Hi! My name is Josh and I am a new Ham radio operator. My callsign is K8WOO (formerly KF8DEF) and I am based in the Cincinnati, Ohio area. I spent about 10 years working at a summer camp, where one of the merit badges we taught in my program area was Radio. I was always fascinated watching the local ham operators come in and demonstrate their setups to the scouts. One of my friends at camp was a licensed operator and often talked about the hobby, which piqued my interest.
I actually tried to take the novice license test back then (I think it was called “novice” at the time), but I failed a few times. Honestly, I was more focused on hanging out with my friends than studying seriously. That was over 15 years ago, and I never followed up on it—until now.
For years, ham radio didn’t really cross my mind. But recently, I’ve been spending a lot of time on YouTube, exploring content around EDC (everyday carry), outdoor activities, and similar interests. Amateur radio seems to be gaining traction within these communities, and before long, the YouTube algorithm started suggesting ham radio videos. I clicked on a few, and just like that, the spark reignited. I thought, why not give this another shot?
I can’t start a new hobby without documenting the journey, so here we are! Through Hamateur Hour, I plan to share my story while diving into the many facets of amateur radio. Admittedly, this section will probably evolve over time, as I’m still figuring out where I want to go within the hobby. Right now, it feels like standing at the base of Mt. Everest, staring up at the summit—there are countless paths to explore, and I’m excited to try a little bit of everything to see what resonates.
I hope you’ll enjoy following along as I navigate this adventure. My goal is to eventually turn this site into a valuable resource for hams, both new and experienced.