Radio for Preparedness 101: HF radio bands and propagation

[@adamfox2326]

Evan, your teachings are a great aid to us. You are really hitting your stride. Thank you so much

[@EvanK2EJT]

Thank you!

[@keithcastleberry3224]

I’ve had my license for 30+ years, got busy, distracted and forgot the hobby, but recently started gathering my equipment to get on HF. I never really got engaged in VHF/UFH due to the Ham community here, (I’ve found that most radio geeks aren’t the friendliest) and where I live. This is a fantastic video, you’ve done a great job of teaching this subject. Thank you! I’m looking forward to setting my shack up!

[@EvanK2EJT]

Thank you so much for the feedback! I appreciate it. Hope to hear you on the air someday soon!

[@neubert500]

Again, EXCELLENT tutorial! Wish I had this training 20 years ago! Thank you Sir!

[@EvanK2EJT]

Thank you! I appreciate it!

[@janiceemery2008]

Excellent explanation Evan. Thank you so very much for creating this series of videos. You are explaining everything at a good level. Thank You.

[@EvanK2EJT]

You're very welcome!

[@rdsmith334]

Well done sir. I’ve already learned all of this by myself, but this is by far the most concise and basic (understandable) explanation I’ve heard. You condensed a month’s worth of research down into a very understandable video. You and Josh (Ham radio crash course) are now my go-to non-elitist radio info sources.

[@EvanK2EJT]

Thank you so much! I appreciate the feedback. I'm attempting to make all of this radio stuff make as much sense as possible without dumbing it down so people miss crucial stuff.

[@bwillan]

I am currently working towards my amateur radio license in Canada. This is a great explanation of how the HF bands work.

[@EvanK2EJT]

Thank you! I appreciate it!

[@wildhorse6323]

Hey brother, great video. I have been studying for my technician and general licenses. I plan on taking both at the same time. I currently listen on a Yeasu 600r and a few Baofengs. So much to learn, especially HF which is where I want to spent most of my time. This video is ABSOLUTE GOLD. So many talking heads on youtube giving only a small view of a huge picture. I was lost until I saw this video. You bring it together so I can understand it all. Your explanation of the HF band is the first I've seen that makes common sense and shows practical use of these bands. Your demonstration of Solar ham and RBN are outstanding. Thank you. Dont change a thing. You are spot on. I'll let you know when I get my licenses. Until then keep up the great work. I will be watching all your videos.

[@EvanK2EJT]

Thank you for the feedback! I really appreciate it, and I'm glad you found the video useful.

[@jeffb5781]

Outstanding information. Thank you. I am a General Ham, but I enjoyed hearing this put in practical terms.

[@EvanK2EJT]

Thanks for the feedback, and thanks for watching!

[@1kcender4691]

Currently studying to go straight to general license. These “beginner “ videos of yours have really sparked my interest in the hobby. Thank you for your time. 73 and hope to make a contact in the near future

[@EvanK2EJT]

Awesome! Thanks for watching, and I hope to see you on the air!

[@mruckman75]

Thanks Evan. I just picked up my general a few months ago and just set up my FT-710 in the last couple days. This is the exact topic I needed some help with. Much appreciated.

[@EvanK2EJT]

The 710 is a GREAT radio. I don't think you can get more radio for the money anywhere else. Great choice! Thanks for watching!

[@alpha6tango860]

Great series… sharing with a preparedness group

[@EvanK2EJT]

Thanks! I appreciate the support!

[@joemarchinski914]

Just stumbled on your channel, and I'm new to the uhf,vhf and hf radios, I have 2 sets of handhelds for emergency use , Ailunce HAG 1'S with extra batteries and earpiece mic's, handheld mic's and Nagoya 771 antennas, and TID H3'S WITH all the same .. both are unlocked for 2 meter 70 centimeter ham and gmrs , and just bought a Radioddity QT80for my truck 10,11,12&15 meter...have watched dozens of videos praising the capabilities both base station and mobile and all have shown both but none have given any information on what mobile antenna they are using.. I have asked, only to be ignored, almost like they don't want newbies in their exclusive club, it's very frustrating.... I love the way you give information and your delivery doesn't make me fetlike your looking down on me as stupid,...if you have any information or recommendations on a mobile antenna for my truck for this radio I would be very grateful,. I do look forward to seeing your future videos ,as I have subscribed...I'm just trying to be educated by the knowledge of others with far more experience,... nobody else has responded to my question, if you do that would be great, if not then ............., But in any case , Blessed Be to you and your family 👍 great content and delivery,thank you for educating me

