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Ham Radio for the New Ham: What to Do the Minute You Get Your Amateur Radio License
This is the amateur radio book you want on the very day you get your new ham radio license. (Of course, you can use it after that, too.) You’ve studied. You’ve passed the test. You’ve received your call sign. But what do you do next? This book will provide the answer. It contains the things they don’t tell you when you’re studying for your license, but that you need to know as soon as you’ve got it. It includes 34 easy projects to help you grow your identity as a Ham, buy and set up your first radio, overcome the obstacles to getting on the air, and become part of the amateur radio community around you. With this book you’ll avoid some of the mistakes beginners often make. You’ll never have to flail around, wondering what to do or how to do it. When you complete these projects you’ll not only have your amateur radio “ticket,” you’ll know how to use it. Written by Amateur Extra class ham radio operator, Stan W. Merrill, call sign AI7E, it picks out the key things you’ll use daily from among the many you had to study to get your license. It guides you through the experiences you need in order to operate your radio as a new Ham in the United States.
164 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 27, 2019
367 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 19, 2021
This book has a really good list of "projects" to get started in Ham radio.
I wish it was the first book I purchased but it wasn't so I actually had already did some of the things he's talking about.
I will say if you are really into jumping right in some of the "projects" may seem silly. A good example is where he says to memorize your call sign, or go join a net, or make a radio contact.
That said, I had a QSO with a ham who spent months without doing any of these. Some folks seem to get paralyzed in taking the first step, and it's a good reminder to get out there!
Lots of good information in here anyways. The book has steps for the BaoFeng which is affordable but not easy to use. That alone is worth the price of admission.
(P.s. for anyone knocking Baofeng, I drank the kool aid and spent close to $300 for a Icom V86 with custom antenna etc and Baofeng hands down has more features for a newbie. Now we need to qualify that because the features the Icom has that a Baofeng doesn't are BIG. For instance, it's waterproof and you can go drop it in a lake and it's fine. But if you are looking for your first radio, and just screwing around, it's good to figure out what you're interested in!)
I wish it was the first book I purchased but it wasn't so I actually had already did some of the things he's talking about.
I will say if you are really into jumping right in some of the "projects" may seem silly. A good example is where he says to memorize your call sign, or go join a net, or make a radio contact.
That said, I had a QSO with a ham who spent months without doing any of these. Some folks seem to get paralyzed in taking the first step, and it's a good reminder to get out there!
Lots of good information in here anyways. The book has steps for the BaoFeng which is affordable but not easy to use. That alone is worth the price of admission.
(P.s. for anyone knocking Baofeng, I drank the kool aid and spent close to $300 for a Icom V86 with custom antenna etc and Baofeng hands down has more features for a newbie. Now we need to qualify that because the features the Icom has that a Baofeng doesn't are BIG. For instance, it's waterproof and you can go drop it in a lake and it's fine. But if you are looking for your first radio, and just screwing around, it's good to figure out what you're interested in!)
October 9, 2020
Excellent book!
I’ve passed both Tech and General and quite frankly, I froze on what do next. Due to COVID, clubs were not available to join so this book was my only option. I wasn’t expecting much but boy, was I wrong. It gives you great ideas on what to do and how to handle things. This book provides sites to check out, examples on equipment, what to say (which was a great reminder), etc. I highly recommend this book.
I’ve passed both Tech and General and quite frankly, I froze on what do next. Due to COVID, clubs were not available to join so this book was my only option. I wasn’t expecting much but boy, was I wrong. It gives you great ideas on what to do and how to handle things. This book provides sites to check out, examples on equipment, what to say (which was a great reminder), etc. I highly recommend this book.
November 27, 2019
A good first step into ham radio
A series of activities are presented to familiarize the new hams with their radios. Exercises. Well thought out and useful for someone just getting started.. I would have preferred the first radio to have been a fix type accepted radio such as. Wouxon uv 3. It is for type accepted and only a few dollars more.
A series of activities are presented to familiarize the new hams with their radios. Exercises. Well thought out and useful for someone just getting started.. I would have preferred the first radio to have been a fix type accepted radio such as. Wouxon uv 3. It is for type accepted and only a few dollars more.
March 21, 2020
Excellent primer for new ham operators
I've had my ham license for a couple years but only recently decided to use it. I'm glad I got this because there's much more to using than what you learn for the exam.
I've had my ham license for a couple years but only recently decided to use it. I'm glad I got this because there's much more to using than what you learn for the exam.
May 23, 2021
Awesome Read !
Awesome teaching technique. I had no problem following the projects and really loved and appreciated the way each project built on each other. Tons of great reference materials
Awesome teaching technique. I had no problem following the projects and really loved and appreciated the way each project built on each other. Tons of great reference materials
October 23, 2024
A good one
Some books about radio aren't good. This one is very good, even tho it sort of doesn't seem that way at first. If you're interested in amateur radio, read this one. I liked it.
Some books about radio aren't good. This one is very good, even tho it sort of doesn't seem that way at first. If you're interested in amateur radio, read this one. I liked it.
July 27, 2020
Good but short. Perhaps the author could have included more details.
October 7, 2021
A good intro
A very good read for absolute beginners. If you start with a UV-5R, the text walks you through the basics and menus of getting started in amateur radio.
A very good read for absolute beginners. If you start with a UV-5R, the text walks you through the basics and menus of getting started in amateur radio.
April 23, 2023
Very good first Ham book. It filled in a lot of the gaps for me and gave me a direction to expand my new skills.
May 20, 2023
Easy to read, concise and very informative
As a new HAM, I struggled about how to start enjoying my new hobby. This little book was my savior.
As a new HAM, I struggled about how to start enjoying my new hobby. This little book was my savior.
June 8, 2023
Decent suggestions for post ham license.
Read
August 20, 2023The real how to on ham radio
I enjoyed the step by step on each project. Great info on using the ham radio. Good advice on getting started.
I enjoyed the step by step on each project. Great info on using the ham radio. Good advice on getting started.
December 13, 2023
Excellent read!
December 19, 2021
Very nice read for a new ham, thank you
As the description says, this book provides basic, but practical information for new hams. Practical knowledge and examples to get you started. The “cookie sheet” tip alone was worth the read.
As the description says, this book provides basic, but practical information for new hams. Practical knowledge and examples to get you started. The “cookie sheet” tip alone was worth the read.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews