What Is So “Fun” About Ham Radio!!??????
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- Опубліковано 1 жов 2024
- If I were to enlighten someone about our hobby, and try to persuade them why they should get into the hobby, how would I explain about what is fun in this hobby?
#hamradioconcepts #amateurradio #cbradio
I love the community and the connection to other veterans.
There's nothing particularly fun about ham radio for me now that I'm well into my 60s and too many other things occupy my limited time that I either have to do, or rather be doing. BUT, had I started in ham radio when I was much younger, I would've deep dive into it as a teenager back in the 70s and my 20s because I always wanted to learn electronics and build kits/home brews. At that age it's learning technology, having the opportunity to be creative, working with both your hands and mind, and being inventive is what makes ham radio fun for a young me. It's something you can sink your teeth in as a young'n because that's when you're full of boundless energy, creativety, and all the time in the world. At that age you know knowledge is power and can build a future for you.
I tried to learn electronics back in the 70s at a JC, But I was bored out of my living mind because it was so stale because there was no examples of doing something with what you were being taught. But had I known about ham radio, that would've made learning electronics so much more easy and interesting instead of boring.
Because a frugal geek like me can spend just a few hundred bucks on radio gear, solder together some wire and parts to make a balun or unun, hang the thing in a tree with some antenna line and paracord, and contact people all around the world. Even though I don't have a lot of time for ragchews, I never get tired of seeing how far my modest rig can reach. It's an affordable hobby to ease into -- though one with LOTS of opportunities to get less afordable if you're not careful! 😅
I love the intricacy.
I _hate_ the complexity.
Pontificate those synonyms in great detail.
Stay classy my friends.
I like it because I don’t play video games ! There I said it !
The fun in amateur radio for me is playing with all the tech. Satellites, sstv, data, phone links, making networks, spectrum scanning, aprs, dstar, dmr, moon bounce, hitting long distance with skip and stuff. I dont really talk much on repeaters
That’s the amazing thing about our hobby. There are so many different things you can do. Digital modes, satellite, POTA, vintage gear, emergency comms… I think if people knew all the different aspects of the hobby, it would break the perception people have of ham radio. I think it’s great what you’re doing and you have an awesome platform and audience to hopefully draw some new people into the hobby.
My perception is that it’s something people did in the 1950s
I love electronics and building things. Ham radio is made for this. I love the idea that you can use a technology that hasn't changed too much since it's inception and talk to people around the world. While I do emergency comms, it's the making stuff part of ham radio that I love. I especially love building and experimenting with antennas. 73
I've mostly enjoyed learning about how the things around me work. Microwave ovens, cell phones, antennas, electronics, etc. That was not my original intent but it has been the best part.
J'aime la radio car depuis l'enfance j'ai toujours été fasciné de pouvoir entendre le monde entier et c'est devenu non seulement mon métier pendant 18 ans (Marine Française), et depuis que j'ai ma licence radioamateur (1986) je peux communiquer avec le monde entier aussi bien par la voix qu'avec un manipulateur digimodes etc. Mais le plus important c'est cette notion de respect et de tolérance les uns envers les autres.
The fact that I can get on hf and with 50w and a 17' whip in my backyard.....I can talk to several different countries... and it doesn't require the grid to do so!
It’s the classic example of the phrase ‘if I have to explain it, you’ll never understand’.
I support local events in Montana in areas that do not have cell phone service. If a participant in these events have an accident (we had 2 this last weekend). There is no way to get emergency services to those individuals without ham radio. That and also, we have 3 generations of hams in the family.
Im in it to meet chicks ! {as my wife calls me an idiot } .
for me it was a way out when i was a kid {cb} i could talk to someone far away or even a childhood friend that was across town . then it morphed into something more when i started racing in Baja california in the score races . even though i wasn't licensed i started putting systems together for the teams i was on that were easy to install [ mag mounts and a 2 meter radio with a cigarette lighter plug ] . from there i started building antennas for multiple bands with Yagi Cad . it changed again in my 30's to being the club VP for a few years then we moved to texas . I've gotten to meet some really great folks that teach me something new . its amazing .
(In addition to the cameraderie of our EmComm group) I like to put stuff together and make it work. I've built a half dozen antennas or moreand have more in the works. Using those to make contacts is the payoff. I really don't contest. When an event happens, I like to get on the air and try to make those contacts, and I will submit a log - but I'm not trying for the top 10. Just the effort is fun, especially when I'm running 10 watts on SSB. I just like learning the science and technology and trying to apply it. I am a chemical engineer by training, so I had one circuits and devices class in college - not much radio background. Built a crystal set as a kid, but didn't have the support around me to take it further. Licensed 10 years ago, but only now at 70 do I really have time to play with stuff - lots of build/rebuild and "try this" projects. I want to do RTTY an PSK, and now I may have time to make those work.
It's just cool to set up on an Oregon beach after sunset with a 20m inverted vee that I built and talk to someone in Lithuania on a 10 watt radio on battery.
Just built a new hf antenna with my daughter 7yr, she loves listen to hf and how many and how far she can recive. plots stations on maps and learn about different countrys. amazed how fast the can learn and ask quastions about why and why not she can hear different stations and countries. We need bigger antennas😂
parks on the air ....gets ya outside and portable ...i think its awesome you can at times...talk around the world on a wire/alum. pole....
I got into ham radio because several of my friends were in to it. Skywarn went hand and hand in that decision. Now it has evolved into many different aspects that I love being involved in from POTA, emergency comm, Skywarn (of course), electronics, working on repeaters, and many, many other things. Robert KD4YDC
I originally got into the hobby because there's no cell phone service where I got hunting. Fast forward 4.5 years later, I'm an Extra and got several radios from HF, VHF&UHF, handheld, mobile and base station like most other hams. Mostly do data on HF these days and some SSB every now and then. I prefer to ragchew and chase DX, not into contesting.
After getting out of the Marine Corps and moving back to Tennessee from California, my circle has gotten pretty small. Since getting into the hobby and talking on local repeaters, I've made more friends and get out of the house more often.
Being a “ Ham” myself for many years it was something that got my interest when I was a child. Now, 80:years old it is still a lot of fun and enjoy the ability to meet new friends. What I don’t like is the fact the FCC is making HAM radio enthusiasts jump through hoops and limiting what can be said and done !
For me the fun currently is in building different antennas and recently a tuner and then seeing how well they perform in getting my signal out there. When I have time I also like to get out and do a pota activation and get to be the "dx" and work big pileups and you get to meet some really nice people and share in the fun of the pota community.
2 Transmit ! Blows my mind ! Everybody has listened !!!
I am in Amateur Radio because I am geek and I love FT8, or AllStar Node, or APRS, or listening and talking through the ISS Repeater when overhead, all these things on top of field days and fellowship of other Amateurs - that is why I am an operator! You know as well. And I love now that you can do many of these modes with $30 radios and one good HF radio - or any combo you desire. And over time, you can have radios in your car/truck, radios at home, radios at work, radios while working in the yard, etc.
I started in the 70s and loved to communicate with people in places other than my own. My job was headed in electronics direction and I enjoyed putting together about 10 Heathkits over 6 years. Communicating and building (and servicing) rigs and antennas just appealed to me. I have to confess, I'm not a big fan of DMR, FT-8, and stuff requiring the Internet. They sound too expensive, involving too much use of software to program things even though I have a degree is CS and was a system analyst for 22 years. I'd just rather turn a dial, push a button, and talk or use CW.
I have spent hundreds of dollars on equipment and the repeater around here is silent. There are a couple nets here per week where guys just say their call signs then it is over in 3 minutes. Not really what I was hoping for. CB Radio actually has more action. I hate CB. Too many jerks and swear words.
