How To Use a Ham Radio Handheld (HT)

[@milliardo279]

So far the best I have seen someone explain HT basics without getting complicated . Ronald Beavers would be proud.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Hahah. Thank you!

[@CodeDoctorJet]

I've been a ham for a long time and still watched all the way through. I LOVE the way you explain things so that anyone can understand, especially those new to the hobby. I'm trying to get my wife to get her license and will definitely be using your content to help her learn these basic concepts. Thanks Josh!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Awesome, thank you!

[@elZeon]

Every new ham radio operator must watch this video after buying an HT! Thanks Josh.

[@CowboyButler]

Josh - you do the community proud with your explanations and instructions. Every.Single.Time.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thank you!

[@C_103]

After getting my tech ticket a couple months ago and lined up for the general test next month, these videos are helping tremendously as a crash course. As an old dog learning new tricks....thanks.

[@dougdaniels]

My 22 year old TH-F6A is still my go-to HT.

[@sassytbc7923]

I havent ever heard a video this hrlpful. Thank you!

[@Latenightcrewdave]

Super helpful and informative video, thank you!

[@Yozimbo]

Hi Josh, thank you for yet another great and informative video! Greetings from Athens, Greece!

[@JamesHannibalKH2SR]

Great video for beginners Josh! I’ll definitely be sending people to watch this who are getting into radio. 👍🏽

[@josheygaming7134]

Hey josh love your videos you are really helpfull to new hams out thare thanks for videos helping us out

[@lynnbender6775]

WOW! a Heil Sound TShirt, I remember Bob Heil from the 70s. I didn't know that the company was still around.

[@joshuarobb2891]

Excellent content. Always enjoy your videos. Thank you! 73

[@glyn1]

Hello JOSH you sure know your stuff many thanks Barry NZ ZL - BP

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thanks 👍

[@BarryFriedman7840]

@HamRadioCrashCourse, Josh I noticed you shot this video utilizing the Signal Stuff dual band antenna for use with your Kenwood D75A. Do you have a recommended tri-band antenna for use with that device? Thanks!

[@kb8m203]

Nice job Josh. Great video.

[@billsutter7461]

I appreciate your videos. I just passed my Tech exam yesterday. Now I waiting on my first radio to come in the mail. It was suppose to be here two days ago but now it says Tuesday. I have a long way to go. I am just starting. I think I will work with my hand held for now. It is the infamaouse Beofang UV5R. I am now researching left and right to find what is the best mobile setup. I would like to get that ordered ASAP. Any hints/tips or videos I should go to first?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It depends on your budget.

[@TheWild_Living_Nature]

I wish you would have used the Yaesu more…glad you explained some things

[@Jalvey]

Pretty please do one of these for similarly technician- friendly mobile units!

[@25gatimus]

I just got that Kenwood but my screen looks different, 2 smaller frequencies, for a and b. How do you get it bigger. Is that a custom firmware too?

[@Braekker19]

Josh! Can you do a video on the different types of connectors? SMA, BNC, etc. and what to know. Maybe you already have- idk. Thanks!

[@rondonato7443]

Just when I thought I knew it all... along comes Josh😂

[@brianmacon]

Could you please tell me which of the middle tier cost, Ham VHF/440 HT’s, have sunlight readable screens? No need for recommendations (although that would be nice). Just a few Mfg’s & model #’s? I have a really nice Wouxon KG-UV9PX that is for SH*# in daylight (ie on a trail or doing POTA). I need help. KQ4OUY

[@kumasu]

I would be terrified to carry a $700 HT.

[@SnoopyNug]

Wait till you find out how much a smartphone costs

[@hamradiotube]

146.48 is where we hang out unless you guys changed it without my knowledge. Which I wouldn’t blame you for 😂

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

The damn freq has changed three times in two days. 🤣

[@Eric-k1c]

Thank you for the video but what is it that people use these ham radios for? Other than talking to a crew or another person via walkie what is this radios purpose? Is it to spy on or listen in on other people's business or what?

[@malcolmtaylor4593]

Thank you for this video.

[@charlesmoon4290]

hey i noticed your signal corp pin. Kewl Video

[@jemcik]

in Icom ID-50 "TS" in Quick menu stands for "tuning step", this is the step for VFO, not a tone used for repeater communication

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Indeed a mistake I made. You're not the first to point it out.

[@ifell3]

Great stuff

[@DD5LP]

I just found out that the Yaesu 4X has the same problem as the Baofeng that you can only charge the battery when it is fitted on the radio in the charging cradle!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Yes! Not a fan of that!

[@markr.1984]

Yeah, if I had that thing I'd feel the need to buy like four battery packs for it. If it don't have a DC-in jack, it ain't worth jack!! My VX-6R has the DC-in jack so I can actually take it places!!

