Making Your First Ham Radio Call

[@tomcurran8470]

This is one of the most intimidating aspects of HAM. Having used CB since the 70s, the HAM protocols are more formal. Keep the shiny side up, good buddy, LOL.

[@hamradiomadesimple]

It was for me but once I learned the "baby steps approach" it became easy. Go for it!!

[@larryhamann4183]

Thank you. I became interested in Ham radio because I discovered SDR a couple of weeks ago. This week I joined the local amateur radio club expecting to find some help. Unfortunately, they are in the process of reorganizing, and the meeting showed them to be in total chaos. I was turned off. Fortunately, I found your very informative videos on KZbin this morning. They are exactly what I am looking for. Thank you. Larry Hamann

[@jmills60]

This was a very interesting video for me. I first got my technician’s license 15 years ago or so. For 3 or 4 months I think my issue was I didn’t know the basics of communicating, got frustrated and put it down. So I’m back, and hopefully with information such as this I will get a better comfort level. Thanks again.

[@hamradiomadesimple]

I hope my videos are making it easier for you learn this stuff. It was very frustrating for me to watch so many videos and only get useful pieces of information. Too many assumptions that I would know things which caused more confusion. I try not to have "information gaps" so most of the videos are a bit long for KZbin.

[@gmwilber]

@jmills60 I have a similar story. Got my license almost 10 years ago...made CQ contacts I think 3 times, could not seem to understand or find help....but since these storms....I'm gonna try hard to learn to use my radio! ...and of course renew my license soon lol

[@betterbprepared]

Great video for beginners. I've had my Technician license for just under a month and have yet to make a contact outside of the local net meeting. I did join the local radio club and have participated in the last 3 Net meetings as you suggest in the video. Learned some new techniques from your video!!

[@bobbmann5]

Thanks so much. I'm 61 and just passed my Tech exam Saturday. Looking forward to getting on the air soon as i am awaiting my Call sign from the FCC. Great video and much appreciated. -WRKH707 on the GMRS spectrum. Have a great week! -Bob

[@hamradiomadesimple]

Congrats on getting your license!! Now the time to learn and practice all this stuff :-)

[@bobbmann5]

@ Absolutely as I have been monitoring for quite some time now and got the general aspect of how it all works. 73’s and hope to hear u on the DMR or linked repeaters throughout northern Pennsylvania.

[@kellysnodgrass2236]

Thanks for the video! I used to be very active on 2 meters back in the late 1980s and am just now getting back into the hobby. At the time, my brother was active and it was easy to make contact with him. Now I don't know anyone and mic fright is a real deal. This really helped!

[@hamradiomadesimple]

That is awesome! I had the same issue of not "wanting to sound stupid" when I first started. Once you realize there are several ways to approach a call, it made it easier. Have fun and know, we all like hearing new operators on the air.

[@RandomWire107]

Thank you for calling on people to use the correct NATO alphabet. Especially important for weak signal or when trying to communicate with someone who English may not be their first language. Really cuts down on confusion!

[@hbarwickjr]

Wow! Glad to find this. Got the Tech Liscense, been listening and observing like an infant and about to start crawling. Lol. Love it, nothing like it being 70 years old getting to start over in a way.. This video will save me a lot of needed time. Thank you. :)

[@hamradiomadesimple]

Glad to help my friend!!

[@KF0ROI]

Thanks a lot for this information! Just got my license today and my radio will arrive in the mail tomorrow. Definitely a lot more confident in knowing what to do from this video. Thanks and 73!

[@hamradiomadesimple]

Congrats and have fun. So much to learn and experience going forward.

[@ChrisGTurner]

Thank you for the videos you've taught me a lot I just got my technician license yesterday I find your videos very helpful.

[@hamradiomadesimple]

Great to hear! Now you go operational!! Have fun and keep learning.

[@InformalGreeting]

I am newly licensed. Haven't hit that transmit button yet. Not really a fear- I was a radio operator in the Marine Corps so talking on a radio isnt a new concept. I just don't have anyone to talk to. I'm in a major metro area and have no repeater that I can hit with a HT from my house. Have a mobile ordered and I'm guessing that will let me hit a couple. But until I have that going I have a HT scanning and never getting anything other than static occasionally.