[@EvanK2EJT]

So if you're looking for a single antenna that will cover 10-15 meters, your options are pretty limited. A Tarheel screwderiver antenna comes to mind. They're expensive, but it will do what you want it to do. If you're okay with switching whips, something like hamsticks would probably get the job done for less money. Tarheel antennas: www.tarheelantennas.com/ Hamsticks: www.gigaparts.com/nsearch/?lp=SHARK

[@nicke.3011]

I've seen a lot of ham vids. NONE of them discussed 90% of what you did. This info is golden.

[@EvanK2EJT]

Thank you! I'm glad it was useful

[@jamiemiller1448]

T.Y. for teaching me of the radio freq. It was very interesting!! I'm looking forward to new videos.

[@EvanK2EJT]

Thanks for watching!

[@bkrateku]

Great vid! Learned quite a bit I'm gonna need soon in my ham journey. :)

[@EvanK2EJT]

Thanks for watching!

[@SamuelBradstreet]

Thanks for the effort you've been putting into these videos. I've learned a lot, and with Black Friday looming...maybe the first HF rig is right around the corner!

[@EvanK2EJT]

Thank you! I appreciate you watching. Yeah, there can be some *great* deals for black Friday. Definitely the best time to buy a radio.

[@enriquediaz7547]

Great video! I’ll definitely rewatch!

[@EvanK2EJT]

Thank you!

[@TireSmokin1]

THANK YOU!!! The new screen shot software is coming through both sides of the headphones. I love how you have simplified the black magic of high frequency with visuals. Either folks would have visuals or good verbal skills. You put it all together in one understandable package. Great job! 👍 Now the bad news. You have opened the door to temp me to get a HF radio. Any recommendations for a simple first time type radio? Perhaps just a scanner to start with? Does my area of East Tennessee effect radio type or needs? I have programmed my Baofengs with Chirp and am studying for my Tech license. Love your content!

[@EvanK2EJT]

So, what I'd recommend is starting with something that will do everything you need it to do without breaking the bank. I generally recommend the Xiegu G90 for beginners as a first time radio. It's a great combination of features, power, ease of use (relatively speaking....no HF radio is really *easy* to use), and price. www.radioddity.com/collections/hf-transceiver/products/xiegu-g90-hf-transceiver

[@SterlingStudios]

Love this, as i studied for my tech plus years ago and all this was in my studies. I love hf but the lazy me is now on 2m, 70cm, frs gmrs, murs

[@adamfox2326]

Thank you Evan. Along with preferred providers like yourself many of us single viewers give 100’s of dollars to on top of our support for you wonderful people. Have you looked into alternative donation portals?

[@EvanK2EJT]

Thank you so much! The only one I've used aside from KZbin is buy me a coffee.

[@RadioExpeditionProject]

Houston to Ukraine on 20m. HF is awesome. 🤝

[@EvanK2EJT]

Yeah, HF is crazy like that!

[@fernandocharlesii8678]

What is this software on your computer that you’re using or what website is this?

[@EvanK2EJT]

Are you talking about the one in the thumbnail that shows all of the info on the screen? If you are, that's called Hamclock. I'm running it on an Inovato Quada inovato.com/products/quadra-hamclock-bundle-with-mini-keyboard

[@panhandlejake6200]

8:40 Check the terminology. You describe "up in frequency, increases range" I think you actually mean up in WAVELENGTH increases range. Or are you describing day vs night effects? Generally speaking, VHF & UHF are higher frequency (shorter wavelength) bands which are short range. HF is lower frequency (longer wavelength) and longer range. I think you do correctly refer to wavelength and frequency later in this clip.

[@EvanK2EJT]

No, I meant exactly what I said, The higher the frequency (shorter wavelength) on HF, the greater the range generally speaking. When 10m (28MHz) is open, I can easily work the other side of the planet. You *can* do that on lower frequencies, but it's much more difficult. Here's an example. Yesterday I did a CW POTA activation. On 20m (14MHz) I was working North America. When I went to 15m (21MHz) I was all over Europe. Higher frequency, much more range. Some of that will be dependent on time of day, and where we are in the solar cycle, but generally speaking that's how it works on HF.