 30 years. I have taught over 300 in the last 12 years to get a license thru our local community college. I am going to include these thoughts when I start my next class(right now classes are canceled due to covid. Keep up the video's Joe WX7XX Wood River Amateur radio
Awesome man, thanks for watching Joe 👍
I love fish sticks. We call them fish fingers here in the UK. Your advice on not being "set and forget" and also just making a decision and not procrastinating is good and something I should take note of.
Yeah, I’ve been to the UK and the Fried Fish is pretty good. Here in the states fish sticks ain’t so good. Thanks for watching John 👍
I'm a brand new UK foundation license holder. I did loads of reading before buying anything and settled on a Retevis RT3S & MMDVM Hotspot which I built on an old Pi 3B+ to get me started. All in, the cost was less than £100 and I have Worldwide Comms. I don't have the possibility for HF antennas so DMR has been a Godsend. I just love the hobby... the respect that is shown to others is what makes me smile most. Such a good bunch of helpful and knowledgeable people in Ham Radio World. Great video Ape, some very useful info in there!
Regardless of my call sign I've been into radio a long time and all I can say is welcome to the big boys radio 👍i.ll hopefully will be sitting for my next licence this year all being well covid and all that.
It's a great hobby but the internet is the internet nothing more, if it goes down so does your signal. so many hams get so excited saying I spoke to someone in the USA, or Australia today, come on its the internet,
@@brian.7966 I have pretty reliable internet so for me it's great. YMMV
@@brian.7966 It's also more than just internet. Getting a £65 handheld to connect to Yaesu, Dstar, DMR, TGIF Prime, DMR+, XLX Reflectors, sending SMS messages over APRS etc.. All neatly programmed into a tidy codeplug.. That is quite satisfying, internet based or not and it opens the hobby up to me in ways that analog can not. Again, YMMV.
True, good advice. There is always something new to learn, even the old stuff. It kind of keeps that kid alive in you. I'm about 70 and everything still excites me as though I was still 16. Fish sticks and crackers ... funny you should say that, story of me life mate.
Exactly, thanks for watching Charles.
Man, I wish I had watched this video earlier this year... to be technical I currently own seven radios.... one of which I actually currently use! You hit a lot of important angles that only experience teaches you, really good talk here! Much of this advice applies to a lot of other things in life! You should be a hundred years older, sitting on a tall mountain, smoking a hookah and waiting for noobs like me to climb the mountain!
LOL! Glad you liked the video DeWayne, thanks for checking it out!
I really enjoy your presentation style. Keep up the good work!
Thanks Arthur, glad you like it 👍
I haven't started into ham yet, but great advice! I think you could apply the same advise to many hobbies. Especially, for those that know enough to help others. Be pleasant, helpful, and promote what you do. What good is a hobby (especially one revolved around communication) if you don't have others to enjoy it with. Thank you for taking the time to create this great content.
Yeah, it's mostly just common sense stuff but it's easy to get caught up in the excitement. Thanks for watching Andrew 👍
Best advice I can give. Is join a club. I've been a HAM since 2016, and I've been a member of a Ham Radio club since I became a HAM. I've learned a lot, and I'm still learning. If you want a hobby where every thing is working right, right out of the box, Ham isn't it.
Thats awesome James, thanks for sharing 👍
Great job! All hams new and old will appreciate it. Adding another point and I cover this on my QRZ page, if you get bored with ham radio try something new in the hobby. I've know guys that all they ever did was contest and that was the only time they turned on their radio. Finally when they got 5 band DXCC and have contacted every DX entity, in every mode, on Tuesday afternoon or whatever they end up quitting the hobby out of boardum. So sad that this all they see ham radio is good for. It's a hobby. Relax and enjoy all of it !
Lastly I love your final point. DON'T BE A GRUMP! I run across way too many bitchy, crabby hams that end up scaring new young hams away. Smile! Everyday above ground is a good day because one day you'll be looking up at the roots of the grass!
73,
K9AT
Great post! Thanks for watching David!
I’ve been watching so many videos “geared” towards newbies and yours by far have been a pleasure to watch and learn. Strait to the point and open minded. No “it’s my way or it’s wrong!” No off topic fluff! Watched one we’re he went in for almost 10min about his weight gain 🤦🏻♂️ needless to say he lost me quick. Keep up the informative and well produced videos. And BTW, of all the vids I’ve endured, you’re the only one that I’ve subscribed to. 👍🏻👍🏻
Thanks racrx7, glad you like them 👍
Awesome episode, just some basic down to earth guidance and recommendations. Keep up the great work/content.
