My local repeater has a nightly net and every night we all listen to a elderly ham who tells us about his walk to the mail box and what mail he got that day. It is one of the best parts of my day
That's funny lol, but maybe you and someone else can get a nightly portion started for "tech night" or "ragchew" that can be something other than that. I know what your saying and if that keeps up newbies won't want to join in
Got my certificate earlier this month (Canada). Took a glass of wine and a stern talking to myself to find a backbone, but I finally hit that PTT to join a local 2m net. They were very happy to have me participate and sooooo friendly. Soon after, got my first HF contact via the local club station too. Cheers!
Thank you for this video. I’m a 14 year old with a technician license sitting in front of my dads radio and I’m terrified to say anything without my dad here and this helped a lot. My only contact was a family friend and talking to anyone else is scary. The only other time I’ve talked I was surrounded by experienced people to help me out on field day using my dads call sign. Your a wonderful person for doing this. So again, thank you.
My friend, you are a true ambassador to this hobby.... You can reach out to me ANY time you.want to, hamradioconcepts@gmail.com and I will do my best to help you any way I can .. in the meantime, DONT feel afraid, it's just a radio. You talk into a microphone and sounds come out of A speaker... Very simple.. please email me if you ever have questions and I will be there for you. Remind me if you done hear from me, because I get busy... Take care buddy
Thanks for doing this video. I just passed my Technician exam about 10 minutes ago (online) and now I'm just waiting to pay the FCC and get in the database. I was already getting nervous about talking before I even took my test to get the license but this hopefully will get me going.
Hi Eric:. I got my Tech on September (KD9VTU) & I was nervous enough about just throwing my callsign out on a repeater the next town over, here in southern Wisconsin. I was really nervous when the guy who came back to me, was from Toronto, Canada. I didn't know I was on a linked repeater. I think he was happier at being my first contact, than I was at ending up talking to another country on my first QSO. He made me feel like I was just talking to my neighbor over the hedge rather than another country. My nervousness immediately flew out the window. We talked about our radios & how cool we thought the linked repeater system was.
Nice to see your video. I was on CB radio in the 80's and got my licence 3 years ago after my wife passed me down my ham international radio from back in the day, out of the attic and it still works! So I can relate to this as I was sooo nervous about making my first amateur contact. I think I thought that the band police would come and throw me into prison if I said something wrong, ha ha. There's not much local activity here in Yorkshire England but my passion is HF, it's highly addictive. . 73's Simon.
Passed the Tech exam on March 14th. After a couple of days started checking the database hourly for my call sign and then there is was! For the next week I listened to ham radio and thought...this ain't going to happen. Finally got the nerve to push and talk to the local club net. Whew....finally broke that barrier and it was great. I'm now pushing hard for the General exam and then I feel I can begin the real learning process. Joined our local club too - which I think will be very helpful. KF0LZR
Yeah, my first time on the repeaters got some boomer going after my friend and I because the FCC data base didn’t load our callsigns at first. Put such a bad taste in my mouth. I tried again in another state and I got replies from some of the kindest people ever. Just hope I’m able to help a new tech someday. 73
Great video! My 1st contact was out in Bosie, Idaho back in june 2020... wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Running off of a repeater on Navajo Mountian by Page, Az.
