I recently heard a conversation on a local repeater that made me think of what you were talking about here. A guy up in the rural hills with no outside contact aside from phone fired up his old ham radio and asked someone if they could help him contact his home phone provider because his phone had gone down and he had no way of calling out for help. Amateur radio operators were able to help him and make contact to help him get his phone service restored.
I'm a pre-noob: that is, I don't have my license yet. I'm testing in six days. I have a dual-band HT and can listen, but thus far I have not heard much. This was a very useful video.
I have been doing nothing but FT8 to get my feet wet. Got a new IC-7300 and figured i'd finally talk to someone. Accidentally drifted off the end of 40m from general to extra class. I was just watching the blips on the band monitor and not the freq. An honest mistake. The guy looked me up on qrz, noticed I was a general and couldn't be there. Very abruptly said, you cant be here so i'm concluding this conversation now. How about, "Hey partner, you must have drifted off band, yada yada yada." How about, "Hey man, your in the wrong park, how about we jump where you can be and I can tell you some stuff". Nope... I learned how to be here, maybe just need to learn the nuances. I didn't have an elmer, I did this on my own. Want to know why the younger generation might not want to do this? Cause you talk to them like a dick. Personally the hardest thing I find is copying peoples call signs. And I feel bad for that. W1SPS
Buddy I love the way, You explain , How ham Radio work’s You push me to Study for the test, Man Thank you SR For years I keep canceling, For the Test, I’m going for it...
I really appreciate your down to earth approach. This seems like all good advice, and it seems honestly like good life advice, too....not just HAM radio advice.
Hi Eric. Been watching your videos and appreciate them very much. You are giving this returning ham the much needed confidence to key up my mic and open my mouth. Keep up the great job!
When I was in the Coast Guard, we had a distress call from the “Schidt Bird”, nobody would pronounce it over the radio, even the helo pilots... everyone spelled it phonetically.
I just listened to your buying guide and now this video: wow! You've made this easy and informative. I went to my local HAM club for 3 or so meetings and they just put me to sleep. Thank you for making this fun!
LOL. That part about identifying your call sign is funny. I'm a newly licensed tech and before I made any calls I listened for a few days just to make sure how that call sign flowed. I was so concerned about the HAM patrol that I thought I had to do what you just made fun of lol. I understand it now though. That was funny. I paused the video to reply at that point lol.
I've been at this on and off for 20 years and I still stop and just listen. I've always said that listening is the hardest aspect of amatuer radio to learn. In my opinion, it's the Number 1 skill to master.
Very interesting! I just passed the test for my Technician license Saturday. Already studying for the General license. This gave me some good info. Really looking forward to start talking on the radio.
I have been guilty of at least one of those taboos. In fact, it almost sounded like you were talking about me at one point. Thank you for this enlightening video. You have improved my manners. KC7MOL
@21:00 ish mark, Wife in the background: Are you yelling at someone? Eric: No, just giving an example... I don't know why that was funny to me but it was, I enjoyed it.
Just a little wisecracking: you do know that the cops in Florida (I think 😬) do in fact use “QSL” instead of “10-4” don’t you? 🤣🤣 I don’t think you should stop “rambling” And I’m quite sure I won’t be the only one being THANKFUL for your HONESTY and your way of “just letting it out”! Please stay that way! Remember that good advice is never limited to new HAMs only. I would not exactly call myself a “seasoned HAM” FAR FROM IT but licensed almost 3 years now I had the opportunity to listen to quite some BULL... to be honest, YOUR JIBBER-JABBERS IS NOT! Thanks again! Best 64 +/-9 de DO1MBL 🖖
🤣🤣🤣 Super-heterodyne flip flop coeficient transistor!!! Now that is what makes time travel possible!!!! Good video, thanks Eric. 73, Brian WB8AM (QSL? 😁)
Just got licensed waiting for my call sign. These videos are very helpful. Tell your wife thank you for giving up so much of your time to make these videos.
Ah...brings back memories of when I was commuting back and forth about 70 miles each way a day. We had a steady crew on two repeaters...but we encouraged people to join in. We talked about everything, and I mean everything. Admittedly, we pushed the envelope a bit...but we had FUN, and talked to anyone who wanted to join us. I got my license to meet people and talk to them. Discussing radio theory is great, I learned a lot...but we had a few who that was all they talked about.
Thank you! I always appreciate that at heart you always want the best for the hobby. I also appreciate your down to earth instruction, I get it, your time is much appreciated 👍🏼😀👌
Great stuff Eric! 10-4 there good buddy! LMBO! Got my ticket punched in 2015 (Tech & Gen) then upgraded to AE last Aug. Hadn't done a lot on air before then, but had a bunch of fun on mobile last year and made contacts all over Europe. Seems it was only on the repeaters that folks felt the need to ID every time they keyed up, but complain when you call CQ. lol My club has a bunch of good folks and I miss going to the meetings, being on the wrong side of The Pond for a couple more months. 73
I have to say I couldn't stop laughing, it's so true, I have been on cb for years in Australia, and listened a lot on HF but of course not key up. I'm going for my Foundation Sunday 11th June 2023. I set up my gear a year ago for Ham, as you know CB is wild and you get a lot of, what the bloody hell are you doing with the Roger beep of *#@#! :) Your clipping the repeater @!!hole :) Great tips thank you, I think if it happens to me now I would crack up and start laughing. great shows mate and I am a big fan, easy to listen to, and you have a kind demeanour, look forward to more videos. I know its a couple of years old, but it doesn't get old, i loved it :) Joey
Without being too harsh, let me say HAM audience varies wildly. Depending on your location you may get some younger folk that are very easy going and fun to talk to. Or, for my instance, I got my license at 16 in a retirement community and typically the audience was old and what can a 16 year old really relate to with someone in their 70s? That was 16 years ago and that community has changed, as now that town is one of the fastest growing metros in the US. Same old guys are still there, but there are a couple younger guys finally.
