Getting Started in Amateur Radio
New to ham radio? Here's a deep dive into how to get started, what gear you'll need, and what it's all about—from the first transmission to long-distance contacts around the world.
What is Ham Radio?
Amateur radio, or "ham radio," is a hobby that lets you use designated radio frequencies to communicate locally and globally. Whether you're chatting with friends on a local repeater, working DX stations on HF, or experimenting with antennas and digital modes, ham radio is a technical, creative, and social hobby.
HF vs. VHF/UHF: What's the Difference?
HF (High Frequency) ranges from 3 to 30 MHz and is where long-distance (DX) communication happens. You'll talk to people across the country or across the world. Bands like 20m, 40m, and 80m are staples of this part of the spectrum.
VHF (Very High Frequency) and UHF (Ultra High Frequency) cover 30 to 300 MHz and 300 to 3000 MHz respectively. These are typically used for local communication—talking across your town, county, or region. Most new hams start here using a 2m or 70cm handheld or mobile radio and local repeaters.
Popular Ham Bands
- 80m (3.5-4.0 MHz): Good for nighttime regional communications
- 40m (7.0-7.3 MHz): Reliable day and night, good for continental contacts
- 20m (14.0-14.35 MHz): The workhorse DX band, good throughout the day
- 2m (144-148 MHz): Most popular VHF band for local communication
- 70cm (420-450 MHz): Popular UHF band for local repeater use
Propagation Basics
Radio signals behave differently depending on frequency, time of day, season, and solar conditions. HF bands use the ionosphere to bounce signals around the globe, while VHF/UHF is mostly limited to line-of-sight communication with the help of repeaters.
Your Most Important Investment
Good antennas make all the difference. For VHF/UHF, a basic quarter-wave vertical antenna is a great start—many handhelds come with a rubber ducky antenna, but upgrading to a mag-mount for your car or a roof-mounted antenna can vastly improve range.
For HF, wire antennas like dipoles or end-fed half-waves are popular and relatively easy to install. A basic 40m dipole will get you on the air with decent performance across several bands with a tuner.
Remember: the antenna is more important than the radio. Spend your budget accordingly.
Antenna Types for Beginners
- Dipole: Simple wire antenna with two equal legs, cut to specific frequency
- End-Fed Half Wave (EFHW): Wire antenna fed from one end, good multi-band performance
- Quarter-Wave Vertical: Simple vertical antenna, good for VHF/UHF mobile use
- J-Pole: Popular VHF/UHF antenna that's easy to build yourself
- Mag Mount: Easy car-mounted antenna using magnetic base
Antenna Considerations
Height matters more than power. Getting an antenna up higher almost always improves performance more than increasing transmitter power. For HF, aim for at least 30 feet if possible. Keep antennas away from metal objects and electrical wiring that can detune them or create interference.
Starter Gear
- Handheld Radio (HT): Baofeng UV-5R, Yaesu FT-65, or Anytone AT-D878 for VHF/UHF basics.
- Mobile/Base Radio: Yaesu FT-891 or Icom IC-7100 for HF+VHF/UHF capability.
- Antenna: Diamond X50, a homebrew dipole, or a mobile whip depending on your setup.
- Tuner: If you're running HF and a non-resonant antenna, a tuner like the LDG Z-100 or MFJ-945E is crucial.
Radio Types
Handheld Transceivers (HTs): Portable, battery-powered radios primarily for VHF/UHF operation. Great for beginners and emergency preparedness.
Mobile Radios: Higher power units designed for vehicle mounting. Can be used as base stations with power supply.
Base Stations: Full-featured radios designed for home use. Often include multiple bands and modes.
QRP Rigs: Low-power transceivers (typically 5 watts or less) popular for portable operation and challenging yourself.
Essential Accessories
- Power Supply: For home use of mobile or base stations (12-14V DC)
- Coaxial Cable: RG-8X for most applications, LMR-400 for longer runs
- Adapters: Various connectors like BNC, PL-259, SMA for different equipment
- External Speaker or Headphones: For clearer reception
Tools of the Trade
NanoVNA: A compact, affordable antenna analyzer that lets you visualize SWR, impedance, and more across a wide frequency range. Great for tuning antennas and learning how they behave in the real world.
Coax Cable and Connectors: Start with decent-quality RG-8X or LMR-240 for short runs. Learn to solder PL-259 connectors or use crimped options with good strain relief.
