5 good reasons to get your ham radio license in the time of smartphones

[@johnsinclair3067]

Recently when asked by a peer why I include my Amateur Radio license on my resume/CV, I simply replied, "Because you just asked about it." It demonstrates your commitment to life long learning, your ability to distill policy and technical skills/concepts, and is a conversation starter in a world where the certification "alphabet soup" after your name becomes background noise to a hiring manager.

[@chrissewell1608]

Because everyone knows if this person does HAM radio, he / she is very smart! If you had "I purchased a GMRS license" on your resume. You just said, "I have the G.E.D. of radio education", but still expect to have the same rights as the smart people.

[@johnsinclair3067]

@@chrissewell1608 We use GMRS for our on farm communications as it allows our family to operate under one license. The "pay to play" license does not excuse the GMRS operator from knowing and abiding by the rules. It is not "less than HAM, just different. Like many G.E.D. graduates, GMRS folks are self-teaching what they need to know to add to their tool kit. As a hiring manager if someone puts their GMRS Callsign/license on their resume, I would be asking what led them to GMRS; how are they using it: mobile, HT, base station; what's their longest contact distance. The best part about "radio" is there is something for everyone.

[@GoDaveGo]

The reason I just got my license touches on reasons you mention, but phrased differently-computers are here to stay, and we will have fewer wires in the future than we do now. Wireless anything is an RF signal. Studying for the technician license has helped me better understand how things in my daily life work (cell phone, car key fob, wireless internet, and so on).

[@electrotab]

Great to see you back Brian. You have been missed. 73 M7TTI

[@vikinghog]

Good video. I was a CPA by profession prior to retiring and therefore am about as far away from a technical background as you can get. However, i got licensed for amateur radio last year and am loving it as a retirement hobby. I am enjoying making new friends on the air and am also enjoying the problem solving aspects of the technology involved. Due to the virus problem i have not met a Elmer who i can turn to for help so i have had to do everything the hard way all by myself by reviewing lots of KZbin videos, reading lots of articles on the internet, etc. I have also learned a ton of stuff by just listening to other knowledgeable hams on my local club’s system that has 29 linked analog repeaters as well as DMR, DSTAR, and P25 repeaters. Your videos have contributed to my ongoing success and i wanted you to know that i appreciate them.

[@rumsin300]

Good advise! Just took my element II technician exam 3 weeks ago and I got my technician license. I've always been fascinated with Amateur Radios. Good video!!

[@NathanCorleone]

The legend is back

[@RoccoPaco1]

You and your wealth of knowledge have been missed. Thank you for the video.

[@Jim.Hummel]

Great to see you back!! I was literally wondering this morning how you were doing. A solid video that showed some neat tricks in the age of smartphones! Stay well !!!!

[@HamRadioInAction]

Cool, thanks!

[@mk1966]

Great to have you back making videos. You were a big influence on me getting my license--your videos are relevant, informative, and explain the practical uses of the hobby. Thanks. 73 K2ATV

[@dwaynegarrison5120]

Just passed my Tech and General yesterday. Thanks for the great videos!!

[@K3JRZOnTheAir]

Nice list. Already had my license on my resume & LinkedIn. It *IS* a good idea to put it there!

[@radiointhewild]

Missed seeing you around. Glad to see you back making another video. Looking forward to the next one!

[@algross3338]

I almost sent you a note telling you to get busy. Glad to see you back. 73.

[@DaveGuerra]

Thanks for this great return video. Why I got my license was not one of the five you mentioned. For me, for as long as I can remember I liked listening to SW broadcasts. Don't know what took so long but finally took the test & got my TECH. Now it is time to move on up. 73

[@ReneeRojas]

Thank you for your videos. Just got my license. 73 from Brazil!

[@popmanjob8438]

Good you’re back, time to get my radios back out :)

[@pikakiller]

Thank you for the video. Just got my novice license in The Netherlands and I am ready to explore! 73s from The Netherlands PD5ME Marc

[@MrBracey1970]

Good to see you back,your vids are always thought provoking!

[@lektormaks2012]

Good to see you again! 73 from Poland SP3LM!

[@Incindio13]

Great to see you back, missed your videos! Thanks for taking the time to make them, helped me out learning the hobby.

[@lyledal]

Good to see you back! I really enjoy your stuff.

[@bereadyeveryday6764]

Dude! I've been travelling but noticed that you had been out a while. Good to see you back. Love your practical approach and your enthusiasm!