Could you do a video series on each radio opportunity so newcomers understand? Most young people have lesser patience thresholds than Gen X does. Maybe focus on the digital modes instead of SSB. Kids like SMS anyway
I was 10 years old twisted speaker wires together light duty soldering
radio shack purchases well
then I broke my arm at 11 no one said I could do anything for couple months (cast) I went to sales with my mother and bought some ch 14 nine volt Talkies locals were on running 14
I knew from sound this was CB from my uncles car CB radio
Later was electronics everything
years later ameature radio to talk to more people' today the reoeater's dead now in PA all night. But you can still jump on in daytime talk some DX on 10 to 20 meters .
For me it is the theory in practice. I can play around with wire and electricity and communicate with someone mile away. How unreadable. I really enjoy just experimenting. So fun and does not have to be that costly compared to other hobbies. You can spend whatever you want on any hobby take fishing. You can use what is around you for free or spend millions on boats trailers,trucks, and gear. Making a contact with someone thousands of miles away with a rig you made is amazing.
Eric as a "younger" extra I have made less than 20 contacts in my entire time as a radio operator. Why is that?. It is most likely the same reason most youth/younger adults dont get into radio. If you wish to discuss it in greater depth I would be glad to rag chew with you.
Have a great day.
I'd say it's good to be prepared when cell phones go down. You can do a different form of texting. And you can play games of trying to activate all the parks on pota.
So what is in the Bucket antenna! Is it ready to sell? Should I just build a dummy load in a Home Depot bucket and call it quits?
I just recently got into the hobby. I found my father's old equipment in storage back from the 1960's and it peaked my interest in something he enjoyed as a teen.
Ham radio provides the perfect way to rag-chew. That was the initial draw I experienced.
I just love the technology and learning new things. Meeting and talking to new people with similar interests is also a huge bonus.
You can talk to people from other countries and around the world including the space station from the comfort of your home!
I got into the hobby because I love talking to people all over the world. making new antennas trying new things. So many reasons.
Able to talk to people all over the world and actually enjoy it.
I was fascinated by the magic of it when I was a kid, I built a crystal radio in 1959 when I was 10, and a one transistor code oscillator was next, and the genie was out of the bottle. We need to help our kids and grandkids find that magic.✋73's🎙KD9OAM🎧
Talking through a satellite repeater to someone else in a different state / country, using 2m / 70 cm! For me it's like guys who love fishing, its a challenge to see who else you can reach. The time you respond to someone calling CQ in Africa and getting a response on phone at 100w and they acknowledge you!
I got into ham to increase my level of self-reliance. POTA has made it fun and I’ve learned (am learning) a ton about HF propagation in the process.
I just like buying gear hahan
I started out for emergency/back up communications. Which is still a part of it, but I really enjoy the challenge of trying all the different modes: phone, digital, satellite, etc... , and activations like Fieldday and POTA. Challenging myself to build my own antennas and gear to use. Learning how it all works. Meeting other like minded Hams. Its all been Fun, sometimes that may be the hardest part is showing the FUN to others, we all need to work on the approach, keeping the interest when showing what the Hobby can do
Cause walkie talkies are cool
Family tradition.
Building antennas
Hello! I made a video response to your previous video. How can I get the link to you? 73!
Post it here
@@HamRadioConcepts I think yt will remove the comment
@@HamRadioConcepts it removed. It’s in my channel anyway. I looked for your info on qrz but email is not public hehhe. 73!
Ive been fascinated with radio since I was young. It was natural for me to get into ham radio eventually. I think the best thing about the hobby is that it is so broad and open ended. The one aspect of ham radio that gets you started introduces you into another aspect, mode, and so on. So many challenges to keep you interested. Another thing is if you have to take a break for family or work reasons, you can come back to it and get back right where you left off. 73 AA8NN
I love doing POTA unfortunately I had to sell on my ham radios to buy food
I got into it was fun my family was into it. Was a way to get closer to my dad. Love making new contacts. See how far I can get that signal.