Using both callsigns at the start of the transmission and your own call sign at the end comes from working busy nets, using formal radio telephone procedure. The most obvious example to me is a military net where you might have 30 callsigns on the net all ussing a single frequency.
Thanks Eric always enjoy your videos. You're 100% correct for US but here in South Africa our regulations require the station ID at every transmission (just once tho and not at start and finish) so we tend to use our callsign as the "over" at the end of transmission to keep it to a relative minimum. 73 ZS1OSS
Thank you Eric for posting this video. Great content. I currently have my GMRS License but i am getting ready to finally take my Technician exam in a few weeks.
One of the funniest videos I've seen...you really made me laugh. So much so...I subscribed! Very entertaining ha ha. And full of info for us debutants. Thoroughly enjoyed the last 25 mintues!!
I have always heard not to call CQ on UHF/VHF repeaters. I recently read an exception. If you have been calling and gotten no response go ahead and call “CQ CQ CQ this Kx1xxx, kilo X-ray 1 X-ray X-ray X-ray calling CQ”. If someone is listening (and as HRC has pointed out there likely will be) the chances are good they will respond to tell you not to do that. You now have made contact and maybe you can have fun with it.
I’m I new new ham, and kind of have taken to heart that voice conversations are called “phone,” so with little tweaks, I talk to people like I am on the phone with them.
My wife and i are laughing our heads off listening to this part 3 , it taught us a bunch and you made it FUN . good buddy roger doger over and out 73 on the side . ( remembering CW mcCall's movie in the 80's ) I'm a 18 wheeler tech ;) 39 years into it
Just wanted to say Hi!!, Watched your previous videos in this series. Awesome, great job. I'm somewhat new to Amateur Radio. I have past Firefighting exp, been around radios, programmers etc. I've recently gotten interested in becoming a operator and after watching your videos, I'm hooked. I'm studying now for my Technician test now.
I love this video I hear people using the wrong Q-codes all the time and when I am talking to people that doesn't use the the correct code I tell them I don't know what they are talking about and the great confusion begins. But I really enjoyed this video
You're right that the over identifying comes from DMR and D-Star (and similar), but it's not just some bad habit. The ten minute rule is a US regulation. Many foreign countries still have the old beginning and end of each transmission law, and if you're talking to someone from a country that requires it, you're going to hear it. I'm unclear on whether or not you need to use it back, in case they're on an actual RF repeater linked to yours, but this is where you hear it and why. Also, keep in mind that we have a lot of older hams, who developed their skills when that was the rule in the US as well. The ten minute rule is relatively recent here. We have guys on the local repeater who still say "over" at the end of a transmission. Why, I don't know. It might be training from some emergency communications net they're active on. Being new to a mode can be very intimidating. I've been a ham for 20 years, but I mostly work phone. I've been re-studying my Morse, and CW is still a bit intimidating because I'm new to it. So even old hams can be nervous when trying something new. 73, Gwen, NG3P
Gwen Patton I didn’t know the rule used to be identify beginning and end in US and still in other countries. That makes sense to me now why people still do it. Some habitats are hard to break. Good to know. Thanks.
@@jfranke3 Oh, I know about them already. I've already been through CW Academy Level 1 and Level 2 Prep, and have the main Level 2 class in September. If I make it through that, I may take Level 3 and consider being a teacher (I forget their term for it). I sometimes work people via the SKCC (Straight Key Century Club) sked page, which is a fantastic and friendly place to find people to talk to. I don't use a straight key yet, but I DO use a sideswiper (Cootie) key and find it actually easier than a paddle for most things. I made an adapter so I can keep my cootie and a paddle plugged into my Elecraft KX3 all the time, and just switch between them at whim. Sometimes I feel like using a paddle, sometimes I feel like using the sideswiper. I also own a Vibroplex Lightning Bug and a Chinese straight key I got on Ebay. I can use the straight key but don't enjoy it much, and still need to learn how to use the bug. There's also a group on Discord that meets nightly to send code to one another over the net and practice. I haven't been there for a while, it's awfully late at night for my brain to be still in gear. lol.
hello my name is Mario, live in Alaska and about to get my Technician license. Been watching all your videos and thanks to you i am learning new thing every day. Once I get my license the first thing will be to ask you about the Icom-9700 and Icom-7300. my wife is very happy for me in making the choice of buying once but buying the best Ham rig possible with $5000.00 budget.
Like the info. From the UK and on a intermediate licence and haven't been on air yet. Seems I've made or heard of most of the difficulties you advice which has put me off getting on air. Started in 2016 and wanted to get my grandson into it a bit later as he's now 4. Time running away already!!!! It will happen at some point but I guess the longer I wait the more water under the bridge passes and the bigger the distance to reestablish the learning. Ta again.
this helped so much got my technician like 4 moths ago and was nervous to make my first call because I dint know how to respond I'm making my first call tomorrow
I wonder what I sounded like on the radio in middle school........ It would have certainly been funny to hear a little kid on HF or the local repeater. I do remember biting my tongue and forgetting to press the PTT. Thank you for the great videos Eric. Mike N6IMY
Your videos are always casually informative and I like it. My first call was a long drawn out cq on my local repeater twelve years ago. That's how I met my first elmer. Also i think myself and a lot of hams should watch this. Sometimes we don't realize how we sound on the other end. I know I have been rude after a long day on the road. Everyone gets on the air for their own reasons. People are so judgemental but keep trying because you'll eventually find good ones. Check out your local club repeaters because those relationships will matter more to you than someone on the WIN system or a statewide network.