Hi Eric! I was thinking of you and some of the other ham/RUclipsrs this morning as I was wrapping up winter field day. I guess I thought of you because I was doing digital psk31 for the first time in an event. I had watched a bunch of your videos on different modes. Took me a bit of listening but once I got my feet wet, I really started to enjoy myself. Figuring out how to make custom messages for winter FD. Noticing how some folks gave you thier info first and others wanted your information before they gave it out. It was all fun and casual. Even some quick rag chewing going on. Did a little ssb and cw as well on my kx2 in a cabin. Been a ham 33 years. 1st winter field day. Posting a not so good video soon. Hihi de N5VWN South Dakota
I got my ticket 35 years ago. I'm not good at talking to people. My first contact was on CW, and I used Packet a lot. These days I hang around on FT8 and APRS. Rarely do I use voice. Just pointing out there are plenty of things to do if you don't like talking! Cheers,
I got my Tech last Aug. and my General in Sept. I have never made a contact on my handheld. I live in South East Colorado about 50miles east of Pueblo and there are no clubs etc around me. I have never heard a single soul on my handheld. I just purchased a Icom IC 7300 and a buddy pole antenna to hopefully, make my first contact. I appreciate all your videos I just wish you could do one on living in the sticks and what you need to do to get on the air! just a suggestion
I got my tech license April 2021...since I have become a regular on the local repeaters here in Humboldt. Got my license at the ripe old age of 66. kn6ono
Just passed my Tech test a little over a week ago (just a bit North of you, so maybe you could be my first contact ;) ). Just waiting on the email to go pay the FCC and get my call sign. Looking forward to getting it and hitting that PTT button. :)
KD9MRK here been a ham since 2019. My first contact was horrible idk if he was mad at the world or what, but that was the most unpleasant contact for a first timer. Ended up staying off the air for almost a year I was just discouraged. Now I only get on from time to time and not as much as I would like to be. Enjoy your videos and keep up the good work.
Every hobby has it’s self appointed police. I’ve dropped out of a ham club along with a few others because of these types. Even though I moved on, and away from that place, I still avoid clubs in any hobby. But I do gather with like minded people.
Hi Eric. Great video and I hope it help other not to be mic shy. I am still mic shy but you just have to get on the mic. I mess up all the time but hey ho we just move on. Hope to work you one day. Motters M7TRS 73 👍🏻
Great vid, Eric. Any chance you could in the future make a FT-8 setup, step by step, utilizing an ICOM IC-7300? Start to finish including cabling setup? Thanks!!
Thanks for your videos Eric. Just got my tech and General on Jan 25. Just put up a DXCommander in the yard with an icom 7300. Hopefully I’ll hear you some day soon. KD9WKH
:) I remember when I passed my Extra Class test - I looked in the mirror and smoke was coming out of my ears. Now it's become fun - even at night on 80 meters when the grouches and gremlins talk politics, there is always something to enjoy.
I had the license tried to renew that license 20 years ago through a license renewal service out of Texas and for reasons unknown it never was renewed! It was a grandfathered novice license that I was using for 10m mobile and a 220 handheld, thoughts!
You have re-energized my thoughts on this Hobby. I'm fairly new but have had my tech ticket for a little while. What started to discourage my was D star. For some reason using it really confused me and I stopped trying. So i figured I would ask you if you have any videos on the subject or might want to consider making one. I also bought an icom id52 so if you could explain it on the radio it would be even better. If not I understand please keep doing what you do. KD9TEL
Hi Eric ! First, just let me say that I really enjoy your videos. Now I have a question for you. I am currently studying for my technicians license. I was given a Baofeng, but I don't have a clue how to use/operate it. To your knowlege, is there some kind of user manual I can get for it ? I have questions about it but can't find any answers, or perhaps I should just put it in a box and put it in the garage and buy one that makes sense.
The course at Hamradioprep.com for "Baofeng basics" is pretty good to get started with that radio. If you use the code "eric20" for a discount at checkout you can get it 20% off, it has some useful information for the Baofeng.
I talk about all 3 " stay away from " topics, just do it where there are like minded people. I don't usually talk about it on repeaters, but simplex, I say what I want to. My rule, stay away from the "F" bomb.
Great title. Where i live in Birmingham AL 146.88.. And joining the local ham club. And going to a Hamfest. With not alot of money. They could really careless. Been a Tech since 2018. The local club are mainly Extras. And recommend buy this book again and again. And even recommended to join this online course. Spending more and more on radios and courses. Been discouraging to someone like me. I had a club member was a VE. He had a 10yr girl. Walked in and pass the test. No problems. Until I found out why???? Her daddy paid someone at the test site that was buddies. I just failed on the 2nd time. The other VE club member said to me why cant you do that. And I was a 48 yr old old man. So I'm gonna give up this so called great hobby. All I see is if you have a big wallet. The Extras notice you more and really help you. Over and out. KQ4JHQ 3:37
Only have one Contact with any of the Ham Radio youtubers. I've watched your Channel for years, you helped me Pass the Tech. and General test. Thanks for all the Great Info.
