KC2UGV
07-24-2013, 07:24 AM
In this thread, I'd like to create a resource for new hams (Or people looking to get a ticket) for frequently asked questions. I'm open to adds/deletes/merges/deletes, just add your Q/A, or merge idea, and I'll edit the post.
Q1: What is HAM radio?
A: Ok, first off, it's just "ham", not "HAM". It isn't an acronym, it's just a colloquial term for "amateur radio". Amateur radio is a hobby above all else. In this hobby, there's a whole lot of "sub hobbies": Just talking, tinkering with radios, building electronics that use radios, experimentation, just chatting, various radio sports, etc etc. Just remember: It's called "amateur radio" for a reason, we don't get paid for it. It's a hobby, not a business.
The other part of amateur radio is also community service. The FCC has allowed us to use a great swath of spectrum, so we can use it for the public good. Be that public good in learning about RF waves, providing communications during public events, or acting as a "backup of last resort" in times of crisis. We're not the "First line of defense", we're quite a ways back in the line :)
Q2: I want to become a ham!
A: Becoming a ham op is a long, and detailed discussion, but really boils down to what is here: http://www.arrl.org/getting-your-technician-license
But, don't get scared. There's no "dreaded" morse code test anymore, and the test is mostly about regulations covering operation while on the air.
Q3: Which radio should I buy?
A: How long is a piece of string? Seriously, it's a very opened ended question, which will net you about a bajillion answers. Some hams will say,"Don't get a hand-held radio as a first radio."; others will say,"Just get an HF and your general ticket"; and yet others will say,"Get a DC to daylight rig." The only right answer is: Buy the best radio your budget can manage. If your budget can only manage a hand-held, then get one. If it can manage a TT Orion, then get one. Your opinion of what you like and don't like will change as you progress anyways. You
Q4: Can I use X?
X can be anything, be it a type of cable, a type of interface, a type of radio, or a type of power supply. Yes, you can probably use it. An example question: "Can I use a coat hanger as an antenna?" The answer is,"Yes, you can." However, there are trade-offs made with every decision, be it in cabling, rigs, antennas, etc etc. Making something work, and then taking it to where it works well is a good portion of the fun in this hobby.
Q5: Why does everyone say,"Don't buy a handheld/QRP HF rig as my first radio?"
A: It boils down to ease of making contacts. Both can be someone frustrating when first starting out, as the hand held with no repeater (A re-transmit station) coverage can be almost useless. A QRP (A low power, generally under 5W RF Out) rig tends to be CW-only, and weak signals are hard to work (For both sender and receiver). If it's a phone QRP, even worse, as phone transmissions tend to be harder to decipher at lower powers. You can get either as a first radio, but you've got to understand their limitations.
Q6: I'm getting Radio X, and can I use Y Accessory?
A: Maybe. Maybe not. See Q3.
Q7: My ham buddy said I need to buy Super-De-Duper DX9000000 Antenna/Radio, in order to get on the air. Do I really need to spend $1000 on an antenna/radio?!?!
A: No. No. And, no again. Whenever a ham operator suggests you need to buy X in order to get on the air, they are blowing smoke. You can build your own power supply, your own radio, and you own antenna if you like. In fact, some in this hobby don't get on the air much at all, and all they do is design and test radios, amplifiers, and antennas.
Q8: What do I need to get started?
A: The most basic parts of your station are: An electrical supply, a radio, a microphone/key, and an antenna. With a handheld, it's all-in-one. With a "base station", you'll likely need an external power supply that supplies 13.8V (Sometimes referred to as 12V power supplies), some sort of radio with microphone or key, some sort of antenna system.
Q9: What's an "Antenna System"? I thought antennas were pieces of wire?
A: Often, hams will say antenna system, because everything past the RF out jack on your radio matters when it comes to putting your signal over the air. It's your antenna, and whatever connects your antenna to the jack of the radio.
Q10a: I need a ground?
Q10b: I was told I don't need a ground!
Q10c: I have a ground on the third prong of my outlet!
Q10d: I have a ground plane, so I don't need any more grounding, but everyone says I have a ground loop. What gives?
A: Ah, the subject of "ground". It can be very complex, very simple, or somewhere in the middle. To chop it up, we have 3 types of "grounds" when talking about grounds: Electrical safety grounds, RF grounds, and lightning grounds. Electrical ground is when every peice of your equipment is connected to the very same 0V Reference source. It's basically, for all intents and purposes, what your equipment considers 0V potential. When you have different electrical grounds with your equipment (Each connected to difference grounding points), you get "neat" things like ground loops, buzzes when you touch a piece of gear, etc etc. Generally, it's pretty simple to work out: Connect everything to the same power strip. Once you start adding more equipment, it gets complicated. Add in lightning grounding, and it gets more complicated. For starting out, just ensure everything is connected to the same breaker in the basement, and you'll be starting out in a good way. And make sure if your gear only has 2 prongs on it's AC cord, ground the gear to the outlet box.
RF grounds are a whole different story. RF grounds as basically the counterpoise your signal uses to push itself out the antenna. Without enough "push", you get other neat effects like a zap from the mic when you key up, or interference on nearby equipment like televisions and wireless mice. If you stick with a dipole to start out with, you'll likely not have a problem with your RF ground. It only becomes an issue once you get into more complicated setups, like magnet mount antennas (Which still, are usually not error prone).
Q11: Do I have to be a member of ARES/RACES/{Fill in local club name} to be a ham?
A: No. The only thing you need in order to be a ham is a license.
Q12: I wanna be a ham so I can help in emergencies/disasters! Where do I start?
A: Slow down there high-speed. Yes, there are sometimes needs for amateur ops in disaster zones, and for other areas like SKYWARN. However, you really need to be somewhat experienced in radio communications to be an asset in this area. BUT, don't let it stop you from volunteering for Red Cross, the local EMO, etc. They usually ALWAYS need hands on deck to fill sand bags, pass out water and supplies, set up tents, dig fire trenches, etc etc. It's hard work, but can be rewarding. And, don't let this stop you from getting your ham license either. Just don't walk in with a radio, and expect to save the day.
Q13: Can I use my ham license so my entire family can stay in touch during emergencies?
A: Generally, no. Every person transmitting needs to be licensed. And, hams can only transmit to communicate with other hams. We're not allowed to broadcast, so even one-way messages are forbidden. If you would like a radio system your entire family can use, GMRS is a wonderful service for this. One license covers a family. Secondly, ham radio communications are not like picking up a phone, and dialing someone. You generally either schedule a contact with someone in advance via internet/phone/snail mail, or you end up talking to a random person who happens to be listening at the same time.
Q14: I'm with a hospital, and my Crisis Manager said we all need to get ham licenses. Where do I buy one?
A: For starters, a job cannot require a ham license, as it would be forbidden by Part 97 (No pecuniary interests). Next, why does your manager think you need ham licenses? Backup communication systems built with either commercial/Public safety frequencies would most likely work much better. Because with ham radio, we cannot encrypt communications, and you're not granted exclusive use of any frequency. Any person can listen, and other licensed users are free to use the same spectrum, which could cause issues with your usage.
Q15: What is a "net"?
A: A net is a group of people, who meet on a specific frequency, at a specific time, to discuss a particular topic or to "rag chew" (Just chat about anything). Often done via repeaters, but also on High Frequency.
Q16: What is a "contest"?
A: Contests are a type of "radio sport", where participants try to contact as many people as possible in a specified time frame and get points for contacting others in a certain fashio. Rules and formats for contests are pretty varied, but by and large, this is the gist of one. They also tend to cause great heating to the ionosphere, thereby creating band openings that aren't there Monday-Friday :P
Last Updated: 7/26/2013
Q1: What is HAM radio?
A: Ok, first off, it's just "ham", not "HAM". It isn't an acronym, it's just a colloquial term for "amateur radio". Amateur radio is a hobby above all else. In this hobby, there's a whole lot of "sub hobbies": Just talking, tinkering with radios, building electronics that use radios, experimentation, just chatting, various radio sports, etc etc. Just remember: It's called "amateur radio" for a reason, we don't get paid for it. It's a hobby, not a business.
The other part of amateur radio is also community service. The FCC has allowed us to use a great swath of spectrum, so we can use it for the public good. Be that public good in learning about RF waves, providing communications during public events, or acting as a "backup of last resort" in times of crisis. We're not the "First line of defense", we're quite a ways back in the line :)
Q2: I want to become a ham!
A: Becoming a ham op is a long, and detailed discussion, but really boils down to what is here: http://www.arrl.org/getting-your-technician-license
But, don't get scared. There's no "dreaded" morse code test anymore, and the test is mostly about regulations covering operation while on the air.
Q3: Which radio should I buy?
A: How long is a piece of string? Seriously, it's a very opened ended question, which will net you about a bajillion answers. Some hams will say,"Don't get a hand-held radio as a first radio."; others will say,"Just get an HF and your general ticket"; and yet others will say,"Get a DC to daylight rig." The only right answer is: Buy the best radio your budget can manage. If your budget can only manage a hand-held, then get one. If it can manage a TT Orion, then get one. Your opinion of what you like and don't like will change as you progress anyways. You
Q4: Can I use X?
X can be anything, be it a type of cable, a type of interface, a type of radio, or a type of power supply. Yes, you can probably use it. An example question: "Can I use a coat hanger as an antenna?" The answer is,"Yes, you can." However, there are trade-offs made with every decision, be it in cabling, rigs, antennas, etc etc. Making something work, and then taking it to where it works well is a good portion of the fun in this hobby.
Q5: Why does everyone say,"Don't buy a handheld/QRP HF rig as my first radio?"
A: It boils down to ease of making contacts. Both can be someone frustrating when first starting out, as the hand held with no repeater (A re-transmit station) coverage can be almost useless. A QRP (A low power, generally under 5W RF Out) rig tends to be CW-only, and weak signals are hard to work (For both sender and receiver). If it's a phone QRP, even worse, as phone transmissions tend to be harder to decipher at lower powers. You can get either as a first radio, but you've got to understand their limitations.
