Ham HF Bands: Introduction AD#29

[@jamesbonanno3359]

How could this presentation have even one dislike. The information is disseminated so well and the instructors style is just on point with the subject taught. An exemplary educator. I just subscribed.

[@davecasler]

Thank you.

[@livingadamman7994]

Where would we be without you Dave, thanks very much for all you're excellent videos !

[@danrichey5292]

Dave..I have been a ham for over 15 years. I am just getting back into the hobby. I have been inactive on HF for about 10 years. I am 67 years old ..I find your videos very informative .. I am antenna restricted..due to lot size. Putting my R-7 up soon..between two brick walls,about 20 feet wide.. I have some old HF Rigs to fire up… my Kenwood TS850..and TS440.. I have purchased a used FTDX3000 and been watching videos on that rig. Anxious to get set up before the winter season. 73’s Dan..KM4TH

[@georgemoomaw9437]

At 74 years of age I am facing my midlife crisis and want to earn a license and purchase some entry level equipment. After watching Dave’s video, two things were obvious. He really knows what he is talking about and I have to learn a whole new language to understand what Dave is saying.

[@Denzlercs]

There are absolutely a million activities to take part in in amateur radio. If you find a mode of operation or band or activity involving ham radio or that ham radio is involved in then you have found your pot of gold. Take it and shoot for the stars! 73 (good day) de (this is) KB9HPM Carl

[@NickFrom1228]

@@Denzlercs I'm just getting into myself. SOTA is looking real interesting. I'm surrounded by peaks begging for activations. I can combine love of backpacking with ham radio.

[@Denzlercs]

@@NickFrom1228 although I haven’t been able to do so yet, POTA is something I’ve been wanting to dabble in myself. It sounds like a fun little way to get out and enjoy the great outdoors and practice portable field operations. My wife and I enjoy camping so I thought why not give it a try!

[@NickFrom1228]

@@Denzlercs I agree. Looks like a good way to practice. I'm probably going to do POTA first since winter is coming and I really don't feel like trudging through deep snow in order to activate, especially around here where avalanches are a problem. Luckily I have high trees and about 300 feet of diagonal length across my property so I can string up some pretty long antennas for HF. But time/money, all those pesky little details. Not to mention I'm not looking forward to a 100 tree climb, safety gear or not.

[@Amyr61]

That was the best explanation I’ve seen for the different bands. I’m taking my general on Monday...... however, at almost 60, I’m not sure I’m capable of the mental gymnastics needed to get going on all needed to know... especially the electrical and grounding aspect. But I am sure enjoying the learning and you’re an excellent teacher! Keep it up!

[@ravyyyyyyy]

This is EXACTLY what i was looking for, what an amazing explanation, you've just gained another subscriber

[@ianmeasures7355]

Taking the tests was a challenge but choosing what bands to focus my prospective shack on was a completely different task. Absolutely best video that I've found so far to help point me in a direction. Excited to dive in to the rest of his content.

[@keithhauser8311]

I really appreciate your generous sharing of your extensive knowledge, Dave. Thanks so much! I'm getting reacquainted with ham radio after last being active in 1971: a lot has changed since I was a teenager chasing CW with my crystal-controled Eico 723 transmitter kit and Hammarlund receiver using my Advanced Class license. I'm glad to see that the experimental spirit is alive and well and that people like you are helping to keep it that way.

[@careycraig4360]

Excellent Presentation!! This was the most comprehensive explanation of the Ham Radio Bands I have yet to hear. Very Understandable with some Personal comments to boot. GREAT!

[@thenar]

Another outstanding presentation. Thank you, Dave.

[@ataboyboyboy8895]

Brillant. Helped decide what to buy as first HF radio.

[@starwarp3392]

my dad david passed away a day b4 halloween he was so passionate about all this my dream is to be a 1st responder so i shall be learning this thanx again for your YT vids 😭😇😍🙏

[@starwarp3392]

david carpenter from uk

[@starwarp3392]

CQ CQ THIS IS W9GFO ROGER THAT 🙏😇🤜🤛

[@gahvno]

Whenyou put out this video, Dave, perhaps contesters follow the rules about which bands were used for contests, but now, in 2022, whenever there's a contest going on over the weekend, 17 is often full of contesters, as is 12 and 15. We hear them loud and clear down here in the Pacific Southwest.

