Dont get put off starting a radio hobby due to mic shyness. Its perfectly normal. We all go through it. Also some tips on starting a CB radio conversation.
As a CB debutante who is mic hesitant...this is re-assuring! Only had my set a week and still trying to get to grips with it... At the moment the channels seem quite chaotic....as in one person putting out a call and then seemingly receiving so many replies that everyone is cancelling each other out. Sometimes just listening to a single channel for an extended period (rather than scanning) will result in hearing a small solitary voice break the silence by saying "Hello?" "Anyone there?" Compare this to chat in America on AM....haha...wow...that nation isn't bought up to be shy!!
Great your hearing so many signals. Sometimes its easier to break in on the side of a simple two way chat instead of a calling channel. I normally wait till the conversation is finishing and then call "breaker on the side".
Great vid Fred, mic shyness has to be declared a medical condition :) Having come back to ham radio after a 25 year break, picking up that mic is a scary thing, you just never want to fluff up or run out of chat when amongst your peers. What’s worse is that there’s a raft of hf and vhf/uhf bands to use and too anxious to be able to use them. I think a wee glass of rum or whisky for some dutch courage is the key. 73 :)
Now the Fred. I think mic shyness is like being the new kid in the playground trying to find friends by walking up to small groups of kids who clearly know each other well and trying to join in an existing conversation. It just feels wrong. Newbies need to be told to shout out QSK or Break to get a chance to join in. I'm new to the world of radio and got my break by finding time and frequency of a local net. I still felt shy and only listened at first, but took the chance when the chair called for anyone on the side to come in. When I did that everyone wanted to talk to me and check how they were being heard by the new bloke and I was made very welcome. Cheers Al 26TD133
Good advice Fred about getting to the net ahead of their usual time frame. I'm seriously afflicted with lock jaw when making conversation over the airwaves. So much so, I've not renewed my ham license. So gotta retest. For the time being, I'm acting like a voirer. Listening in on CB chatter and 2 meter.
This will be helpful for some people Fred. You really just got to break the ice. One good thing is that they can remain anonymous until they feel comfortable joining in on the chat. Generally, I think people enjoy conversing with others on CB and are encouraging to all new users. As for conversations, the sky's the limit Fred. Thanks for sharing the ear troubles conversation, protesting, cb shop talk, Dxing and the like.
What a great debate Fred, yes it is thinking of things to say and not being put off if someone blanks you, in the southend area they welcome new comers all the time, we are moving soon to Manningtree, hopefully there is a good bunch there also , Happy Christmas Fred , all the best mate
Don't worry, be happy and talk, if you run out of something, say so. It might just surprise you how others might encourage you. If you do get a pratt, don't let it bother you, just move on, wait a while and try someone else. It is hard for someone new, but the only way to do it, is just do it. Before long, you will wonder what was worrying you in the first place.
I also find I feel nervous when my partner is listening to what I am saying on the radio. If you can get out and in the car on a net night you have something to talk about being mobile and can be as awkward as you want without the whole family listening. Setting up a mobile radio in the car is cheaper too and you can also get to high ground. I checked in with the PMR 446 net this week and that was friendly and formulaic making it easy to key up. I find working skip to be another easy formulaic format to ease you in. The other way is to pester a friend into getting on the radio and you controlling the breakers when chatting to that friend. I have a shyness I never had from 8 years of illness and isolation. I am online chatting to people all day, have friends on here but I have lost some social skills. That's why I came back to radio.
Lol 13:15 I’ve heard “Mother Nature”s handle extensively these days. Along Wrecking Ball, Big Balls, Mona Lisa, Snoop Dog, No Pain No Strain and Rea Black Man!
hi fred your video's have inspired me to get a radio my wife has got me a thunderpole t800 for Christmas shh she dosent know i know 😂😂so i orderd a thunderpole 1/2wave antenna and a 15mtr rg58 coax i don't think i will hear you guys because i wont have sideband but still b awesome to have a set up of my own i will b mic shy im sure thanks again james nr cuffely camp 👍👍
Hi james. Just drop me a new message on my latest video when you are set up and me and the guys will go onto FM, arrange a time and try to make contact. We have had breakers in Cuffley before come on the group so it is possible
Im near Cuffley and should definitely be able to get you. There are a few on in Potters Bar & Hatfield, but don’t be surprised if it’s dead when you turn on. I don’t use it much, but message me and we can arrange a time.
Good subject Fred, I guess most of us all had or have those mic shyness moments, the only way is to break through that "barrier" by picking up that mike and start talking, I was lucky to start with people in my neihgborhoud back ik the 80's, its really easy when you start with having conversations on the air, with people you already met, but it's the meaning of cb : citizens band, so give it a go everyone 😊👍 "they don't bite" 73' Geurt 19CT032 (aka GeeBee)
Fantastic work again Fred seasons greetings from a very cold 🥶 Wiltshire-8 this morning too cold to venture out to the shack. 26TG064 Southwest uk standing by
Thanks Fred. I don't suffer mic shyness but I do struggle to find things to talk about, so much so that I have a list of prompts to refer to if I find myself running low.