Q6: I'm getting Radio X, and can I use Y Accessory?
A: Maybe. Maybe not. See Q3.
Q7: My ham buddy said I need to buy Super-De-Duper DX9000000 Antenna/Radio, in order to get on the air. Do I really need to spend $1000 on an antenna/radio?!?!
A: No. No. And, no again. Whenever a ham operator suggests you need to buy X in order to get on the air, they are blowing smoke. You can build your own power supply, your own radio, and you own antenna if you like. In fact, some in this hobby don't get on the air much at all, and all they do is design and test radios, amplifiers, and antennas.
Q8: What do I need to get started?
A: The most basic parts of your station are: An electrical supply, a radio, a microphone/key, and an antenna. With a handheld, it's all-in-one. With a "base station", you'll likely need an external power supply that supplies 13.8V (Sometimes referred to as 12V power supplies), some sort of radio with microphone or key, some sort of antenna system.
Q9: What's an "Antenna System"? I thought antennas were pieces of wire?
A: Often, hams will say antenna system, because everything past the RF out jack on your radio matters when it comes to putting your signal over the air. It's your antenna, and whatever connects your antenna to the jack of the radio.
Q10a: I need a ground?
Q10b: I was told I don't need a ground!
Q10c: I have a ground on the third prong of my outlet!
Q10d: I have a ground plane, so I don't need any more grounding, but everyone says I have a ground loop. What gives?
A: Ah, the subject of "ground". It can be very complex, very simple, or somewhere in the middle. To chop it up, we have 3 types of "grounds" when talking about grounds: Electrical safety grounds, RF grounds, and lightning grounds. Electrical ground is when every peice of your equipment is connected to the very same 0V Reference source. It's basically, for all intents and purposes, what your equipment considers 0V potential. When you have different electrical grounds with your equipment (Each connected to difference grounding points), you get "neat" things like ground loops, buzzes when you touch a piece of gear, etc etc. Generally, it's pretty simple to work out: Connect everything to the same power strip. Once you start adding more equipment, it gets complicated. Add in lightning grounding, and it gets more complicated. For starting out, just ensure everything is connected to the same breaker in the basement, and you'll be starting out in a good way. And make sure if your gear only has 2 prongs on it's AC cord, ground the gear to the outlet box.
RF grounds are a whole different story. RF grounds as basically the counterpoise your signal uses to push itself out the antenna. Without enough "push", you get other neat effects like a zap from the mic when you key up, or interference on nearby equipment like televisions and wireless mice. If you stick with a dipole to start out with, you'll likely not have a problem with your RF ground. It only becomes an issue once you get into more complicated setups, like magnet mount antennas (Which still, are usually not error prone).
Q11: Do I have to be a member of ARES/RACES/{Fill in local club name} to be a ham?
A: No. The only thing you need in order to be a ham is a license.
Q12: I wanna be a ham so I can help in emergencies/disasters! Where do I start?
A: Slow down there high-speed. Yes, there are sometimes needs for amateur ops in disaster zones, and for other areas like SKYWARN. However, you really need to be somewhat experienced in radio communications to be an asset in this area. BUT, don't let it stop you from volunteering for Red Cross, the local EMO, etc. They usually ALWAYS need hands on deck to fill sand bags, pass out water and supplies, set up tents, dig fire trenches, etc etc. It's hard work, but can be rewarding. And, don't let this stop you from getting your ham license either. Just don't walk in with a radio, and expect to save the day.
Q13: Can I use my ham license so my entire family can stay in touch during emergencies?
A: Generally, no. Every person transmitting needs to be licensed. And, hams can only transmit to communicate with other hams. We're not allowed to broadcast, so even one-way messages are forbidden. If you would like a radio system your entire family can use, GMRS is a wonderful service for this. One license covers a family. Secondly, ham radio communications are not like picking up a phone, and dialing someone. You generally either schedule a contact with someone in advance via internet/phone/snail mail, or you end up talking to a random person who happens to be listening at the same time.
Q14: I'm with a hospital, and my Crisis Manager said we all need to get ham licenses. Where do I buy one?
A: For starters, a job cannot require a ham license, as it would be forbidden by Part 97 (No pecuniary interests). Next, why does your manager think you need ham licenses? Backup communication systems built with either commercial/Public safety frequencies would most likely work much better. Because with ham radio, we cannot encrypt communications, and you're not granted exclusive use of any frequency. Any person can listen, and other licensed users are free to use the same spectrum, which could cause issues with your usage.
Q15: What is a "net"?
A: A net is a group of people, who meet on a specific frequency, at a specific time, to discuss a particular topic or to "rag chew" (Just chat about anything). Often done via repeaters, but also on High Frequency.
Q16: What is a "contest"?
A: Contests are a type of "radio sport", where participants try to contact as many people as possible in a specified time frame and get points for contacting others in a certain fashio. Rules and formats for contests are pretty varied, but by and large, this is the gist of one. They also tend to cause great heating to the ionosphere, thereby creating band openings that aren't there Monday-Friday :P
Last Updated: 7/26/2013