Ham Radio - A Beginner Introduction

[@mktwatcher]

Excellent video introduction to ham radio Tim. I especially liked your story of how you became interested and how you developed along the way. Thank you

[@TimTools99]

You are most welcome!

[@carmensantiago4135]

Thank you so very much for your video. Your video's are so helpful and encouraging. They are a wealth of information. Thank you again, I just subscribed to you channel.

[@rikjohnson120]

Hi TimTools99. I'm really enjoying hearing you share what parts of this hobby you enjoy, and I REALLY LOVED seeing your vintage hardware! I don't have my Technician License yet, but I'm working on it here in Northern Colorado. : )

[@TimTools99]

Great! enjoy!

[@AshA-mw3xl]

Very much enjoyed watching this. Thank you.

[@__bam]

Really enjoyed your video sir. Thank you for sharing.

[@TimTools99]

You are very welcome. I enjoy making these videos. Come back again. Thanks for the comment.

[@TOMinPDX]

I really enjoyed this video. I just bought my first handheld recently & hope to get my Tech license soon.

[@TimTools99]

Well, good for you. It's a fun hobby and you will make a lot of new friends.

[@daytonvalleydeals6056]

Thanks for the introduction! I'm an ebay seller. I recently purchased an estate lot that included lots of ham radio supplies. It's so interesting! I already have many accessories. Lol I'm starting my research. It will take some time but it's fascinating!👏

[@TimTools99]

Yes it is a great hobby. Have fun!

[@Lilpapimusso]

Hello I am new to Ham Radioend my neighbor should me and I love it so much I am so excited one day hopefully I will get my license and talk to people all over the world and this helped me.

[@michealcade7313]

Hello there Tim. This is ki5spa. CW is my next step in amateur radio not sure why the FCC stop. Morse code any ways enjoy your videos. Thanks for all your time and knowledge. 73 for now.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hello Tim! We received our license about the same time! Like you I have had so many wonderful experiences in Radio! I hope to work you sometime!!!! 73's! N2STX

[@TimTools99]

Yes, that would be nice. 73's to you. P.S. I was Scoutmaster here in my little village for several years.

[@berg6964]

Great info! Thank you friend, from Idaho:)

[@TimTools99]

Thanks for checking in!

[@mariogarza7796]

Very nice video, cool calm and very well explained, liked the story of how you got started, and so on 👍

[@anotherdawn527]

An Interesting hobby!! Good old days!!

[@TI3WTI]

Really nice story indeed. I´m starting to get involved, been listening conversations fot the past 2 months on local repeaters and have already passed the test to get my license, but here in the "Tango India" region you have to wait 10 months or so to get your permisson to transmit..... so I´ll have to wait Thanks for sharing your knowledge..

[@TimTools99]

You are welcome. Good luck and enjoy

[@graywoulf]

Hi Tim! You and I have good taste in radios. I have the Kenwood TS-570D and the Kenwood TM-281A as well. I just got my Tech license at the beginning of April and my General at the end of April. I just got my dipole antenna up and now ready to explore the world of HF. 73's to you and I enjoyed this video.

[@TimTools99]

Thank you. I have owned two kenwood radios. The TS-590 is a nice radio for sure. I recentlu bought a Yaesu FT-991A. This little radio blew me away! The receiver is so much better than the Kenwood. It also has a waterfall display which is cool. After using the Yaesu, I think Kenwood better up their game! The Yaesu is a better radio and much cheaper. I do like the Kenwood controls better. There is a button to push for everything. The Yaesu does it all through a display where I have to flip to different screens to find what I want. Congratulations on getting the General Class license! I hope you enjoy the hobby as much as I have.

[@graywoulf]

I have looked at the Yaesu 991A and it is impressive. A bit out of my price range for a startup rig unfortunately. I got my 570D for under $500 so I think that for a startup deal I did not do bad. I just built and installed myself a ZS6BKW dipole which was an adventure in itself. I am looking forward to getting out there and making contacts. Thanks and 73s!

[@GSGExtreme44]

Hi Tim - I am new to HAM radio - I just want to let you know that you took me way back to 1983, when I made a safety pin telegraph for a science fair and was judged by the US Navy in Great Lakes, Ill - Got first place -

[@TimTools99]

That sounds very cool!

[@FreshAirGamer]

Fantastic video. Loved hearing about how you got started.

[@TimTools99]

Thank you. Come back and visit anytime.

[@Sujitth]

Thank you very much for such a nice introduction.

[@TimTools99]

You are welcome, my friend

[@alanfarms705]

Very nice intro to HAM radio! Nice job! W4AFJ 73's to you!

[@TimTools99]

Thank you and 73's to you

[@kittyplays2324]

Ok, so the weather part, 162.550, that's wakesfield virginia, yes, I have a weather radio and I do love in Virginia

[@titanecampi]

Great video Tim, I am on 2meter here in Quebec, Canada call sign va2jwz. I have learned a lot in your video today. If you have more informations, do not hesitate to pass it on. 73 Roly

[@TimTools99]

Thanks Roly. Glad you liked the video. I will be posting more ham radio videos.

[@Thee-_-Outlier]

Total noob here, but with video modulators and what not can you broadcast video over ham bands for free if you have the equipment? Like broadcast your own cable access type show?

[@JohnDoe-ix8py]

Loved this video

[@Ailunce]

Good video.

[@wdsracer]

Are you still on the air Tim? I too am a ham operator near Rochester, NY. perhaps we could make contact either on HF or perhaps a repeater.

[@elmoreglidingclub3030]

Very well done, Tim! I’m new to ham radio and my granddaughter is interested so I showed your video to her. Quick question: What is the meter (Watts? SWR? Brand?) connected between your handheld and coffee can antenna?!

[@mikeym1875]

Great video!

[@nita_alva]

Why have a ham if you can only broadcast on certain frequency bands and only communicate with other ham operators?

[@TimTools99]

Ham radio became popular after WWll for emergency communication. During the war, the military called on ham radio guys to help with radio installations. Ham's were creative and inventive and willing to share their knowledge. For many years the Amateur Radio Service has provided emergency communication when all other forms fail. Many new forms of radio communication were invented and developed by Hams. As far as limited frequencies are concerned..... there is only so much radio spectrum and it has been divided up for various use: cell phone, marine, military, AM, FM etc. Hams are allocated their frequencies by the FCC. Hams enjoy talking to other hams and sharing in this hobby. Anyone can become a licensed Ham radio operator but they must learn and pass a test on radio knowledge, electronics and operating procedure. Frequency allocation increases with more advanced level license. It's a fascinating hobby but not for everyone, I guess.

[@nita_alva]

@@TimTools99 Yeah, from my observation it seems like a lot of old men are into ham radio.

[@TimTools99]

@@nita_alva Yes, you are right although many young people find the challenge of learning to build radio equipment fun. It's not for everyone. Sounds like you would probably not enjoy it.

[@Paddy_Roche]

Lovely video Sir.73 de 2E0TWD

[@TimTools99]

Thank you for watching and leaving the nice comment. 73's my friend de N2RGT

[@jay-rus4437]

Unfortunately, not so much help. Live just outside of Tulsa OK, and have reached out multiple times to try and get some guidance on how to get involved. Last time I emailed a local club, expressed my interest, and left multiple contact info. All I got back was a couple links to websites for fcc and test schedules. That it. No othet comments, no invitation to a club meeting or event...nothing. That was the last straw for me in trying to get involved with ham. Ive pretty well resigned myself to gmrs. It seems less intimidating and more straight forward. I think that it is sad that so many licensed ham operators seem to act like it is a private club and they aren’t interested in passing along the info to help others that know nothing about it. Ive got a civil Engineering background and own and operate a construction company in the tulsa area. Seemed like an interesting thing to look at, but I guess not.

[@TimTools99]

Well, that is too bad! If you were nearby, I would have you over to my shack and would help you get started. I think most Hams are willing to help new people. Your experience does not say much for that local club, you are right. If you want, we could communicate through email and something like FaceTime or Skype. I will be happy to help you any way that I can. Email: [e-mail].

[@jay-rus4437]

TimTools99 ....thank you so much. I may very well reach out to you, but I also got to thinking that with the virus right now Im sure everyone is out of sorts, so to speak. With things like youtube I have access to all the “teachers” that I want. So I probably just need to “suck it up” and get busy. Ive decided just to go ahead and study on my own and take the test within the next month or so. This is all completely new to me, but I can see the benefit from not only an emergency family plan perspective, but also one of our sons recently got married and moved an hour away. He works for our family business and has to drive each day. So I thought it would be potentially beneficial for him to have his license too and have solid communications coverage on his route. Thanks again, and I will likely talk to you soon

[@jay-rus4437]

TimTools99 ....one more thing. Would you recommend a good ht, like maybe the yaesu ft-65r as a first radio, or something else?

[@TimTools99]

Jay- Rus I’m glad you haven’t given up! You know, I have only owned one HT in my life and that was an old one made by Radio Shack , believe it or not! You really can’t go wrong with Yaesu or Kenwood. I have also own Alinco radios and they are cheap and good first radios. All the electronics are so advanced today. Please let me know if I can help out as you go along. I found that belonging to a local club was so much help and fun! Maybe look into joining a group. But I will be here.

[@michaeldupree4360]

Stick with it. During the pandemic nobody is really giving in person testing although I did find one group out of my area but they were wonderful group of people and I am considering joining their club! Good luck to you, just got my card yesterday ( Technician working toward AG then AE) K15MDV-73’s