Power Supply: A 12V regulated supply (20A or more for HF) is needed for most base radios. Look for ones from Astron, Samlex, or MFJ.
Test Equipment
- SWR Meter: Measures standing wave ratio, important for antenna performance
- Multimeter: For measuring voltage, resistance, and continuity
- Dummy Load: For testing transmitters without radiating a signal
- Field Strength Meter: Helpful for antenna pattern testing
Software Tools
Modern ham radio often incorporates software for digital modes, logging, and more:
- WSJT-X: For FT8, FT4, and other weak signal digital modes
- Fldigi: Multi-mode digital software
- Ham Radio Deluxe: Comprehensive logging and radio control
- MMSSTV: For slow-scan television
- APRS Software: For position reporting and messaging
Getting On the Air
Once you're licensed and have your gear set up, start with local repeaters. Check in to weekly nets—like ours, every Monday at 7:30 PM. Then try simplex on 146.520 MHz to talk direct, no repeater.
With HF, listen before you transmit. Try calling CQ on 20m or respond to someone else. Use online tools like PSK Reporter or Reverse Beacon Network to see how far your signal travels.
Operating Modes
- Phone (Voice): FM on VHF/UHF, SSB on HF
- CW (Morse Code): Traditional but still very effective
- Digital Modes: FT8, FT4, PSK31, RTTY, etc.
- SSTV: Slow Scan Television for sending images
- Satellite: Communication via amateur radio satellites
Ham Radio Activities
Beyond basic communication, hams enjoy many specialized activities:
- Contesting: Competitive events focused on making many contacts
- DXing: Making contacts with distant stations
- SOTA/POTA: Summits/Parks On The Air portable operation
- EmComm: Emergency communications preparation and service
- Foxhunting: Radio direction finding competitions
- QRP Operation: Low-power operating challenges
Keep Learning
Ready to Transmit?
Getting started in amateur radio opens the door to a lifelong hobby of experimentation, communication, and learning. Reach out to our club—we're here to help!
Contact UsFrequently Asked Questions
1. What's the difference between VHF and HF?
VHF (Very High Frequency) is great for local communication—think talking across your town or region with repeaters. HF (High Frequency) is where long-distance (DX) communication happens, letting you talk across the country or the world, depending on band conditions and antenna setup.
2. How far can I talk with a ham radio?
It depends on the band, your antenna, and propagation. With VHF, 20-50 km is typical via line of sight or repeater use. With HF, hundreds to thousands of kilometers are common—even global communication is possible with good conditions and modest gear.
3. Do I need the internet or cell service to use ham radio?
Nope! That's one of the biggest benefits. Ham radio is independent of the internet, phone networks, and commercial infrastructure. That's why it's often used in emergencies.
4. Can I use ham radio for emergencies?
Yes—and many hams do. Ham radio is a vital part of emergency communication networks. You can pass traffic, coordinate response, or just check in on others when the grid goes down.
5. What kind of radio should I start with?
Most new hams start with a simple handheld VHF/UHF radio (like the Baofeng UV-5R or Yaesu FT-65). They're inexpensive, great for learning, and perfect for talking on local repeaters. Later, you might graduate to an HF radio for long-range contacts.
6. Do I need a license to transmit?
Yes. In Canada, the Basic Amateur Certificate is the entry-level license. It lets you transmit on most VHF/UHF bands and many HF bands if you score above 80%. You can listen to any frequency without a license—receiving is always legal.
7. What kind of antenna do I need?
That depends on what you want to do. For VHF/UHF, a simple vertical antenna on your car, roof, or even a magnetic mount on a metal surface works great. For HF, wire antennas like dipoles or end-fed half-waves are cheap, effective, and easy to build.
8. What's the deal with all the weird letters (like FT8, SSB, APRS)?
Those are modes. FT8 is a digital weak-signal mode, SSB is voice on HF, and APRS is used for sending position and text data over radio. Each mode has its own use case, tools, and community of operators.
9. What's the NanoVNA and why do people keep talking about it?
The NanoVNA is a compact, affordable tool used to analyze antennas. It helps you check the SWR (how well your antenna matches your radio) and tune antennas for the best performance. It's a game-changer for new hams building or adjusting antennas.
10. How do hams normally use their radios day-to-day?
Some chat on local repeaters during commutes. Others do long-range DX hunting on HF. Many get into digital modes, emergency communications, public service events, satellite contacts, or just experimenting with antennas and circuits.