Newcomers Page

WELCOME! This page is dedicated to those who are new to the ham radio hobby and those who are considering joining in the fun. Our intent is to provide information concerning operating practices, station set-up, administration/record keeping and other related topics. Most of the subjects below are related to HF operating. If you have questions not addressed here, do let us know: others probably have the same question and we would like to provide answers here.

What is Amateur Radio?
What is a Call Sign?
How do I get a license?
What are the different license levels?
Antennas
Operating Procedures
Administration
Resources
Activities and events
Organizations

Just what is Amateur Radio?

Amateur Radio is a many faceted hobby. Communicating with other licensed amateurs using the radio spectrum with their own private equipment is fun. These signals, under the right conditions can travel around the world. No infrastructure, such as the internet is required. Achieving goals such as making contacts with all 50 states or multiple countries around the world can both be challenging and exciting. Participating in Public Service and Emergency Preparedness organizations attract many. Building and experimenting with antennas and equipment are great learning opportunities.
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What is a Call Sign?

Within the USA, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) assigns each amateur radio operator a unique call sign after passing an examination. There are amateur radio operators in most countries of the world. Each country has their own licensing authority. An enjoyable facet of "ham" radio is talking to other amateurs around the world. Your call sign identifies your station and is used whenever you transmit a signal. It also gives you some idea as to what country the other station is located.
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How do I get a license?

Most people take a class, which is designed to assist students in passing the amateur radio examination. The examination is given by volunteer examiners selected from the upper ranks of amateur radio who are then trained and certified as qualified examiners. The Stanwood Camano Amateur Radio Club, SCARC, sponsors both classes and examinations.
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What are the different license levels?

Amateur radio has three levels currently available: Technician, General, and Extra class. The examinations are progressively more challenging and the operating priviledges are greater with the higher levels.
The Technician class is generally limited to the VHF portion of the radio spectrum. VHF signals are usually used for local communication but there are interesting exceptions such as satellite communication and the use of repeaters.
The General class is allowed HF (High Frequency) communication in addition to VHF. HF signals can propagate around the world using the ionosphere and add greatly to the enjoyment of ham radio.
The Extra class has the maximum privileges including all amateur frequencies and all transmission modes.
There have been other license levels in the past (for example, the Advanced class) and some operators who hold this class have not updated their license to a new class yet.
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Antennas

Antennas are a topic of endless discussion. Almost any material that can conduct electricity can be used as an antenna. It becomes a matter of how well they work. Simple wire antennas at a proper height and cut to the appropriate length can radiate very well. Hams can and routinely do work DX (distant stations) with wire antennas. Getting to know how they work and experimenting with them is a lot of fun. One of the best resources is the ARRL Antenna Book available for purchase online or through a ham radio store. Also, a web search for ham antennas will result in many hits.
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Operating procedures

The Amateur's Code: Some simple, common sense guidelines about operating. Please see this site for the details.

Listening: This is one of the most important steps before beginning a transmission. Find out if the frequency is already in use! If you hear a DX station working a pile-up, find out if they are working "Split" (where transmitting and receiving are on different frequencies).

Signal Reports: It can be embarrassing if you don't give a proper signal reports. Signal reports are a very common exchange and follow a standard format. Readability [R](on a scale of 1 to 5), Strength [S](on a scale of 1 to 9) and Tone[T] (on a scale of 1 to 9) (Tone is used for morse code or CW mode). A common report is "5-9" meaning perfectly readable and extremely strong signal strength. Most HF radios and some VHF radios have an S meter to provide a estimate of signal strength.

Nets: What is a net? This is an organized activity for some purpose such as relaying messages. Some nets are for working DX or for working counties. Nets meet at designated times on established frequencies. Nets have a net control station (NCS) who directs the activity on the net. Many have a web site that describes their purpose and schedule.

Contesting: There are ham radio contests nearly every weekend. The hours, bands, modes vary. Different organizations sponsor them. All are a lot of fun and a great way to make a lot of contacts although they will be very brief. This is not the time for casual " rag chewing" at least with those who are calling "CQ CONTEST". Information about contest schedules, objectives, rules and awards can be found in QST magazine published by the ARRL.

Q Signals: These three letter codes were developed very early in the history of telegraphy as a form of shorthand. They are still widely used today. Some of the common ones are QRV (I am ready to receive your message), QSL ( I receipt for the message), QTH (my location is _____). This link provides a nearly complete list. Listen for and learn the commonly used ones: they come in handy!

Don'ts: Avoid using CB slang, 10-x codes and profanity of any kind. You will appear to not be a legitimate, properly licensed ham otherwise.