[@TheStevenhull]

Very good video David, as always. Your dedication to ham radio is very much appreciated.

[@brucelayman525]

Thanks for running thru these!

[@elmoreglidingclub3030]

Dave, as one who inherited ham equipment from a recently passed good friend, and who listens on my homemade 10m dipole while preparing for the Tech and Gen exams, this was a truly helpful and informative video. Many thanks for making and sharing.

[@marklowe7431]

Dave, you have an excellent 'explaining' style. I can't help but think you're a professional teacher in your day job? Thanks for all the huge effort you put into these. I'm getting back into radio here in Australia and your videos are getting me back into swing very quickly. Cheers.

[@davecasler]

Mark, I must've inherited it. My Dad was a teacher.

[@rebcor6461]

Thank you for the insight into bands. It has helped me decide what bands my first HF antenna will target.

[@K2CTC]

I'm going to set up a 40m nvis, a 20m, and a 10m w/ an antenna switcher. Very helpful to know the characteristics of the bands. Appreciate it, Dave!

[@WauliPaulnuts]

Pretty comprehensive guide to hf bands and their characteristics. Good presentation, Dave.

[@johnmoore7332]

Thanks Dave, great information for this new HP operator.

[@copykon]

This is the best explanation of the bands that I have ever seen.

[@aleneskikalashnikova4570]

Great detailed explaination. Thank you 73.

[@gwilbur1]

excellent video...incredibly amount of information presented. thanks Dave.

[@mikebohemia1947]

Interesting thanks. I'm returning to ham radio after a very long time, so a nice reminder and update for me. 73s.

[@alshaf890]

Thanks for this video! It has cleared up the questions I had about the bands! 👍👍

[@dcb1943]

Dave I am really appreciating your collection of videos--almost nothing I have not read or found in tables somewhere--but very well organized; they are providing a structure to the wealth of information that has passed before my eyes in the past six months. I got a novice license way back in the mid 70s and was excited to make contacts, but life got busy and amateur radio fell by the wayside. Jumped back in last fall and got my technician and general, bought a radio and some equipment, but have not yet put up an antenna. As the weather gets better, that will come. Dozens of articles and videos on antennas and your video on grounding and bonding have got me past the last hurdles. One really simple question: everyone says to disconnect your equipment when a thunderstorm is approaching, but no one so far explains what they mean. Do you unplug all AC power cords, disconnect all RF connections, separate any ground connections? Or do you simply disconnect the coax from the first connection inside the shack? What ever we do, unless we disconnect the coax outside at the lightning arrester, we've got a length of open-ended coax laying on the floor and connected to the antenna. Given the weird things lightning can do, I guess we always have some risk. (Of course, the lighting could hit the house itself.) Denny KI5SDV (formerly WB1CIZ).

[@VNeshyba]

Thanks Dave ... This is a good one!

[@audiobrian1]

Well done, Dave! I learned a lot from this one!

[@K6TJO]

This is my 2nd time watching. First while attaining my licenses now as an Extra. Very helpful and I understand it a lot more now. Will definitely target 20 & 40 meters first.

[@Cashvertising]

Fabulous video... Superb teacher. Thank you!

[@sayubu]

David, amazing and well put informational video, thank you!

[@stevenkaeser8583]

I’m 70 and managed to pass both Technician and General exams two months ago. Then after neck surgery tried to rake the Extra exam, but only got 34 of the needed 37 correct. I’ll be back 🙂 I suspect that 40 and 20 will become my go to bands, but getting an antenna up is a challenge for someone of my age. I’ve got an end fed multi-band, but even that will take coordination. I’ve selected the multi-faceted IC-7300 as my starter, with Hamvention pricing, and am all but ready to try this out. I wanted to say thanks, as your videos have allowed me to envision online activities through your eyes and learn from that experience. I should mention that I worked in broadcast radio for almost a decade in the 70s, and having spent a fair amount of time on the air, the thrill of two way communication was lost. But this is a deeper subject that needs its own space. Steve KC3NJO

[@davecasler]

Welcome to ham radio! See if you can find a ham club or two near you; you may find someone who can help with those antennas. Good luck with your studies!

[@EarthlyVibes]

Thanks for the great work, it’s much appreciated.

