So… Thinking About Getting Into Amateur Radio?
You are definitely in the right place! Your first move should be finding a group of people already actively involved in
amateur radio, otherwise known as “hams”. This will be your best resource for help in planning, learning about
equipment, getting involved in activities and just general all-around encouragement. You are going to need plenty of
that! Like any hobby, amateur radio can be challenging, especially if you have no prior radio experience. Don’t let this
stop you though. Assistance is out there! The Walker County Amateur Radio Group is full of individuals ready to lend a
hand and answer questions. We generally meet at Denny’s in Huntsville at 9 am on Saturdays for breakfast and just to
visit. This is a great opportunity to introduce yourself, explain your interest and make contacts. Coming to the monthly
meeting at the Walker County Storm Shelter in Huntsville at 9 am on the 2nd Saturday of each month except December
is another time when the WCARG hams come together. At the end of each meeting there is usually an informative and
entertaining short program on a different topic every month. You can join the club at the meeting if you wish.
So, the next step, now that you are excited and ready to become a ham yourself, is to start studying for your first
exam. In order to practice amateur radio, you need a license. You get your license by passing an exam. There are three
license classes and the first is Technician, followed by General and Amateur Extra. You can find many resources for
studying, both online and in print. Ham Radio Prep is a reliable online study aid, and the ARRL.org website offers help as
well. Go to Amazon or another retail website and you can find printed books by searching for amateur radio technician
exam. Study and do practice exams until you get at least 80% correct 100% of the time for best results. WCARG offers a
Ham Cram several times a year for people who have studied and are ready to test. This is a review of every possible
question followed immediately by the exam, which is given online.
Contact Scott Ball testing@wcarg.org to inquire about availability.
You can also search for a test session online at https://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radiolicense-exam-session
Okay, now you have met hams, passed your test and have a license. The next step is buying your radio! Most people
start out with a handheld unit, or HT. You can get a pair of Tidradio 10 watt units for about $70 on Amazon and this is a
great way to begin. You will be able to talk to people locally in most cases fairly easily. You can bring your radio to a club
meeting to get assistance with setting it up and learning to make contacts. Next, you will want to purchase an upgraded
antenna to help send and receive more efficiently. The Diamond X50A is perfect for this. You will connect it to your HT
with a run of coax and appropriate connectors and this is another thing you can talk to hams in the club about.
Opinions on things like coax and radio brands vary widely from person to person. Now, play around and get on the air!
When you upgrade your license, you expand your band privileges and thus your range and opportunities for contacts.
You will learn all about that as you study for your first license test. Now you are in for a lifetime of fun and learning as
you grow your base and mobile capabilities and add to your skills. You can explore other facets of radio such as digital
and using your computer in conjunction with your radio, to mention just a couple. You will buy more powerful radios,
along with tuners, amplifiers and much more. It is a hobby you will enjoy and will provide many hours of entertainment
and lifelong learning.