Unconventional knowledge about Ham Radio you need to know

This video looks at 7 things about ham radio operations that they don't teach in any books that you might study. These are listed with no particular order of importance inferred or implied.
This video focuses mostly on the new hams but may be of some interest to those of us with a few years behind the microphone under our belts.
Chapters:
00:47 Shouting into your mic will not improve your chances
02:27 You probably don’t need an Amplifier
04:03 There is no such thing as an Antenna Tuner
07:13 Listen before Talking
08:56 Not Everyone has Freedom of Speech
11:06 A more expensive Rig is not always the answer
12:13 Getting your Ham Radio License is not the end of the journey
Thanks for watching. Please remember to Like, Share, Comment, and Subscribe.
73 de Tom, ND3N

[@w.rustylane5650]

My wife always tells me to quit yelling into the mic. She says I don't even need a radio, that Hams can hear me without the radio. Lol. Sometimes I think she may be right. No amps here. All my antennae are resonate so I really don't need a tuner, although I do use the internal tuner in my Yaesu FT-991a on HF. I've been a General Ham since 11/2019. I really don't view Ham radio as a hobby. ARRL is a service, so I consider Ham radio as a service & a hobby. Cheers & 73 from K9POW, Rusty in eastern TN

[@ND3N]

But it’s a fun service!

[@1crazynordlander]

I received my Tech ticket in 2019 at 61 years of age. Passed the General one month later and then the Extra 10 months after that. Never have I said I know it all. I learn something new every day. I really enjoy your videos. I subbed and hit like as I go. I wish I had a Yaesu friend I could share these videos with. The hams I know use ICOM radios. I have mostly ICOM radios but I am looking at the FTDX10 to replace my IC-7300. I like my FT891 and have learned a bunch from your videos. Thanks!

[@RESlusher]

Very good information, Tom! Thanks for sharing! There is always something new to learn somewhere!

[@ND3N]

Thanks for watching!

[@GMT_400]

So true about the importance of the antennas. I love building antennas for portable operation. I have mostly only ever transmitted with 100 watts or less too, but sometimes I had to do it with an amplifier.

[@ND3N]

As I said in the video, I’ve never used an amp but I can see the value.

[@hermannharms8401]

So true about antenna tuners! A lot of hams do not understand that at all. 73 Hermann DK2BE

[@algross3338]

I always look forward to your videos. You always have useful information. Like you, I’ve never owned an amplifier. The only reason I want one is (now that I’m retired) I might want to be net control and an amp might be useful. That said, I seldom run a full 100 watts. For years I owned a radio notorious for blowing finals. I powered down to 85 watts and there was virtually no difference. I run 85 watts 95% of the time and cover the earth. 73, WBØAL

[@ND3N]

Thanks for watching!

[@fireball1518]

Awesome chat!! Thanks for that!! ❤

[@ND3N]

Any time!

[@edschroer613]

Straight to the point. You hit many good talking points with an explanation. Good job

[@ND3N]

Thanks

[@howardholt6206]

Really appreciate your input on addressing this topics very much needed.

[@ND3N]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@adamny5e591]

Your comment regarding the difference between 100W and 1 KW is “only” 10dB, although mathematically accurate, is a bit off base perhaps. 10dB, especially in pile-up circumstances, makes a huge difference when getting through! Many beam antennas don’t achieve 10dB of gain and are said to be the “key” to a strong station. Real world results with 1KW vs barefoot are dramatic !

[@mathiasdl1rsq230]

Hi Tom! Tnx for all the videos! I love it! Greetings from Hamburg/Germany de Matt, DL1RSQ

[@ND3N]

My pleasure!

[@rebeccaanton5735]

Good stuff here. I appreciate that you touched on free speech, especially given the new perils faced by our neighbors to the north with Online Harms Bill C-63. It's RETROACTIVE--i.e. you can be prosecuted--or rather, persecuted--for opinions that were legal at the time you voiced them, but not now. And while we're on the subject, I wouldn't be so sure we're safe down either.

[@ND3N]

I was more concerned about countries where even listening to our free speech can rate a visit from government enforcers. I’m thinking soviet style …. Best just to keep to a signal report….