My local repeater has a nightly net and every night we all listen to a elderly ham who tells us about his walk to the mail box and what mail he got that day. It is one of the best parts of my day
That's funny lol, but maybe you and someone else can get a nightly portion started for "tech night" or "ragchew" that can be something other than that. I know what your saying and if that keeps up newbies won't want to join in
Got my certificate earlier this month (Canada). Took a glass of wine and a stern talking to myself to find a backbone, but I finally hit that PTT to join a local 2m net. They were very happy to have me participate and sooooo friendly. Soon after, got my first HF contact via the local club station too. Cheers!
Welcome! And 73 de Karl, VE3GUN (FN04)
Thanks for the vid I just got my technician license and awaiting for my call sign
Thank you for this video. I’m a 14 year old with a technician license sitting in front of my dads radio and I’m terrified to say anything without my dad here and this helped a lot. My only contact was a family friend and talking to anyone else is scary. The only other time I’ve talked I was surrounded by experienced people to help me out on field day using my dads call sign. Your a wonderful person for doing this. So again, thank you.
My friend, you are a true ambassador to this hobby.... You can reach out to me ANY time you.want to, hamradioconcepts@gmail.com and I will do my best to help you any way I can
.. in the meantime, DONT feel afraid, it's just a radio. You talk into a microphone and sounds come out of A speaker... Very simple.. please email me if you ever have questions and I will be there for you. Remind me if you done hear from me, because I get busy... Take care buddy
Thanks for doing this video. I just passed my Technician exam about 10 minutes ago (online) and now I'm just waiting to pay the FCC and get in the database. I was already getting nervous about talking before I even took my test to get the license but this hopefully will get me going.
Congratulations, Mike!
Thanks Eric. I needed to hear this.. Had my license for about a year and have been quite mic shy.
KJ5CXR - Just licensed as of this last week! haven't been able to make my first contact yet though! =( No traffic on my local repeater it seems
Thanks for the video. I'm getting ready to take my technician test and get a radio. This takes the stress out of the practical part of it.
One of my favorite ham radio RUclips channels...
Hi Eric:. I got my Tech on September (KD9VTU) & I was nervous enough about just throwing my callsign out on a repeater the next town over, here in southern Wisconsin. I was really nervous when the guy who came back to me, was from Toronto, Canada. I didn't know I was on a linked repeater. I think he was happier at being my first contact, than I was at ending up talking to another country on my first QSO. He made me feel like I was just talking to my neighbor over the hedge rather than another country. My nervousness immediately flew out the window. We talked about our radios & how cool we thought the linked repeater system was.
Great information for all who ae new to the hobby.
Nice to see your video. I was on CB radio in the 80's and got my licence 3 years ago after my wife passed me down my ham international radio from back in the day, out of the attic and it still works! So I can relate to this as I was sooo nervous about making my first amateur contact. I think I thought that the band police would come and throw me into prison if I said something wrong, ha ha. There's not much local activity here in Yorkshire England but my passion is HF, it's highly addictive. . 73's Simon.
Taking my tech test in 2 weeks. Looking forward to joining the hobby. Thanks Eric!
Passed the Tech exam on March 14th. After a couple of days started checking the database hourly for my call sign and then there is was! For the next week I listened to ham radio and thought...this ain't going to happen. Finally got the nerve to push and talk to the local club net. Whew....finally broke that barrier and it was great. I'm now pushing hard for the General exam and then I feel I can begin the real learning process. Joined our local club too - which I think will be very helpful. KF0LZR
Yeah, my first time on the repeaters got some boomer going after my friend and I because the FCC data base didn’t load our callsigns at first. Put such a bad taste in my mouth. I tried again in another state and I got replies from some of the kindest people ever. Just hope I’m able to help a new tech someday. 73
Great video! My 1st contact was out in Bosie, Idaho back in june 2020... wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Running off of a repeater on Navajo Mountian by Page, Az.