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching Jose!
I had a few criteria that had to be met before I bought my first radio, space, cost and functionality, which is why I chose the Yaesu FT991A, it's basically a "shack in a box", reasonably priced and does it all.
That is a pretty sweet radio, thanks for the comment Rob!
I agree with your points, here. And the phrases "Be nice & always stay open to learning more" are two that I really agree with. I have been a Tech for 20 years and still have fun with it, but until now was never really interested in long range HF. (To much money, equipment and antenna, etc...) So now I may try for my General license. And being nice is always good, because the person your chatting with, may be a jerk. But its the new and young Hams, that are monitoring the same conversations, we must consider. We don't want classy Ham Radio to become trash talking CB!
P.S. And I like a hard copy reference book. But can't lay my hands on my old Tech guide. It might have gotten lost in my prior life?
Thanks for the comment Chris! I just don't get why some folks choose to be grumpy.
Great video. Sage advice. Continue learning is a big part of any hobby.
Thanks for the comment Marvin 👍
Great tips. Number 5 is my favorite of the bunch. Gotta keep learning!
Thanks Jason, appreciate the comment 👍
Excellent video. I appreciate the clear information presented in a calm thoughtfull way. No noise and hype.
Thanks Albert, glad you liked it 👍
Thanks! I'm taking my Tech exam in a couple weeks. Your style and info calmed me down a bit. I'm taking a deep breath, crossing my fingers and aiming-to-pass.
Good luck with it 👍
Great video with good advises. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Well presented, articulate, and informative. Thank you.
Thanks, glad you liked it!
Really like your honest down to earth style! Great for me a newbie. 73’s
Thanks Alan, glad you liked it 👍
New radio enthusiast here. I have a gmrs license and a baofeng 5rm. I’m still teaching myself how to adjust the settings and program it correctly, with the information provided by repeater stations online info. I’m still finding new questions a month later, because some terminology is used and some is not, based on the spreadsheet on chirp. So when I think I’ve got an idea, I find more
Information that I didn’t know existed. It’s hurting my brain, but I will get my licenses and all necessary equipment for hf/vhf/uhf communications.
I’m not sure what is driving me to join this community, but i was really excited in the first couple conversations that cam in on a local repeater this afternoon.
The topics were antennas, masts, electronics components, traffic, radio contacts we’ve made while on vacation, and people met at ham fest…nerds.
Well welcome to the hobby. Things that seem complex at first become simple with time, we all faced the same challenges when we started out...
Very informative, realistic, helpful video! Thanks for your work. Well done and much appreciated!
Thanks Tim, glad you liked it 👍
Fantastic content man. Wish this was around when I was a new ham.
Keep on being awesome man.
Also.... Team replay for the win!
Thanks NoCode, glad you liked it 👍
Great video. Honest, straightforward suggestions. Thank you.
Thanks Matt, glad you liked it 👍
Good information, really enjoyed it.
Glad you liked it Tom 👍
Excellent tips... thank you
Thanks Miciah, glad you liked it 👍
Great Video, I'm a little late for the first bullet point i may have more equipment than i need right now as a tech but I am ready for the the future when i get my general and extra tickets.... I'm still learning a lot, currently studying for general, taking it one step at a time... heck a lot of nights I have to tell my self to go to bed and stop watching ham videos, listening/talking on repeaters or reading because I will never go to bed...lol Between The Smokinape, HRCC and Ham radio 2.0 and a couple others I have plenty to watch and learn from.... heck one day maybe I will be youtubing about ham radio just like you ! :D
We need more ham content to get more hams! Thanks for the comment and watching Mike 👍
Super helpful. Thank you.
Awesome, thanks for checking it out Jack 👍
Excellent advice. Thank you!
Thanks Tim👍
Great video and thank you for making it as a new ham I have been trying to make the best decisions and this video helped.
Awesome, glad it helped Gary 👍
Great advice. Thanks!
Thanks for watching J B 👍🍻
Excellent job!! Informational, encouraging, and just what I needed. It should be common sense, but there is so little of that to be found these days.