[@bobsakall6579]

Where to start? Since I'll be having a major back reconstructive surgery because of the slip and falls I've had and will be mostly out of service for about a year as I recover. Notice the novice class and also the tech class and wondered where to start. I've worked in Engineering all my life doing research and development. So good with building electronic devices. Also worked Long Beach Naval Ship yard in the department to fix electronic lab equipment. These could be anything from a power supply, to a signal generator or something like a rubidium beam counter. I was teaching along with my work. If a ship was firing up the engines and they needed equipment, I'd get to fix it in the hour or so I had to bet it to the ship so they could sail. So I was real good at fixing things and making up special test gear to help fix any of the equipment. Most all the equipment was HP stuff. I think this was all good to know and may apply to getting one of these radio class, and should I start with Novice? Should I try to get the tech class? I don't know all the laws they have and what specs I'd have to know as far as the rules on air specs. I picked up this small portable radios in fear I maybe cut off in a fire or freak snow storm like I've had in the past. I had to move after the passing of my landlord who was so good to me over the past 20 years. Yes, I was renting that same place for 20 years. I was real good friends to the wildlife including the bears who I really miss since I moved. I also had to give up my kitties who have been placed in real good homes. I sure miss my kitties who I loved so much. They also where very loving to me but with this broken back I'm not going top be able to do much in the next year. I thought I could get one of those SDR module and this small transceiver handy talkie an d the right type of antenna to go along with that I could be talking to the people in the area and learn more about talking on the radio and learning more about everything. I'm real good at learning so that's a plus. I paid for this citizens band type radio license which cost around a hundred dollars. Not sure what the call sign it was but I know I had one and it was written on my desk but my desk is gone. I need to order a new programming cable. So where should I start? What all can I do? I'll be mostly on the bed over the next year. I had one of these type surgeries in 2011 so I know what's coming, a lot of pain that's for sure. So this is my life right now. Where do I start to learn what will be on the tests? Last time I sat down and listened to the radio for hours was back in High School. Before that I was in grade school and would go to my grandmothers house who had this large old tube radio that did shortwave. I did have a CB radio back many years ago that did upper and lower side bands which I found a real lot of fun. Had some extra channels added and setup a fine tuning dial with this 10 to 1 tuning dial. Had my radio hooked up to this 5/8ths wave antenna and just loved getting skip. Sure would like to find some type of radio like that again so that would work on the 10 meter area. The China radio does 2 meter and 5/7ths wave. What ever 445 MHz area. Those radios are the right price for me cheap. I see they also make mobile units that are 50 watts or so. I could see one of these hooked up at home with an antenna on the roof. So give me some ideas where to go from here? Give me some ideas where I can go from here? Thanks for your time reading this Dave!

[@wramsey2656]

Excellent video Dave. I enjoyed the graphs and tables along with your very useful summary! I vote we call you Professor Og.

[@englishstone340]

As always Dave, another fine presentation!! Thanks for doing these...

[@Scott-K7sce]

another great vid dave. my fav areas are 10-11-12-15-20-40 (hf) 6-2-1.25-70 vhf/uhf i do listen on 80 but dont tx on it because of antenna not tuned for it , i will get a 80 meter antenna system eventually 73's k7sce

[@yungerallenelectricalcontr6415]

I just got my ticket and this was the best Lesson!! KO4KHO/AG !

[@Flip2Flower1]

You have been a huge asset in my ham radio life. Kind regards, KD9NTD

[@thenar]

Dave, this was a particularly helpful episode. I just got my General, but have yet to actually get my rig assembled for HF. I have a little Baofeng Hand held for our community emergency disaster prep group. We live in earthquake territory and in a forest...fire is also a danger here.

[@davecasler]

Now that you have your General, get on the air! A whole new ham radio experience awaits!

[@brianshanahan3878]

Another EXCELLENT video sir! You are my goto when I want a thorough explanation! Thanks a million. You're my online Elmer! :)

[@DonzLockz]

Very helpful info. I will have to re-watch it while compared to Australian bands.

[@Coolrider1960]

Thanks for the HF video. Having been away from amateur radio for a while, you video was a good refresher. 73s

[@CharlieTechie]

Very good overview of the HF bands; I learned much from it. I just received my Tech and General (KE8FNA), but still working on fixing a transceiver. I will have to rewatch and take notes but it did let me know where to start working first. Thank's David.

[@shrumby7231]

Wow. This was a terrific video. Extremely useful to me. Many thanks and 73.