[@hamradiomadesimple]

A lot of times, many of the repeaters are being used. Rush hour traffic time and Sunday, Monday and Wednesday nights you will find local nets, starting from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Try that and let me know what happens.

[@JOHNSMITH-ug2mt]

Awesome video! I'm a new ham and think this is very helpful. I have my tech license and now studying for General. Thank you very much.

[@hamradiomadesimple]

Best of luck of getting your license. Check out my channel since I have a lot of videos that will help you going forward.

[@LCSRacing]

Appreciate your time

[@hamradiomadesimple]

I hope they are helping you get your mind around all this!! It took me a long time to break this out into understandable pieces. Should not be this way.

[@DonzLockz]

Great practical info new guys like me really appreciate. Thank you!

[@EvaderGuy]

Are you in the Wake Forest, NC area? If so…that’s great. I’m in Whispering Pies, NC (adjacent to Pinehurst). I have just joined the club in Carthage (MOCARS) and am exited to get started. Your video has helped a lot. I only have a HT with a J Pole but can hear the club repeater (147.240+, 91.5 tone. Hope to make contact with you in the near future.

[@hamradiomadesimple]

Congrats on jumping in to Ham Radio. Let me know if you need help.

[@donm1025]

Great video...I'm knew and just got Technician and General and just getting started..this helps

[@hamradiomadesimple]

Great to hear! Now you can do both UHF/VHF and HF. You have a lot of options now. Again, congrats!!

[@vaclavvalek6742]

Great content, best ham stuff here.

[@hamradiomadesimple]

Wow, thanks! Nicest compliment one can ever get on KZbin!!

[@PJFunnyBunny-yl7co]

Congratulations 🎉... not quite yet for me first contact capin'...but yer vids are helpin'🤣

[@hamradiomadesimple]

You got this!

[@jksmith1962]

Thank you this was so good!

[@hamradiomadesimple]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sacarriker]

Thank you for this video

[@hamradiomadesimple]

So glad they are helping!

[@michaelwoodruff9548]

Great videos, thanks

[@hamradiomadesimple]

Thanks for taking the time to let me know it was helpful.

[@MourningConstitution]

Thanks!

[@hamradiomadesimple]

Hope it helps you!

[@GreyGhost-r4z]

Great Video !!

[@hamradiomadesimple]

Thanks for taking the time to let me know!!!

[@GreyGhost-r4z]

@@hamradiomadesimple THIS is just what I needed to send to a new Ham I have been trying to help make his FIRST contact. I remember mine. It was on CW. I copied his letters he was sending SO fast . I copied “So LID Copy”. I actually thought he called me a “LID” (bad operator). I actually miss copied his fist. He sent “Solid Copy”. 😂😂😂 I’ll never forget it 😂😂😂😂.

[@hamradiomadesimple]

GREAT story!!!

[@hectore.sanchez3839]

73, clear....

[@hamradiomadesimple]

Thanks Hector :-)

[@EvaderGuy]

Oops. I’m KO4UFN, Dave

[@hamradiomadesimple]

No worries Dave!!

[@grampsradio]

"Mike" fright? LOL!

[@hamradiomadesimple]

It is a real thing out there. One of the top 3 fears of all people is public speaking. In a way, it makes sense. Most people don't want to mess up and get called out on the airways. They just need to be taught how to do it so the fear goes away.

[@grampsradio]

It would be "Mic" fright, not "Mike" fright. :)@@hamradiomadesimple

[@hamradiomadesimple]

OH!! Auto correct does wonders. My bad for not seeing what changes it did. Thanks for posting.

[@geraldscott4302]

Just please don't do it on a JUNK Chinese radio.

[@hamradiomadesimple]

They will have to learn this on their own.

[@jimmyblythe2452]

MJ, I met you in Wendell when I took my technician exam in March. I’ve since passed my general as well. Thanks for the great content and for helping newbies like myself come up-to-speed. KO4YGE