Thanks Brooke! I appreciate your comment and thanks for watching. Please feel free to subscribe to my TH-cam channel if you want to see more of my videos. 73s ps I did work a YL on the YOTA station in Russia! Great fun!
No.6 Competitiveness. Newly licensed with only a Baofeng I made a QSO in Sydney over Echolink using my PC. I was really stoked and promptly shared my success on social media. I was totally unprepared for the backlash. I'll not repeat what was said but the comments were not particularly encouraging to a newcomer and centred around it "not being radio". With one particular individual saying that digital was killing the hobby. Ridiculous! It simply opens up new technologies to those who wish to pursue that particular avenue of this vast hobby. It takes nothing away, simply adds value. Especially if you don't yet have the resources (or room) to enable viable HF comms just yet.
Ben, Thanks for putting yourself out there, and taking the time to share your experiences. I've been interested in HAM since the 1980s, but never progressed. I took your advice and "book NOW" - so i did on Christmas eve 2021. On the 8Jan i sat my Foundation, this evening I sat my Intermediate, and in 10 days time I'm sitting my Full. I wouldn't have started this journey, so have inspired me.. Thanks again, Rob
Great video Ben, my advice to anyone new in the hobby is never stop learning or being prepared to learn. I’m close to 40 years in the hobby (yes I started young!) and I’m still enjoying finding out about new elements of the hobby such as digital modes, FT8 etc. and I’m picking up new stuff from informative videos such as yours.
What would I add? 1. Don’t worry too much about your SWR. If it is below 2.0 you can use the antenna, if you are below 1.3 there is little to be gained by chasing it lower. 2. If you aren’t having QSOs on a foundation licence, then don’t assume that it is because they don’t want to talk to you or can’t hear you, particularly in a pile up. Technique - knowing when to respond to a CQ call is probably just as important if not more so than power. Listen to those answering to get an idea of when to time your call.
1 - so true! For about 30 years, I obsessed over a perfect match. Now with lots of instant Rbn, wspr, ft8 feedback for help I realise 1.3 or so is perfectly good enough. The biggest loss from poor matching is from the final stage of your tx folding back 🙄. Of course, it does nothing for your feed line...
Great video, sharp and too the point, inspiring and enthusiastic. Start my on line foundation course tomorrow. Hope to get my license soon. Thank you for making the clip.
Great video! The only thing I wish I'd know beforehand was that when I started, I was not welcomed very well, as a foundation licence holder. Not many interested in communicating with me, due to 'only having my foundation licence' as one gentleman told me. Gave up after a couple of months and sold my equipment
Great video Ben. Totally agree with point 1. I followed Essex Ham to get my foundation and after about 3 weeks I decided to book the exam and then found I had a 7 week wait! Anyway, patience is a virtue as they say and i got it in the end! M7SDO.
Thankyou Ben for the great video and super topic. Number 5 is so true and something that can take a long time to realise. I operate portable a lot here in the Peak District and often find that downsizing the stuff I take can lead to the most enjoyable sessions rather than having a ‘fear of missing out’ and taking the kitchen sink. Hope you catch you on the air. 2m FM ragchewing is a particular favourite.
Thanks for the feedback and encouragement and for watching the video. Please feel free to subscribe to my TH-cam channel if you want to see more of my videos.73s
Lincolnshire Lass in France, have my exam booked for March and am halfway through Essex Hams excellent training. Thank you for your 'encouragement' I'm subscribed and I'll be watching all your videos from now on!
It does not have to be unfriendly, despite of competition. E.g. I am member of LA-DX-Group and we do encourage and help the others, and pat them on the back when they succeed. If you do not enjoy the online community comments, then leave them and find something less toxic. One of the great things about this hobby is the number of hams with expertise and willingness to share it both locally and online. Your advice about using the local repeater is great. Join the community and your local club. I was offered to borrow a HF rig and a handheld when I was a student and new ham. It sure was a great start for me. Now that I am an oldtimer, I have more than enough gear to lend or give to newcomers nearby if they need.