[@danbell2944]

Great video, appreciate your time in posting this. I am new to the hobby and just passed the technician test. Waiting to get my call sign. In the meantime I am trying to learn all I can and have discovered your channel. Great stuff and much appreciated.

[@rodrigostamaria]

Nice video! I'm a software engineer. I've already had an HT radio years ago in Brazil where I used to live, but I want to get back to that hobby here in the USA. By the way, I live in Acworth, Georgia! We could try to communicate someday :) Thanks for contributing to the radio community.

[@furonwarrior]

I found out after getting the license for a year that I love listening more than anything. Here is a reason to add to the list that’s more than just drones. Flying model airplanes with a camera transmitting on 5cm or 5.8GHz band or even as low as 70cm. You also have privileges to use telecommand units that plugs and play into the data port or buddy box connection of an FCC R/C transmitter such as from Spectrum and transmit up to 1 watt on 70cm to fly for 2-3 miles on top of a mountain where line of sight is as far as the horizon. For video transmitters, they have cameras for FPV that you can type in your call sign into the video signal of the camera which is incredible.

[@tommytr]

Good to see you back, just wanted to let you know you inspired me to buy a Boefeng radio and start listening, then got my tech license last year and now have my general and really love ft8 and just started doing parks on the air. Keep it up!

[@robertferrara4818]

Excellent Video. Thank you for this video I just inquired about testing and look forward to being part of this interesting hobby.

[@andygrew4832]

Great points. Food to hear from you again!

[@SN0WMAN27]

Love your passion.

[@ryanhorn4190]

Going to need you to upload more often! Lol really enjoy the videos, hope to see more soon!

[@asierbarrios2790]

Thank you very much Brian for the video!!

[@willhaynie9684]

This is my 3rd videos I have watch from you. I have to admit I am impressed for you inspiring quality to deliver the message. I’m getting to purchase baofeng uv 82 or uv5r. I’m waiting from the 1st video to answer that question which to purchase. Also is the tactical foldable antenna better or worst than the 771 antenna upgrade. Thank

[@gregb7875]

Brian, I’m a new ham (just got my Technician license a few days ago) and I’ve been listening in with my UC5R for a couple of months. Planning on start studying for my General next week and have started thinking about starting my shack on a budget. Watching some of the other videos that are posted on what other people have in their shack looks expensive and not for a newbie. Do you have suggestions or a video for creating a shack for a beginner? BTW, I enjoy your down to earth videos, keep them coming! Thanks

[@dafyddr8678]

Great advice even for us across the pond in the UK.. Great to see you back on line. Take care. Dafydd M6ULU UK

[@gamingandvloging1117]

Love the vids. Getting my technician license soon

[@DAprod615]

Our club did a fox hunt today. Extremely fun.

[@germangonzalez2030]

Greetings from Buenos Aires, Argentina

[@lacro5686]

I just got home from taking my Technician's test, got 100%! I studied for a month, and took a 2 day training course at a club. You can just memorize the questions/answers, and probably pass the test without much study, however, if you don't understand what those questions actually mean, you won't be much of a Ham even if you pass the test.

[@4428magna]

What radio would you recommend for camping with a scout troop to stay in contact? Woods and mountain terrain.

[@palehorse7377]

GMRS

[@Code3Indiana]

Awesome video, nice to see a video coming out agin

[@enriquediaz7547]

Have you talked about which radios you use (lately)?

[@paulmacgiollacaoine8619]

Greetings from Ireland ☘️❤️☘️

[@raokramer]

Thanks for instruction - very helpful and inspirational!

[@glenndipasquale7117]

Hello, I just got my Technician's license about a month ago and was wondering what mobile or HAM shack radio is good for someone just starting out? I'd like to have one in the house and one in the truck. I currently have a Baofeng GT-5R but live in a residential area, and can hit a few repeaters, but I don't hear much traffic on the ones I programmed using Chirp. Any advice or recommendations are appreciated. Thanks.

[@bobsimmons5274]

In a major emergency, the cell phone infrastructure WILL FAIL... even if all the equipment is still fully operational, EVERYONE will want / need to use it AT THE SAME TIME, and those systems simply aren't designed to handle that kind of traffic load... As for making your own equipment and using it, that is a "legacy" privilege from the early days of radio, which is still true today... even billion dollar corporations cannot legally advertise or even take advanced orders for any of their equipment until the FCC says it is legal to do so.... but hams can do it whenever they please, without any prior permission or notification of the FCC. The social aspect I think is most important and most valuable, anywhere that high technology is present, you will find hams involved somewhere... they are worthwhile people to know, and they can open doors that otherwise would be closed. The last 30 years of my life, every employment opportunity I ever found was via some amateur radio contact. I've met lots of hams that I just don't like very much, but I can honestly say I've never met a ham that was boring or ordinary... every one of them has a background that is unusual and interesting.... without exception.

[@mrcommonsense1529]

Great video..all your knowledge and experience, why not go for your Extra class and expand your privileges?

[@devilsatan2973]

As far as putting your call sign on resume, most people in HR today don't know what ham radio is! Nor do they really care, unless your going after a technical job. It certainly can't hurt to include, but these days it doesn't carry the weight it once did.

[@steveappling1906]

i just bought two Tidradios TD-F9GP. I was wondering if I can talk radio to radio with them

[@chrissewell1608]

Tinker'rs are who started building digital hot spots, years ago. Which turned into their business. Now, you can find those mini hotspots for sale, all over the interwebs. "Necessity is the mother of invention"!

[@murffyslaw001]

Informative video. Not "exciting" in ways some expect, but nice job, sir!

[@millertime8835]

I'm thinking of getting into this but where do I start?

[@honeythunder]

10:27 Hello! That would be me.

[@candomommy]

How come you don't make many more video's.

[@GMarsh-gn1iw]

I must live in a dead zone hear in Indiana. I thought it would be interesting to get into HAM. After purchasing a inexpensive radio, programmed in 4 different repeater towers. After various scanning sessions. I heard one conversation between 2 gentleman talking about what they ate for lunch and that they were getting ready to watch a game on TV. That was the only thing I heard in a month. That and NOAA

[@alexalonso2093]

There's a world of information and different aspects of RADIO communication. might i suggest searching for a club or one that utilize zoom for meetings maybe trying Hf or cw sota pota eme etc you could also add some equipment to extend your signal beyond your local repeaters to clear around the 🌎 world 7 3

[@GMarsh-gn1iw]

@@alexalonso2093 There just isn’t a lot going on. I mean Purdue University is literally 6 miles away, and supposedly has a radio club. Just not hearing anything. I figured if I heard some local coms it would excite me into obtaining my license. That said after 2-3 months of fairly diligent monitoring. It’s pretty dead around here. Plus I’m positive I’ve programmed the offsets in correctly, because when I key up. I get the repeater identification

[@BrianKolb71]

Try 146.520 usually you'll find something on it...73

[@radiohobbyist13]

@@GMarsh-gn1iw Analog FM repeaters are mostly a thing of the past in today's world. Try checking out DMR or maybe DSTAR for VHF/UHF communications. Other than that, you'd probably be better off going to the HF bands for worldwide communications. 🌐 👍🛰

[@chrissewell1608]

Awesome! So... you basically have your own personal repeaters, to use any time you want. Sweet! If you talk, people will jump on the radio. Maybe all the old heads are doing HF, now? But VHF / UHF isn't dead... at all! Try monitoring during the morning and evening, drive times, and you may hear more folks on the radio, as they are traveling To / From home and work.

[@foreyfriend145]

💎❗thx Brian.

[@robertfogarty3253]

do you identify yourself only by your call sign when broadcasting

[@robertfwagnerjr9480]

Usually a first name and call sign. Bob W4YDC

[@chrissewell1608]

That is kinda a requirement of Ham Radio...

[@Tappedline]

thanks

[@TheMNBlackBear]

Where can I get my HAM license online?

[@tomdonahoe3539]

All of the above reasons😊. 73

[@Nayana-4S7NDR]

Where have you been? lol

[@richhoule3462]

It's $35 for a license! PLUS $15 to take the test! Not a big deal, but you ARE charged. $35 for a GMRS license too

[@harleymandk]

I have seen they use baofeng uv-5r in the ukraine war.

[@adlucem9845]

I just can't get into the license. It feels icky to be associated with government at all in any way. In the age of cancel culture I will NOT associate my name with a call sign either.

[@hearsayhenderson2623]

No license needed for ham radio, unless in commerce.

[@robertfwagnerjr9480]

Huh?

[@chrissewell1608]

No commerce is allowed over Amateur Radio. That would be a commercial radio license and different frequency range, where you just buy a license to operate it. Much like GMRS radio.

[@HodgyE5]

Thank you for the great video. 73’s kc9wby