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching Larry!
Great information,... thank you
Glad it was helpful!
Awesome video and great advice for new hams I wished I would of heard this when I got my ticket !
Thanks Sal, glad you liked it 👍
Thanks Have been interested in a very long time just started looking up vids and studying but really enjoyed your calm collected Top 5 mistakes...... Thank you.
Thanks Philip, glad you liked it 👍
So glad I ran across this video. Great advice for a new Ham like myself. Thanks
Glad it was helpful Paul, thanks for watching 👍
Great Video, thanks for helping me out.
Glad it was helpful, thanks for watching William 👍
Thanks for the video, and thanks for your channel.
Glad you liked it, thanks for watching Glendon.
Thank you for speaking what I have been thinking. Truth.
Thanks Richard!
I'm a new Ham (KK7MLS), and I like your approach. You are a genuinely good man. Thank you!
Thanks MLS, glad to hear you like the channel 👍
This is the video I always wanted to see at any stage of owning a radio, it seems I find out much more only after a purchase has already been made & I can never know too much.
Thanks for the comment Wilson 👍
Great aproach !!!
Congratulations !!!
Glad you think so! Thanks Joao
@@TheSmokinApe you are definitely a great communicator 🙏
@@jplacido9999 Thanks man, I try 👍
Great advice Ape.
Thanks for watching Andy 👍
Great insight. just what I was searching for. I'm just beginning my journey inti armature radio. Retired and looking for something new. Have been on CB for many years and want to extend my options and learning capabilities Thanks
Glad to hear the video was helpful, thanks for the feedback Jennifer 👍
CB more fun
Very well put together video Ape 👍
Thanks Joe Brett, I appreciate the feedback 👍
Thanks for the great video!
Thanks Tom, glad you liked it 👍
Definitely some great advice not only on the Ham front but gear in general.
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks, very good info well presented. 73 from Central NY.
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for the information .. I’m a starter and your instructions are usefull!
Glad you liked it, thanks for watching 👍
Cool video! Thank you for sharing
Thank you for watching 👍
Great info!!!
Glad it was helpful!
I have had my tech ticket for over a year now. I use DMR exclusively. I tried 10m once, I used the wrong term on my first contact and that dude tore me apart and then got other hams involved. I have never worked 10m since. I found DMR and I have had no issues.
DMR is a lot of fun. Don't let the grumps chase you off...
Listening March 2021 .. new Ham .. great down to earth advice and direction.. thank you ..
Thanks RR, glad you liked it!
Thank you so much for this video you have no idea how much it has helped me, I have tons of questions but nine times out of ten I don’t ask because after thinking about it I’m afraid it’s just another dumb question.
Hey Bob, it's common for folks to be nervous when asking questions... mostly because of the jerk hams. Feel free to ask away here, if you have a question it's likely someone else is wondering about the same thing. 👍
Thanks. I'm new and that was helpful.
Awesome Bill, glad you liked it and welcome to the hobby 👍
Thanks for the video for us newbies! I have just started studying for the technician’s license. Found a nearby club. Thankfully, they welcome all and do not require membership to attend their meetings. Looking forward to going to one of their meetings and just feeling it out to see if a) ham radio is an interest I definitely want to invest the time and money into and b) if so, if it’s a club I’d like to become a member of. So far, I love that it’s an ongoing learning process and a fascinating hobby.
That's great Mary, welcome to the hobby!
Great video for a soon-to-be new ham. Love the typo too the explanation works.
Haha, thanks Alvin and welcome to the club 👍
Great advise I am a new ham along with my son and agree. I not sure if I made a mistake but not sure it was the best choice to start with a HT vs. a mobile rig. I ended up buying a FT3DR for me and a UV5R for my son. Both are great radios I do think I will use all the functions of the FT3DR eventually but I may have been better off buying another UV5R and a mobile rig so I had a little more power along with a better antenna.
Most folks start with an HT to learn the ropes. That 3dr is a nice little radio, congrats on the purchase and welcome to the hobby!
Ape, this is one of those gap materials vids that is of great value for this hobby... tnx! 73, KF6IF
Thanks Phil, glad you liked it 👍
Thank you for some sage advice.
Thanks for watching 👍
Awesome advice for everyone.
Thanks Man 👍
I am a new Technician Class ham, very good video! Good advice, and I will take it to heart.
I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for watching Ken 👍
Great video
THanks 1OO, glad you liked it!
Nice video Ape!
Thanks Carlos!
I really like the just be nice line!
Me too, thanks for watching Terry 👍
I started with a Baofeng UV 5R and used gear that my brother in law gave me. I've since then bought like new gear. I live in the city and enjoying the hobby quite a bit. No need to break the bank. 73 K2BNY
I started with a 5R as well, thanks for the comment Ken.
Great video - subscribed. I'm a new ham and I think this is all great advice. If you ever meet up with a "grumpy" ham, just remember that a grumpy ham was once a beginner just like everyone else, so maybe ask about how they got started. You might see that "new ham" smile and it will remind them how important new hams are to the hobby - just like they were.
73
KE8SKH
Glad you liked it Airfoil, thanks for the great advice!
I just subscribed. I found myself nodding in agreement as I listened. Much of the information applies to numerous different hobbies. I forget who it was who said it to me, but long ago I learned that respectful criticism, respectfully received, can change lives.
Thanks Roger, looks like we are on the same page 👍
Ape... This is a great video... I went to General on day one and sometimes I think it was a mistake. After a year I still am clueless on HF except FT8.
Thanks man, glad you liked it Michael 👍
Good advice for life in general.
Thanks John, glad you like it 👍
SmokinApe great information thanks for sharing👍
Thanks for watching!
Just subscribed, thanks
Awesome, thanks man 👍
I’ve found it helpful when someone is telling me about something they really like, I ask them to tell me what they don’t like about their “product x” they speak so highly of. No product is perfect.
Agreed. There’s good products and some that are better and some that are worse. Thanks for watching Jon 👍
Very intelligent advice.
Thank Michael 👍
Great video. I need to make one along similar lines for my channel.
Thanks for watching Phil 👍
Listening from Kentucky The Bluegrass State,..... like your videos my new friend
Thanks and welcome!
Thanks for the video! I earned my technician 2-22-21 then my general 3-22-21. I love my newly found hobby. I agree with the financial statement. I was quite embarrassed of my $25 baofeng uv-5r HT at first. I've added a bigger battery, and a better antenna. From all the signal reports I've asked for everyone has said it sounded great. I also have a Btech uv50x2 now it's a great radio as well. I hope I'm able to get a HF radio soon, just can't get past the price... anyways, thanks for the video!
Congrats on passing the tests and welcome to the hobby! Many folks, like myself, started with the UV-5R.
@@TheSmokinApe thanks! I appreciate it!
Thanks a lot dude. That was great
Glad you liked it 👍
@@TheSmokinApe I'm in Ireland. Sending good wishes across the puddle
@@youtubularTV Thank you 👍
I am starting cheap and even though I do not have high-end stuff, I am thoroughly enjoying the journey. I plan to stay here for a while until I pass my general and then, depending on how I like it, I will make a decision then. Good advice...
Thanks for watching WR, if you are having a good time with it then you are doing it right 👍
Good advice for any avenue of life.
Thanks Slam 👍
Good stuff.
Thanks Tom 👍
Thanks for your good advice, Take it from a someone who has been a ham for 44 years, and my brother a ham for 64 years.
You bet! Thanks for the comment Joe...
Pretty evolved, Ape, and psychic, too! Thank you for addressing so many of my newbie issues in this video. How did you know? LOL!
Hey John, we are all new when we start! Thanks for watching...
Remembering to actually **enjoy** your hobby is a much bigger deal I think than most people realize. I've gotten deeply involved in volunteer leadership in other hobbies in the past and forgot to actually enjoy myself, and wound up burning out **hard**. I'm going to be trying to **not** do that as I get into ham!
Yeah, I try to keep rule #1 = have fun! Thanks Mikey 👍
Great vid. Any radio you get will have more features on it than you will ever use. I don't use the first radios I purchased. I have progressed in the hobby so I bought different equipment to suit my changing needs. I still own the old ones because I know how to use them and I can Elmer someone with them If I need to.
Totally agree, thanks for watching!
Thanks for this. 73 ☘️
You're very welcome!
Important points that can be applied to many hobbies/interests/activities.
That’s true Hatter, thanks for the comment 👍