[@juliandavis6028]

Baofeng makes batteries for the UV-5R family that have a USB-C charger on the bottom

[@John_Ai9D]

Always call CQ and ask for a reception report on every repeater, every day.

[@k6usy]

Typically we do not call CQ on repeaters. Just put out your callsign.

[@markr.1984]

I've been listening to repeaters since way before I was a ham in the early 70s. Never heard anyone ever say CQ on a repeater. Only below 30 mHz or so, then it's ok. At least in the United States. Other countries might use CQ on VHF/UHF.

[@John_Ai9D]

@@markr.1984 It's a joke.

[@John_Ai9D]

@@k6usy It's a joke.

[@k6usy]

@@John_Ai9D it wasn’t very good…

[@aa3konthego]

I own four different Yaesu handhelds all with different key sequences to do the same thing. Talk about confusing.

[@markr.1984]

After getting my new KW TH-D75, I laugh at Baofengs. I have two that were given to me and I consider them poor performing toys. Both on transmit and receive too. And I've tested them. My Kenwood is a new Corvette and those two Baofengs I have are like low price Hyundais or Kias. That's a very fair analogy!! I also have a Radioddity GD-77 I picked up for $10.00 at a second-hand store that's such a pain if you want to set it up for DMR. Something like a 'codeplug' or some nonsense like that you have to learn how to do with a steep learning curve. Not worth it, so I gave up. I learned how to use my Kenwood the first day on all three ham bands and the DSTAR was not hard, neither was the APRS. Although I have no use for APRS, personally. I didn't really need the 28 page pdf much to learn the Kenwood. My Yaesu VX-6R is harder to use than my Kenwood but it's a nice old tech radio, very handy. I'd say my Kenwood was worth the high price, just like a new Corvette would be.

[@magnitudematrix2653]

Lets combine AI, software defined radio and repeater value with mesh networking. The concepts will translate into server meshing and securing the internet. This is huge for the world and will bring back value to the internet and communication systems in the future. It will free up radio and internet bands using repeater value there by increasing bandwidth across all magnetic spectrums.

[@callhoonrepublican]

that kenwood looks like a nightmare to use

[@markr.1984]

I've found the Kenwood to be extremely easy to use and had it programmed for 120 or so repeaters on 2m 1.25m and 70cm, plus simplex the first day I had it. I learned how to use it as a scanner on the second day and it's as fast as my Uniden SDS200 on scan. For some reason I also find it easier to remember the basic and moderately complex operations than all my other handhelds. I use my ancient Radio Shack HTX-202 once a week and it's harder to remember to do stuff on it than my TH-D75 any day of the week. The APRS and DSTAR operating was not self-explanatory for me but it was my first venture into digital, period. But within three weeks I had that figured out as well. Overall, I find it easier to operate and use than my Yaesu VX-6R handheld too. I find myself having to look at the stupid manual for the VX-6R if I have not used it in a week or so to relearn it!! The Kenwood TH-D75 just makes sense. Not hard at all. Go through the menu on the Yaesu and you have things like BCLO, BP LVL. BNK-NM, CH-CNT, blah, blah, blah, yada, yada, yada. Who could remember what that all stands for? Have to look it all up again and again. The menu on the TH-D75 is all straightforward compared to that on 95% of the things in the menu. Fantastic radio if you can shell out the $$, trust me.

[@k6usy]

TS on the icom is Tuning Step, not Tone. :-)

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Oh lol. Yeah

[@RetroOnSpeedDial]

Seems silly to enforce step on VFO mode

[@cooldad4]

You keyed up with no antenna 🎙

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Yep.

[@marinevet7273]

I like my signal sticks but the acorn looking connector is Sooooo Damn Ugly , Cheap looking, and long past due for a better design and finish. Good enough for my Baofeng’s but wouldn’t be seen on my Kenwood. Just my picky old geezer opinion

[@엄영수-e5x]

안녕하세요

[@whollymindless]

It's like they breed.

[@tfinn2700]

What is the best American made Handheld? I dont trust the Chinese made

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

No idea, they don't really exist.

[@kenandbarbie-b6c]

Exporting US manufacturing, capacity & technology didn’t help.

[@markr.1984]

Japanese radios are Kenwood, Yaesu and Icom and they are all better in my opinion than any Chinese ones. Not aware of any made in the USA. I forget where Alincos are made but that brand has been around a long time, also better than Chinese but they are not fabulous.

[@arupian666]

33:35... I would have added... 5:58 it's generally good practice to not hit the ptt without an antenna or dummy load :)

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I was wondering who was going to be the first to say this. There isn’t a problem. HTs can handle it.

[@k6usy]

A two second keyup on an HT without an antenna is not going to kill the radio.