Thank you Ben for your videos and considered views. I appreciate the encouraging nature of your posts. I am taking my foundation in November and as you suggested rather than procrastinate, I took your advice and just booked it! Thanks.
Well done my friend here in the states its the same. Also you're correct about pick and learn a couple of skills don't try it all at once. Enjoy the journey learn the skills that interest you and become proficient at those skills. 73's Michael (KI5MNA)
Great information, yes it's a lot like fishing this radio hobby, patience is key. Great advice ref coax too, It IS an investment to any station. Something I wish I knew before starting out too. I would say as an addition is don't rush into buying your first radio, Take your time, Set a budget, look at what's available, download manuals, youtube the hell out of EVERYTHING reviews, operating, common faults or bugs etc. And yes, build what you can. Building RF transformers, UNUNs BALUNs etc are a great way to save money, as well as using wire antennas, There are some EXCELLENT kits available too. I use an EFHW with a homemade 49:1 transformer and that gets me round the world on quite low power too. One lifetime isn't enough to explore the whole hobby. So take it in bite sized chunks. 73 de G0USL
The internet is a great source of information... only some of which is correct or useful 🤣. This may sound a little dull, but I recommend investing in the odd book or two, especially on subjects like antennas where the theory doesn’t change. Nothing new here - but a book to read at your leisure usually walks you through good, reliable theory and best practice.
I’ve a few antenna books by Peter Dodd, G3LDO and find those great as background reading. Steve Nichols G0KYA’s book ‘stealth antennas’ also v useful. Somehow, I can never splash the £££ on the ARRL antenna handbook though 😬 I wish I’d enjoyed reading text books when I was a kid at school 🤣
Really nice video Ben, thanks! Foundation test booked for 14/12 so both excited and nervous about what comes when I can actually try my first QSO (well, hopefully!)
Nice advice, well put! Even with 10W and now 50 W, my learning point is that power is much less important than you might think. We even learn it in the exams. Like going from 10W to 50W is like 7dB , not much more than an point. So antenna is 🔑 !! Mark, 2E0MSR.
As a G8 I built a h/b xtal valve tx and super regen rx. I used 75 Ω t.v. coax to an indoor dipole, then still a budget station, an a.m. Pye Cambridge tx section only, a Command rx with converter for 2m, dipole and later a h/b 5 el Yagi. I now use RG58 on all my aerials, short lengths so about 0.6 dB loss, nothing wrong with that. Encourage others. On 10m I had four U.S.A. novice stations call me at 5 w.p.m., painfully slow for me but good for them. I avoid contests, usually switching off. I did take part in a 4m one once because the band needs support but I'd very often go out portable with my modified Pye Bantam and telescopic whip and work back to two locals at a pre-arranged time in the 1980's. Was I doing SOTA before SOTA was thought of? QRP 1 Watt c.w. on 10m to Sicily and Bulgaria a few weeks ago with 5.5/9.9. QSB report for me. How much further was my signal going? I've always loved building or modifying stuff. G4GHB.
Fantastic content on all of your videos Ben! I learnt very quickly to replace all of my RG58 total loss coax with Ultra flex or RG213 and 100% true on local repeaters. The day I got licenced, I joined in on our twice weekly 'Stay Safe net' on GB3YL which usually has 20+ other amateurs and have even volunteered and run the net on a couple of evenings. Keep up the great work. Hopefully catch you on the air sometime. Best 73, Ben de M7FRS
Hey, thanks for watching Ben, and for your encouraging comments. I very much hope to work you one day. If you enjoyed my video, and haven't already, please feel free to subscribe to my TH-cam channel if you want to see more of my videos. 73s
My advice after 18 months as an M7 is don't feel pressured to move to a 2E0. As an M7 you can talk to the world on DV modes either through a local repeater or hotspot or learn CW as I am and do the same with 10w on HF (some full licenced old timers work nothing but CW). Then there is FT8 and other digi modes which often prove more popular and successful than voice. Also when the bands improve soon, work HF on phone frequencies and be surprised how far your signal travels. Dive into antenna design. Build your own endfeds etc and experiment. There is so much M7s can do I really take a disliking to those who just expect we move up. My only tip is consider what you want from the hobby and you may find, along with many, that M7 is all if not more than you need. My second tip is, if you really want to upgrade, forget the 2E0 and study for the Irish exam. The UK Intermediate is spitting distance from a full CEPT Irish licence. Take a holiday to Dublin, sit the exam (yes you are allowed) and flip it to an M0 when you return home.
GB3SA is lovely , just a shame it's just out of reach for me unless there's a lift on... ( but LM/LS/LC/GR/FJ are easy game for me ) - although apparently i can open it before i can hear it due to it's ERP vs my ERP on 70cms RG213 is baseline for 2 m and 70cm - and as you say ultraflex is great height is might ! my home QTH has some decent elevation gets me across the Trent valley into the peaks ( and into GB3AB and even GB3HH) - but decent coax and a x-300 helps as well might even be worth a punt on Simplex -
Thanks so much for your comments here. We worked on SA when you were /m back in the summer. You are one of the two women I mentioned in the video. If you can get into SA, I'm confident you could work me, perhaps we should try 2m? Thanks for watching. 73s
I really enjoyed watching your video, so positive and full of enthusiasm as you are! Rev George Dobbs G3RJV(sk) of GQRP/SPRAT fame was quite an inspiration to me, and I really enjoyed seeing him at Dayton Hamvention when he came here. QRP has made all the difference in how I approach the hobby and fits well with a minimalist lifestyle. Yes, all that glitters is not Gold, and the glossy adverts on the radio mags are not helpful for a newcomer or potential newcomer who may view them and dismiss Amateur radio out of hand as too expensive. I hope to work you on the air and that you may travel here someday, Dayton Hamvention is just a few weeks away. All the Best! 73 DE W8LV BILL
Hi Ben. You have made some very good points there. Lots of people get their licence and try and cover every aspect of the hobby in a week! I wonder if you can access GB3GR from your QTH? There not a bad bunch on GR!
@@RadioRevG5REV Yes, the Wednesday night net run by some chap using the call M0SDM. You would be more than welcome to join in. I look forward to hearing you.
Thanks for watching. I can get into PI. It seems to be connected to the internet, so I understand it can be used to get a little further through the web... feel free to subscribe to the channel if you would like to. 73s
@@RadioRevG5REV PE and PI are normally interlinked as i understand it so unless people have decoupled them or put one of them onto another node they effectively work as one repeater on two sites
You mentioned 1:38 to listen to the repeater before you have your licence but then say they can get to know you. I’m assuming you can’t transmit on the local repeater before you get your licence or am I wrong? I’m very new with my first radio in the post so want to make sure I do nothing wrong.
love the sound of you as a partially sighted M3 now living in Paris who struggles to understand a lot of the modern jargon can you just speak a little slower but keep up the enthusiasm oh and a WTF for the coax would be nice Rg58 V WTF all i know is rg 58 and rg8 when did we change that regards dave m3gsp /m as im in Paris 73
Calling RG58 "hopeless" is overstating. It depends on frequency, needed connection length, type of use in quite broad sense. And of course, some RG58s are made cheap, so they are more lossy that they should be. For fixed installation, especially longer cable runs and of course higher frequencies, there are better cables. But for HF portable operation it is OK, especially when you are using only several meters. Operating portable, coax is a consumable, and you definitively don't want stiff, heavy cable. To be fair, I cannot operate otherwise than portable, because in my location it is impossible to set up any HF antenna apart of really compromised ones. And I am also not interested in VHF/UHF operation at all - there's no point in contacting the same people ad nauseam (it is at the end "line of the sight"). I used my HTs less than 10 times in the last year. (I was so dumb I underestimated the role of RG58, too. I bought a pile of H155 instead. It is stiff, not very light, outer insulation prone to cracking, at the end I cannot use it for "really portable" operation, only for short runs on the ground to GP vertical or loaded 1/4 at the balcony. And jumpers. For any hanging antennae and portable operation, RG-316 or even RG-174 is much better. Lossy? Given the short runs, not really.)