[@erniesachse7003]

Hello Dave!, Another of your great videos. I review them often to help my senior memory. Much more informative than falling asleep in front of the manual. hi hi The chart is helpful also. Thank you, Ernie

[@raylende6678]

thanks Dave i really like your videos and i am learning a lot from you. have a good day Ray

[@johnwmacdonald994]

Thanks Dave. It's hard not to like 40m and 20m. Some great activity on those. I'm hooked on a Net called the Spiderweb Net which is hosted around the Gulf of Mexico, and I'm able to interact with people of that area very well. One of the NCOs is in Panama and we talk almost daily with fantastic signals on our 100w rigs. A while ago I made 20m delta loop antenna using specs given to me by one of the Spiderweb people. By adding a bit of 75 ohm coax at the feedpoint it tunes nicely on 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, 10m and supposedly 6m. That's amazing and I'm starting to look at 17m and 15m more. 20m on the delta loop is fantastic! Unfortunately it's pretty directional plus I had to take down my G5RV for 40m, though I'm able to use the odd wire up in the tree that was put there for 75m for getting 40m and it works well. I strongly recommend a delta loop though, especially for those of us who don't have much space for antenna's. Cheers and 73. -kc1diw

[@notthatguy4515]

Thanks Dave

[@MrTPF1]

I know everyone says 20m is "the best DX" band, but in my area (SoCal), with my equipment, it's 40m that always has the most activity. The band opens up every afternoon and well into the evening, and you can sit at your radio around 1730 (5:30PM) or so and just listen to the band come alive with TONS of CW and plenty of voice.

[@davecasler]

Yes, 40m does pretty well these days.

[@robfreeze75]

Great video! Thanks David

[@donaldsmith3048]

Thank You for the information. I just took my tests and just starting as a General. I have a lot to learn! Your videos are helpful.

[@davecasler]

Congratulations on your test results! Perhaps we'll talk on the air.

[@derekhatfield8699]

Superb

[@Hunter-xy6qq]

Great video. Thank's for sharing. 73

[@theAmazingAlan]

Good explanation of the frequencies, thanks.

[@n6pud]

Great video. Your videos are great.

[@Frisky0563]

great video David!

[@robmuld2685]

Excellent video. Thank you!

[@larryprice9970]

Great video Dave I learned a lot. I am presently studying for my license.

[@TadMcDearmont]

Dave, this video helped me so much. thank you for making this one. i had no idea where to start with HF but this has given me a lot of useful information. now i need to get my general license :) 73 KG5LCV

[@reidtillery2856]

Thanks, Dave. Great info, especially for this guy studying for General.

[@davecasler]

Good luck with your studies!

[@wes4139]

Thanks for this post...

[@LowellMotel]

Dave, Really have enjoyed your work. It is great for those of us learning. Hope to catch you on the air. 73, KD8WVY

[@NateBerry]

Exactly the video I was looking for! Thanks so much.

[@tonyridlen]

Dave is excellent and answers a lot of critical questions about the HF Bands and other ham radio related things. 73 KC9QVE

[@TOMMYCUETE]

Very very helpful

[@francismcclaughry3794]

I had g-5-rv, but due to the old lady that bought the house. I had to take it down so now. I'm going to put up a vertical because I don't want to argue about my lot line. a five band vertical so it won't turn into the hat fields and the McCoy

[@black75powder]

Thanks Dave good video. I also like the PDF. I wish you could do a more complex pdf band plan covering some of the specific frequencies were different activities take place as discussed in this video. The ARRL band plan is suspect on some aspects and very vague on others, and doesn’t cover some of the things you were discussing in this video. Matt

[@robertbennett6410]

VERY VERY good and informative video!! THANK YOU!

[@jimbos1567]

Dave, as a new guy on the block I find the band plans quite confusing. I just want to call CQ and talk to a few people. Looking at the band plans, I'm not quite sure where it's OK to call CQ. Can you perhaps make that a little more clear. Thank you. Great job on our videos. I am really enjoying them and learning a lot.

[@JennyEverywhere]

I heard a Canadian phone net on 7.100mhz that welcomed US operators on CW. A couple checked in while I was listening. Very neat, and it sounded like a friendly net. I forget what it's called, though.

[@bizman45390]

Very informative thanks

[@Drekkag]

as alwasy Dave. You put out a great video. 73s, ad0am

[@russellferris2876]

That was a good video Dave I did not know that 10 meters was on USB I thought it was on lower Side band Thanks for that

[@minionman6177]

Very helpful David, thanks!

