Ham Radio - New Hams tip. Making that first contact on the repeaters.

Some hints and tips for new Amateur Radio licensees on making that first QSO. You've worked hard to get that license, now it's time to get on the air.

[@Michael-ew5kj]

just got my license on Saturday; after watching your video it helped me overcome my butterflies of going on the air for the first time. 73 from VA2KDJ in Montreal

[@sonofmaniam]

First contact tonight. One on one contact with another ham via a repeater 15 miles away with a $25 Baofeng HT (UV-5R). Inside the house, in a valley, with an 8 inch antenna. Did a couple of net check-ins afterwords. One of the nets knew I was new in the area and new to HAM and welcomed me the second they heard the callsign (not much traffic here, so they know right away if one sticks out). Thanks for the video!

[@loughkb]

Welcome to the hobby Jordan. Glad you liked the vid. Thanks for watching!

[@jimerickson1809]

Keep it up, nets are important to keep people in practice.

[@jamescollier3]

My first contact: Got scolded for entering tones incorrectly into a repeater. [edit] guy didn't like it.

[@banjomandan7199]

Hello Kevin! Just passed my Technician test on Saturday, at age 65, and can't wait to get my call sign! This video was very educational, and put me at ease. Thank you!

[@loughkb]

Glad it helped Dan, welcome to the hobby. I hope you find many years of enjoyment on the air.

[@Amyr61]

I’m just studying at 58. Little overwhelming but I’ll get there!

[@w.rustylane5650]

I'm 69 and just got my call sign a few days ago. Passed the Technician license test with a 100% a couple of weeks ago. Waiting on the call sign was murder as I spent 2 weeks listening on my HT the local club gave me for passing the Tech. test. It's a Yaesu FT-4VR which is a mono band 2 meter only HT. Glad to have gotten it even though I want a Baofeng UV-5R so I can get on the 400 MHz, 70 cm band.

[@ralphalberti6851]

Just got my ticket a week ago and this video is exactly what I needed to help me along. I'm 62 and was furloughed from work recently so I decided to get into Ham radio. Bought a Yeasu FT-70D.

[@shiftintohigh5564]

Lol. It happened to me! 👍😎

[@markcatizone2011]

Your video is still making an impact. Today, after watching, I made my first contact. Thanks for the insights.

[@loughkb]

Welcome to the hobby. I'm glad to know I helped a little. 73.

[@Man0fMeans]

Wow, I really needed this video. I earned my Tech Plus in the mid-1990s then got General before all the code was dropped, but through it all, I've never been on-air and have yet to make my first contact! Just got a nice HT for my birthday and looking to get back into radio after these decades. Wish me luck!

[@N4KRX]

Excellent info for nervous new Hams. Teaching correct and polite operating procedures is crucial. That first contact is a big deal!

[@graywoulf]

Good intro into first contacts! I just ordered my first radio. I have a Baofeng BF-F9 V2+ coming. I have made contact with a local club and I am listening in with my old Realistic Pro 43 scanner for now. I won't be able to take the technician's test with them until January so that gives me plenty of time to study. I'm learning what I can here on YT every day. I have been wanting to do this for years. I'm 63 now but I can still learn new tricks. 73 to all!

[@rclark999]

Kevin, real nice job! I just showed up in the FCC data base (three days ago) and am having some anxiety about making my first contact. This video really helped!!

[@loughkb]

Welcome to the hobby Ron. I'm sure you'll have a good time and make many new friends. Thanks for watching!

[@reidtillery2856]

Great help. Thanks. I never really knew how to make contact on a repeater. I knew enough not to call "CQ," or say "Anybody out there got your ears on?" but never really knew the 2-meter way of finding someone to talk with other than to ask for a radio check. As such, I've felt uncertain trying to contact someone (anyone) on a repeater. Enjoyed the video.

[@jeffreytobin4424]

Holy cats that was a helpful video, sir. I just got my technician’s, and am awaiting my call sign. It felt like you’d made the video just for me. I appreciate your work and your care for others.

[@keithjas25]

Hi Kevin. I am in the UK and not got a ticket yet. Just so encouraged by this enthusiastic video. I am subscribed to you as you are so infectious in your encouragement in the hobby. Keep it up please!!!!

