Getting Into HAM Radio For Beginners

Nick Meacher shows some of the best ways to get started if you're brand new to ham radio.
No Nonsense Technician Class License Study Guide
amzn.to/2SnXEMn
The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual
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Gordon West - 2018-2022 Technician Class
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David Casler KZbin Channel:
/ davecasler
www.Hamstudy.org
www.laurelvec....
www.arrl.org/fi...
w5yi-vec.org/
#hamradio
#survival
#prepper
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[@mendyviola]

My dad was a ham radio operator. I thought he was a bit nutty. But now having lived in hurricane country through multiple power outages and disasters for more than a few years, I get his train of thought.

[@anarchytelevision8445]

I don't talk ham but I do listen, I've been a 11m CB talker since I was 14 years old and I'm 49 years old and I still talk on 11 m today, I am the 1122 wingnut radio out here in northwest corner of Florida, monitoring channel 38 frequency 27.385 lower side band🤘🏻😜👍🏻

[@wehrmeister]

First of all, let me say how happy I am to see new content after three months; I was worried that the channel died! But I seem to recall this is a repost. I'm currently studying for Technician, just keep running through sample tests to get prepared. Thankfully I have a Ham radio club just a few minutes from me, where I'll be able to take the exam, and plan on joining the club. In today's climate, I guess the only downside of getting the license is that you grant the gubmint a search warrant! But the benefit of learning how to use Ham is a worthy tradeoff!

[@wehrmeister]

@@Crucial929 Yea, I thought it was. Wonder what's going on...

[@adlucem9845]

Has it ever occured to you that your asking the government to speak? With a walkie talkie?

[@nmr6988]

I am attending my first ham radio club meeting tonight. I wanted to get my license for years but in the 10 spare minutes I had per week, there wasn’t time to study for the test. I am studying with a home course right now I look forward to getting licensed.

[@chopper5371]

I'm looking into ham radios, and this was the first one I came to. Seems I need to go back some video's to get more information on the radios themselves. Thanks for a well made video.

[@billfargo9616]

The easiest way to get a ham license is to memorize the questions and answers on the tests. The downside is the growing number of hams that can't change the batteries in a flashlight.

[@bobadams8818]

New to it... appreciate this beginner video ❤

[@OutdoorsWithLuxe]

🇺🇸 Faraway Prepper just made an amazing video. A MUST watch for all Americans

[@brettwest1976]

Thank you for all the great information.Didnt realize the exam could be free. I'm goiñg to start studying then I'm going take the exam through your suggestion. Thank you

[@HamRadio2]

Well done.

[@NullFX]

You guys reading my mind? I was just thinking about how useful HAM is.

[@janicestx441]

Thank you so much for this info!

[@pricklypear1111]

Great info! Looking forward to getting started! Random question but do you have a british background?

[@brandonihde4879]

I'm gonna get a ham radio now.

[@pastorlarry7470]

There are a few of us that are still Advance class! I am one of those advance class

[@wegmandan]

I did the class 9 back in late 70s.Which is the same. for a radio station, associated with electronics class back then. just didnt see a future, I was wrong now.

[@terryqueen3233]

when I was taking flying lessons and it's been a few years now I had my FCC license of course to talk on the radio are those any good for ham radio. if they are how can I get a hold of the FCC to get my license back or get them? PS I haven't heard from you guys in a while I take it you're all right

[@charleswells9682]

No, your license was specific to flight operations on the frequencies allocated to that service. The amateur radio license is specific to that service and its frequencies.

[@dmitry92203]

Will the radio NOT work without a license?? I guess my question is, what's the purpose of the license? Besides the usual government control.

[@chuckdangelone254]

I have an FCC General RadioTelephone Operator license that I received in 1991. Hardest test I’ve ever taken! Including college! Is this good for Ham radios? Thanks

[@adlucem9845]

Remember to get your government permission slip to speak with a walkie talkie!!!! You'll feel so proud 🇺🇲

[@James-uo6tn]

This video has great content. but the Radio License books are out of dated. Need to put up the current license manuals, for an example Technicians just updated their manuals to June of 2026.

[@wehrmeister]

I'm studying through Ham Radio Prep, their info on line, as well as the book is updated.

[@tonyhall3845]

l am just getting started. l have "ham ", and " the bas*c book of ham radio". what equipment should l buy? thanks

[@vermontmike9800]

Is there a study book for the Extra? Specifically, for those who want to enter directly at that level.