Its an initiation test, if you give up? it proves to them your heart isnt in the interest, if you really want to be hated hang onto a foundation licence for more than 5 years. Progress as fast as you can to Full. even then you will be looked down on by those with an ARC
I was fortunate enough to select my own callsign, M7KOA, though it did take quite a bit of time sifting through options. Many were already claimed or didn't meet the required format. My recommendation would be to compile a list of potential callsigns and then invest some time in verifying their availability.
Thank you Ben! What a great video, I hope many more new licence holders watch this. What would I add? I think the best advice I have had so far is, before spending out a considerable amount of money on a shiny new or second hand radio, find out what the noise floor is like where you live and consider an antenna first. I have read quite a few sad stories where people have lost money on a radio as their QTH was very very challenging and they decided to sell up! Just my view!
Great advice Nik, thanks so much for watching. Such a great idea about the noise floor. Feel free to subscribe if you are interested in more videos. 73s
wish i would have seen this earlier!! as a woman in radio -- thank you for your nice way of putting it -- encouraging others!!!!!
Thanks Brooke! I appreciate your comment and thanks for watching. Please feel free to subscribe to my TH-cam channel if you want to see more of my videos. 73s ps I did work a YL on the YOTA station in Russia! Great fun!
No.6 Competitiveness.
Newly licensed with only a Baofeng I made a QSO in Sydney over Echolink using my PC. I was really stoked and promptly shared my success on social media. I was totally unprepared for the backlash. I'll not repeat what was said but the comments were not particularly encouraging to a newcomer and centred around it "not being radio". With one particular individual saying that digital was killing the hobby. Ridiculous! It simply opens up new technologies to those who wish to pursue that particular avenue of this vast hobby. It takes nothing away, simply adds value. Especially if you don't yet have the resources (or room) to enable viable HF comms just yet.
Ben, Thanks for putting yourself out there, and taking the time to share your experiences. I've been interested in HAM since the 1980s, but never progressed. I took your advice and "book NOW" - so i did on Christmas eve 2021. On the 8Jan i sat my Foundation, this evening I sat my Intermediate, and in 10 days time I'm sitting my Full. I wouldn't have started this journey, so have inspired me.. Thanks again, Rob
Great video for new Hams, keep the videos going!
Thanks so much. If you haven't already, please feel free to subscribe to my TH-cam channel if you want to see more of my videos. 73s
Love your enthusiasm, inspiring thank you..
Great video Ben, my advice to anyone new in the hobby is never stop learning or being prepared to learn. I’m close to 40 years in the hobby (yes I started young!) and I’m still enjoying finding out about new elements of the hobby such as digital modes, FT8 etc. and I’m picking up new stuff from informative videos such as yours.
Yes! Every day is a school day. Thanks for watching. Please feel free to subscribe to my TH-cam channel if you want to see more. 73s
What would I add?
1. Don’t worry too much about your SWR. If it is below 2.0 you can use the antenna, if you are below 1.3 there is little to be gained by chasing it lower.
2. If you aren’t having QSOs on a foundation licence, then don’t assume that it is because they don’t want to talk to you or can’t hear you, particularly in a pile up. Technique - knowing when to respond to a CQ call is probably just as important if not more so than power. Listen to those answering to get an idea of when to time your call.
Such good advice from the man who taught me everything I know! 73s Steve.
1 - so true! For about 30 years, I obsessed over a perfect match. Now with lots of instant Rbn, wspr, ft8 feedback for help I realise 1.3 or so is perfectly good enough. The biggest loss from poor matching is from the final stage of your tx folding back 🙄. Of course, it does nothing for your feed line...
