Your first 30 days

You can transmit the moment your license shows up in the FCC’s database. There’s no paper license to wait for.

• Look yourself up in the FCC’s license search, or let Callsign watch email you the day it appears.
• Download your official license from the FCC as a PDF and keep a copy on your phone.

• Callsign watch
• FCC license search

Five controls cover almost everything: power, volume, squelch, frequency or channel mode, and the push-to-talk button.

• Charge the battery fully and screw the antenna on snugly. Never transmit without an antenna.
• Find the volume, the squelch setting, and how to switch between frequency mode and channel mode.
• Find the push-to-talk (PTT) button, and turn on the keypad lock so it can’t transmit in your pocket.

• Radio setup guides

A repeater on a tall tower lets a handheld reach much farther. Most local activity happens on two or three of them.

• Find two or three active repeaters near you on a local club’s website or RepeaterBook.
• For each one, note the output frequency, the offset direction and amount, and the tone.
• Program them into memory channels, following the guide for your radio.

• How to program your radio
• RepeaterBook

146.520 MHz is the national simplex calling frequency, and NOAA Weather Radio is worth having in any emergency.

• Program 146.520 MHz with no offset and no tone.
• If your radio can receive them, save the NOAA weather channels (162.400 to 162.550 MHz) as receive-only. Never transmit there.

• Simplex guide
• See 146.520 on the tuning dial

Listening is the fastest way to learn how people call, identify and take turns.

• Leave your radio on a busy repeater for an evening or two.
• Notice how people give their call sign, pause before answering, and keep transmissions short.

• Repeater etiquette

Saying it out loud a few times takes the nerves out of the real thing.

• Run the net check-in and the “Nobody answered?” scenarios until they feel routine.

• Practice on Key Up
• Spell your call sign

In a net, net control runs the show, so all you do is answer when it’s your turn.

• Find a net on one of your repeaters this week.
• When check-ins are called, give your call sign using phonetics, then wait to be acknowledged.

• How nets work
• Find a net (NetFinder)
• Rehearse a net check-in

On FM repeaters people don’t usually call CQ. They just say their call sign and that they’re listening.

• Listen first to make sure the repeater is quiet.
• Key up and say your call sign, then “listening” or “monitoring.” Wait a minute and try again later if nobody answers. That’s normal.
• Try the same on 146.520 simplex at a busy time, like a weekday evening.

• How to call on a repeater
• Rehearse a call nobody answers

A signal report tells you how well you’re getting out, and hams are happy to give one.

• After a contact or on a net, ask “How’s my signal?”
• If people say you’re scratchy or hard to copy, work through the “Am I getting out?” checklist.

• Am I getting out?

POTA activators are on the air every day and glad to make contacts with anyone.

• Check Today’s “Parks you can work” list for activators inside your privileges.
• Listen first, then call with just your call sign when they ask for contacts.
• Most park activity is on HF. If nothing is on 2 meters near you, listen to an HF activation on a free online receiver like WebSDR.

• What Parks on the Air is
• Parks you can work
• Rehearse a park contact
• WebSDR online receivers

Hearing the ISS or an FM satellite on a handheld is a thrill, and listening needs no special gear.

• Pick a high pass on Today; the higher the elevation, the better.
• Listen on the downlink for the few minutes it’s overhead, standing outside with a clear view of the sky.

• Satellite passes on Today
• How ham satellites work

Your privileges include all of 2 meters and 70 centimeters, plus slices of HF, like voice on 10 meters.

• Turn the tuning dial on the home page with your license selected and see where you can transmit.
• Look at 28.300 to 28.500 MHz, the 10 meter voice range open to Technicians.

• The tuning dial
• Reading solar numbers

Clubs are where you find mentors, loaner gear, and people to talk to on the air.

• Find a club near you and go to a meeting or an on-air club net as a guest.

• Find a club (ARRL)

The FCC doesn’t require a log, but it’s how you’ll remember your contacts and earn awards.

• For each contact, note the date, the time in UTC, the frequency, the other station’s call sign and their name.
• A notebook works. Many hams use a free logging app.

Hams help their communities in storms and emergencies, and the training is free.

• Ask your club about ARES, the ARRL’s emergency service program.
• Look for a free SKYWARN weather spotter class from the National Weather Service.

• ARES
• SKYWARN
• Ham radio for emergencies

Two upgrades make the biggest difference: a better antenna, and a General license for most of HF.

• A longer handheld antenna or a roll-up J-pole can double your range.
• If long-distance contacts sound fun, start studying for the General exam.

• Upgrading to General
• Ways to use your license