Operating instructions

2 Choosing a Ham Radio
what works best in your area. These helpful Elmers (ham radio mentors) may be willing
to loan or demonstrate a radio so you can experience different styles of operating before
making buying decisions. If the group is supporting a public-service activity, such as a
walkathon, parade, or race, volunteer to help so you can see how the radios are actually
used.
The “Choosing a Ham Radio” Web Site
It’s not possible to give you all the details in one publication, so a supporting Web page
has been created at www.arrl.org/choosingaradio. It is referenced on a Web page for
new hams www.arrl.org/newham that includes handy references to download and print,
supplements that will be updated, and links to a more complete glossary and other online
resources and books to help you learn even more.
NeW To ham Radio?
If you are new to ham radio with a background in other types of radio communica-
tions, you should read the supplement “Ham Ways – A Primer” available at
www.arrl.org/newham/HamWaysPrimer.pdf. It will explain some of the ways hams
communicate that may be unfamiliar. This will help you understand more about ham radio
features and why they are important to hams.
aRe you Ready?
Finally, savor the experience—you’ll never buy another “first” radio, so have fun! If
things don’t turn out exactly as you expect, you can easily sell or trade for different equip-
ment. Most hams try many radios and you probably will, too. So relax and prepare to enjoy
the ride! Once you’re finished, others can use this publication, too. Give it away or tell
them about this guide’s Web site where they can download and print their own copy!
coNTRibuToRs
The following Elmers contributed by reviewing this publication to make it as use-
ful as possible, their way of giving back to ham radio: Norm, K6YXH; Ken, WA3KD;
Dave, KA1HDG; Mike, N4FOZ; James, KG8DZ; Jason, KI6PCN; Barb, N6DNI; Pat-
rick, KI6PCS; Ken, WD9DPK; Mary, KI6TOS; Paula, KI6SAK; Jack, AD7NK; Katie,
W1KRB; Sharon, KE7HBZ; Matt, N8MS; Marty, N6VI; Diane, KE7PCS; Charles,
KE4SKY and Chris, KB7YOU.
WhaT do you WaNT To do?
Answering that question starts with the type of activities that interest you, such as emer-
gency communications (“emcomm”), casual conversation with friends or club members,
or communicating using digital data. You’ll need to then
consider the range over which you expect to make contacts
and the type of station you expect to use.
Where Are The Hams You Want To Contact?
Considering how radio waves of different frequencies
propagate (travel) helps answer the question of what bands
your radio will need. Different bands support different
ranges of contacts as shown in Table 1. Evaluate the ac-
tivities in which you want to participate to see where you
will need to make contacts. (Glossaries in the Ham Radio
License Manual or on-line at www.arrl.org explain these
and many other terms.)
Table1
BandsandTypicalDistances
Range Bands
Nearby VHF/UHF
Regional VHF/UHF (via repeaters)
and HF (direct contact)
Country-wide HF
World-wide HF (direct contact),
VHF/UHF (Internet links)