Great video, sharp and too the point, inspiring and enthusiastic. Start my on line foundation course tomorrow. Hope to get my license soon. Thank you for making the clip.
Great! Enjoy the course, see you on the bands.
Great video! The only thing I wish I'd know beforehand was that when I started, I was not welcomed very well, as a foundation licence holder. Not many interested in communicating with me, due to 'only having my foundation licence' as one gentleman told me. Gave up after a couple of months and sold my equipment
That is terrible. I got my tech license here in CA April 2021. Most not all were willing to help
I booked my test early thinking it would be miles away.......as it turned out it was 5 days away......made it by the skin of my teeth. Now M7NRT
Very helpful. Awesome keep up the good content. 👍
Great video Ben. Totally agree with point 1. I followed Essex Ham to get my foundation and after about 3 weeks I decided to book the exam and then found I had a 7 week wait! Anyway, patience is a virtue as they say and i got it in the end! M7SDO.
Well done. Do feel free to subscribe to the channel, if you like what you see! 73!
Thankyou Ben for the great video and super topic. Number 5 is so true and something that can take a long time to realise. I operate portable a lot here in the Peak District and often find that downsizing the stuff I take can lead to the most enjoyable sessions rather than having a ‘fear of missing out’ and taking the kitchen sink. Hope you catch you on the air. 2m FM ragchewing is a particular favourite.
Thanks for the feedback and encouragement and for watching the video. Please feel free to subscribe to my TH-cam channel if you want to see more of my videos.73s
Lincolnshire Lass in France, have my exam booked for March and am halfway through Essex Hams excellent training. Thank you for your 'encouragement' I'm subscribed and I'll be watching all your videos from now on!
Great. This is so exciting! All the very best! Hope to work you soon.
It does not have to be unfriendly, despite of competition.
E.g. I am member of LA-DX-Group and we do encourage and help the others, and pat them on the back when they succeed.
If you do not enjoy the online community comments, then leave them and find something less toxic.
One of the great things about this hobby is the number of hams with expertise and willingness to share it both locally and online.
Your advice about using the local repeater is great. Join the community and your local club. I was offered to borrow a HF rig and a handheld when I was a student and new ham. It sure was a great start for me. Now that I am an oldtimer, I have more than enough gear to lend or give to newcomers nearby if they need.
Thank you Ben for your videos and considered views. I appreciate the encouraging nature of your posts. I am taking my foundation in November and as you suggested rather than procrastinate, I took your advice and just booked it! Thanks.
Very informative.. Thank you
A very good video Ben. Thank you.
Well done my friend here in the states its the same. Also you're correct about pick and learn a couple of skills don't try it all at once. Enjoy the journey learn the skills that interest you and become proficient at those skills. 73's Michael (KI5MNA)
Great Video. Just starting out on the journey so I found it most useful. Many Thanks and keep up the good work.
Great, thanks for watching.
Great information, yes it's a lot like fishing this radio hobby, patience is key. Great advice ref coax too, It IS an investment to any station. Something I wish I knew before starting out too.
I would say as an addition is don't rush into buying your first radio, Take your time, Set a budget, look at what's available, download manuals, youtube the hell out of EVERYTHING reviews, operating, common faults or bugs etc. And yes, build what you can. Building RF transformers, UNUNs BALUNs etc are a great way to save money, as well as using wire antennas, There are some EXCELLENT kits available too. I use an EFHW with a homemade 49:1 transformer and that gets me round the world on quite low power too. One lifetime isn't enough to explore the whole hobby. So take it in bite sized chunks. 73 de G0USL
Great info. Thanks
Great video. Subscribed.
I've recently passed my Foundation, and will have my licence very soon.
Great video, all sound advice. Well done, keep it up Ben :)
Thank you so much for watching. I really appreciate the encouragement. Feel free to subscribe if you want to see more, many thanks. 73s.