[@wglwt]

Wife & I just passed the technician and our handhelds should arrive soon. Been searching the web for what to do now and this is the most help of any video I've found. Our main reason for using Hams is to use them while doing disaster relief work when other com methods are down. Thank you and I just subscribed. Bill

[@BigDaddyUker]

Great video. Took my tech exam in November, got my ticket 12/7. Got my radio programmed up (I think) to the local repeaters. I listened for a couple hours with nothing...but it was later. Too chicken to try anything until I found this video. Took some notes and will fire it up again in the morning. Thanks for the vid. 73-KD9JUT (Dave - Big Rock, IL)

[@normnpat]

Kevin, great instructional video. Wish I would have seen this when I first got my ticket. Good information.

[@oladapoaloba]

Thanks Kev for a very informative video. Will be taking my ham exam in the autumn your instructions here will definitely come in very handy in my case. Thanks for sharing, greetings from Norway and have a good one mate👍

[@edwardharding8148]

Kevin, Followed your lead and hit several repeaters in the area. No joy, until the 8th repeater, I made a contact about 30 miles away ( must be the time of day ) ! Had a nice conversation and then as soon as I cleared my first contact, another HAM was calling MY call sign ! He had heard me say I was new and was surprised my little Baofeng BF-F8HP was sounding so strong. We had a nice chat and I promised to reach out in the future. Wow what a thrill, I was smiling and shaking the whole time ! LOL I really see the importance of the phonetic alphabet, I am a little hard of hearing and it really helps me get the correct call sign from the contacts. Thanks again . 73, KO4DJM

[@robdudley3867]

This is a great video! I'm waiting for my FCC notification, but passed Technician and General on Dec 14, 2019. Can't wait to make my first contact. Thanks for the how-to!

[@christianitis]

Just got my tech license yesterday. Thank you for this video, it was very helpful!

[@iml1945]

Excellent advice. Videos on “how to break the ice” and initiate a QSO are welcomed. 73, N2POP

[@heinzpilot]

Thanks so much for this video! I just got my Technician license and I used the information in this video to give me the confidence to start talking on my local repeater. It was so fun! The other HAMs were very friendly. They also recognized that I had a new callsign. So it made it very easy and inviting when they started asking me questions. It was great! I wrote down their call signs, name, and locations. My first HAM contacts. 73!

[@loughkb]

Glad it was helpful! And welcome to the hobby.

[@BBaldwin]

Just passed my Technician exam last Saturday! Now, just waiting for my call sign to show in the FCC database and I’m ready to take the plunge!

[@ReelTimeCapt]

KB9RLW this is KO4DYC - Thx and Great advice. Just got my call sign and listened to a local net this evening, but was not so sure I knew the protocol enough to jump in. I do now and thx. 73 and thanks again.

[@WaynesWorld69]

Great video - thanks for your channel. I'm learning so much from you. My father in-law held an Advanced licence and had been involved in radios since the '70's. He passed in June and I've inherited his equipment. So I've been listening in to one of our local repeaters, joined a club and am slowly setting up my radio space in the house. My Foundation licence exam is this Friday and I'm looking forward to making my first contact!

[@BrianConklin]

Thanks! I'm just waiting for the FCC to get me in the database and I'm checking every day. This has been a question in the back of my mind and you answered it perfectly.

[@Fexone718]

Thanx for the video. I just got my ticket. This video def helped me ! Ty for making the time and doing this

[@bennettsjb]

Great video! Just got my call sign today KD9NBF and looking forward to getting on the air. Thanks again!

[@H.pylori]

Just the video that I needed. I just got my Tech license and wanted to know how seasoned Hams start a conversation. You explained it well. Now off to test it out. Thank you and thumbs up!

[@bobbryce8674]

Inspirational Kevin. Thanks so much for the positive way you are 'selling' the hobby. I'm studying in the UK for my ticket and hope to go live either end December or January next year. For us, the first step is called a 'Foundation Licence' rather than a Technician class. We get access to most amateur bands and are limited to 10W output power on most of them. I figure that should be enough until I learn how NOT to be dangerous!! Please keep up the good work. Videos like this will certainly help and inspire us Newbies.... PS My first 'transmitter' was a one transistor crystal oscillator that I built 50 years ago. I just came across it in an old box while clearing out some junk. It wasn't meant to be a transmitter (!) but imagine my surprise on applying the 9V battery when the TV screen went blank (turned out I was 'broadcasting' on the TV IF frequency.....).

[@GGITS]

Thanks, Kevin! That's just the information I was looking for.

[@lynnrichard6181]

Excellent video. Low on mature jargon and easy for a new ham to follow. Thanks for the guidance.

[@donpettinger8079]

Did what you said, got my first contact tonight 30 miles away. Was in house on a Yaesu Ft70D. Received a great welcome. Invited to tech night and monthly breakfast... Thanks for the helpful video. Great you focused on how to help a new ham...

[@edwardharding8148]

Hello Kevin, I just got my ticket today, I'm 70 and a little late to the party, but very excited ! Your video was just what I was looking for, just the basics delivered in a laid-back style. I hope to make my first contact this weekend. Thanks for the heads up. 73, KO4DJM

[@Fernwald84]

Great intro video, Kevin. Very well organized and spoken! Tnx & 73s

[@bilymac2321]

Great video Kevin, lots of good info to take ease the nervousness. I've had my ticket for a few months, (Tech & General), but i'm finally getting around to installing my radio in my Jeep. Looking forward to my 1st contact. Bill, 73, W6BKM

[@finder216]

Expecting my license within a few day...this video really helped answer some questions I had - Thanks Kevin!

[@loughkb]

Welcome to the hobby! I hope you have many years of enjoyment with radio.

[@jasonjames6076]

Excellent video for new hams like me! I made my first contact today when I heard someone keying up a repeater for testing. I responded with "my callsign listening". He seemed thrilled to get a signal report and guided me to a local radio net & his club.

[@loughkb]

Welcome to the hobby Jason. Glad you had such a good experience first time out. :-)

[@macgyver5108]

WAIT FOR OPTION 3!!! The local net controllers usually LOVE to give out a first contact QSL card as a memento!

[@pyresflood]

I have radio, I dont key it up as I'm waiting to get my ticket.. I cant wait to utilize option 3.

[@zacharysmith5947]

This was a good video, you have a reassuring tone, kind. Thanks

[@mattwitkowski8326]

Thank you for posting this video. I just got my license KC3MGQ on 10/25/2018.

[@amygladwin]

Thank you for sharing this video. Got my tech on 5/19 and leveled up to General last weekend. My call sign was posted on Monday but I’ve been nervous about making contact. Going to the Prescott Hamfest tomorrow.

[@louieborges8684]

I’m new to radio and this was very helpful. Thanks.

[@KALAENTAXI]

Thank you for your valuable input, cant wait till my call sign is listed on the FCC so i can surf the waves !!!

[@DeviantMotives]

Awesome video thanks for the advice

[@KI4CFSHamRadioMartinBrossman]

Nice job, added it to my "Ham Radio Etiquette" playlist.

[@scotthill6807]

Thank you for this video. Will be testing for my Tech in a week.

[@billz410]

Great video, Kevin! Just started studying for my Technician's license. A bit daunting but I'm wading through it...

[@joshbrookegallman8675]

Thanks for the video. I just got my call sign this week KJ7FUF and I'm looking forward to making my first contact. Your video was very helpful.

[@racheltgal]

Very help full thank you for this video I just got my license god bless

[@roberts3942]

Very helpful and well-done video.

[@Orefamilylawncare]

Good video. I bought me a new 10 meter radio to start and ordered my study materials. Can't wait to get started 👌

[@shandybrandy5407]

Thank you for this gr8 video. Just appeared for the test on 16th Dec 2019 here at New Delhi, India and now keeping my fingers crossed until the results are declared within a month. 73

[@danielkoker1872]

8

[@jeff503]

Great info.just got my ticket and thank you very much.

[@rumsin300]

Good video! Thank you. I just got my technician license and getting ready to make contact in the next couple of days

[@frankiii4587]

Great Video, Kevin! Lookin' forward to applying this wisdom soon!

[@richlin1]

Just got my foundation licence (technician, but in the UK). Can't wait to get started.

[@lindasmith3978]

Thank you for this! New HAM here.

[@gaylinlack726]

Thanks. Helpful for 1st timer- will make the first contact more comfortable. Just tested 2 days ago. Fortunately passed tech and general. Just waiting for name and call sign to show up on data base. Have enjoyed several of your videos.

[@loughkb]

Thanks for watching! I'm happy to know you found it helpful. And welcome to the hobby! I hope you have many enjoyable years playing with radio.

[@tpascen1]

Thanks nice video for us new operators!

[@soupdragon12345]

Very interesting video and thanks , going to start studying for my Technician license. Going too check your other videos as well . Thanks

[@tikibar4me]

Thanks for the great video!

[@marknormankn4cwt619]

Got my ticket 3 weeks go. Very informative. Keep up the good work. Mark KN4CWT

[@motorradmike]

Excellent!

[@kf4dcy501]

great info. in 95 when I got my no code tech license. I was a nervous ham but I lost that with time. now I'm an extra. and not yet put up a big hf antenna outside of my a99. but that's a vert. its not a great antenna for the low bands. but I can work it with my Denton supertuner.

[@teknotech]

Thanks for a great video!

[@Late2theShowagain]

Great video. Thank you.

[@bidenneedshisbuttwiped]

Thanks for the video Kevin! Very helpful as i dont have an elmer. Just set up a 2m in the house with a j pole antenna. Haven't made that 1st contact yet. After watching your video i fell I'll be more prepared. Again thank you. KD9LJY 73S.

[@chord972]

Excellent! Thank you.

[@southink9122]

Great vid. Thx!!

[@ComputerTech95]

Just passed my technison license on 04-08-2019 hope i get my call sign before may im supper excited

[@teashea1]

well done indeed

[@coziii.1829]

Hey love your doctor who Tardis wall decor behind you

[@loughkb]

That's a light switch cover I 3D printed. There's a few of them up on thingiverse if you have a printer.

[@NHHDog]

Thanks Kevin. This is very helpful! Nicholas N1KOP out of Portland, ME

[@Aerospaceman]

Nice video, from Bill I just got my ticket KJ7HWV in Spokane Valley Washington.

[@Zooeybabe]

This video was excellent. Thanks! KC2YEO.

[@waynegalvin1593]

Great video for new hams. W1WAG.

[@JimChagares]

Thank you.

[@cuban9splat]

Wow. This is an excellent tip! I hear so many new hams say, "Well, I didn't really know what to say or how to say it and that's why it took me so long to get on the air". Excellent video Kevin. Hats off to ya. This should be mandatory viewing for all new hams. It should be mandatory for all old hams that are getting on a 2 meter repeater for the first time too.73 DE K7RMJ Frank

[@loughkb]

Thanks Frank. If you have a VE group or club in your area, send them a link to the vid. Maybe they can use it. Thanks for watching!

[@cuban9splat]

I already did LOL

[@jimerickson1809]

People love talking about themselves. Ask not too personal questions like what kinda work they do, where they grew up, etc.. Also don't just limit yourself to two meters, 440 and 220 are also great bands !

[@tkhorn53]

Good Video. Just took and passed my Technician cpl of days ago. Now waiting for the call sign. Thanks

[@loughkb]

Congrats and welcome to the hobby. I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun.

[@cosmosliger]

Helped me make my first contact! Thanks for the reassuring advice. 73 de KI5HJM

[@monte4891]

Hehehe I'm nervous here I go.. thanks for the info

[@roadrunner6356]

Thanks

[@jaybenny5870]

Great information, just got my ticket this morning and I was like "Hooray, now what?" Thank you, KN4QXY

[@loughkb]

Welcome to the hobby. I'm glad you found this helpful. I'm sure you're going to have a lot of fun exploring and learning radio.

[@w.rustylane5650]

Howdy Kevin. Excellent video for new Hams. Just got my call sign a few days ago. Made my 1st contact on 2 meter repeater and logged it. I log in all my contacts in a notebook, writing down call sign, name and location. Someone else I talked to told me to go to the ARRL.org site and get a certificate for 1st contact, so I did. I had to fill in a form with the other Ham's call sign and my information and now am waiting on the ARRL to send me my certificate. Just wanted to let others know about this by commenting. I'm an old CB single sidebander from the mid 70's so radio is really nothing new for me. Never had mic fright as I like to rag chew. 73's KO4IDL in eastern TN.

[@loughkb]

Welcome to the hobby Rusty, I hope you have many years of enjoyment. If you get to general class or higher, you'll have a ball on HF. There's always activity on one of the bands.

[@chrisnaylor8211]

Thanks Kevin, much appreciated! Chris VK3TLA

[@ronaldcarpinella8887]

Nice tutorial

[@einyv]

Hi , i just passed my general (took technician an general at the same time) and my callsign just appeared an hour ago. Plan on taking the extra since i tried the exam anyway and got 18 right without studying, so figure i will give it a try. About to make my first contact after watching your video!

[@loughkb]

Welcome to the hobby. You'll get over any nerves pretty quick and start making new local friends. Let me know how that first contact went. 73.

[@einyv]

@@loughkb just got off with my first contact. I was his first ham newbie so he thought that was cool. I wasn't sure if I had the repeater settings correct but I did. I was even able to bring up the repeater on broadcastify so I know it worked. He was friendly, have me some times and repeaters with group meeting. A nice first call to get my feet wet!

[@loughkb]

Great! If you have a local club, check them out. Clubs sometimes have events that are fun like fox hunts, QRP adventures, cookouts, and field day. Have fun, there's lot's to explore in this hobby.

[@Chungustav]

May want to discuss PL tones and offsets.

[@bizman45390]

Thanks for the great information just passed the tech exam on 9/9/20 waiting on my call sign

[@loughkb]

Welcome to the hobby. There's so much to explore in radio. I hope you enjoy many years at it.

[@daveg5520]

This really helps... thanks. Still a little nervous cause I don't want to mess up. Very interested in the emergency preparedness aspect of amateur radio... especially since we are having severe flooding right now in Missouri. KE0UXE - no contact yet

[@roberpic]

Nice job. I see your TARDIS back there! KC0HIP

[@freebird1473]

Thank you, did get my ticket few month ago. but havent found anyone to help me along lol

[@freebird1473]

@Midwest Auditor thank you very much , can I ask what you do to get your practice in ? I need training

[@MaV-eR-riCk512]

Very helpful video Kevin thank you! I'm am currently studying for my technicians license using qrz's practice exams. This might be a silly question but i was wondering once i pass and receive a call sign if i don't like the call sign may i apply for a call sign that might be easier for me to say? If so how would one do that? Is there a way to see call signs that are available? or call signs that are expired and i could apply for one that is easy for me to say?

[@loughkb]

You're asking about "vanity call signs". The FCC has a way to apply for one, and they may have a search function to see if one is available. You could also use QRZ.com and search for call signs to see if someone already has it.

[@MaV-eR-riCk512]

Awesome! thank you for your help Kevin. Much appreciated cheers!

[@lindseymontana945]

Hi, I just passed technician and general together. I inherited my radio, it's an htx-100 ten meter rig with a mobile antenna. First off I have to wait for my license because of the government shutdown. In the meantime, I've been listening a couple times a day to the ten meter band. Bad time of year and bad solar cycle, I have yet to hear a modulated signal of any kind. The band is relatively "dead." (Plenty of continuous wave tones, what causes those?) My plan is to perservere and try to make contact locally when I get my call letters. It's the only radio I have. Any advice here would be helpful, although I still picked up some good points from your repeater video. Should I use a calling frequency?

[@kg7yts187]

Ok, you bugged my house or something lol... My local traffic net handles larger amounts of traffic by sending some of it to a repeater the is 146.88 called be most "The 88 Repeater"

[@patricklambert5810]

Very helpful...thank you!!!....KD2RUG

[@79Rybred]

I heard that about Jim

[@clarenceswope3026]

Used to have a Icom very similar to that mobile unit I'm getting ready to get back into the hobby I've been away since 2012 I got Dad's call sign and I couldn't see anybody else using dad's callsign the radio I am looking at is the Yaesu ft 857 Delta along with the matching screwdriver antenna I think it is atsa 120a because I've never operated on 440 or 6m never operated on 10 I have only operated 20 m one time and that was at field day it was a nice contact don't get me wrong 73 s for now n0spw I used to be kb0swi

[@jay-rus4437]

Taking my Tech Exam this Saturday. Reached out to a local club, but unfortunately didnt find a welcoming attitude or even useful assistance. Found myself discouraged, but decided that despite my Zero experience (just ordered my first radio even....an Icom IC 2730a) that I would use the internet resource for info, sharing of knowledge, and assistance in how to move forward. So this past Sunday I started studying, and Saturday I test. Ready to get that done, and in the meantime will get the radio and NMO antenna mount installed in the truck. Once installed I need to figure out the process to get into the repeaters in the area...dont even know how to figure out what repeaters are available, much less how to get into them.

[@HALEdigitalARTS]

KZbin, baby. You are not limited to folks within walking distance. There's some overlap between clubs, so most likely you can hook up with an alternate that meshes better. 73

[@jay-rus4437]

jim hale ....done deal 😁 Took the exam and got my tech license a couple months back. My wife and son passed their exam early July. Im taking the General exam this Saturday. Once I got my call sign and on the radio there has been a lot of support from local operators. We have ic-2730a in each truck now, and we put up a 24’ mast last week. 73 to you, and dont forget to keep your QRZ page updated 😁 Its nice to share pics of past and current projects. KI5JHX

[@LinuxOs007]

Hi! will i be able to access a repeater without a license or a DMR ID just to listen in the groupTalks ? Thanks !

[@voodew-nomad4715]

John Doe yes just can’t transmit

[@user-xr7uf5gl6z]

after waiting to see if the frequency/repeater is clear, wouldnt it be better to ask if its in use? not in a rude way im just wondering