[@MrRobertSpearsJr]

That saying about Buyers Remorse rings true to me every time someone starts talking about getting their License. Is this something you are actually going to need or use? In my 40 years of operating radios, that answer has been a hard NO. I don’t make random contacts, I don’t participates a club, and I don’t run around like the FCC Police. When I use my radios, yes radios with an S, it is because I’m talking to someone I know while doing some activity that requires communication at a distance. I’m sure there are people that getting a License will benefit them, but I’m here to tell you it’s not required. 73’s to you all.

[@jackbauer9077]

Thanks

[@theusconstitution1776]

If I invest in ham radio will I reliably be able to speak to my family 150 miles away? 11 miles away? Thank you

[@Victor-hb4hj]

When will the no nonsense study guide be updated? Expired in June 2022

[@hemantparakh6462]

Kindly suggest how to stay International in HAM Radio as I wish to give up the examination and stay International in HAM Radio

[@doakley314]

Thanks!

[@SurvivalDispatch]

Thanks so much!!

[@gary6212]

What is the purpose of a test in general - to certify a level of understanding in a subject matter. Why do all of these Ham "study guides" just basically try to "game" the test -tell you the questions and the answers, maybe with a brief explantion of why that is the correct answer. I can easily memorize 35 or 50 question/answer combinations; it doesn't mean I have any idea what I am talking about or doing. The study material should be an in-depth, comprehensive exploration of that subject matter and after you know that, you should be able to pass the exam without knowing before hand what the questions/answers are. Why does that not exist? I want to learn the subject matter area; not blindly regurgitate memorized answers with little to no understanding of the material.

[@wehrmeister]

I would imagine the intent is just to require minimal information, to encourage getting the license. The government and public benefit from having more hams, i.e. Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) for disasters. Not working for the FCC, perhaps the license is required only so that they know the numbers of people using ham for bandwidth allocations? I also just think of the license as being a hobby that has OJT (on the job training), I'm appreciative that there are minimal entry requirements, to be able to get in and running. I intend to join my local club after getting mine, to pick the brains of the "Elmers" in the group.

[@gary6212]

@@wehrmeister There is a big difference between working for the FCC and understanding the subject matter properly - that is called a strawman argument.

[@wehrmeister]

@@gary6212 So you respond with a strawman statement, lol. I could care less if you agree or not with my post, that's my opinion, not stating it's fact, as I began with "I would imagine", not stating "I know". This country is still free....for the most part, for the moment. You want to wait to get your license until you have a complete knowledge of ham radio, good for you. I'll get mine with minimal knowledge, and learn from there.

[@gary6212]

@@wehrmeister Why did you reply to my original comment - your comment is unrelated to it - you should probably post your comment under the video itself as opposed to replying to mine. It is a semi-free country; I don't know how this relates at all to this conversation.

[@charleswells9682]

Most of the study guides that I have examined, as well as Casler's online offerings, do explain the principles involved. The question pool is public, and yes you could memorized the correct answers to an entire pool (the tech pool is more than 400 questions if I recall correctly) but you won't know which questions will be on the exam until you have it in front of you. As with any technical field, the text is really a point of departure for learning about the subject.

[@Cool-lc2fi]

Can you tell me where I can find the charts you displayed?

[@skipwalker3269]

This is NOT a beginners overview of ham.

[@joebeamish]

Can you skip straight to the General license without getting the Tech first?

[@cucvfarmer]

No.

[@UrduTravel]

good one ☝️

[@africantwin173]

They need to make the exams easier. That's the problem why the bands are sold and no youth are interested anymore. At least in Europe

[@tylerdean980]

They’re not hard in America, children have passed them, and both of my parents have passed the tech exam in under a few hours study.

[@africantwin173]

@@tylerdean980 In the Netherlands they have new exam questions that nobody have. Also no studie questions anymore. Just a Ham theory book. The exam cost are a bloody €72 euro' s. The Study Books are €40. We only have General and Extra Class. With the General Class you cannot use 80,160,warc,EHF. Just 10,20,40,2/70. No Nvis antenna for 80. So those who have a General License cannot do much on HF without a hf beam and tower. No short distance qso on HF with a nvis antenna. 2/70 are dead bands here. Not many repeaters are online anymore. Our Dutch Telecom Agency AT has increased the cost for running a 2/70 Repeater last year. So many repeater builders pulled the plug out. APRS digipeater network aslo have made SK by our Agency. You now need a annually repeater permint that cost a few hunderd bucks. So many hams stopped with APRS on 2M. Our local clubs don't do shit when it comes to fighting back to keep ham radio alive. The UK has the foundation license. With that license you can use most bands low power. That is what we need. That way we can get many new hams too our bands. Sweden,Denmark,Germany also have good succes with a low entry license. And low cost. The biggest complaint from Boyscouts,Youth, and newcomers are that the exams are too difficult and complex. Especially the General class exams. So we don't get any new hams any more . Just very old hams. Also the old generation hams don't want any general class hams to there elite ham bands. They say General hams are stupid like 11 meter user. Very cruel and harsh. I think that we must embrace all new people that like ham radio and welcome them too all bands. We don't build 2 mtr ssb tube radios any more. Everthing is digital and multilayered. Laser communication,Dstar,Sdr. ...... But the old commission of hams don't want to change the cept harec exam rules. You must have a phd or dr title to get your full license here in the Netherlands. Conclusion is that the bands are being sold. Yes sold. ehf, 23 cm for wifi, gps, you name it. Sold

