You studied. You passed the exam. You proudly received your callsign. You programmed your new handheld, listened to the local repeater… …and heard almost nothing. If that describes your first few days as a licensed amateur radio operator, take heart—you are far from alone. Many new hams quietly drift away from the hobby during their…
One of the first things a new amateur radio operator notices is that conversations often end with a simple number: “Thanks for the contact. 73!” If you’re new to the hobby, you might wonder if you missed a chapter in the license manual. Why 73? Why not 72 or 75? As it turns out, this…
Whether you’ve just earned your Technician license or you’re preparing to upgrade, the resources below will help you continue learning and enjoying amateur radio. Vendor Description Ham Radio Outlet (HRO) One of the largest amateur radio dealers in the United States, with multiple retail locations including Plano, Texas. Offers radios, antennas, power supplies, test equipment,…
For many new amateur radio operators, the idea of owning a “real” base station is what first sparked their interest in the hobby. A radio sitting proudly on the desk, a microphone in hand, a good antenna outside—it just feels like amateur radio. The good news? Building a home station has never been easier. The…
For many amateur radio operators, the first “real” upgrade after a handheld is a mobile radio. Don’t let the name fool you. While these radios are designed for installation in a vehicle, many operators use them as their primary home station by pairing them with a 13.8-volt power supply and a good outdoor antenna. If you’ve been frustrated…