Hello Eric, how I got into HAM was for drone use. You need a minimum of a Technician class to legally fly. I don’t fly much but that was the main reason for me to get a license. I’m an extra class and I am glad I did. It allows me full access to the band plan if I need it. I enjoy playing radio every so often via phone. I may venture into digital at some point. I enjoy your videos, keep up the good work…
Bob K.
Thanks for the info Bob 73
POTA.
Heard u on Sarnet be4 sorry i missed ya
I'll be on tomorrow morning 9am
Okay, let's cut to the chase. I'm 68, twice retired from Federal Service (USAF/USPS). My wife is married to her phone, there, I said it. Learning new things, and seeking knowledge is my passion.
There is SO much to learn about Amateur Radio. So many different facets of the hobby. Some I'm intrigued with, others not so much. And, that's the beauty of Ham radio! I'm definitely not a "techie". I got my General license last fall and have been exploring all of the different aspects available to me. I just started POTA hunting and plan on activating a park or two this year. It's fun!
Yes, I was a bit intimidated at first. Who isn't? I'm learning something new every day, meeting like-minded people, and researching the vast amount of equipment that I can employ. Does it cost a lot of money? Not necessarily, although after getting a small taste of ham (no pun intended), I went whole hog (okay, that was intended). And, I love it.
I love to make contacts across states and countries and continenta.
We need to refocus the material to license radio operators. Young people are much less technial /electronics inclined than years back. The radio testing material has not evolved over the years to fit our younger generations. The materials are heavily focused on electronics. The material needs to be focused on how to create radio operators. Need to relax testing procedures as well.
We make it more difficult to get a radio license than to get a drivers license, which is a lot more dangerous. We teach people how to drive a car and follow the law. When getting a drivers license nothing is tought about the engines or pistons or vehicle lubricants. We just need to drive the car and folllow the laws. We do not need three government officials approving your driving test.
The same concept needs to be applied to radio operations. If after you are are a radio operator you have interest on electronics, then one can take additional courses..
We are our worst enemies by creating so many obstacles and teaching and testing materials that keep away future Radio Operators.
Driving a car today is much different than running a radio with potentially a world wide signal! It's meant to be a technical service/hobby. So yes, you should have some background in such things going into it.
That's part of the reason for technical testing. Part of it also is we're required to by international treaty! If a country offers ham radio, it's required to use some kind of testing to certify the operator.
The US tests used to be much harder! I'd like to see the FCC go back to that standard. Because while there have always been clowns on the bands, if you have to work harder for something, your going to value it more! So I think that would help clean up some of the BS that's now heard more on the bands.
While I agree that a lot of the technology has changed, the basic skills and principles haven't. Keep in mind, that driving a car once required a lot more brain power than it does today as well! It seems the more we try to foolproof something, the more fools we end up with! So I don't think lowering the "cost of admission" is the best idea! That's been done before in other areas, and it doesn't end well.
It has always been a niche endeavor. That hasn't changed! What else do you want to lower/make easier? Why just encourage the idiots and stupidity we hear on air today? That's what lowering standards invites! And no, if learning electronics isn't required, people today aren't going to put the effort into it! Most folks today have become stupid and lazy sadly! So no, their NOT going to put in the extra effort if they don't have to!
Just some of my thoughts. As usual, your milage may very. 73 es vry good dx de kd7cjo in Wyoming
The mystery. Sure the emergency stuff is neat, as is talking to people and all the usual stuff.
But it’s the weird stuff that got me fascinated: number stations, jammers, unexplained transmissions etc. Scanning the bands and finding weird shit and figuring it out what it is.
That in time just got me interested in radio in general.
Cool story bro
I do a lot of volunteer work where there is no cell coverage. This lead me to GMRS. Most of my friends were not bitten by this has HTs work better in Hollywood. I then moved in to get my Tech license. Science teacher nerd then immerged. I wanted to know more of what i thought i knew. Now, as an extra, I know more and more as I learn more and more. I give back with social media sites, while learning what I did not know, and as a VE. Enhance your understanding of things, enhance ability to do things, and enhance ability help others. 73, KF0NNQ.
the applied science of communication.
wi9i