Great advice thanks M7MUL
The internet is a great source of information... only some of which is correct or useful 🤣. This may sound a little dull, but I recommend investing in the odd book or two, especially on subjects like antennas where the theory doesn’t change. Nothing new here - but a book to read at your leisure usually walks you through good, reliable theory and best practice.
Thanks so much. Any good book recommendations?
I’ve a few antenna books by Peter Dodd, G3LDO and find those great as background reading. Steve Nichols G0KYA’s book ‘stealth antennas’ also v useful. Somehow, I can never splash the £££ on the ARRL antenna handbook though 😬
I wish I’d enjoyed reading text books when I was a kid at school 🤣
Another great video thanks
Wow, thanks. That means a lot coming from one of the TH-cam-ers who inspired me to get started! Thank you! 73s
Good Job, and well done on getting your foundation and intermediate licences in quick succession. don't stop at the 2E stage. 73 M0LKN
Thanks so much! I very much hope you will consider subscribing to my TH-cam channel if you want to see more. 73s
A 7 year old and pass it
Really nice video Ben, thanks! Foundation test booked for 14/12 so both excited and nervous about what comes when I can actually try my first QSO (well, hopefully!)
Love this. Be confident, and enjoy it... the tests are all part of it. Let me know how you get on... feel free to subscribe to the channel too... 73s
When did you book it ?
@@MrLimeGrass A couple of weeks ago. Wanted to give myself a target (one of the tips here that I could put a tick next to already)
@@jamiedavies-m7jgb174 ima book mine tomorrow as like i wanna get it booked so can pass
Don't buy an antenna that says....suitable for farm buildings.....when you live in a rented, terrace house. Yes. I did this.
Nice advice, well put! Even with 10W and now 50 W, my learning point is that power is much less important than you might think. We even learn it in the exams. Like going from 10W to 50W is like 7dB , not much more than an point. So antenna is 🔑 !! Mark, 2E0MSR.
Good video, thanks.
Great to hear you enjoyed it. Thanks for your encouraging comments. 73s
Hay ben congratulations on 2E0 callsign. And great video on TH-cam. Hope to catch up soon on the bands.
Best 73 Ben
De ben 2E0TKK
Great vid
As a G8 I built a h/b xtal valve tx and super regen rx. I used 75 Ω t.v. coax to an indoor dipole, then still a budget station, an a.m. Pye Cambridge tx section only, a Command rx with converter for 2m, dipole and later a h/b 5 el Yagi.
I now use RG58 on all my aerials, short lengths so about 0.6 dB loss, nothing wrong with that.
Encourage others. On 10m I had four U.S.A. novice stations call me at 5 w.p.m., painfully slow for me but good for them.
I avoid contests, usually switching off. I did take part in a 4m one once because the band needs support but I'd very often go out portable with my modified Pye Bantam and telescopic whip and work back to two locals at a pre-arranged time in the 1980's. Was I doing SOTA before SOTA was thought of?
QRP 1 Watt c.w. on 10m to Sicily and Bulgaria a few weeks ago with 5.5/9.9. QSB report for me. How much further was my signal going?
I've always loved building or modifying stuff.
G4GHB.
Fantastic content on all of your videos Ben! I learnt very quickly to replace all of my RG58 total loss coax with Ultra flex or RG213 and 100% true on local repeaters. The day I got licenced, I joined in on our twice weekly 'Stay Safe net' on GB3YL which usually has 20+ other amateurs and have even volunteered and run the net on a couple of evenings. Keep up the great work. Hopefully catch you on the air sometime. Best 73, Ben de M7FRS
Hey, thanks for watching Ben, and for your encouraging comments. I very much hope to work you one day. If you enjoyed my video, and haven't already, please feel free to subscribe to my TH-cam channel if you want to see more of my videos. 73s
@@RadioRevG5REV No worries Ben, already Subbed your channel 😉 73
@@m7frs272 wonderful! Thanks so much. That means the world to me! 73
Well done!
