Ham Radio - A new hams first HF contact. And he busts a pileup!

My friend Ric just got his general recently, so here we are making his first ever HF contact. And he worked it through a pile up!
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[@nr3rful]

1st contact is something you will always remember. ...

[@jack002tuber]

0:48, only you can prevent florist wires

[@caulktel]

That was great. I was all shaky for him. After being a Ham for 30 years, I still get a thrill every time I make a contact. Nice of you to help him.

[@n9uib]

So Ric....... Even with Kevin sitting there, you feel like your heart was gonna pop out of your chest ????. Lol the Great contact and you have a great Elmer..... Enjoy the hobby !!!!

[@ri3cjoh]

Yeah! Like willing the lottery! 73, KD9HUM

[@tomlink2207]

Fantastic! Got back in to Ham radio after a long break. Retired now. This actually brought tears to my eyes! So many memories... 73, Ric. n7jx

[@MangoMike316]

Half the fun of working these stations is trying to get through the pile ups, and when you can do it with 50 watts and a simple wire antenna it makes all the more worth it!

[@GA1dad]

Congrats Ric and Elmer!!!

[@hughpatterson1480]

"It's like the lottery, he hit two of my numbers!" I have to remember that. Brilliant. It was so great to see someone get their first QSO on HF. My first QSO was in the middle of a pileup. I had no idea that pile ups were not necessarily the norm, so I figured it would be that way every single time I got on an HF band. I only wish I had someone with experience to guide me that first time! Thankfully, the fellow on the other side of my call was patient and worked with me. Thanks for a great video! Persistence does pay off. Facing a pileup the first time around really makes other QSOs a lot easier! 73 KN6KNB

[@rollerbald]

Great video Kevin and Ric! I'll never forget my first one in 1960 - mine was on CW and man was I nervous! 73, Bill KC5SB

[@davejacobsen3014]

I think it’s great when us old gray haired guys get our first HF contact. I live in Tucson and working to get mine. I live, as a retired guy, in a slump block home where I live with a care giver! 73 KW7YZ Dave

[@ri3cjoh]

Who you calling old?!? :) 73 KD9HUM

[@brentjohnson6654]

Hi Dave. Retired a couple years ago due to stroke and some health issues. Now working on Tech/General test. 73

[@gschultz2010]

Good job Rick, I remember my first contact... I was so nervous but my elmer calmly walked me thru it... Kevin everybody that wants to elmer should take note of how to do it correctly, help with equipment, antenna, first contact etc.... great job Gary N8WTT

[@ri3cjoh]

I know, right? I was talking SO FAST!!!! 73, KD9HUM

[@dalemyers5096]

Congratulations kd9hum. My first was on 10 to Argentina, a grayline contact. Working the band with my 2 meter ringo and my dentron super-tuner. Now that I'm an extra, it's time for a second.

[@ri3cjoh]

Thanks. -- KD9HUM

[@jamesplummer7298]

Kevin also helped me with my first HF contact. Indiana > Alberta Canada. KD9 GDY

[@rlmillr]

Very cool first contact, I recognize that power supply :)

[@loughkb]

I thought you might. :-)

[@ri3cjoh]

Thanks!

[@allenmcrorie3557]

congrats Ric, welcome to another fascinating part of the hobby, hope to work you guys next year in the grid chase al ve3gam

[@K1QS_Radio]

With a bottle of Mtn Dew in hand, Ric charged into battle and broke that pile up for number one. Good job Ric.. it takes a while to get the timing right when dropping your call in on a pile up. The floral wire has MOJO. That's fun!

[@MauriatOttolink]

WB0WQS Florist's wire..not Floral wire. Er What is it?

[@K1QS_Radio]

I think is is what florist's use to hold a bouquet together. My bad on the misquote. forgive me please.

[@ri3cjoh]

I actually said "floral" in the vid and corrected it to "florist's." It's the cheapest thing you can get that still is called wire. It's even thinner than some of the old TV magnet wire. (I couldn't find my actual box of wire.)

[@Nicktgrief]

my first contact was on VHF with an old local G5UM ... it went on for about 2 hours and i worked him on 2m, 70cms and then crosband to 70mhz, 28mhz, 160m ... My log book was a mess D but he became a great friend and was the first person I worked when my daughter was born too. sadly SK now but his call lives on via his local radio club.

[@jeffminnick5209]

Geat vid Kevin and congrats to rick on that 1st hf contact... I too elmer a few guys as we speak....keep em coming Jeff WD8JM

[@Jimwill01]

My first HF contact was with a net. I had been told about the net by a friend and gave it a shot. QCWA chapter 63, I've worked them every weekend since. Much easier than calling a CQ! Not as exciting as getting a DX from elsewhere in the world, but confidence building.

[@webfeed]

I heard both sides of this live. Was in the same pileup. Nice job, Ric! KØAGM - 73

[@loughkb]

Hey, that's cool! Small world.

[@ri3cjoh]

Thanks! That's amazing!

[@eduardopower5254]

Wow congratulations and Welcome!!!!!! 73.

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Kevin, Great first contact for Ric and nice having his Elmer there. 73 WB3BJU

[@ri3cjoh]

Thx! Kevin cut out the one where I accidentally used the wrong call sign. Thank God Nova Scotia didn't respond to that one! KD9HUM

[@Flood_of_SYNs]

~1258 miles, not bad. I need to get my station set up soon.

[@ri3cjoh]

Thanks for doing the math! :)

[@jdmeaux]

That FIRST contact always sticks in your head. Moe k2jdm

[@tonycantrell9547]

Very nice

[@celticwarrior1961]

nice 1st contact my 1st was a german station that stated "m3's/m6 are not propper call signs" my call at the time was m6foj i am now an intermediate with call of 2e0fok .enjoy the hobby ric nice going kevin

[@willhelmx8388]

Yeah!!! cool to see a new fella make his first contact on HF, ...way to go Rick!!! 73´s from Sm7Hce,.. perhaps when the conditions are just perfect i´ll see ya on 40 :-)... nice... keep it up guy´s / A

[@vanuitdeauto]

How cool to see that. Almost half a year ago I was the same. First trying a station (made a sked) 6km / 4 miles away, but that didn't work at all, not even at 25W (my max allowed because of novice license here in the Netherlands). He said try another station you can hear. Did I know that was about 2000KM away. He called CQ, first time the call on air and bingo :) Felt the same goosebumps again when Ric got his reply. Cool to see that. Hope to work both of you guys one day! 73 de PD4AD

[@ri3cjoh]

Wow! Cool story. Propagation is strange, right?

[@vanuitdeauto]

Ric Johnson it certainly is. And learning more and more ecery day I am working with it! Enjoy the hobby! 👍

[@vanuitdeauto]

Ric Johnson btw Kevin, excellent picture those Munsters Today.bhave seen the entire series. In German that is as it wasnt aired in NL at the time. Brings back memories!

[@ianharling9569]

Nice one Ric.Congratulations on your first of many HF contacts.. 73..Ian Harling G7HFS.👍

[@ri3cjoh]

Thanks!

[@cuban9splat]

Excellent Ric! Congrats on your first HF contact and a really memorable contact it was. My first contact was on 40 meters and was with a ham that lived across town from me LOL. Good job. 73 DE K7RMJ Frank

[@normjacques6853]

How totally cool!! Congrats to you both! 73

[@samglaim4274]

Big congrats ... well done. 73

[@TheRadioShop]

Congratulation Ric! Great job. Thanks Kevin.

[@ri3cjoh]

Thanks! 73, KD9HUM

[@electronixTech]

Congratulations!

[@BubbaWarbucks]

Nice to see the gear you just fixed getting good use!

[@nickaxon]

I remember my Frist contact on HF I wish I had videoed it . Yes I was nervous too. But Rick's grin said it all.👍👍👍 And I remember having the same grin 😉 aswel as the nerves. Well done Rick and hope you have many many more

[@CT1ELP]

Congratulations ! It is always nice to see someone starting on the HF bands, especially if is well taught and has potential to be a good operator. Back in 1992 I started also with an IC-725 that I kept for over 20 years, I worked around 300 DXCC entities and participated in several CQ WW DX and ARRL contests. 73 and Good Luck !

[@RadioHamGuy]

Congrats to you Ric, you will be having a lot of fun with the hobby, so many different things to try! Good luck and have fun with radio...73 wd0akx

[@w0dpd]

Congrats to Ric! A very cool 1st QSO. Welcome to the hobby Ric and we"ll see you on the bands. Kevin keep up the elmering (is that a real word?) the hobby needs guys like you to keep growing!

[@buckeye5704]

Atta boy Kevin! When I get my shack set up I hope I get as good a first contact as you did. 73

[@thormusique]

That was awesome, and congrats to Ric! I'm about to take my General exam and really looking forward to DX on HF. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@pathopkins4500]

Great job Ric and Kevin =)

[@ri3cjoh]

Thx.

[@rkaag99]

Well done!!! 73s rob

[@FishinMoney-Darren]

I need to get my general license. Im a fairly new ham. Great job guys and thanks for sharing. KI7PIR Las Vegas

[@BEdmonson85]

Good hangin' in there man... That's one of the only things that sucks about being a newer ham working pile-ups. By the time you get your call out there, someone with a shorter call has already called and is getting an answer back. But hey! You did it! Congrats on the 1st HF contact, maybe I'll hear you one day. :) I mostly work 40m QRP unless I'm using a buddy's rig. My main rig at the moment is a BitX40 QRP rig.

[@ri3cjoh]

I really want to do some QRP. Even learning CW to do small-rig QRP.

[@BEdmonson85]

Ric Johnson, well if your rig has an output power adjustment, all you have to do is turn it down to 5watts (or lower) and you're off to the races 😊. You don't need a purpose built "QRP" rig. Congrats again on your 1st HF contact. Had mine just a few months back myself. Have fun!

[@ri3cjoh]

But... my current rig isn't in an Altoids tin like the one Kevin made on his channel! :D

[@andrewjwhall]

Well done Ric, keep at it! Thank you Kevin for the video! :-)

[@brentjohnson6654]

Great first contact. Now to learn the lingo and get tested.

[@jameslane2667]

I'm reading the mail funny one in my 454 and my bike I can't wait for summer have a great day dude

[@johnpawlicki1184]

Rick you have probably one of the best Elmers. I have been a ham since the 70s but I love to watch his videos. They are real ham radio. 73, K8AG

[@ri3cjoh]

My dad was a ham in the 60's and early 70's. He quit when I was about 8. Some of my stuff (like that code key) is my dad's. Kevin and I have been friends for 33 years. He taught me to fix computers in the 80's. 73 KD9HUM

[@Sly_hog2007]

I am always nervous getting on the radio!

[@loughkb]

Don't be. You're just talking to regular people. And you already have something in common to talk about.

[@santasl]

Great video and congratulations for the first HF contact, Ric. Haven't had the chance to do anything HF related as my QTH does not really allow any big antenna. My next project is a mag loop antenna which should give me plenty of opportunity for doing digital.

[@ri3cjoh]

santasl Thank you. 73. KD9HUM

[@N4KRX]

Way cool! Nice job Ric! Always fun to see a new Ham make their first HF contact. Is that an Icom 725? I have an Icom-728 and have a blast with that little radio.

[@Julie_M_]

I know the vid is old but this was great thx

[@DAVIDGREGORYKERR]

You use a 9:1 UNUN if so then that's good, I just think a antenna stretched from the radio shack to the pole 1-2 miles from the shack should work better, what about getting a radio teletype and you can use 5 databits 1.5 stop bits at 50.50 or 75.75 baud.

[@33pastas]

A wire on a tree as an antena? WoW .im impressed and confused

[@warplanner8852]

FB ON NR 1, RICK! GUD ELMER HELP THERE! Kevin got you off on the right foot but you have the knack. Sounds like you are a veteran! You might try breaking a pileup by throwing your last three.."HOTEL UNIFORM MIKE"..as the other station will come back with "the HOTEL station?" and, once you have him, you can fill the rest in. Also, try making up funny phonetics like "HOG UP MUSHROOMS" or something like that. Countries also attract attention - especially in DX contests. "HUNGARY, URUGUAY, MOROCCO" for example. The whole point is to got their attention. You will get the hang of it. 71/72 de k6whp (kissed six wild hairy pigs) dit..dit

[@ri3cjoh]

Wow. Neat idea. You'll notice I shortened it from Kilowatt to Kilo to get it out quicker. I've noticed phonetic inconsistency. Is there not a standard for ham? I know that Army, Coast Guard and Air Traffic use different words sometimes. Thx, 73. KD9HUM

[@la5984]

Is that a Icom -725 I have one it’s work over 35yrs

[@sablanenrique]

Congrats Rich on your first HF Contact and hope to work you on Digi Mode........de Rick KB9LHT

[@ri3cjoh]

Enrique Sablan Thanks. KD9HUM

[@W4TRI]

Great job guys! 79 K4RJJ

[@deandavidson9929]

Still have the moto service monitor for you just waiting for another excuse to go to indiana

[@loughkb]

I almost emailed you back in November to see if you were coming to the hamfest up here.

[@ethicalfarmer7424]

Good job & enjoy...73 VK2TGR

[@brennanlong3351]

Nice Contacts. Sorry I got him right before you I am K6BFL. 73