[@bartweiss9663]

Enjoyed your video. Thanks!

[@ND3N]

Thank you too!

[@gregsmith1116]

All good advice from my perspective!

[@ND3N]

Glad you think so!

[@DonzLockz]

Brilliant tips! I often shout at the TV and they never listen to me either!😂👍

[@ND3N]

You and me both!

[@kenwezeman7827]

After thirty years of experience all I can say is "That was an EXCELLENT video!" N9QIL

[@ND3N]

Wow, thanks!

[@fotografm]

Excellent advice !!!

[@ND3N]

Thanks!

[@PopeyeKF4LBG]

Thank you for your pleasant inspiration. 73s de KF4-LBG

[@ND3N]

My pleasure!

[@lomgshorts3]

An "antenna tuner" is simply a variiable impedance transformer at RF frequencies.

[@ND3N]

I call them impedance matching networks, because impedance is a function of capacitance and inductance (capacitors and coils)…. But you’re on the right track. And always remember that just because you can tune a wet noodle, it doesn’t make the noodle a good antenna…

[@MedusalObligation]

My antenna tuner IS an antenna tuner. (I use a Tarheel antenna and tune it to resonance by remotely adjusting it's effective length.)

[@ND3N]

As is my ATAS-120A…. As I pointed out, the only way to tune an antenna is by making physical changes to the antenna. 73

[@StealthGTI]

I'm a mobile-only operator. I make it a point to refer to my screwdriver antenna controller as just that, but never a "tuner." BUT, given your terminology lesson, is it appropriate to call it a "tuner" since I'm adjusting the antenna for resonance... or "tuning" it? Hmmm. Good stuff in this video. 73! -Scott, KE4WMF

[@ND3N]

I did mention that the only tuning that can happen is that you make physical changes to the antenna. Which your screwdriver and my ATAS-120A do.

[@K3KTB]

😂I always have to remind myself that shouting wont let me be heard any better. I was really bad at that at first.

[@ND3N]

You and me both!

[@briandenley]

Excellent video. KB1VBF

[@ND3N]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@EJ42955]

I have never heard that it is more favorable to speak 'across' the microphone?

[@ND3N]

It was something that an old Elmer told me when I first started

[@Kens1966]

Oh I've yelled too lol

[@kurtwolter3984]

Great content as usual, Tom. Keep them coming. I’m new to HF, and would like to run this noob question by you. I recently constructed a random wire antenna which is 58’ feet long connected to an LDG 9:1 un/un. The reception is decent on both 40-20M, but before transmitting I hooked up the feed line to a NanoVNA. The SWR is literally off the chart. Any idea where to start troubleshooting this? The weather is bad here, so I haven’t had an opportunity to dive into it. My initial suspicion is that there’s a short in the feed line, and/or the un-un. Is this a good place to start? Thx

[@ND3N]

That’s the nature of a random wire antenna. Make sure you’re using a tuner, start off at around 10 watts out and slowly increase the power.

[@anuglybug4473]

liked the mic technique, speaking across the grill.

[@ND3N]

Cool, thanks

[@daveN2MXX]

3:20 it is easy to not spend "2 to 3 thousand dollars" on a linear amplifier. And 500w on lower HF bands does make a difference compared to 100w during a pileup.

[@ND3N]

Agree to disagree. 73

[@cmritchie04]

why does one need a linear when you have echolink and allstar

[@algross3338]

I use EchoLink and Yaesu System Fusion and like them. You are essentially using the Internet. No challenge there. The HF bands are magical. Using the ionosphere to send your signal around the world is amazing. Busting pileups is just to know that my 100 watts and a wire can be heard in Japan, Italy, Croatia or another exotic location. It is thrilling. That is what drew me into ham radio and what keeps me active. Where is my signal going to land today?

[@MakeDoAndMend1]

Despite the international QRP Calling frequencies. Many awards given to DX Competition winners even though running hundreds of watts on QRP Calling Frequencies. WHY. ????

[@ND3N]

I guess they see those frequencies as suggestions instead of rules.

[@donaldsmith3048]

I always thought of my ham license as a license to learn!

[@ND3N]

Absolutely!!!