How to deal with intentional interference: Ignore it. It is sad, but there are some people who attempt to jam or otherwise make communication difficult. We assume they get some pleasure from getting others mad at them. We have found that if you simply carry on as best you can and not acknowledge their existence, they eventually go away.
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Administration

Logging: If you are operating on HF bands, most stations keep a record of their contacts. This is useful for knowing which states, countries, counties you've contacted. VHF operators keep track of "grid squares" as well. There are operating award certificates for achieving certain goals for both HF and VHF operating such as Worked All States (WAS) and DXCC (worked 100 countries). This record is called a LOG. It should record the callsign of the station you contacted (a.k.a. worked), the date and time (be sure to use Universal Time (UT) a.k.a. Zulu time) for both the date and Time, the frequency or ham band, the mode of operation (CW, SSB, AM, PSK, FM, etc.), the signal report (RST) you gave and RST you received and any other information you would like to record (perhaps the other persons name, state, county, etc.) Keeping your Log in Universal Time makes it very easy to compare your log with others in different time zones which is useful when filling out QSL cards or if you want to use the ARRL Logbook of the World (LoTW). Your log can be on paper or a file on your computer. There are logging programs available for purchase which have many handy features. An electronic log is required if you want to upload contact info to LoTW. LoTW is used by millions of hams and is a fast and convenient way to get contacts confirmed.

QSLing: Exchanging a confirmation of a contact goes back to the earliest days of ham radio when operators would send each other a card affirming they had a contact at a particular time/date and frequency, etc. This tradition is still an important part of our hobby today although there have been some enhancements to do this confirmation process electronically. Confirmation is required for most awards: thus it is important should you receive a request for a QSL, that you reply with your QSL card promptly.
QSL cards can be purchased from several vendors or you can make your own. There are some web sites that allow you to design your own custom card or you can use common software such as MS Excel to format a card and then print on heavier paper stock. Be sure to include your call sign, your City, County and State, words such as "confirming QSO with" followed by the call sign of the other station, the date and time (Z), band or freq, mode and signal report. They should be approximately 3.5 by 5.5 inches. Cards should always be mailed inside an envelope to protect them from wear in the mailing process. If requesting a card, it is recommended you include a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE). Mailing addresses for most hams can be found at www.qrz.com.
If you receive a request for a QSL, be sure to send a reply.

Station Notebook: Its a good idea to keep records of your station configuration, test results, net schedules of interest and other reference materials in a Station Notebook.
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Resources

QRZ.COM is a great reference whenever you are looking for a specific ham. However, it is important you check that application to make sure its info is correct about you. There is an easy to use bio page where you can add info about yourself and post pictures if desired. But more importantly, be sure your email address is added. This makes is easier for someone you have worked to contact you.
The ARRL publishes many books and pamphlets on a wide range of ham radio topics. Becoming an ARRL member also includes a subscription to QST magazine which features news, contest schedules, technical and other interesting ham-radio related information. The ARRL is our representative organization and they work with the FCC and Congress to protect and promote the interests of all ham operators.
EHAM.NET is another useful place for information as well as classified ads for used equipment.
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Activities and events

Hamfest: an annual convention where hams gather to meet friends, buy/sell equipment and perhaps attend classes on various related topics. Hamfests vary in size and features but they are all fun events to attend. Most of these events are sponsored by a club in the area. SCARC hosts a hamfest/swapmeet every year and it is very well attended by both sellers and shoppers from around our region.

Field Day: an annual event where hams are encouraged to set up their stations to operate "off the grid", simulating a disaster situation. This may be the largest, world-wide, on-the-air event on the calendar. Lots of fun to get out in the field. Many stations participate from home as well. There are two events: one in the summer and another in winter. SCARC sponsors both in our area.

Fox Hunt: often a competitive event where a small, low-power transmitter (the fox) is hidden and participants use their radio-direction-finding skills to find it. Excellent training for those interested in Search & Rescue work.

Contests: another form of competitive event is the 'contest'. There are many, many contests and there are dozens of contest sponsors. Each contest has its own rules. Most of the time, contests are held on weekends and it is not unusual to have more than one going at the same time. For example, there might be a a contest where the objective is to contact as many stations in a particular state. There be another contest that same weekend with a goal of contacting as many stations in a different state. Some are for a specific mode such as voice or Morse Code (CW) or one of the other digital modes. Contests are a great opportunity to make contacts. Information about upcoming contests can be obtained from QST magazine, CQ magazine and from our club weekly net.

Public Service Events: you can participate in local events such as marathons, bicycle races and other activities as a communications volunteer. Many of these rely on ham radio for event coordination and safety of the runners.

Disaster Preparedness Exercises: Simulated Emergency Tests (SET) are conducted by local Police/Fire/FEMA/hospitals and other agencies on a routine basis. Ham radio plays an important roll is providing communications when our infrastructure fails.
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Organizations

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL): The ARRL is the national association of radio amateurs. Their monthly magazine, QST, if full of technical information and operating news. They are our voice in Washington DC. We encourage every ham to be a member.

Local ham clubs: Clubs are an excellent way to get help, learn more about the hobby and share in the fun of radio by getting to know others who share this common interest.

ARES: Amateur Radio Emergency Service are hams who have volunteered to participate in and be trained for emergency communications.

MARS: The Army and Air Force sponsor Military Affiliate Radio System programs where licensed amateurs operate their equipment on specific military frequencies using military communications protocols for handling messages. Each service has their own qualification requirements which volunteers must meet, typically requiring a minimum number of hours of participation each month. Each service assigns unique military callsigns to their member stations.
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Feedback

If you found this information useful or if you have questions, especially regarding information which might be added to this page, please contact the Web site focal by email.