I possibly would have mic shymess, if i actually had someone to talk to, lol. I had a we people on pmr but nothing on Fm or Am cb. I dont know about side band because i dont have it yet.
Olive Oil made me deafer once and blocked my hearing and much better to spray warm water in your ears every time you shower and leave it there a while or if in bath dunk your head under water leaving nostrils and mouth above water and move your head left to right so water gets in and helps much better keeping them clear
The last thing I did after 8 years on CB in the 80s was get a HAM license. Then never touched a radio again until last June. And, yep, I was mic shy, but initally assumed I just didn't have the experience on HAM radio with things rapidly decsending into a phonetic alphabet word salad. I found an early video Fred did and also DX Commander did on mic shyness really helpful and uplifting. I have the kit but no viable QTH (its a Farady-cage flat). The 305 net is quite close to where I live (if I drive up a hill first) but I have only heard one person on it so far from home. I often have a tune around on the Essex "sucret nuclear bunker" WebSDR which can pick up most of the 305 net. Fred, would be useful if you could flash up a time stamp when showing the net in progress so we can get an idea what times to listen out. I know between 4 and 5PM I can hear a few folks on there.
It's very understandable really. What the heck do you talk about once you've commented on location, equipment and quality of signal? On one hand, there aren't loads of contacts out there like there was in the 80s, so you don't really want to have very short conversations, but who's really comfortable making small talk?
@@CB-RADIO-UK no doubt that's easier when you have a historical relationship with your contacts. I wouldn't play the ear wax card on someone I was speaking to for the first time. Or would I? Pardon?
@@CB-RADIO-UK try sweet oil I scuba dive n have got swimmers ear a few time it work better than eny thing the doctor have ever given me you git it at eny health food store here in the US don't know about there n I use a bulb like in your video to apply it My grandmother used it for earaches for all her kids
I know what you are talking about... 😁 I have my set now a month of 7 and i am more listening then talking!
As a CB debutante who is mic hesitant...this is re-assuring! Only had my set a week and still trying to get to grips with it... At the moment the channels seem quite chaotic....as in one person putting out a call and then seemingly receiving so many replies that everyone is cancelling each other out. Sometimes just listening to a single channel for an extended period (rather than scanning) will result in hearing a small solitary voice break the silence by saying "Hello?" "Anyone there?" Compare this to chat in America on AM....haha...wow...that nation isn't bought up to be shy!!
Great your hearing so many signals. Sometimes its easier to break in on the side of a simple two way chat instead of a calling channel. I normally wait till the conversation is finishing and then call "breaker on the side".
Frid in the shed I like your utube videos 📹 😀 👌 👍
Great vid Fred, mic shyness has to be declared a medical condition :) Having come back to ham radio after a 25 year break, picking up that mic is a scary thing, you just never want to fluff up or run out of chat when amongst your peers. What’s worse is that there’s a raft of hf and vhf/uhf bands to use and too anxious to be able to use them. I think a wee glass of rum or whisky for some dutch courage is the key. 73 :)
Well done Fred I suffer with anxiety but get on the radio. But used to be on cb as a kid
Now the Fred. I think mic shyness is like being the new kid in the playground trying to find friends by walking up to small groups of kids who clearly know each other well and trying to join in an existing conversation. It just feels wrong. Newbies need to be told to shout out QSK or Break to get a chance to join in.
I'm new to the world of radio and got my break by finding time and frequency of a local net. I still felt shy and only listened at first, but took the chance when the chair called for anyone on the side to come in. When I did that everyone wanted to talk to me and check how they were being heard by the new bloke and I was made very welcome.
Cheers
Al
26TD133
Good advice Fred about getting to the net ahead of their usual time frame.
I'm seriously afflicted with lock jaw when making conversation over the airwaves.
So much so, I've not renewed my ham license. So gotta retest.
For the time being, I'm acting like a voirer. Listening in on CB chatter and 2 meter.
This will be helpful for some people Fred. You really just got to break the ice. One good thing is that they can remain anonymous until they feel comfortable joining in on the chat. Generally, I think people enjoy conversing with others on CB and are encouraging to all new users.
As for conversations, the sky's the limit Fred. Thanks for sharing the ear troubles conversation, protesting, cb shop talk, Dxing and the like.
Thanks Andy. Keep the Videogates coming.
What a great debate Fred, yes it is thinking of things to say and not being put off if someone blanks you, in the southend area they welcome new comers all the time, we are moving soon to Manningtree, hopefully there is a good bunch there also , Happy Christmas Fred , all the best mate
Don't worry, be happy and talk, if you run out of something, say so. It might just surprise you how others might encourage you. If you do get a pratt, don't let it bother you, just move on, wait a while and try someone else. It is hard for someone new, but the only way to do it, is just do it. Before long, you will wonder what was worrying you in the first place.
I'm licensed since 2005 and it's still very rare that I talk on the radio, I would talk allot on CB though back in the day as it was more relaxed.
Your not alone.
I also find I feel nervous when my partner is listening to what I am saying on the radio. If you can get out and in the car on a net night you have something to talk about being mobile and can be as awkward as you want without the whole family listening. Setting up a mobile radio in the car is cheaper too and you can also get to high ground. I checked in with the PMR 446 net this week and that was friendly and formulaic making it easy to key up. I find working skip to be another easy formulaic format to ease you in. The other way is to pester a friend into getting on the radio and you controlling the breakers when chatting to that friend.
I have a shyness I never had from 8 years of illness and isolation. I am online chatting to people all day, have friends on here but I have lost some social skills. That's why I came back to radio.
Frid in the shed I learn lot from you about CBS with ssb
Lol 13:15 I’ve heard “Mother Nature”s handle extensively these days. Along Wrecking Ball, Big Balls, Mona Lisa, Snoop Dog, No Pain No Strain and Rea Black Man!
Every one of them here on 27 are hams mostly the Micky mouse licence ones. I'd say for local its better than 2 meters with out hassle of the repeaters
You had me at the title. I got my FL back in May this year M7DKU and the fear of making my first contact.....yes, I am scared. I am embarrassed.
hi fred your video's have inspired me to get a radio my wife has got me a thunderpole t800 for Christmas shh she dosent know i know 😂😂so i orderd a thunderpole 1/2wave antenna and a 15mtr rg58 coax i don't think i will hear you guys because i wont have sideband but still b awesome to have a set up of my own i will b mic shy im sure thanks again james nr cuffely camp 👍👍
Hi james. Just drop me a new message on my latest video when you are set up and me and the guys will go onto FM, arrange a time and try to make contact. We have had breakers in Cuffley before come on the group so it is possible
Im near Cuffley and should definitely be able to get you. There are a few on in Potters Bar & Hatfield, but don’t be surprised if it’s dead when you turn on. I don’t use it much, but message me and we can arrange a time.
Cheers Fred will do 👍
I been syringing my ears for years lol
Good subject Fred, I guess most of us all had or have those mic shyness moments, the only way is to break through that "barrier" by picking up that mike and start talking, I was lucky to start with people in my neihgborhoud back ik the 80's, its really easy when you start with having conversations on the air, with people you already met, but it's the meaning of cb : citizens band, so give it a go everyone 😊👍 "they don't bite" 73' Geurt 19CT032 (aka GeeBee)
I've had that done a radio check and guys did not seem to like it. Usually most are friendly but always get some.
Yeah you do get one or two grumpy breakers
Fantastic work again Fred seasons greetings from a very cold 🥶 Wiltshire-8 this morning too cold to venture out to the shack. 26TG064 Southwest uk standing by
Burp on air is relaxing 😁🤣
Thanks
Welcome
Nice one Fred, I suffer horrendously with mic shyness 😢
Thanks Fred. I don't suffer mic shyness but I do struggle to find things to talk about, so much so that I have a list of prompts to refer to if I find myself running low.
Hi Steve. Yes i used to do the same. Also kept a log of people that i talked to such as radio and antenna used etc.
I possibly would have mic shymess, if i actually had someone to talk to, lol. I had a we people on pmr but nothing on Fm or Am cb. I dont know about side band because i dont have it yet.
Olive Oil made me deafer once and blocked my hearing and much better to spray warm water in your ears every time you shower and leave it there a while or if in bath dunk your head under water leaving nostrils and mouth above water and move your head left to right so water gets in and helps much better keeping them clear
Good advice.
The last thing I did after 8 years on CB in the 80s was get a HAM license. Then never touched a radio again until last June. And, yep, I was mic shy, but initally assumed I just didn't have the experience on HAM radio with things rapidly decsending into a phonetic alphabet word salad. I found an early video Fred did and also DX Commander did on mic shyness really helpful and uplifting.
I have the kit but no viable QTH (its a Farady-cage flat). The 305 net is quite close to where I live (if I drive up a hill first) but I have only heard one person on it so far from home. I often have a tune around on the Essex "sucret nuclear bunker" WebSDR which can pick up most of the 305 net. Fred, would be useful if you could flash up a time stamp when showing the net in progress so we can get an idea what times to listen out. I know between 4 and 5PM I can hear a few folks on there.
Hi Simon. Good idea about the start time flash. I could leave a message in the community section.
It's very understandable really. What the heck do you talk about once you've commented on location, equipment and quality of signal? On one hand, there aren't loads of contacts out there like there was in the 80s, so you don't really want to have very short conversations, but who's really comfortable making small talk?
I suppose we could whinge about our divorces, working hours, etc 😂
As you heard on the day it was ear wax LOL. Cars, bikes and holidays are popular.
@@CB-RADIO-UK no doubt that's easier when you have a historical relationship with your contacts. I wouldn't play the ear wax card on someone I was speaking to for the first time. Or would I? Pardon?
No prob not the best opener for conversation :-)
Have you try sweet oil for your ear 👂
No. Not sure what it is ?
@@CB-RADIO-UK try sweet oil
I scuba dive n have got swimmers ear a few time it work better than eny thing the doctor have ever given me you git it at eny health food store here in the US don't know about there n I use a bulb like in your video to apply it
My grandmother used it for earaches for all her kids