[@tylerdean980]

@@africantwin173 Yeah, that sounds pretty rough, It's only a matter of time before the bands are sold in america too, they have already sold a portion of 220.

[@tylerdean980]

@@guzzergusher then CB is your only legal option that doesn’t suck. Anything else you have to get a license, either paid or exam.

[@user-wg3fe3ij2o]

RARIO 👍

[@robertallen3133]

Thank you !

[@tonyelbows8045]

Why is learning about HAM radio important? What is so important about having a HAM radio? Why do we need licenses, and who are we needing to talk to?

[@JOHNSMITH-ug2mt]

No licensed ham operator will give you a Clear and straight answer to this, Because they don't know either.

[@tylerdean980]

@@JOHNSMITH-ug2mt it’s easy to answer, radio is a matter of international concern- radio that can easily be heard worldwide is not just the concern of any single country, and so we have international treaties regarding what frequencies are to be set aside for amateur use so as not to interfere with other countries. If you’re going to be in a position to break international law it’s better to know the laws so you don’t have to pay the price later.

[@JOHNSMITH-ug2mt]

@@tylerdean980 So, Why do I need a license to talk to my buddy 10 miles away? What are the restricted ham bans used for exactly? Emergencies? NO! License is nothing but a Right stolen from you and forcefully sold back to you in the form of a call sign...aka a number, an ID, to blame you, fine you, arrest you. Period! It's all about the money.

[@tylerdean980]

@@JOHNSMITH-ug2mt It's about accountability. The fee for the license was only put in place this year, so you can't say it's just about the money. The reason that they want you to have a callsign is so that when errors in emissions occur, they know who the offending station is. If all you want to do is talk to your buddy 10 miles away there are many free radio services that allow you to do that, like CB for example. Amateur radio is more than that- it's the ability to be heard around the world, you are in effect acting as a representative of your country, and are seen as a public servant. That's why the government calls on hams in times of need like disasters or forwarding military messages like MARS operators do. You would not expect a heavy equipment operator to have the same requirements as a cyclist would you? Non channelized radio allows you to directly interfere with emergency and police communications if you don't know what you're doing. They're just trying to make sure that you know the baseline, that's all.

[@lrcreamer]

when i get a drivers license i 2:29 take a test for rules and regs and pay a fee they do not test me on the internal workings of a engine the young people for attracting them as the old hams die so is the hobby you better open up access we need the hobby fir emergency but i think hams wamt a tiny elite group

[@mikemcqueen1870]

Why is no one testing. I've been looking for a test site for a Year now. No joy.

[@macmann3902]

Never get a license if you are a survival/prepper, you'll be on a gov't watchlist... Just make up call letters... I've been using my HAM for years that way

[@diananievesavellanet]

Hi Mac, I apologize, I only just saw your post. Can you guide me into how to do that? As part of my prep, it never occurred to me that I can use a HAM without testing. Much obliged!😊

[@militant_homesteader]

@@diananievesavellanet Its not legal. You can be smart, I wouldn't condone it, but be aware there are ways you can be located.

[@tylerdean980]

Hate to break it to you, but if you’re a prepper you’re already on a watchlist.

[@nmr6988]

Get over it! If you’re a gun owner you’re on a watchlist. If you’re a taxpayer you’re on a watchlist. If you post on this channel, you’re on a watchlist.

[@noahlaizer7434]

That's the worst thing, you "need" all these licenses to show you know how to operate said equipment. Literally every single license or anything has paperwork saying you have this, so even if it's NOT a watchlist, it sure as hell CAN be!!!

[@jedmassey]

Now how about a video about actual radios

[@user-ln8mc7jt8v]

helloooo

[@shanhutchison7332]

Ok, SD. You guys have been silent for a while. What's going on?

[@SurvivalDispatch]

Please see our reply to Daniel Irvine above.

[@k.56]

Like anyone is going to care about licensing post disaster

[@haxboi5492]

You get the license so you can practice using the radio or else you'll either have no clue how to use it

[@NoNo_IStay]

It'll be illegal soon. Take care.

[@haxboi5492]

No it won't be illegal to be a ham 😂😂😂