The see thru stuff happens on AMATEUR LOGIC too Eric :-) Nice vid. I have an HTX202 ht that has never been out of the box and the 2m amp as well that I inherited from a good friend ham that died a few years ago.
Ultimately you will be committing everything you learn about HAM radio to memory, including your gained knowledge to get your license. The real journey (learning) begins when you start to get on the air. Like many people I studied and got my license (General Class) but have yet to acquire any equipment because it takes money. Eventually that will happen, until then I can continue to learn by watching videos like your and others. Thank you Eric for all that you do. 73, KN4OTZ.
@@mikeklemens8970 Yes sir, I am looking forward for the opportunity. At the present time, I'm not interested in the fancy stuff like rtty or packet, but that will come with time. Voice communication with people in other parts of the world? Yes, absolutely!
Yes indeed! I have had my General ticket for a couple of years now. Still saving for an HF rig, although I have *finally* decided which one I want. Fortunately, there is still plenty to do with 2 meters while I save my pennies 😊
@@betsysingh-anand3228 Congratulations. Understood. I'm not even in possession of a 2 meter yet. but that too will happen. As far as an HF rig, I'm pretty sure which one I want, but before I get any radios there are yet some other priorities. But again, I will get there. Thank you for your input. 73, Jeff, KN4OTZ.
I've been watching your videos for a bit now and gotta say you keep it easy to follow for some of us slower people and have great information. Thank you for the videos!
Thanks for the content. my interest in ham started 5 years ago, took a local class and didnt understand most of it,so I set it aside. Early this year (2019) I decided to try it again, been studying the ARRL book for a while now. Picked up my GMRS just to start talking and useing the radio with my family. I'm excited to keep watching your channel.
I’m new to Ham Radio! I’m watching your videos from Puerto Rico! I really admire your passion and dedication you have and give to the Ham Radio community. You are really good explaining. You should a series of videos explaining the Technician and General licenses. The answers and why? Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience!
I sure appreciate your videos. Just thinking about getting into the hobby and know nothing. Half the terms you use go right over my head. But I’m watching as many of your videos as I can. Thank you sir. Good content. You keep my attention and not boring.
As a professor I can tell you now that book selection is crucial! You have to pick the book that matches your learning style so go through a lot of them and see which one you "connect" with. I love puns!
The beginning of ham radio is an interest in something related to electronics and communication. What do you like? What are your hobbies ? As a little kid I saw lots of knobs, cables and metal in the air as I was viewing my neighbors house. My jaw dropped down and my Elmer invited me to ham radio. He taught me morse code and handed me a study book for the novice test. The adults and more educated hams help you by guiding you, taunting you and exposing you to talk on the radio. All in all the experience was good. Intimidating but good for 37 plus years. Thank you Eric for your time making the ham radio videos. Mike N6IMY
Great video Eric. Studying for my General ticket right now. Reading/Studying Gordon Wests book. Just put up a Homebrew 25 foot Ham radio mast, made from a flagpole my parents were getting rid of. Found another great book from ARRL is their Antenna book, great read for antenna homebrewers, learned a lot. To all the new people out there get involved in your local area ham radio nets. I take part in the Michigan section of the National Traffic Net. Thanks Eric for your video on the Yaesu 400XDR, this is my next radio for my shack. 73s Eric. de KE8MFK from the MOTORCITY.
Eric pretty good video ...just like to call you out on one issue. I went to a ham club last month with a friend and was hooked. Last week I took the test and passed. I now have a technicians license. I bought a ARRL manual on Amazon, came in two days and I started studying. I would like to point out an error I think you made when you showed the ARRL manual. With the questions in the back of the book it shows on the left side of the page the official question number, the correct answer, and the page number in the text to find an explanation of the answer. West book just has a brief explanation under the question. I found the ARRL Manual easy to read and a success at getting my technician license. I now have the general license manual from ARRL and will probably test in two months. Thanks for the video though!
I didn't pay on Ham Test Online. Studied and passed Technician and General exams. Then, I bought the Gordon West books about 4-6 years old, for reference and to actually learn what I'm doing.
28:46 Don't be compliant. Fight for the right to repair! (FYI, you can get service manuals and schematics for pretty much any major brand ham radio so you can repair them yourself. if you have the know how.)
Jumped in during the covid mess. Got my Tech in April, and my General this past week. Really enjoyable hobby. Had NO previous experience. Knew NO one that was a ham operator. Started digging around online, read some blogs, watched some vlogs, and started studying. Began study on a sunday, took exam the very next Saturday. Someone interested just needs to get after it
Finally. A great square one series. I’ve become somewhat overwhelmed with all the available info out there, so I’ve subscribed to your channel. I joined ARRL but their site takes a lot of navigating. I also got an FRN from the FCC. So....I’ll be watching!!! PS: I spent 20 years with one of the major wireless carriers building towers and networks. Hurricanes and storms are the worst of the nightmares. The requirement is to build to sustain 85 mph sustained winds. Moral: get a HAM license. I was a real estate & construction guy and I really wish that I had hung out more with the RF guys 🤓
It's an honor to hold the amateur radio license. I went and took the general class test and the amateur extra after it. I aced the general and missed one on the extra test. Very proud of that. Jim (K8BOW)
I'm brand new to the Ham Radio world and I'm scheduled to take my Technician test this Sunday, August 9th, 2020. MY best friend got me interested in the hobby and I really appreciate the straight talk and advice. I also just purchased Gordon West's Technician Study on your advice. I'm really anxious to learn more and get involved! Thanks!
Hey Eric ! Great video ! When I got into ham radio a few years ago the group that I tested with sort of hung me out to dry ! No help, no advice, no encouragement ! Then I met another group of operators , the difference of night and day ! These guys bent over backwards to help me ,teach me , and encouraged me to try new things ! Each operator can make a difference , just like you are doing ! Keep up the good work ! 73 de KN4ADM !
I love your video, you would make a great teacher, you are very positive. I've been a ham radio operator since 1992, I'm only a tech. I'm still learning new stuff, I'm now getting into digital. I bought a Motorola radio, because it can talk. it's not a ham radio it's a commercial radio, but it does the digital modes. I love your videos, 73's from in 7XBL.
I AM A HAM USER , AND DURING MARIA , WITH NO ELECTRICITY FOR DAYS , I RAN A VERY SMALL 4 WATT CB RADIO ON A BATTERY , AND A VERY LOW ASTRON ANT , WHERE A WAS ABLE TO CONTACT DIFRENTE USERS IN THE STATES , I WAS IN PUERTO RICO AT THE TIME , THESE USERS TALKED BACK TO ME , WITH JUST 4 WATTS , I GAVE THEM MY AUNT'S TEL NUMBER , THEY ALL CALLED MY AUNT IN NYC , TO HER HER THEY SPOKE TO ME ON CB , AND THAT I WANTED HER TO KNOW I WAS OK AND NOT TO WORRY , SO CB DOES WORK , AND IS IN NO FORM DEAD , MY AUNT STILLS DOESNT BELIEVE THIS HAPPENED , BUT IT DID , I HAVE BEEN IN CB , AND NOW AS A HAM FOR MANY YEARS , SINCE THE 60S . HATS OFF TO YOU , REALLY GOOD VIDEOS , ALFRED NYC / PR (WP4WF)
Eric I find this interesting and informative. Guys Take and successfully complete the 5 levels which are... 1) Foundation 2) General 3)Technician 4) Advanced 5) Extra Once you have them all under your belt take the Morse test at around 150WPM then you will get your certificate and Call-sign and permission to get a transceiver like the ICOM FT9700, for you guys in the UK take and pass the RSGB Exam and some clubs in the UK also run the ARRL Exams also so you can take them also if you want, Jerri Ellsworth has done it and is now a licensed Ham so if she can do it so can you.
Hi Eric, great video, you know its amazing, I took a long break, 23 yrs from Ham Radio, I got my 1st CB, GEC 40 CN AM rig in 1977, in the uk then I was underage for one to get served in a local radio store in the North West of England, Blackpool, ( STEWARTS) you were in, out within 5 minutes, rig all in Brown paper, boxed,,, a DV27, SWR metre, the ones about $10 cheap and nasty, and 3 to 5 amp psu, in 1977 that I recall was nearly 100 UK pounds, and it was like the whole town had gone CB crazy, anyone reading, Blackpool was amazing Pre legal FM and gotta bethe best guys n gals ever. Had the GEC 3 WEEKS, there was a store that was getting the Cobras, Ham International, straight off the ISLE OF MAN where they weren't illegal, this store was serious stuff, car radio store, great cover for an already established business, I begged for the next 2 Christmas gifts and birthday gifts in a Cobra 148gtl dx and a Turner Supersidekick, no radios touched them, nothing bled over them. 81 I rebelled, Anti FM brigade, sold up, refused FM, that's when CB died in the uk,,, did my Ham 14 yrs later, passed, learned morse with an old timer who remembered when they didn't want telephony ¦¦!! Great, then "" What now "" "??? You felt the Hierarchy, you'd be pulled up if you said QRP in error to QSM, you felt like these guys were following you around!! Serious straight answer, it's no different in the uk now than in 94/95 when I passed, I have to slap myself when I hear someone asking for a Radio report going through D Star, echo link, Fusion etc, using a HOTSPOT and I'm questioning my own sanity, VOIP, all I can say is I hope some can make wire antennas without calculators when the cable goes down, someone laughed the other week on 80mts, when asked what radio I had, well its ancient, I've checked all the finals, changed a filter that went down, 24 hours of use it had from new and boxed up as my wife went into labour , Icom 706 MK2 G, and "it is old" but it's hilarious, when I see Cobras in the states untouched still doing the DX, wow,,,, but I know 5 great buddies who are class A operators who use CB SSB, it's license revocation if they get caught, but one said *I'd rather have that rumble in the tummy feeling than chat like a script on the local 6, 2 and 70cm freqs, I listen to stateside websdr, You still hear the Ham guys chat ham, but not 80% all ham chat, CB laid back is great to hear, I've yet to hear a female operator, from 1995 BTW that is, love the fact your a Realist, not Keep up with next door and buying radios that these guys are taking 12 months to learn how to set them to make a coffeee, I'll probably get millions of thumbs down, but I know who'd fix a Radio or at least know what's wrong,,,, and that's through CB, you start somewhere, and the % who don't admit they started via CB, , ready to throw their rigs outta the window through nightly 70s uk Busts, they must be related to Pinnochio.... Love ya vids Eric
Thank you for the series. Just picked up my Technician a week ago and currently studying for the General. Unless you have an “Elmer” you’re pretty much in the dark. Recently joined an area club, so hope to pick it up sooner rather than later.
C'mon Eric, if anyone should upgrade, you should! Don't make me puff my chest out even more! No seriously my favorite Elmer shouldn't have a lower license although not a deal breaker. Follow this channel religiously and am closely watching your amsat vids and saving for a tracking setup for my 9700. Waiting to see your tracking setup is killing me! Soon? KM6VAY
FYI... I volunteered (stayed 80 days) with IEEE MOVE and American Red Cross in Puerto Rico after hurricane Maria. AT&T (primary carrier in PR) and Verizon (not good service on a good day there) DO NOT WORK when all the cell towers are destroyed, or rendered unusable, e.g. no diesel fuel after generator runs out... Sooo... the hams were crucial.
AWESOME ERIC MY FRIEND, I'M STUDYING RIGHT KNOW TO GET MY FIRST LIC AND I AM FEEL GREAT TO ENTER IN THIS WHOLE NEW HOBBY. I'M PUMP UP TO BE ON THE AIR ALREADY AND LIKE YOU SAID, KEEP LEARNING AND EXPLORE THIS ENDLESS WORLD. 73 MY FRIEND, THIS IS ANIBAL
Thank you for this! I have 29 years in the Fire/Rescue field, obviously used many a GE & Motorola mobile and portable radios in my time, but as I'm looking into getting a Ham radio, I'm overwhelmed at where to start. So if some more exposition Ham operators don't know why you are doing this, it's for me and people like me. As for not using Ham operators during disasters, I can attest to the fact that there is a location in our EOC (Emergency Operation Center) specifically for our Ham operators.
I got my General Class the old fashion way-- learning CW! Still remember my code today even though I haven't touched a radio in 50 years. All about to change though! I'm back!!
That "highly educated" fella you spoke with is full of it. When we were hit by Katrina, cell service was worthless here in New Orleans and still worthless where we evacuated in Destin, FL. I wish I had been into amateur radio back then. I would have had a line out my garage as far as I could see wanting to get messages to relatives outside the strike zone.