I just discovered your video-I'll be back. Very good common sense advice for new and old hams(like me). I left CB 42 years ago and I absolutely cringe when I hear it. WD9ARK, 73.
@@user-gj8wo8lq9s Monitor some nets and learn the format. Usually you just give your call sign name and city and say no traffic. I usually only key up when I hear someone with a problem with a radio or hotspot I have the answer to.
hi eric ..great video, made me chuckle.. and so very true on the points you make, all new ham's need all the help and encouragement they can get to enjoy this hobby, it's what keep's ham radio going, 73 from 2w0gng..south wales, uk........qsl qsl...lol
Hi Eric, first and foremost I wish you and your family a very happy new year. This was a very informative and helpful video indeed. There are plethora of information and videos about training and preparations for appearing the test and getting the licence to operate ham radios. In contrast, there are no worthwhile information or videos on how to pick the mic and get on air with the best practices and mannerisms in ham radio communication. I am a new ham, got my license on November last. Initially, used to listen to the local repeaters to get a feel during the evening regular VHF Net check-ins. During these time I used to note the callsigns of the Net Controller and other hams who used to come on the band. On 24th December was my maiden appearance over the repeater during the regular evening net from 09:00pm. I felt pretty satisfied the way I started and concluded the call. Since 25 Dec I have been travelling. First it was to Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) where I used to check-in to two VHF Nets conducted in separate repeaters. Yes, I was using those cheap handies, but interestingly was able to trigger the repeaters with 4 & 8. It was fun as well as giving me a lot of confidence too, besides making new ham friends from that City of Joy. I have now come on a visit to this Garden City alias, Bangalore. I was able to trigger a couple of repeaters and have been checking-in to most of the Nets conducted at breakfast time as well as in the evening hours. This video of yours which I treasure it, will help me to correct all the flaws and improve in my communication. Thanks-za-ton once again Eric and have a blessed day ahead. Greetings from Bangalore, India. VU3TQT 73s (I am yet to put my profile in qrz.com)
Ooh....your "radios" are biig! I can see them clearly from here. They look real. You are lucky! We do not see such big radios in Indonesia. All is small...much smaller than yours, but few people can afford them.
Around the 4 minute mark you're talking about how "someone is always listening". Over the years I've seen that carried to extremes. I'm very annoyed by people who think they're doing some kind of service to the community by "camping out" on a repeater from the time they get up till the time they go to bed. Then when some unfortunate person happens by the repeater they pounce on them immediately, making sure that no one else has a chance to talk. After that goes on for so long people start avoiding the repeater because of the "repeater troll".
That happened to me twice after I got back into ham after 20 years.(new call) I was intentionally trying to get into a distant and quiet repeater while stuck in traffic . An old timer instantly jumped on it and went on and on about how I need better gear. Later, on a different repeater, I asked about local conditions and my new antenna. I got a monologue about proper gear and getting help from experienced hams. I told him it sweeps fine on my analyser, I was just wondering if I was using enough power. I avoid that repeater. They presume my new call means I don't know much. I'm a broadcast engineer.
I have been a ham since 1977. I have had some very interesting chats on hf, vhf. One was with a David Lean, who wrote the best book on the epson dot matric printer. I was using the TRS-80 model one at the time. I had great sales for about 4 or so years. David said he worked with Tandy Radio shack and he remembered a meeting that asked if he thought they could sell even 1000 of them. Of course many more then that.
Memories. I owned a TRS-80 Model 1, then a Model 3 (with the two floppy drives) and even acquired a Model 2 with the 8" floppy drive. I remember my first Epson MX-80 dot matrix printer. Awesome machine for the time.
The lack of people responding when you just throw your callsign out is staggering to me. I got my license on the 14th of this month. I drive an 18-wheeler over the road. I’ve been dialing in repeaters every day for almost 2 weeks with NO replies, none. Maybe it’s because I have a “5” callsign and I’ve been up in “0” territory and they don’t want to talk to strangers? I’ve varied the time of day. I was in range of a net last Sunday so, I thought I would check in but, it was a net specific to weather info for the area so, I stayed quiet.(It wasn’t SKYWARN or anything, just a repeater locals only use to report weather). I can hear myself on my monitor and can hear that I am tripping the repeater so, I guess my radio works. I’ve got plenty of power (ICOM IC-9700 with a Diamond tri-band 13’6” high SWR 1.2) I just don’t understand why so many people have spent huge money and time to get into amateur radio and then, only talk to the same 5 people in their town only. Luckily, my brother also just got his license (also an OTR trucker)and as soon as his callsign appears on the website, at least we can make D-Star contact and teach each other some things. Also, if any new Ham truckers read this, I can tell you some things I learned while installing a Icom 9700 and a Icom 7300 and a Icom R-8600 in a truck. It gets tricky. 73’s Thanks for the videos. KI5FZZ
Jerry Marshall I'm a professional driver as well and looking into getting my ham license next time i go get home.i would definitely like to speak with you and get an idea of good equipment for the truck and just learn as you're newly licensed. Congratulations and be safe out there.
as to these "yellers" perhaps its their only "skill" in an otherwise boring life so they become airways police. I teach a few skills how would they feel if I yelled at every mistake they made while learning...they probably wouldn't come back I'm sure this happens to quite a lot of learning hams! totally agree with your recomendation 73
Great video, very informative. Me being a new ham have heard a lot of what you said, but that. doesn't scare me away from the radio. Some lo longtime ham think they own the frequencies, but I know better. Keep the great videos coming. Thanks KN6AAH
Hi Eric....A little food for your next similar video: A few years back, I used to tech electronics to prospective field service techs, and actually helped to author tech certification courses!! .....which, along with about $3, will get me my iced coffee from Dunkin Donuts!! Now, at the ripe old age of 67, one of the things that I find most interesting, and challenging, is having to know FCC Part 97 regulations, operating procedures and responsibilities, and renewing knowledge of wave propagation (which I haven't used since my Navy days...back in the 1970s!). Having to pass licensing exams is a great 'equalizer' (when it comes to who may know more than another) and gives all hams a great starting point for a 'rag chew!' It assures common basic knowledge, and stops the hobby from becoming like the worst of CB (CB is fine...but some people take it way overboard). All hams need to do...ever...is relax, enjoy the obvious benefits the hobby has to offer and, if they're having a bad day, sit back and breathe until calmer. There's something to be learned from just about any/every contact. Be proud of your license, and act in a way that you can be proud of. Great video!! 73 :-)
Excellent video. Wish c.b. was like this. Quite a few butt heads on CB. Looking for spot to take test for technician. Already got handheld and mobile station ready. Looking for pointers on how to talk.
I am new to Ham and learning all the time about amateur radio. Great videos very informative nice job thanks A+++ have seen alot of yours. ps nice to hear from someone around Space Coast of FL Satellite Beach, FL
A very interesting and helpful video, it is easy to get into a rut of habits. Here in the UK, I have often heard the term "qsl via the bureau", which to say send a qsl contact verification card via the RSGB. In America, this would be perhaps the ARRL. Thanks, alastair gw0aju.
One recommendation I have is this, ZED non phonetically, ZULU phonetically. ZEE sounds like V, G, D, B, P, C, used non phonetically especially on a restricted audio band pass radio, and noisy conditions. :-) and especially on the digital modes. Only one CQ is ok on repeaters. Q R ZED does not mean CQ and Q signals should not be used on phone anyway :-) How's that for an old curmudgeon Eric? :-) You are a great asset to ham radio. Oh one more thing, the example you gave about yelling into the mic is that over deviation can cause the squelch to close and that part of the signal is lost on the other ham's receiver or the repeater will chop it off. This is my 50th year as a ham and I grew up with repeaters and FM as repeaters were just coming in back in the late 60's and early 70's. I still run my own repeater.
Good video...A lot of people need to listen more than they talk...I listen all the time...sometimes I have time to talk sometimes I don't. But how to talk to people is confusing at first. I'm learning though...when I stop learning I figure it is time to quit. HF is my new area to learn...getting some stuff setup soon. Made a couple contacts the other night off my tailgate of my truck. Which was pretty cool...Same thing goes there as with vhf/uhf learning what to say etc.
I recently heard a conversation on a local repeater that made me think of what you were talking about here. A guy up in the rural hills with no outside contact aside from phone fired up his old ham radio and asked someone if they could help him contact his home phone provider because his phone had gone down and he had no way of calling out for help. Amateur radio operators were able to help him and make contact to help him get his phone service restored.
Just wanted to pop in and say I made my first RF contact and Echolink contact today!
Awesome.. congrats
Echo link ! oh dear...
Congrats.
Well done and Welcome to the fantastic Ham Radio hobby.
73 Steve M0BFM Liverpool UK
Thank you for teaching me how not to embarrass myself on my first day.
Shoot, some people could use this advice for general in-person interactions.
I've been licensed and listening for 2 years. This is the best video on the subject of new hams and language used I've ever seen.
I'm a pre-noob: that is, I don't have my license yet. I'm testing in six days. I have a dual-band HT and can listen, but thus far I have not heard much. This was a very useful video.
Me too. I hope to take the test soon and will probably start with an inexpensive HT
I have been doing nothing but FT8 to get my feet wet. Got a new IC-7300 and figured i'd finally talk to someone. Accidentally drifted off the end of 40m from general to extra class. I was just watching the blips on the band monitor and not the freq. An honest mistake. The guy looked me up on qrz, noticed I was a general and couldn't be there. Very abruptly said, you cant be here so i'm concluding this conversation now. How about, "Hey partner, you must have drifted off band, yada yada yada." How about, "Hey man, your in the wrong park, how about we jump where you can be and I can tell you some stuff". Nope... I learned how to be here, maybe just need to learn the nuances. I didn't have an elmer, I did this on my own. Want to know why the younger generation might not want to do this? Cause you talk to them like a dick. Personally the hardest thing I find is copying peoples call signs. And I feel bad for that. W1SPS
Lots of Karens out there.
your stories sound so familiar. Maybe I'll plug the mic back into my radio.
Buddy
I love the way,
You explain ,
How ham Radio work’s
You push me to Study for the test,
Man
Thank you SR
For years I keep canceling,
For the
Test,
I’m going for it...
Did you take the test?
I really appreciate your down to earth approach. This seems like all good advice, and it seems honestly like good life advice, too....not just HAM radio advice.
Hi Eric. Been watching your videos and appreciate them very much. You are giving this returning ham the much needed confidence to key up my mic and open my mouth. Keep up the great job!
When I was in the Coast Guard, we had a distress call from the “Schidt Bird”, nobody would pronounce it over the radio, even the helo pilots... everyone spelled it phonetically.
I just listened to your buying guide and now this video: wow! You've made this easy and informative. I went to my local HAM club for 3 or so meetings and they just put me to sleep. Thank you for making this fun!
LOL. That part about identifying your call sign is funny. I'm a newly licensed tech and before I made any calls I listened for a few days just to make sure how that call sign flowed.
I was so concerned about the HAM patrol that I thought I had to do what you just made fun of lol. I understand it now though.
That was funny. I paused the video to reply at that point lol.
I've been at this on and off for 20 years and I still stop and just listen. I've always said that listening is the hardest aspect of amatuer radio to learn.
In my opinion, it's the Number 1 skill to master.
Very interesting! I just passed the test for my Technician license Saturday. Already studying for the General license. This gave me some good info. Really looking forward to start talking on the radio.
My rule for ID-ing on a local repeater is ID when the repeater IDs. Great reminder and no excessive ID-ing.
In a conversation, on amateur radio, just talk like you would on a telephone.
for some people this is what he's saying not to do!
Your content & coverage is excellent. You have a natural talent for public speaking and should consider doing a TV show! :-)
I have been guilty of at least one of those taboos. In fact, it almost sounded like you were talking about me at one point. Thank you for this enlightening video. You have improved my manners. KC7MOL
@21:00 ish mark,
Wife in the background: Are you yelling at someone?
Eric: No, just giving an example...
I don't know why that was funny to me but it was, I enjoyed it.
Just a little wisecracking: you do know that the cops in Florida (I think 😬) do in fact use “QSL” instead of “10-4” don’t you? 🤣🤣
I don’t think you should stop “rambling” And I’m quite sure I won’t be the only one being THANKFUL for your HONESTY and your way of “just letting it out”!
Please stay that way!
Remember that good advice is never limited to new HAMs only.
I would not exactly call myself a “seasoned HAM” FAR FROM IT but licensed almost 3 years now I had the opportunity to listen to quite some BULL... to be honest, YOUR JIBBER-JABBERS IS NOT!
Thanks again!
Best 64 +/-9 de DO1MBL 🖖
🤣🤣🤣 Super-heterodyne flip flop coeficient transistor!!! Now that is what makes time travel possible!!!! Good video, thanks Eric. 73, Brian WB8AM (QSL? 😁)
Thanks for getting down to the basics for simple folks like me. Got my technician today along with one of my grown sons.
Just got licensed waiting for my call sign. These videos are very helpful. Tell your wife thank you for giving up so much of your time to make these videos.
Ah...brings back memories of when I was commuting back and forth about 70 miles each way a day. We had a steady crew on two repeaters...but we encouraged people to join in. We talked about everything, and I mean everything. Admittedly, we pushed the envelope a bit...but we had FUN, and talked to anyone who wanted to join us. I got my license to meet people and talk to them. Discussing radio theory is great, I learned a lot...but we had a few who that was all they talked about.
Thank you! I always appreciate that at heart you always want the best for the hobby. I also appreciate your down to earth instruction, I get it, your time is much appreciated 👍🏼😀👌
You are straight to the point. Great way to highlight these undesirable behaviours. 73!
Thanks Eric. This is a great video for new Techs. I hope it helps those new HAMs with Mic fright.
This phrase has served me well. "Be interested over being interesting!" A great Covey quote.
Thanks for the great vid BTW. Keep up the good work.
Love your videos. Your a service to the hobby sir. Thank You
Great stuff Eric! 10-4 there good buddy! LMBO!
Got my ticket punched in 2015 (Tech & Gen) then upgraded to AE last Aug. Hadn't done a lot on air before then, but had a bunch of fun on mobile last year and made contacts all over Europe. Seems it was only on the repeaters that folks felt the need to ID every time they keyed up, but complain when you call CQ. lol
My club has a bunch of good folks and I miss going to the meetings, being on the wrong side of The Pond for a couple more months. 73
I have to say I couldn't stop laughing, it's so true, I have been on cb for years in Australia, and listened a lot on HF but of course not key up. I'm going for my Foundation Sunday 11th June 2023.
I set up my gear a year ago for Ham, as you know CB is wild and you get a lot of, what the bloody hell are you doing with the Roger beep of *#@#! :) Your clipping the repeater @!!hole :)
Great tips thank you, I think if it happens to me now I would crack up and start laughing. great shows mate and I am a big fan, easy to listen to, and you have a kind demeanour, look forward to more videos. I know its a couple of years old, but it doesn't get old, i loved it :) Joey
Without being too harsh, let me say HAM audience varies wildly. Depending on your location you may get some younger folk that are very easy going and fun to talk to. Or, for my instance, I got my license at 16 in a retirement community and typically the audience was old and what can a 16 year old really relate to with someone in their 70s? That was 16 years ago and that community has changed, as now that town is one of the fastest growing metros in the US. Same old guys are still there, but there are a couple younger guys finally.
This was the first of your videos I have seen. I hope they are all like this.
Using both callsigns at the start of the transmission and your own call sign at the end comes from working busy nets, using formal radio telephone procedure.
The most obvious example to me is a military net where you might have 30 callsigns on the net all ussing a single frequency.
Thanks Eric always enjoy your videos. You're 100% correct for US but here in South Africa our regulations require the station ID at every transmission (just once tho and not at start and finish) so we tend to use our callsign as the "over" at the end of transmission to keep it to a relative minimum. 73 ZS1OSS
Thank you Eric for posting this video. Great content. I currently have my GMRS License but i am getting ready to finally take my Technician exam in a few weeks.
