Ham Radio Basics--Setting Up Your First Operating Position

Some things to think about when you set up your first ham radio station operating position. A quick look at Larry WD0AKX's console.

[@erin19030]

I was heavy into HAM radio back in the early 1960's. My best friend and I built much of it from scratch. We had little money to buy top notch gear. I was more into the electronics of it all. My friend was the communicator. We spent many an hour in the we hours on the air. In 1965 I was drafted and had orders for Nam. I gave my radio shack to my friend before I left. We were gonna keep in touch Via MARS. I truly believed I was not coming back. We made contact only once on the MARS network. While I was away my friend was drafted. I came back in 67 , he never returned. I lost all interest in our hobby. In did return to my old job at Barker and Williamson as a research tech in the SSB group. I enjoyed your talk , it brought back fond memories of my friend.

[@jeffwittern1223]

Thanks Jim, just setting up my station and it is great to have someone with your experience to help us new guys. Just got my Tech license on October 11th and I will be taking the General Class test on November 8th. Thanks again for all of your videos they have been very helpful!. 73!

[@ham-radio]

On Tuesday, November 2nd I was taken by ambulance to the local hospital with severe shortness of breath. A blood test in the Emergency Room showed my D-Dimer score of 12,281. A D-Dimer of over 500 is considered high. My oxygen level was about 82%. A CT scan showed I had a bilateral pulmonary embolism with almost total blockage. I was close to dying. A powerful blood thinning medication was injected many times over the next 5 days. I am on oxygen. I must use a walker. Treatment is 6 months. I will be uploading a video about Pulmonary Embolism soon. 73, Jim W6LG

[@ricksmall5047]

Jim, I am very sorry to hear about your medical event. My wife suffered an illiocholic ruptured artery aneurism 3 months ago and I almost lost her. She bounced back over a three month period and is now back to work. I wish you the very best and will think about a speedy recovery for you, I have been licensed since 1957, have just acquired an AL-80B amp and am struggling with adjusting the alc circuit properly. I have never used alc before in any amp I have owned but with the 80B, I understand there is a real advantage in doing so. When you feel better, perhaps you could provide some guidance on how to dial that circuit in properly. The manual is confusing to me. Thanks and 73! Dick, K1DPM

[@michaelscorcia7219]

Jim W6LG I'm so sorry to hear about this. I've been watching your videos recently as I'm trying to get in to ham radio, I hope you recover quickly and are okay. Best of wishes to you!

[@mbarreto64]

I wish you a fastest possible and the easiest possible recover. I am sure you will be ok in few months! 73, CT1EFT

[@plunmeister1093]

Hope things are better now a year later. You have taught me lots these past months. Tom, KC9YYB

[@lindasmith3978]

Jim W6LG hope you are well now that it’s July of 2018 .... KM6UQP here ....

[@scottbiccum6977]

I'm BRAND NEW, just got my tech & general a week ago (KC7JVN) and I am SO grateful for these videos. With your help, I am shortening the learning curve significantly

[@dsimmons6522]

Jim, Thanks for your videos. I am very new to the hobby, but have had an interest for about 20 years. I am now in a place to start. Please keep the videos coming, very informative and a pleasure to watch.

[@GhettoGumball]

GREAT video! Just starting out, have purchased no equipment, no set up...only a dedicated space. Your video was so helpful!

[@spencerhochstetler]

I really appreciate you making videos like these Jim - thank you so much.

[@ham-radio]

Glad you like them! Spencer as a last name is in our family trees. Thanks, Jim

[@rogermullins3367]

Really enjoy your videos - wanted to add my wishes to you for a speedy and complete recovery. 73 from Roger, KM4WVE

[@RadioHamGuy]

Very nice video with a lot of great tips Jim! Thank you for featuring my desk in your video also, it works out great for me for the reasons you stated. Keep up the great work with your videos and tips for ham radio operators. 73...wd0akx

[@djacogido6878]

Thank you Jim for highlighting the basic setup especially for a beginner like me. Hope you could continue to share more insights. Big Tango W6LG. -DJ (DW7FGA / Philippines)

[@glennstevenson6242]

Thanks for your help Jim. Glenn from Australia.

[@rodgerbaseman107]

Very nice video Jim! Thank for featuring Larry's desk. Good friend of mine. Keep up the great work with your videos and tips for ham radio operators. 73...NX0P

[@MrRain-hk4zi]

Thanks Jim W6LG, very informative. Looking into this and the sky is the limit for what is available to acquire. I'm not even a newbie yet but I did pick up a couple of Baofeng BF-F8HP hand helds. They seem to have had great reviews. My bride and I need to get the licence.

[@philthompson3499]

Thanks Jim, another nice video.

[@ve5uo]

Thanks Jim, this is very informative. I agree with your assessment about monitor positioning. I believe that this is vitally important as many things we are increasingly integrating computer applications with our stations (logging (local and online), digital modes, online callsign lookups, gray line display, on and on). I love Larry's console, but I don't see computer access. All of that said, great advice about operating the most important thing--the radios :D. 73!

[@TheClassguitar]

Hi Jim. Hope this finds you well on the way to full recovery. Just found your videos. Enjoy them. I have been a ham for a while. My son is getting into the hobby. I am going to refer him to you site. The video is easy to understand. Thanks. 73, K4ZVK Walt.

[@OldMojoDT]

Jim, best wishes with your medical issues. I am disabled, but friends have come through, helping with the heavy work involved with setting up antennas and grounding. I have watched several of your videos and appreciate your clarity and subject coverage. I've had my General ticket for 3 weeks now and am still in the process of putting my base station together (around a 450D and a 40-10 EFHW). Your videos have been very helpful in this process. Best regards and 73, David KE8ICK (W8WMM as of this coming Friday)

[@ham-radio]

Nice new callsign. I looked in some old callbooks and I don't see it. Do you know who had it before you? Thanks for the support David. 73, Jim

[@txfotog]

Great videos Jim! Really helpful info for a Technician about to upgrade. Your production value is great too. Do you have a background in video? WA5AZQ

[@cynthiataylor123]

Love your videos Jim !!

[@gregorypeters1438]

Sorry to hear of your illness.I am glad to hear you are able to get about Jim albeit with a frame.I really enjoyed the video.I have decided to get my Foundation licence here in the UK but have yet to join my local club because I am on holiday.I will start of with a handheld transceiver 10W due to budget and licensing constraints.

[@ham-radio]

I fully understand. Some inexpensive HF gear is around. Some local guys may even help with the loan of something. Money becomes a big problem when you can no longer work due to illness. I have learned that first hand. Thanks again for writing. 73, Jim W6LG

[@johnparmi7806]

Very informative video. Thank you. I will be watching more.

[@ham-radio]

Thanks John! 73, Jim

[@balahmay]

Really sorry to hear about your medical problem. Hopefully you will have a complete recovery. I've been enjoying your videos and wanted to thank you for doing them. I've been a ham for a long time but haven't had opportunity do a lot of operating. So I found your back to basics reviews good to go over. I definitely gave thought to the ergonomics of my current station, and if you have time time to look at it on QRZ.com feel free to critique me on it. I still have some changes to incorporate about speaker and microphone placement. You will see how I had to use lots of connectors, and I was worried about associated losses. I'm feeling much better about that after watching your video where you tested a string of them. Anyway, hope you recover quicker than expected. 73, KD9NI

[@AnikF1R]

Wishing you a quick recovery, Jim. Currently flying over Grass Valley on my way to HNL.

[@bmmrrr]

another great video for a newbie like myself...

[@Kel_Joy]

Great ideas! I'll keep them in mind as I setup my own station. I take my General exam in 2 weeks.

[@ethanpoole3443]

KBJ714 Good luck on your exam. KW4EK

[@russellmckay2]

Thank You, very useful. Still little struggle studying for tech lic. Using ham study and have two local clubs. Math, memorizing, multiple choice tough for me. Nice to plan and think ahead for a change. Love your content. Again Thank You Fn01pd 73.

[@lindasmith3978]

Thank you for this, Jim! New HAM Technician KM6UQP here..... am about to read your health update...

[@artgumbus]

Hi Jim, nice video and informative. One aspect that you did not mention is the 110v and 220v power requirements of the ham shack along with coax/ladder line ingress and grounding access. In my case, I will have to have two separate 25A 220v circuits brought up to the second floor room where I will be setting up the shack. I have not yet figured out how to run a common ground from the radio room to the common ground point of my electrical service (which is in the basement and of course on the opposite side of the house).

[@wa6gxq]

Ergonomics are the most important. I had the same problems with monitors being above eye level. My neck will tell me about it quickly. I have all my rigs that are used regular on the desk top. My bones kill me otherwise. Great wisdom on a great video. 73!

[@ham-radio]

Thanks Barry! 73, Jim

[@wheelman567]

Hey Jim great video I've been noticing that people will tell you how to set up a radio station without mention anything about ground wires how you run your antennas which goes into the radio first to tuner the linear different things like that be great to put out a video on that 73.

[@adammiller2230]

Thanks for the info jim.

[@bendigopipeclub2370]

We had a link Hong Kong, Belize, London, on a PRC320 using a Dipole suspended on 2 40ft masts. morse mainly but some voice.

[@Applecompuser]

You gear looks cool. I’d like a tour and to know what everything does. Im sure others would like that as well.

[@petebarry2207]

Hello Jim. I hope that you are doing better. I am into tube radios from the 30's, 40's and 50's, so naturally I am looking at a tube ham setup. Right now, I have a Hammarlund HQ170A Receiver, and that is all. It needs work, and I am not averse to get something different, but I would like to stay with the tube technology. Do you have any suggestions that would work well with what I have, or something totally different? Also, can you go over what the equipment SHOULD do, when you use it? Thank you.

[@ham-radio]

The transmitted often used with that receiver was the Johnson Viking Ranger. That is an AM transmitter. For SSB, an HT37 was probably the popular choice. The Hammarlund HX50, as I remember, was trouble. The HQ170A was a hugely popular and highly regarded receiver of the day. I think the Drake 2B was in that same category. 73, Jim

[@kevinshieldsw1kps785]

Jim hope all is well now and you are still on thinners. As a paramedic I know how scary that can be well not know but see. Anyway, thanks for the video I just took my tech license and hope that I can still have my call sign in the database before the fcc is forced to shutter. I do like Larry’s setup but seems close together. My plan is to use a 3’x6’ table and build a shelf for the back portion. What do you think about a foot pedal? I was thinking a boom mic with a foot pedal for tx. Probably a headset to go along with it. Thanks Jim. Again hope all is well and keep the videos coming.

[@PaulGriffith]

Great video. Just wanted to add that a solid core door makes a good desk when placed on 2 budget file cabinets. When locating your shack in the house, be aware of how you are going to run your feedline to the antenna. Depending on the family situation, some may want to put a priority on headphones. I using 2nd hand Yaesu headphones but have the Heil headset on my wish list. Hope your health improves. 73, KE5WMA

[@ham-radio]

Thanks and you are very right. I have a solid core door and I do use good headphones. And, feedlines are often an issue. I remember that with my first station in 1963 when I wanted to drill a hole in a wall. Thanks & 73, Jim W6LG

[@shandybrandy5407]

Thank you very much! Will keep the tips in mind. 73s

[@ham-radio]

You are welcome! 73, Jim

[@TheUlfhedinn]

Jim your videos look exceptional. Do you mind sharing what camera and lighting you use? Also hoping for a quick recovery. Im a new Ham and truly enjoy your shows.

[@ka8gov]

hello my name is cliff ka8gov I just got my general on nov13 of 2016 I am thinking about getting the icom 718 or a alnico sr8t what do you think about the two radios good idea or not?

[@keithcronk7980]

HAY JIM WE'RE PRAYING FOR YOU. WE'RE NEW TO HAM GOING TO GET LICENSE. WHEN YOU START TALKING ABOUT THE EQUIPMENT ITS ALL CHINESE TO ME. HAHAHA WHERE DO WE START. URE A GREAT TEACHER JIM. KEEP THEM COMING. MERRY CHRISTMAS. THANK YOU. GOD BLESS YOU.

[@OFFROADRUNNER101]

enjoyed this. I am brand new to the hobby and just received my technician class license on Saturday. I enjoyed and this one was a good place to start. I am looking at an icom 7300. What is your opinion on this transceiver. I will be getting my general license in 3 weeks. 73

[@Benstechgarage]

That's a great transceiver. Just bought one myself and I extremely happy with it! - KD2NOU

[@bendigopipeclub2370]

What are you views on the PRC 320

[@AndrejaKostic]

Hey Jim, did you try out some adaptive audio filtering in this video or did lots of sample-rate conversions? I've noticed a bit of musical noise that wasn't there in the previous videos. Also one thing about the clock: Depending on the operating customs, it might be very useful to have a digital clock with two clock-faces: One for UTC in 24-hour format and one running local time in whichever way you like it. For around $10 a nice, big clock with huge LED digits can be obtained. It's also important that the LEDs are bright enough to work in daylight too. Another option to consider is a radio-controlled clock, especially for contesters. Here in Europe, DCF77 covers most of the continent and clocks that synchronize to it are commonly available. I guess a similar option for the US would be WWVB-controlled clocks. This reduces the possibility of losing points due to clock drift and removes the hassle of checking if the clock is correct or not.

[@ham-radio]

Hi, I did not do any filtering or changing of the audio. My hearing is not so good at 67. I am looking for another way to record the audio. Thanks for the input. Good idea about the clock. I have a clock that uses our time standard. I depend on it for everything. You have made a very good suggestion. I also have the computers connected to a time source for calibration. When I made the video, my Asthma was giving me lots of trouble. I had used the inhaler a lot that day. I don't know if that is some of what you heard. The inhaler affects my vocal cords. I started and stopped that video many times to clear my lungs and throat. Thanks! 73, Jim W6LG www.hamcq.com

[@ethanpoole3443]

Андреја Костић It sounds as though the audio was recorded at, or compressed to, a fairly low bit rate, so you hear a lot of quantization effects in the audio.

[@2SD251Jim]

Nice vid

[@joshuacash]

Good video Jim. I have a TS-520s sitting on top of a 1500 watt rated MFJ tuner and my wrist is paying for it while trying to scroll the VFO. It was a sacrifice for space to use my laptop and still use my key. The tuner is deeper than the radio, which makes it awkward to stack. Space is handy! Keep these great videos coming!! 73 KE8EAS

[@ham-radio]

Thanks. Yes, you can make some changes with the next station set up. 73, Jim

[@ham-radio]

Thanks Joshua! 73, Jim W6LG

[@ethanpoole3443]

Joshua Cash A few pieces of wood and some wood screws and you can build an inexpensive shelf to relocate your tuner atop the radio for more comfortable operating. If you do not have the tools to cut the wood most home improvement stores will be happy to make the cuts for you, sometimes for free, sometimes fir an extra dollar or two. For added strength and rigidity you may either attach a crossmember just below the shelf or use ready made angle brackets instead, whatever suits your skill level.

[@carolmartin7042]

Good ideas. Thanks. Glen, N0QFT

[@Ronparks1378]

Per your video, I purchased a used a Heil HM-10 (with the HC5 element) but people are now telling me it won't work on my Icom 7300. Any suggestions? PS... I really like your videos and hope you are well!

[@ham-radio]

It will work. 73, Jim

[@Ronparks1378]

Thanks for the quick reply 73 - Ron

[@flashMXdesigner]

Some good tips. Curious about your comment that Ham Radio is "a licensed service with some hobby aspects" - who exactly are you licensed to serve? I'm sure it's been fun over the years to talk with people all over the world but Ham Radio is primarily a hobby, no?

[@juliemiller5181]

Thank you!

[@glennstevenson6242]

Thanks Jim...

[@dfpolitowski2]

Interesting that you mentioned Linear as part of a station.

[@michaelsearnest]

I could use a simple diagram. I have all the equipment needed to work the world, but no idea how to connect it all. My dad past and left it all to me. I just want to listen while I study for the technicians exam. Help.

[@gregk5505]

Hi Jim about to get my general. Is there an age limit you would recommend on a transceiver (10 years, 20 years, etc). Some popular used transceivers on eBay, e-ham, HRO are the FT-840 and the TS-440. Is there maybe a robust transceiver for around $400 used? Is it wise to get a side band QRP rig? Thanks for all the great videos! :)

[@moto51legend]

Greg K I'm also soon to get my general, I have been looking at older ten tecs like the corsair ii. I hear that they will repair their old radios, but I'm not 100% sure.

[@ham-radio]

I would not buy a Ten Tec. You can Google Ten Tec and read about the current situation. There are lots of other transceivers. Again, make certain that whatever you buy, that it can be repaired at a company facility here in the US. You can call and ask about repairs before you buy. Or, look at something like an IC-718 that new is somewhere around $700 and used around $500. I have a neighbor with a new one in the box that he is selling. You may have someone in your neighborhood with a nice used transceiver for much less than $1000. 73, Jim

[@ham-radio]

I never liked the TS440 or the FT840. I thought the receiver performance was very poor. Check with locals for something less than 10 years old and that is still able to be repaired at the US company owned facility. Some parts are just no longer available. An Elecraft K2/100 is about $650 new without an internal ATU. It is an amazingly good transceiver with great factory support in CA. You can add things as you can afford them. 73, Jim

[@jbonewitz]

Jim, I've enjoyed watching your videos. I'm studying for my Tech., so all this is very new. What's the advantage of an external SWR/watt meter compared to what's built into the radio. . .say the IC-7300?

[@gregk5505]

Jim W6LG Thanks for the reply. I was looking at the kit for the k2 but I don't understand what I need on this page www.elecraft.com/elecraft_prod_list.htm#k2 From what I understand that is going to cost me at least $1500 which is way over my budget. PS. a kit sounds fun especially if it's cheaper.

[@sigisfoto]

How about dangerous radiation from antenna and equipment to operator? I measured EMF near my tranciever (only 20W) - from end of dipole to tranciever was about 7m. EMF was so big that my tester can't even measured that radiation! It's a problem beacause when I'll put for example 70m coax to 80m dipole (40m from center to end and 40m from end to tranciever), what left from my 20W power?

[@ham-radio]

Good questions and the answer is nothing to worry about. And here is why: The wavelengths are long very long. They are mostly longer than you and those EMF's are nonionizing. Period. Can you get an RF burn if you touch the wire; sure. Same if you grab a high voltage wire. Twenty watts is nothing. Do you have cellphone? Now there is a concern and no one talks about it. At those wavelengths of 5GHz near a cell tower would worry me. For years I ran two yagis in phase. The gain was about 20 times. Power to the antennas was 1500 watts. The ERP was 30KW. So I have some experience with high power. 73, Jim W6LG

[@sigisfoto]

@@ham-radio Thank you for your reply! There is a lot of discussion about mobile phone waves and the health risks, but only the official media don't give much publicity..

[@nonofyourbusinessnonofyour5435]

Pretty complicated set up for to be able to talk to someone and say hi. I’m new to radios and still wondering what is this good for beside saying hi to someone on the other side. I see portable or hand held radios very useful if you go in woods wild or emergency situations or when every other communications fails. I’m more into hand held and portable radios

[@Harold710]

Greetings from NL7PJ

[@daddytreefrog]

A power supply, a transceiver, antenna, and coax between transceiver and antenna. This should get me started?

[@ham-radio]

Plus a few other things. But sure, start with the basics and learn from there. Thanks! 73, Jim

[@stephentaylor280]

Good video. KK7T

[@1fanger]

Thanks, informative video, as always. KC3BXZ

[@brettsaville2762]

Great Video...... 73's de VK2FSAV..

[@blainecolbry3192]

Love your video's Jim good job! Hope to talk to to you again on the air KE8CTG

[@garycottreau8442]

I am totally new at this. Slow but sure I will get my license, but, wow this hobby is confusing to me. There seems a lot of stuff to know. Can't I just plug in a ham radio and antenna? I am not understanding the power supply. Is it like a power bar to protect surges?

[@shalicgraw5280]

Gary Cottreau Have you taken Tech exam? Either join a club or get an Elmer.... or, study the ARRL text and memorize the Q&A. (There are ~500 questions in the pool, 35 Q on the exam; you can get 9 incorrect. Study hard for 2 weeks, especially the last 3-4 days. Drill. Drill. Drill. Get an app for your iOS or Android. The real learning for me happened after I received my CS. Pass the Tech. Get a radio. Make some contacts. See what interests you and go from there.

[@fabioeduardobertolinidemor6812]

Very nice video Jim! - 73! - PX2Q2328

[@nathanielgalimba4470]

Hi there W6LG!

[@all4theadventuresouthalabama]

You called it

[@ham-radio]

Thanks & 73, Jim

[@bigjimtrucker6042]

I use lenovo m10 tablet and they are awesome and battery lasts really long

[@greggaieck4808]

Jim w6lg me and my cousin are going to a Swap meet in September 11 Sunday morning at 8 am in Milwaukee

[@greggaieck4808]

Jm w6lg I like your utube videos

[@greggaieck4808]

Jim w6lg my hobbys are painting pictures and lisining to shortwave and ssb iam thinking about getting my ham license I have 4 shortwave receivers

[@tonymoore8663]

Hello, thank you for this video. We Will cash app you if you could walk us through live setting up our Eton Elite 750 just tooo much Reading for us? 👏🏽

[@leechlittle2767]

Loudest sounds in the universe: chainsaw feminist nuclear bomb Galaxy exploding the big bang HI IM JIM W6LG

[@greggaieck4808]

Jm w6lg this instresing hobby is ham radio

[@jacra8182]

Please get to the point.