[@thinairradio232]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@WHNorthcote]

You should do a follow up on this video for the different types of allocation modes around the world. Region 1 has some lesser bands and bandwidth so it could be interesting for amateurs as to why some signals are on certain parts of the bands and not on others.

[@davecasler]

On the list of future topics is getting started in DX. That will be a good place to discuss this.

[@polikwaptiwache397]

Thanks for posting another very informative video!! 73

[@Jimj]

Thanks, that was awesome.

[@macartancaughey9993]

CQ CQ CQ DX this is station Lemo Bravo 255 north Ireland standing by and going break that use to be my CB handle Lemo Bravo was for Lakeland breakers club if my feet was turned around the other way i would kick the backside of my self for not going for my ham radio licence use to have good fun on the CB radios. We operated AM and FM. AM was better but you could not get a licence for it so we had many ways to disguise it in our cars. Then they brought in FM you could get a licence for it but FM was no good. You will not get a pot of gold if you did not see any leprechauns lol. Great video brought back memories. Like yourself i have snow on the thatch meaning my hair is white now and i forget more things then i remember now lol

[@assapenn3980]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@groosha6]

Great video, thank you!

[@darthorpheus]

Thank you! 73

[@russhendrix9674]

Very helpful video!

[@geraividet]

Great video! Thanks.

[@MarcusPocus]

i was electronic tech for more than 30 yrs and more i learn ham radio, more i find the ham bands distribution/propagation (with types of signals used at specifics areas) complicated.. and it’s only the HF part.. i’m disappointed that ham transceivers can’t by purchase without a license (those ones are better than scanners and that kill a bit my motivation).. even SDR which need a computer is not easy in HF for CW listening (not so sensitive with a window antenna).. all of that look like the astronomy, too much big for to be easy!! ..but still to be interested!! (i feel like a kid, curious but not patient.. lol)

[@normstow718]

Really good video, thanks

[@jasonpongracz]

Great Video David!

[@stephenkillingsworth2582]

Loved this guide - very helpful! I was looking at the PDF you provided on your website and noted that on the 15 meter column the antenna row has some text cropped at the bottom of the cell. Thought you might want to correct. Looks like the row just needs to be made a bit taller to allow the text to show. 73 - N6CZ.

[@johnkidd1694]

good stuff

[@EXTIQUE]

73s DAVE,,FROM (KD8EFJ)!!

[@leehall6645]

That's great. Will get my general in June. Lee KJ7MST

[@mikeschroepfer8956]

I was exp.ecting going all the way to 6 meters, I worked a contact today, The magic band is fickle and its VHF techable, which is why Im; working 6

[@francismcclaughry3794]

Dave A M. elven meters. Now I hope you are not one of those hams when 11 meters was a ham band. I like forty.meters.

[@francismcclaughry3794]

I have a tri bandier laying in the garage . I would like to get it up. what have to get is a Rotar cable and a bearing for the tower. Still money to spend. I have a ham r orator for the antenna.

[@stephenwilliams5201]

The reason I like shorter. Was when I first moved in the area. My swr. Was off all the time. wire thieves. So 40 and up is good. I can see it. And run off the trespasser. Ps 30 meter is the qrp thing for me tks

[@MichaelWrightHIDiver]

This is one of the most practical and helpful videos I have seen yet. You have officially inspired me to get my general license. Now I'm going to have to pick your brain about what sort of equipment to get! ;-) For some reason great information like this - that is presented in a straightforward way - is hard to find. Makes me glad I found your channel!

[@davecasler]

Thank you!

[@gabrielM1111]

11 meter for life

[@Ripper13F1V]

David, I've started studying for the Technicians test, and while I go through questions, watching your vids to help understand some things. One question, the bands are confusing. There seems to be different ways of referring to the same thing. I hear, 2 meter, or 6 meter, or 10, 15 etc. Then I see the hertz references. I see there is a chart, but when looking at radios specs, they don't just say 10 meter, or 15m, or 1.25,m, instead they give the ranges in hertz. It would be helpful that companies would standardize that by saying 6meter/ 50-55mhz, or something to that effect. But thank you for your series. Well done!

[@davecasler]

I understand the frustration, but using two different ways to refer to the bands is as old as amateur radio itself. I doubt it will ever change.

[@S79KW]

Very Nice Video Thank You