One of the funniest videos I've seen...you really made me laugh. So much so...I subscribed! Very entertaining ha ha. And full of info for us debutants. Thoroughly enjoyed the last 25 mintues!!
I'll never forget N8IQT. Doug is the kindest elmer of elmers. Thank you Doug from the bottom of my heart.
You saved me a lot of angst when I turn that transceiver for the first time.
I have always heard not to call CQ on UHF/VHF repeaters. I recently read an exception. If you have been calling and gotten no response go ahead and call “CQ CQ CQ this Kx1xxx, kilo X-ray 1 X-ray X-ray X-ray calling CQ”. If someone is listening (and as HRC has pointed out there likely will be) the chances are good they will respond to tell you not to do that. You now have made contact and maybe you can have fun with it.
Thanks for sharing your experience with us new tech’s I’m in west central Arkansas in the river valley. KJ5CRI 73’s 🇺🇸
I’m I new new ham, and kind of have taken to heart that voice conversations are called “phone,” so with little tweaks, I talk to people like I am on the phone with them.
This guy is the instructor on my Ham Test Prep course!
MY FRIEND, YOU ARE AWESOME. LOVE THE WAY YOU EXPLAIN THINGS WITH ALL THE PASSION TO TEACH AND HELP OTHERS. I'LL SEE YOU OUT THERE SOMEDAY. 73 ANIBAL
My wife and i are laughing our heads off listening to this part 3 , it taught us a bunch and you made it FUN . good buddy roger doger over and out 73 on the side . ( remembering CW mcCall's movie in the 80's ) I'm a 18 wheeler tech ;) 39 years into it
Just wanted to say Hi!!, Watched your previous videos in this series. Awesome, great job. I'm somewhat new to Amateur Radio. I have past Firefighting exp, been around radios, programmers etc. I've recently gotten interested in becoming a operator and after watching your videos, I'm hooked. I'm studying now for my Technician test now.
You had me at "Super-heterodyne macho man who's just erected himself on the repeater!" HAHAHAHAHA
You da man, Eric. You da man!
Thanks for this video. Sorely needed for newbies like me.
Thank you. I needed that. My first radio just came in the mail and I’m charging it up.
I love this video I hear people using the wrong Q-codes all the time and when I am talking to people that doesn't use the the correct code I tell them I don't know what they are talking about and the great confusion begins. But I really enjoyed this video
You're right that the over identifying comes from DMR and D-Star (and similar), but it's not just some bad habit. The ten minute rule is a US regulation. Many foreign countries still have the old beginning and end of each transmission law, and if you're talking to someone from a country that requires it, you're going to hear it. I'm unclear on whether or not you need to use it back, in case they're on an actual RF repeater linked to yours, but this is where you hear it and why.
Also, keep in mind that we have a lot of older hams, who developed their skills when that was the rule in the US as well. The ten minute rule is relatively recent here.
We have guys on the local repeater who still say "over" at the end of a transmission. Why, I don't know. It might be training from some emergency communications net they're active on.
Being new to a mode can be very intimidating. I've been a ham for 20 years, but I mostly work phone. I've been re-studying my Morse, and CW is still a bit intimidating because I'm new to it. So even old hams can be nervous when trying something new.
73,
Gwen, NG3P
Gwen Patton I didn’t know the rule used to be identify beginning and end in US and still in other countries. That makes sense to me now why people still do it. Some habitats are hard to break. Good to know. Thanks.
Gwen Patton by the way. Check out the Long Island CW club. They teach Morse Code through on line classes. I just joined to learn.
@@jfranke3 Oh, I know about them already. I've already been through CW Academy Level 1 and Level 2 Prep, and have the main Level 2 class in September. If I make it through that, I may take Level 3 and consider being a teacher (I forget their term for it). I sometimes work people via the SKCC (Straight Key Century Club) sked page, which is a fantastic and friendly place to find people to talk to. I don't use a straight key yet, but I DO use a sideswiper (Cootie) key and find it actually easier than a paddle for most things.
I made an adapter so I can keep my cootie and a paddle plugged into my Elecraft KX3 all the time, and just switch between them at whim. Sometimes I feel like using a paddle, sometimes I feel like using the sideswiper. I also own a Vibroplex Lightning Bug and a Chinese straight key I got on Ebay. I can use the straight key but don't enjoy it much, and still need to learn how to use the bug.
There's also a group on Discord that meets nightly to send code to one another over the net and practice. I haven't been there for a while, it's awfully late at night for my brain to be still in gear. lol.
If you're up for some fun tales of early ham radio adventures, check this out: archive.org/details/CallingCq-AdventureOfShort-waveRadioOperators
Over IDing was around long before DMR & D-Star, but most of those who say that weren't around back in the 70'S or so.
So glad you said all that. I wasn't looking forward to learning all those Q codes.
"Radio Check" is now an acceptable term on repeaters. I don't know when it happened..
hello my name is Mario, live in Alaska and about to get my Technician license. Been watching all your videos and thanks to you i am learning new thing every day. Once I get my license the first thing will be to ask you about the Icom-9700 and Icom-7300. my wife is very happy for me in making the choice of buying once but buying the best Ham rig possible with $5000.00 budget.
Like the info. From the UK and on a intermediate licence and haven't been on air yet. Seems I've made or heard of most of the difficulties you advice which has put me off getting on air. Started in 2016 and wanted to get my grandson into it a bit later as he's now 4. Time running away already!!!! It will happen at some point but I guess the longer I wait the more water under the bridge passes and the bigger the distance to reestablish the learning. Ta again.
this helped so much got my technician like 4 moths ago and was nervous to make my first call because I dint know how to respond I'm making my first call tomorrow
😂 "are you yelling at somebody?" give that woman a medal
I wonder what I sounded like on the radio in middle school........
It would have certainly been funny to hear a little kid on HF or the local repeater.
I do remember biting my tongue and forgetting to press the PTT.
Thank you for the great videos Eric.
Mike N6IMY
Your videos are always casually informative and I like it. My first call was a long drawn out cq on my local repeater twelve years ago. That's how I met my first elmer.
Also i think myself and a lot of hams should watch this. Sometimes we don't realize how we sound on the other end. I know I have been rude after a long day on the road. Everyone gets on the air for their own reasons. People are so judgemental but keep trying because you'll eventually find good ones. Check out your local club repeaters because those relationships will matter more to you than someone on the WIN system or a statewide network.
Female HAM operator right here Hello 👋 Nice to meet you all
I like this series. Good information for new hams.
A honest, insightful video as always. I don't think you're ranting, I think you're informing about a touchy subject. 73's, Xander NL134
YOU HAD ME DIEING WITH THAT ROGER DODGER STUFF LMAOO
I just discovered your video-I'll be back. Very good common sense advice for new and old hams(like me). I left CB 42 years ago and I absolutely cringe when I hear it. WD9ARK, 73.
Great video Sir 73
Newbie with PTT anxiety. As soon as I put my thumb on the PTT I forget my call sign and all the rues.
Lol, me too. Had my "ticket" for 8 months, still haven't transmitted yet.
@@user-gj8wo8lq9s Monitor some nets and learn the format. Usually you just give your call sign name and city and say no traffic. I usually only key up when I hear someone with a problem with a radio or hotspot I have the answer to.
Thats why i use CB, no rules there.
I loved your wife's impromptu reaction. You should have invited her in to say HI! '73's / K4SRF
hi eric ..great video, made me chuckle.. and so very true on the points you make, all new ham's need all the help and encouragement they can get to enjoy this hobby, it's what keep's ham radio going, 73 from 2w0gng..south wales, uk........qsl qsl...lol
I get fed up of the unwelcoming sort of people you have talked about here. Thank you for making this video.
@Colin Baker I've been a ham for about 2 years now and have met 3 so far.
Ham Radio is a regulated hobby/service
Hi Eric, first and foremost I wish you and your family a very happy new year.
This was a very informative and helpful video indeed. There are plethora of information and videos about training and preparations for appearing the test and getting the licence to operate ham radios. In contrast, there are no worthwhile information or videos on how to pick the mic and get on air with the best practices and mannerisms in ham radio communication.
I am a new ham, got my license on November last. Initially, used to listen to the local repeaters to get a feel during the evening regular VHF Net check-ins. During these time I used to note the callsigns of the Net Controller and other hams who used to come on the band.
On 24th December was my maiden appearance over the repeater during the regular evening net from 09:00pm. I felt pretty satisfied the way I started and concluded the call.
Since 25 Dec I have been travelling. First it was to Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) where I used to check-in to two VHF Nets conducted in separate repeaters. Yes, I was using those cheap handies, but interestingly was able to trigger the repeaters with 4 & 8. It was fun as well as giving me a lot of confidence too, besides making new ham friends from that City of Joy.
I have now come on a visit to this Garden City alias, Bangalore. I was able to trigger a couple of repeaters and have been checking-in to most of the Nets conducted at breakfast time as well as in the evening hours.
This video of yours which I treasure it, will help me to correct all the flaws and improve in my communication.
Thanks-za-ton once again Eric and have a blessed day ahead. Greetings from Bangalore, India.
VU3TQT
73s
(I am yet to put my profile in qrz.com)
Ooh....your "radios" are biig! I can see them clearly from here. They look real. You are lucky! We do not see such big radios in Indonesia. All is small...much smaller than yours, but few people can afford them.
Good job Eric,
Some folks are new and they needed to hear this.
Cheers,
Jay N6WIP
Around the 4 minute mark you're talking about how "someone is always listening". Over the years I've seen that carried to extremes. I'm very annoyed by people who think they're doing some kind of service to the community by "camping out" on a repeater from the time they get up till the time they go to bed. Then when some unfortunate person happens by the repeater they pounce on them immediately, making sure that no one else has a chance to talk. After that goes on for so long people start avoiding the repeater because of the "repeater troll".
That happened to me twice after I got back into ham after 20 years.(new call) I was intentionally trying to get into a distant and quiet repeater while stuck in traffic . An old timer instantly jumped on it and went on and on about how I need better gear. Later, on a different repeater, I asked about local conditions and my new antenna. I got a monologue about proper gear and getting help from experienced hams. I told him it sweeps fine on my analyser, I was just wondering if I was using enough power. I avoid that repeater. They presume my new call means I don't know much. I'm a broadcast engineer.
Eric this is so right amazing how radio is the same in most countries, well done great video i guess this is why for so many years i didn't get on!
I have been a ham since 1977. I have had some very interesting chats on hf, vhf. One was with a David Lean, who wrote the best book on the epson dot matric printer. I was using the TRS-80 model one at the time. I had great sales for about 4 or so years. David said he worked with Tandy Radio shack and he remembered a meeting that asked if he thought they could sell even 1000 of them. Of course many more then that.
Memories. I owned a TRS-80 Model 1, then a Model 3 (with the two floppy drives) and even acquired a Model 2 with the 8" floppy drive. I remember my first Epson MX-80 dot matrix printer. Awesome machine for the time.
I agree on the overuse of QSL. I don't use it at all unless asked.
The lack of people responding when you just throw your callsign out is staggering to me. I got my license on the 14th of this month. I drive an 18-wheeler over the road. I’ve been dialing in repeaters every day for almost 2 weeks with NO replies, none. Maybe it’s because I have a “5” callsign and I’ve been up in “0” territory and they don’t want to talk to strangers? I’ve varied the time of day. I was in range of a net last Sunday so, I thought I would check in but, it was a net specific to weather info for the area so, I stayed quiet.(It wasn’t SKYWARN or anything, just a repeater locals only use to report weather). I can hear myself on my monitor and can hear that I am tripping the repeater so, I guess my radio works. I’ve got plenty of power (ICOM IC-9700 with a Diamond tri-band 13’6” high SWR 1.2) I just don’t understand why so many people have spent huge money and time to get into amateur radio and then, only talk to the same 5 people in their town only. Luckily, my brother also just got his license (also an OTR trucker)and as soon as his callsign appears on the website, at least we can make D-Star contact and teach each other some things. Also, if any new Ham truckers read this, I can tell you some things I learned while installing a Icom 9700 and a Icom 7300 and a Icom R-8600 in a truck. It gets tricky. 73’s Thanks for the videos. KI5FZZ
Jerry Marshall I'm a professional driver as well and looking into getting my ham license next time i go get home.i would definitely like to speak with you and get an idea of good equipment for the truck and just learn as you're newly licensed. Congratulations and be safe out there.
as to these "yellers" perhaps its their only "skill" in an otherwise boring life so they become airways police.
I teach a few skills how would they feel if I yelled at every mistake they made while learning...they probably wouldn't come back I'm sure this happens to quite a lot of learning hams! totally agree with your recomendation 73
This has been an awesome series. Just ordered the manual you suggested in the first video.
What a great vid man, beaut advice there... thank you for taking the time, its been an entertainment and super value for me as a absolute total noob!
I like this style of series! You had me laughing a few times on this one.
Thanks a million, I needed that
Great video, very informative. Me being a new ham have heard a lot of what you said, but that. doesn't scare me away from the radio.
Some lo longtime ham think they own the frequencies, but I know better.
Keep the great videos coming. Thanks
KN6AAH
Hi Eric....A little food for your next similar video: A few years back, I used to tech electronics to prospective field service techs, and actually helped to author tech certification courses!! .....which, along with about $3, will get me my iced coffee from Dunkin Donuts!! Now, at the ripe old age of 67, one of the things that I find most interesting, and challenging, is having to know FCC Part 97 regulations, operating procedures and responsibilities, and renewing knowledge of wave propagation (which I haven't used since my Navy days...back in the 1970s!). Having to pass licensing exams is a great 'equalizer' (when it comes to who may know more than another) and gives all hams a great starting point for a 'rag chew!' It assures common basic knowledge, and stops the hobby from becoming like the worst of CB (CB is fine...but some people take it way overboard). All hams need to do...ever...is relax, enjoy the obvious benefits the hobby has to offer and, if they're having a bad day, sit back and breathe until calmer. There's something to be learned from just about any/every contact. Be proud of your license, and act in a way that you can be proud of. Great video!! 73 :-)
Excellent video. Wish c.b. was like this. Quite a few butt heads on CB. Looking for spot to take test for technician. Already got handheld and mobile station ready. Looking for pointers on how to talk.
I am new to Ham and learning all the time about amateur radio. Great videos very informative nice job thanks A+++ have seen alot of yours. ps nice to hear from someone around Space Coast of FL Satellite Beach, FL
A very interesting and helpful video, it is easy to get into a rut of habits. Here in the UK, I have often heard the term "qsl via the bureau", which to say send a qsl contact verification card via the RSGB. In America, this would be perhaps the ARRL. Thanks, alastair gw0aju.
One recommendation I have is this, ZED non phonetically, ZULU phonetically. ZEE sounds like V, G, D, B, P, C, used non phonetically especially on a restricted audio band pass radio, and noisy conditions. :-) and especially on the digital modes. Only one CQ is ok on repeaters. Q R ZED does not mean CQ and Q signals should not be used on phone anyway :-)
How's that for an old curmudgeon Eric? :-) You are a great asset to ham radio. Oh one more thing, the example you gave about yelling into the mic is that over deviation can cause the squelch to close and that part of the signal is lost on the other ham's receiver or the repeater will chop it off. This is my 50th year as a ham and I grew up with repeaters and FM as repeaters were just coming in back in the late 60's and early 70's. I still run my own repeater.
Good video...A lot of people need to listen more than they talk...I listen all the time...sometimes I have time to talk sometimes I don't. But how to talk to people is confusing at first. I'm learning though...when I stop learning I figure it is time to quit. HF is my new area to learn...getting some stuff setup soon. Made a couple contacts the other night off my tailgate of my truck. Which was pretty cool...Same thing goes there as with vhf/uhf learning what to say etc.
Thanks for the tips.
Excellent multi part series. Thanks Eric W4JCH
GREAT ADVICE.
9:14
Haha haha LOL here. Dude
Thanks 🙏 for sharing 💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Very funny video. LOL. You nailed everything right on the head. Very entertaining. Thank-you for all your videos.
Eric! Great video. I like your recent videos. The Chinese radio impression was great 👍 I needed a good chuckle 🤭
Im new to this .. This video was very helpful thank for making the time for this. 💪💪💪 lol good video man!
very helpful Eric. Keep em coming... good help. Thanx
As a trucker, I can tell you “good buddy” doesn’t mean what it used to. Skip that one 😂
22 good buddy