Thanks for watching. Please feel free to subscribe to my TH-cam channel if you want to see more of my videos. 73s
My advice after 18 months as an M7 is don't feel pressured to move to a 2E0. As an M7 you can talk to the world on DV modes either through a local repeater or hotspot or learn CW as I am and do the same with 10w on HF (some full licenced old timers work nothing but CW). Then there is FT8 and other digi modes which often prove more popular and successful than voice. Also when the bands improve soon, work HF on phone frequencies and be surprised how far your signal travels. Dive into antenna design. Build your own endfeds etc and experiment. There is so much M7s can do I really take a disliking to those who just expect we move up. My only tip is consider what you want from the hobby and you may find, along with many, that M7 is all if not more than you need. My second tip is, if you really want to upgrade, forget the 2E0 and study for the Irish exam. The UK Intermediate is spitting distance from a full CEPT Irish licence. Take a holiday to Dublin, sit the exam (yes you are allowed) and flip it to an M0 when you return home.
That's so helpful. Thanks for the comments. Learning CW is hard work, but it is worth it.
OK if you want to hang onto a licence a 10 year old can pass, Simply dont expect any respect
and you wont get any
Fill the brown envelope with enough ££ you won't have to do any thing ,just turn up the answers will be marked on the paper before it is handed to you
didn't do the Titanic any good H I fucking saying H I on a repeater when it's mors for laughter ,clowns
Nice job! 73
Thanks Tim, I really appreciate the feedback. 73s
Good work and advice. M7BCN
Thanks Brian, I have so much more to learn, but thank you for watching.
Hi Ben, great content. I’m over in Ely, we should try for a qso at some point M0XCF
Yes please. I bet we could go on 2m across the fens! Thanks for watching. Please feel free to subscribe to the channel if you want to see more. 73s
@@RadioRevG5REV subscribed a week or two back!
@@m0xcf72 wonderful! Thanks. Let's try tomorrow. When works for you??
0. JOIN YOUR LOCAL CLUB.
Nice video, good advice.
GB3SA is lovely , just a shame it's just out of reach for me unless there's a lift on... ( but LM/LS/LC/GR/FJ are easy game for me ) - although apparently i can open it before i can hear it due to it's ERP vs my ERP on 70cms
RG213 is baseline for 2 m and 70cm - and as you say ultraflex is great
height is might ! my home QTH has some decent elevation gets me across the Trent valley into the peaks ( and into GB3AB and even GB3HH) - but decent coax and a x-300 helps as well
might even be worth a punt on Simplex -
Thanks so much for your comments here. We worked on SA when you were /m back in the summer. You are one of the two women I mentioned in the video. If you can get into SA, I'm confident you could work me, perhaps we should try 2m?
Thanks for watching. 73s
I'm pleased I've never bought an onion 🌰 with a short circuit 😮
I really enjoyed watching your video, so positive and full of enthusiasm as you are! Rev George Dobbs G3RJV(sk) of GQRP/SPRAT fame was quite an inspiration to me, and I really enjoyed seeing him at Dayton Hamvention when he came here. QRP has made all the difference in how I approach the hobby and fits well with a minimalist lifestyle. Yes, all that glitters is not Gold, and the glossy adverts on the radio mags are not helpful for a newcomer or potential newcomer who may view them and dismiss Amateur radio out of hand as too expensive. I hope to work you on the air and that you may travel here someday, Dayton Hamvention is just a few weeks away. All the Best! 73 DE W8LV BILL
Hi Ben. You have made some very good points there. Lots of people get their licence and try and cover every aspect of the hobby in a week! I wonder if you can access GB3GR from your QTH? There not a bad bunch on GR!
Ah yes, I have been on GR... I hear there is a good net on that repeater.
@@RadioRevG5REV Yes, the Wednesday night net run by some chap using the call M0SDM. You would be more than welcome to join in. I look forward to hearing you.