@hamradioconcepts thankyou for this video. I love cb I may not ever go to ham but I am very interested in learning about it and one thing that has prevented me is the attitude I get when I ask questions. I appreciate your hospitality. Fluffy Bunny.
I got licensed a couple of years ago. I did buy the ARRL tech manual, but I found that RU-vid videos and an app called "Ham Test Prep" were better! I decided to sit for both tech and general the same day and had no problems. After the holidays I plan to seriously study for my Extra ticket. I did buy the ARRL Extra manual because the material is a bit harder. But I bought a used one for half the price. Check out the W4EEY channel here on RU-vid for their classes. They did a great job. Dave Cassler is also a great RU-vid source. KE8JQO
So the question pools expire, but the concepts remain the same. So if you're memorizing answers to questions, it matters more that the question pool expired. Not that things don't change, but MOST of it doesn't, much, I suspect. What I'm looking for is something that goes over the general concepts without directly addressing test questions. What do these terms mean? How does this work in general? Why these bands? I have a decent background in physics and a degree in atmospheric science ... and I have to understand things to remember them. THEN I'm better prepared to study question pools. Got something like that?
Erick - If anyone can save Ham Radio from its present demographic apocalypse it's you. We need more of your positive, educational and truly engaging videos to get young folks excited about this hobby.
Hi! I'm Brazilian so the test part of the book isn't really unnecessary for my, but the concepts and theory are very helpful, so I just bought for 5 bucks a used copy of the a Gondon's Technician Class 2010-2014 book.
Thanks for the video. But don't glance over the ARRL manuals so quickly. I'm studying for the technician license now. ARRL manuals are excellent. You do your viewers a disservice by not having actually checked out other books to see how they compare to Gordon's book. Thanks again for taking the time to inform us.
After you get your general class update take your time and learn how to use your radio and how to speek properly so others can understand what you are saying . Take the time to do some experiments and building your own antennas .
I've watched this and got to searching ARRL how to license, then which classes, then the radios. I used to be a big guy (literal and otherwise) on CB that went with driving truck for 11 years and I've always loved radio anyway. I'd not seriously considered testing for Ham until after this video of Eric's. Honestly, I was put off by the former CW/morse code requirements. Why? Not sure other than my arthritis makes it seem like it'd be hard for me. Anyway, GigaParts will have a new customer soon. I'm testing for Tech and Gen for $14 total mid May in Carlisle, PA. I'll give call sign when I get it, because I will pass. No pride, I will study and I will pass. I'm taking SKYWARN webinar early May too. I have to fill time with something fun and interesting, I'm medically disabled so no more work. I'm going ICOM with D-STAR as part of what I'll be trying. I like the ID-5100 mobile and ID-51A Plus2 HT style. Like I said, former truck driver, so it will be mobile based at first. Who knows where it ends up...ICOM IC 705? maybe...trust me there's a bit of method to my madness :) Eric/KJ4YZI and followers, 73s to each
What score must one obtain in order to get the Technician license? I took a sample test without studying and scored 65% on most sections and 85% on the electronics theory section. How much does the license cost? Where do I take the test? I am a disabled vet and retired on a fixed income. I simply cannot afford the book to study. Do they have one available for download or an online manual I could study? I want my 1st HAM radio ticket. I've been doing CB radio since the mid 70's through the 80's and have modified radios that go above channel 40 and below channel 1. I have also unlocked my clarifier to talk between frequencies. I also have a Davis freq counter (since I sold my Fluke) that I would run to stay just below the 10 meter HAM band. I used to hang out on the upper side of channel 60 and talked to more HAM radio operators than CB radio operators 'cause most CB'ers didn't have modified radios.
Hi Eric believe me I have a Radio Licence in my country, it is compared to your Country, the Extra advanced, but I used only ones this Radio, it was a one day contact, and I was discouraged with a lot of Cowboys on air, because i don't know were to start, i have just learned the Exams like a parrot, but I am willing to start talking on HF in 20/40 meter band so i have been quite a long time now listening only, and only ones in my life time spoke on air, always be scarred to talk since I was encourage, i have small transceiver 4 Watt with a 9:1 end fed Long wire antenna, and from the little island of Malta in middle of the Mediterranean sea, i have spoken to this two guys one from Australia, and an other one from New York, my problem is how do i get started, where can i start on which band were a newbie get started, thanks for your tips looking forward my best 73 from 9H5LA
I HAD THAT BOOK FROM RADIO SHACK, THE NOW YOUR TALKING, I DO REMEMBER ECKERD DRUG STORES ALSO,, MAN I WISH FOR RADIO SHACK TO COME BACK... I AM NOW WAITING FOR MY GENERAL CLASS BOOK COMING IN THE MAIL , SO THAT I CAN ENJOY MORE MY FT-991A,AND MY 7300..ON HF..... THIS IS N3NDX AND 73..
I've wanted to get 2M for years. Busy and crazy. Dad had full set and had the High Power Radar - e.g. Megawatt class. He was the prime designer on a massive Radar. My younger brother was Airborne Radar. I retired as a Sr. Scientist and Science Advisor to the President of a xxx company. Very high tech.
Honest question. Why would anyone want to be a ham radio operator? What do you really get out of it? where I live CB radio is no longer other than log truck drivers and hunters maby. I like the idea that I can get into my rv and go to the the top of Mount Rainier where there is no cellular signal and over ham I can get email. I guess my imagination isn't that broad enough to "Get it". But I want to.
Hi Erik I am buying BAOFENG BaoFeng BF-F8HP (UV-5R 3rd Gen) 8-Watt Dual Band Two-Way Radio (136-174MHz VHF & 400-520MHz UHF), my questions is, do I need a technician ham licensed to use it?. I am new in this and I do like very much this beginners Utube video. Will appreciated your answer.
I'm trying to find the book arrl technition handbook 4th addition but no luck finding it ..could you help me in the right direction to find a copy to study for the exam..Thanks
Highly educated people make those who are actually truly awake and here on this earth laugh. They are book smart but severely lack common sense and the ability to troubleshoot through life and realize and work through a actual common problem without over thinking it taking them far away from real factual solution. It's sometimes humorous listening to the trying to figure out an issue but on the other hand it's sad to think about their lacking ability to take the simple obvious path of thought. We need more people like ham radio concepts 👍the world would be a better place
Nice video, problem today is most millennials and kids growing up today don't even know what a cb is or an antenna, now they are growing up with their iPhone iPads laptops Xbox PlayStation and what ever, need more advertisement about radios today but doubt that will happen, I stopped at a little country store in Vermont and the girl who was probably in her twenties seen my antenna on my car and was like what is that thing for. She looked at me like I had ten heads when I tried to explain it to her lmao.
your chanel enspire me build a spark gap transmiter, not one help me, I use old welder machina . I learn to send c-q in mors codes and now, I transmit it every night just for fun.It works real good eksept for strong ozon smells in the room after while. The best thing is I can hear my mors cq codes in am/ FM radio no ekspensiv radio need, no.Makes real easy to learn mors codes. I go study my teknician laisense now
Hi Eric...I really enjoyed this video, Thank you!!! I have not been a Ham very long, but I do have a question. I have heard some folk say QSO Please? during a regular contact and not part of contesting? What is the best response for this?
Hello, thank you for your video. A few months ago California cut ties with Ham radio operators and told them that California no longer feels they are a necessary network. I would like to know the general consensus on this matter. I feel California has done a lot of stupid things but this is moronic in my mind. Thanks
I found you through looking up some 11meter stuff. Then remembered I have always been intrigued by HAM radio. I am going to start studying for exam. What is a good first radio?
I’m still just a few minutes into your video, but I needed to stop and come down here to write something. What that guys said about At&t or Verizon, etc, being the saviors when a hurricane comes, could not be more erratically wrong!!!! I live in Puerto Rico, when hurricane Maria hit in 2017, ALL cellphone communications went dead for days!! It was worthless!!! Something like Ham would have been a lot more reliable!
Hey Erick one question ❓ which of these radios would you recommend ( icon , Kenwood , yaesu , alicon , or it doesn't matter aslong as it is 2mm I'm studying for my license !! This is 0038 !!!????❓
I will be getting my Technician License soon in the near future. However, I see a lot of handhelds as prime choices for beginners. I was leaning more towards the ID-4100a. Something that I can keep for a longer term than a handheld. Any recommendations?
Eric, what antenna would be a good one for my FT-70DR/DE Hand held Ham radio? I understand the one that comes with it is not quite up to snuff. Thank you for any response.
