If you are a newly qualified or prospective Ham / Amateur Radio operator then having those first few spoken QSO’s may seem daunting. However, there is a way you can give yourself a structure to use and gain confidence!
Good video Tim, simple but very useful to newbies or those returning after a long break from the hobby. when I started on HF I listened to a few QSO's and then put together a QSO reference guide for myself, just a simple list of conversation bullet points and then printed it on A5 paper, sounds daft but when your new at calling CQ and you suddenly get a bite (reply to your CQ) a lot can suddenly happen in a short space of time, noting down the callsign and name and sometime their location all at once in your log while listening with QRM & QSB isn't easy.. your mind can go a bit blank and things can end up in a muddle. Eventually when your more relaxed and can multitask a bit, if you Have access to the PC a quick look on the operators QRZ.COM page can give some useful conversation pointers if your up for a rag chew, what we don't need is grumpy people jumping in pointing out every little mistake a newbie might make and scaring them off the bands, we all eventually grow thicker skins on the radio as that's the nature of the hobby but in the early stages building confidence is key.. Monologue over.. Enjoy your weekend Tim 73.👍🏻👍🏻
Awesome video on a tough subject Tim, we've all been there when we started out and putting people at ease and being relaxed on air takes a little time. The trick is to remember nobodys going to shoot you if you get a little tongue tied or fluff it a bit! just go for it and don't be self conscious, the person on the other end will know exactly what it feels like as they too where once new to the hobby and just as nervous as you are now! (Call CQ because on radio no one can hear you listening!) after that it gets easier every QSO and the friends you make are priceless! 73, Tom.
Cheers Tom! You make some very salient points. It’s like most things .. the more you do it the easier it gets. 99.9% of ops fully recognise how it felt at the start and it’s good for us to lend our support.
Another killer video Tim. There is a real art to a good QSO. I always aim to make the length of the first contact long enough that both ops feel happy with the exchange. Leaving the opportunity for more information exchange next time.
Thanks Tim G5TM Im new to Amateur Radio but have been around radio and used them my entire career... I can see how folks could have a problem but the way to break the Ice is to get on the Radio ! I just have a Technician License for now and have been on 10 Meter recently and it has been Fast and Furious with QSO,,,QSL's... Folks need to get out and as long as you stay within the Legal and ARRL Band Plan just Go for it..Make a mistake take the slap on the hand and Fixed Bayonets Forward... Like your channel Thanks
Nicely done. I just got my call sign on Monday and made one contact on UHF this week. I also did some testing with my Elmer/mentor this evening with my handheld and an external mic. I appreciate your video. It is a very helpful followup to your CQ one.
Nice one Tim, A mate & I spent a good half hour tonight chatting with an M6 Break station who said he was usually just an SWL as he was quite mic shy. We both said to drop in for a chat whenever he hears our sked. Afterall, the bands would be a lonely place if everyone just listened.
It is worth noting that in CW, to qualify as a QSO, three things need to be exchanged at minimum: RST, QTH and Name. I would suggest the same format for voice operators too.
Another useful video Tim. It’s good that there are so many new Foundation call sign on our bands increasing activity. I notice a very useful couple of weapons in your armoury that any Amateur should have, a pen & paper 👍 73 Chris M0RSF
I'm getting the feeling that I am a lot more deaf than I thought I was with tinnitus ! 5 and 9, from the QSO, at best I could make out only about 15% of the received audio! Perhaps amateur radio is not really for me.
To be fair in future I aim to pipe in audio much better to the camera so do not be too hard on yourself. Thank you for commenting and stay in the hobby 👍 73