Excellent video Ben. Be interested to know if you can get in to GB3PI from yours. I can just about get in to PE from Duxford
Thanks for watching. I can get into PI. It seems to be connected to the internet, so I understand it can be used to get a little further through the web... feel free to subscribe to the channel if you would like to. 73s
@@RadioRevG5REV PE and PI are normally interlinked as i understand it so unless people have decoupled them or put one of them onto another node they effectively work as one repeater on two sites
You mentioned 1:38 to listen to the repeater before you have your licence but then say they can get to know you. I’m assuming you can’t transmit on the local repeater before you get your licence or am I wrong? I’m very new with my first radio in the post so want to make sure I do nothing wrong.
love the sound of you as a partially sighted M3 now living in Paris who struggles to understand a lot of the modern jargon can you just speak a little slower but keep up the enthusiasm oh and a WTF for the coax would be nice Rg58 V WTF all i know is rg 58 and rg8 when did we change that regards dave m3gsp /m as im in Paris 73
I shall try to slow down! The coax is Ultraflex 10. It's really good stuff. 73
Calling RG58 "hopeless" is overstating. It depends on frequency, needed connection length, type of use in quite broad sense. And of course, some RG58s are made cheap, so they are more lossy that they should be.
For fixed installation, especially longer cable runs and of course higher frequencies, there are better cables. But for HF portable operation it is OK, especially when you are using only several meters. Operating portable, coax is a consumable, and you definitively don't want stiff, heavy cable.
To be fair, I cannot operate otherwise than portable, because in my location it is impossible to set up any HF antenna apart of really compromised ones. And I am also not interested in VHF/UHF operation at all - there's no point in contacting the same people ad nauseam (it is at the end "line of the sight"). I used my HTs less than 10 times in the last year.
(I was so dumb I underestimated the role of RG58, too. I bought a pile of H155 instead. It is stiff, not very light, outer insulation prone to cracking, at the end I cannot use it for "really portable" operation, only for short runs on the ground to GP vertical or loaded 1/4 at the balcony. And jumpers. For any hanging antennae and portable operation, RG-316 or even RG-174 is much better. Lossy? Given the short runs, not really.)
I wish I knew that most other HAMS hate new users and hate people using cheap equipment.
Its an initiation test, if you give up? it proves to them your heart isnt in the interest,
if you really want to be hated hang onto a foundation licence for more than 5 years.
Progress as fast as you can to Full. even then you will be looked down on by those with an ARC
I'm using network radio atm but might look in to ham but would have to use a handheld has I have no garden live in a ground floor flat any advice
Look at portable working. Most of my hobby is done up a local hill, so lack of garden doesn't need to hold you back.
Great video. I was wondering, can you choose your own call sign, or is it given to you?
I was fortunate enough to select my own callsign, M7KOA, though it did take quite a bit of time sifting through options. Many were already claimed or didn't meet the required format. My recommendation would be to compile a list of potential callsigns and then invest some time in verifying their availability.
Ive worked 6 women in 12 months!!🙌
Good advice. Thanx! 73 Newbie Neil KD9RYV
Thanks for watching. Enjoy the hobby.
Thanks for the vid! I’ve got my exam on the 19th!
get a PA if you intend to work DX Pileups
Why are you using a g5 with your yt channel????
By now i guess you have a full licence....or not....
I know I would like you to be my best friend if you was a little closer. Motters M7TRS 73's
John 3.16-21
Some one selling a shorted 9 to 1 id name shame them not a nice way of making money.
Are you advocating talking on a repeater before you are licensed. It sure sounds like it.
All that glitters on the internet is not gold... **cough** Baofeng **cough**
Lol! Thanks for watching!
@@RadioRevG5REV You're welcome. I hope I can become an M7 soon.
Superb radios!
Thank you Ben! What a great video, I hope many more new licence holders watch this.
What would I add? I think the best advice I have had so far is, before spending out a considerable amount of money on a shiny new or second hand radio, find out what the noise floor is like where you live and consider an antenna first. I have read quite a few sad stories where people have lost money on a radio as their QTH was very very challenging and they decided to sell up! