Start here · Essential guide
Ham Radio Beginner's Guide: Getting Started in the Hobby
A plain-English beginner's guide to ham radio: what it is, how licensing works, picking a first radio, learning to operate, and finding help along the way.
Getting Started
5 guides, starting with Ham Radio Beginner’s Guide: Getting Started in the Hobby.
Start here · Essential guide
A plain-English beginner's guide to ham radio: what it is, how licensing works, picking a first radio, learning to operate, and finding help along the way.
Ham radio signals can be located while you transmit, and your call sign is public. Learn how direction finding works and what privacy you can realistically expect.
Legitimate ways to reduce ham radio interference at home: ferrites, filters, wiring checks, working with your neighbor, and why jamming signals is not an option.
An Elmer is an experienced ham who mentors newcomers. Learn what Elmers help with, where to find one, and how to get the most from the relationship.
There is no single most popular ham band. Compare 2 meters, 70 cm, 20 meters, 40 meters and others to see which suits a new operator's goals.
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