[@johnpawlicki1184]

Want to learn Morse code? Using your rig's practice mode to make your own Morse recordings. Send book and magazine articles. This ensures that your code "fist" is good. If it is not you will struggle to decode what you sent. 73, JP, K8AG

[@ND3N]

Great idea. When I learned CW, my rig didn’t have a practice mode….

[@franciscolopez3229]

Hello sir. I am new to hf starting with a 10 meter only radio but have modified to have 11 meter for freeband. I made a rotary dipole to go with it. SWR on both bands is below 1.5. My question is, with this swr reading that I have, of course, the impedance won't be 50 ohms on the entire 10 & 11 meters. Will I damage my tranciever having different impedances of say 40 to 60 ohms on some parts of the band? Thank you sir.

[@ND3N]

More to the point. Using a 10 meter rig on 11 meters is not allowed and can result in fines and confiscation of ALL the radios and antennas you own, The FCC has been cracking down on this recently. Keep your rig on 10 and enjoy yourself. And 40 to 60 ohm mismatches are minimal and shouldn’t cause any problems.

[@franciscolopez3229]

@@ND3N I thank you so much for the input sir both regarding radio law and impedance of the antenna. All the best to you and your family. DW1QEW.

[@ededison9404]

what you say about tuners is true if you use unbalanced line (coax) but is not true if you use balanced feed (ladder line) then your external tuner is part of your antenna system, my 560 ft loop is not resonant but preforms exceptionably on all hf bands 600 ohm ladder line fed. the loss is in your feed line not your antenna most of the time. I bought my 1500w amp used and broken for short $ fixed it for short $ and it helps a lot but I dont always use it because I dont need it most of the time but as a NCS or relay its kinda needed or if I just want to flex my muscles. Santa net is coming soon day after thanksgiving 3.916 ho ho ho get the kids on KI4YTV Special Ed

[@ND3N]

I agree about the tuners and will agree to disagree about the amps. To each their own, plenty of room in the sandbox for everyone to play.

[@alistairboyd5770]

Simple common sense. Maybe it will make some Ops stop and think.

[@lomgshorts3]

I shout into my Astatic mike often. The Drake Twins simply amplify what comes into them without doing any "clamping" (as YOU say). My "shouting" into my mike is simply my opinion of the other Ham who spouts political crap and mentions it on Ham Radio where it does not belong.

[@ND3N]

I always apply the principle that you do not talk about anything over the air that you wouldn’t talk about over an extended family dinner.

[@Kens1966]

we a amp either. Amp shortens your equipment life

[@ProspectorsGhost]

According to FCC rules and regulations a person is only allowed to hold one license. Ok, here is a real life scenario. If you are already licensed for GMRS and you have a GMRS call sign and you decide to upgrade to Amateur Radio and you actually pass the tests and get a ham license does the FCC issue you another call sign. If so, then it brings up the following 2 questions. Question one. - What happens to the GMRS license and call sign? Does the GMRS license and call sign stay valid and you have to use the GMRS call sign on GMRS frequencies and the Ham Radio license and call sign on the Ham frequencies or does the Ham license and call sign override and invalidate the GMRS license and call sign and you can only use the Ham radio license and call sign on and for both GMRS and Amateur radio frequencies? Question 2. - When you apply for a GMRS license you have to apply for and get an FCC ID number prior to applying for the GRMS license. When you pass the test for a Ham Radio License do you use the same FCC ID number you applied for and received for GMRS for the Ham Radio license or do you have to apply again for a different FCC ID number prior to applying for a Ham Radio license and call sign?. Just curious, as I’m already a licensed GMRS operator and now I’m trying to study for and get a ham radio Technician’s class license. Do you or anybody else out there know the answer to those questions?

[@ND3N]

Since grms and amateur are recognized as different services, having a license in one doesn’t affect having a license in another. In short, you can have a license in both. Imagine if you had a professional license and had to give it up because you wanted a ham license…. Also, you use the same FRN to apply for all services regulated by the FCC, so only one of those.

[@ProspectorsGhost]

@@ND3N Thank You for the information Sir.

[@Kens1966]

Kd8zkw

[@kclin0968]

very helpful to me. 73 K6KVW

[@ND3N]

Glad it helped