Hi Eric! I was thinking of you and some of the other ham/RUclipsrs this morning as I was wrapping up winter field day. I guess I thought of you because I was doing digital psk31 for the first time in an event. I had watched a bunch of your videos on different modes. Took me a bit of listening but once I got my feet wet, I really started to enjoy myself. Figuring out how to make custom messages for winter FD. Noticing how some folks gave you thier info first and others wanted your information before they gave it out. It was all fun and casual. Even some quick rag chewing going on. Did a little ssb and cw as well on my kx2 in a cabin. Been a ham 33 years. 1st winter field day. Posting a not so good video soon. Hihi de N5VWN South Dakota
I got my ticket 35 years ago. I'm not good at talking to people. My first contact was on CW, and I used Packet a lot. These days I hang around on FT8 and APRS. Rarely do I use voice. Just pointing out there are plenty of things to do if you don't like talking! Cheers,
Had my license 2 or 3 years now. Every couple of months I get out & play radio and pressing that PTT button is like the first time all over again!
I got my Tech last Aug. and my General in Sept. I have never made a contact on my handheld. I live in South East Colorado about 50miles east of Pueblo and there are no clubs etc around me. I have never heard a single soul on my handheld. I just purchased a Icom IC 7300 and a buddy pole antenna to hopefully, make my first contact. I appreciate all your videos I just wish you could do one on living in the sticks and what you need to do to get on the air! just a suggestion
That was great. Thank you for the content that you do for us.
73 Eric, tks for the return , have a nice day Va2pg
I got my tech license April 2021...since I have become a regular on the local repeaters here in Humboldt. Got my license at the ripe old age of 66.
kn6ono
Just passed my Tech test a little over a week ago (just a bit North of you, so maybe you could be my first contact ;) ). Just waiting on the email to go pay the FCC and get my call sign. Looking forward to getting it and hitting that PTT button. :)
not a ham, but i would expect a new guy would have a warm welcome, esp considering the state of the hobby
KD9MRK here been a ham since 2019. My first contact was horrible idk if he was mad at the world or what, but that was the most unpleasant contact for a first timer. Ended up staying off the air for almost a year I was just discouraged. Now I only get on from time to time and not as much as I would like to be. Enjoy your videos and keep up the good work.
I had a similar experience...and wanted to return all my gear for a refund. But stick to it...glad I did...Rob KB2TQE
Every hobby has it’s self appointed police. I’ve dropped out of a ham club along with a few others because of these types. Even though I moved on, and away from that place, I still avoid clubs in any hobby. But I do gather with like minded people.
Great video! I finally got involved with ham this past October. Absolutely...those first few contacts were nerve wracking
But it gets easier going forward. I made mistakes...and still do! But it's been very rewarding
None of us are perfect, aka amateur radio! 73 guys
Hi Eric. Great video and I hope it help other not to be mic shy. I am still mic shy but you just have to get on the mic. I mess up all the time but hey ho we just move on.
Hope to work you one day.
Motters M7TRS 73 👍🏻
Got my License Nov 2022
Used Ham Radio Prep. Great Study Guide.
KC3VDU
Great vid, Eric. Any chance you could in the future make a FT-8 setup, step by step, utilizing an ICOM IC-7300? Start to finish including cabling setup? Thanks!!
Very cool 😎 very nicely taught 🎉🎉🎉
Just passed the test...waiting for the FCC. Ordered the Yaesu FT70....can't wait.
Congrats
Thanks for your videos Eric. Just got my tech and General on Jan 25. Just put up a DXCommander in the yard with an icom 7300. Hopefully I’ll hear you some day soon. KD9WKH
Hy! Eric, just wanted to say hello from Montreal area de Va2pg 73 and have a nice New Year ciao..
:) I remember when I passed my Extra Class test - I looked in the mirror and smoke was coming out of my ears. Now it's become fun - even at night on 80 meters when the grouches and gremlins talk politics, there is always something to enjoy.
I had the license tried to renew that license 20 years ago through a license renewal service out of Texas and for reasons unknown it never was renewed! It was a grandfathered novice license that I was using for 10m mobile and a 220 handheld, thoughts!
You have re-energized my thoughts on this Hobby. I'm fairly new but have had my tech ticket for a little while. What started to discourage my was D star. For some reason using it really confused me and I stopped trying. So i figured I would ask you if you have any videos on the subject or might want to consider making one. I also bought an icom id52 so if you could explain it on the radio it would be even better. If not I understand please keep doing what you do. KD9TEL
KO4ORV from VLE saying hello!
On VHF FM you don't have to say "over." That is something for talking on HF AM.
Hi Eric ! First, just let me say that I really enjoy your videos. Now I have a question for you. I am currently studying for my technicians license. I was given a Baofeng, but I don't have a clue how to use/operate it. To your knowlege, is there some kind of user manual I can get for it ? I have questions about it but can't find any answers, or perhaps I should just put it in a box and put it in the garage and buy one that makes sense.
The course at Hamradioprep.com for "Baofeng basics" is pretty good to get started with that radio. If you use the code "eric20" for a discount at checkout you can get it 20% off, it has some useful information for the Baofeng.
I'm embarrassed to say this but I got my Tech and General on the same day about a year-and-a-half ago and I still have yet to make a contact.
Please don't be embarrassed. The mic is not for everyone. Let's make a contact, somehow, someway.
I talk about all 3 " stay away from " topics, just do it where there are like minded people. I don't usually talk about it on repeaters, but simplex, I say what I want to. My rule, stay away from the "F" bomb.
KE2CDO 11/8
Man I want my license but I'm really uneducated on the whole thing think you could help me out?
HELLO my great friend Eric KJ4YZI
always a great video
73
💯🔔🔔🔔🎙👍
Dah di dah dit dah dah dit dah
Just key down on the mud ducks 🦆 and get in some dx
Wall to wall and tree top tall, this little 8 pill is getting on downnnnn
Scaird of what ? 😂😂
Dunno what you mean, I hear politics on the radio all the time
Ham is dead because it's controlled by goofballs.
if it is dead, or lesser i would think it is more because of the internet and cell phones.
I run a 1802,yasue,with a home antana made from tent poles,3, element,2,meter,yagie
Great advice, thank you, , I've just got back into ham radio after over 30 years being off the air, and your video is very encouraging,...G4YME
Great title.
Where i live in Birmingham AL 146.88.. And joining the local ham club. And going to a Hamfest. With not alot of money.
They could really careless. Been a Tech since 2018.
The local club are mainly Extras. And recommend buy this book again and again. And even recommended to join this online course.
Spending more and more on radios and courses. Been discouraging to someone like me.
I had a club member was a VE. He had a 10yr girl. Walked in and pass the test. No problems. Until I found out why????
Her daddy paid someone at the test site that was buddies.
I just failed on the 2nd time. The other VE club member said to me why cant you do that. And I was a 48 yr old old man.
So I'm gonna give up this so called great hobby. All I see is if you have a big wallet.
The Extras notice you more and really help you.
Over and out.
KQ4JHQ 3:37
KO4RCT 6-9-2021 Pensacola Florida and still learning only had 2 contacts
KQ4FUY got my ticket Saturday morning..
Congrats bro
Good Video, I Hope to make Contact ya Someday. Rob, K8IBX. I'm good on 40,20,15 and 10 meters.
Only have one Contact with any of the Ham Radio youtubers. I've watched your Channel for years, you helped me Pass the Tech. and General test. Thanks for all the Great Info.
Just passed my technician and received my callsign today. Made my first contact a few hours ago. KQ4IFO
great video eric de m0eej 73
This is kb1scb,Gerald, I'm with cert been liscenced for a few years,the only thing ya can't do is business over the radio,kj4yzi,this is kb1scb,73
Just got my Tech license and have a cheep hand held ordered. Your videos help a lot and I studied with hamradioprep. KQ4IKX in the NC mountains