So, you’ve earned your Technician ham radio license—congratulations! But now what? When I got mine, I found myself in a strange spot. None of my friends were into radio, and the only community I’d stumbled into was online. It felt isolating, which is ironic for a hobby that’s all about connecting people. It was like handing a 16-year-old a driver’s license without teaching them to drive. Passing a 35-question test had given me the keys to the airwaves, but I wasn’t sure where to steer.
Tuning In to Silence
At first, I did a lot of listening—something I hadn’t done much of before getting licensed. What I discovered was a quiet world. The UHF/VHF repeaters and simplex calling frequencies around me were eerily silent. I’d key up on 146.520 during my commute, but with no external antenna on my truck, I wasn’t surprised when I got nothing. I figured I’d need something outside the cab to make a difference. Even so, shouldn’t I at least hear someone? Days went by without a single voice. Was I stuck in a radio desert?
Facing the Mic
I knew I had to get over my hesitation and start transmitting. Why was I even nervous? I couldn’t tell you—it just felt odd jumping on the airwaves solo. After a few nights of calling out on local repeaters with no response, I finally got a reply. It was a gentleman in a nearby nursing home. He shared how he’d been a ham before moving there, now limited to a cheap Chinese handheld. I told him I was a new ham, eager to dive into the hobby, and we chatted about the weather and other casual topics—the classic “ragchew.” It was a blast, and just like that, I was hooked. Ham radio was awesome, and I wanted more.
Step Outside
Getting my license in the depths of an Ohio winter didn’t help. Sure, I could use my handheld (HT) indoors, but I quickly learned my house had “good spots” and “dead spots” for reception—and the dead ones dominated. That first repeater contact happened on a mild evening out on my back deck. It hit me: maybe I should’ve skipped the basic Baofeng and invested in a mobile radio and home antenna to hit the local repeaters more reliably.
Digital: A Game Changer (Sometimes)
Then came a breakthrough—going digital. Picking up an FT5DR opened the door to a Yaesu System Fusion repeater, which let me tap into “rooms” buzzing with hams worldwide. (I won’t dive into how System Fusion works here, but stay tuned—I’m planning a guide once I’ve mastered it.) Think of digital modes as a computer unlocking chat rooms where you can talk to anyone within range of a compatible repeater or hotspot. It was a revelation. I joined nets, chatted with folks from everywhere, and found gems like the Kansas City Wide Network—always lively with scheduled nets and friendly voices.
My advice? Find out which digital mode your local repeaters support and get a compatible radio. No digital repeaters nearby? Grab a hotspot to connect to networks like System Fusion or DMR. Trust me, you’ll thank me later. That said, if your local FM repeaters are hopping, you might not even need to go digital.
Find Your People
If your friends don’t get why you’re into radio (like mine), don’t ditch them—just find some radio buddies! I’m fortunate to have several clubs nearby. I joined the one where I took my test since it was closest, but I’m planning to check out others in the area to see what they’re up to. The meetings have been a blast so far, and I’m excited to team up with members for POTA (Parks on the Air) and outdoor activations once the weather warms up.
Dive In
Here’s the thing: you’ve got to turn the radio on and use it. It’s like owning a car—you can’t just admire it in the driveway; you’ve got to drive it. I added an antenna to my truck for easier contacts on my commute and started studying for my General license right after Technician. Everyone says that’s where the real fun begins, and I’m inclined to believe them.
Ham radio is a hobby packed with sub-hobbies. Browse blogs, read articles, watch YouTube videos—find what sparks your interest and start there. Diving into everything at once can feel like drinking from a fire hose (I’ve been there).
Thanks for reading my journey! Want to connect? Shoot me an email at KF8DEF@gmail.com.