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Amateur radio beginner and general articles   1. What people do with amateur radio   2. Getting involved Amateur radio is a non-commercial technological activity enjoyed by people in their spare time. It has many diverse facets, as shown in the video. Activity in most countries is supported by a national organisation and a network of regional and interest-based clubs. Most facets require access to radio frequencies that governments worldwide have allocated for amateur use. In return amateur applicants must pass a test, obtain a government-recognised callsign, and (in some countries) pay a small annual licence fee. These arrangements exist so that amateurs are qualified enough not to cause interference to other radio users such as broadcasting, emergency services and defence. If you like what you saw and wish to get involved there are many sources of further information. Your national society's website is a good starting point. This will have information and links to activities, rules, radio clubs and getting licenced. Our activities are much the same worldwide but rules and processes differ slightly between countries so it's important to read nationally-relevant material, eg the following: American Radio Relay League Deutschen Amateur-Radio-Club Japan Amateur Radio League New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters Organisation Amatir Radio Indonesia Radio Amateurs Canada Reseau des Emetteurs Francais Radio Society of Great Britain South Africa Radio League Wireless Institute of Australia   In the US? You really need the comprehensive Ham Radio Get Started (ebook or paperback). In Australia? The Australian Ham Radio Handbook is the book for you. Paperback available from Jaycar. Less comprehensive than the book but worth watching is this video guide on getting licensed in Australia.   3. Equipment Please see Equipment and equipment reviews Also avoid online rip-offs with some tips below.   4. Operating Foundation guide to frequencies and getting contacts First contacts (for the Foundation licence in Australia) An HF primer - Part 1 An HF primer - Part 2 A VHF/UHF primer Voice repeater basics Why VHF/UHF SSB? Receive and transmit through amateur satellites HF portable the simple way Be the one everyone wants to contact The importance of finding low noise locations to operate from Introduction to HF QRP pedestrian mobile I don't have time to go portable Experiences on 630 metres Transmitting on 160 metres Ten metres for the newcomer Making contacts with Morse The joys of AM transmitting Making the most of Sunspot Cycle 24 (and 25, 26, 27 etc) Radio contesting Amateur radio direction finding Swap pictures with slow scan television (SSTV) Track your movement with APRS Keyboard chat with JS8 Exploring WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) Meteor scatter with MSK144 Ham Babble - making sense of what's said on the bands   5. Technical Homebrewing for the novice Amateur radio projects Amateur radio antenna projects The four pieces of radio test equipment you really need Amateur radio's 'hidden curriculum' Radio hints and tips Exploring rechargeable batteries   6. External resources Australian amateur radio FAQ Amateur Radio: A 21st century hobby (video) Foundations of Amateur Radio (podcast) Radio & Electronics School (helps you study) Australian Maritime College (administers amateur exams & callsigns) Australian Communications & Media Authority (the spectrum regulator) Wireless Institute of Australia (national representative association)

Books by VK3YE Ham Radio Get Started (USA) Australian Ham Radio Handbook (Aust) Hand-carried QRP Antennas More Hand-carried QRP Antennas 99 things you can do with Amateur Radio Getting back into Amateur Radio Minimum QRP Illustrated International Ham Radio Dictionary Make your Passion Pay (ebook writing)   All material on this site (c) Peter Parker VK3YE 1997 - 2024. Material may not be reproduced without permission. Read privacy policy.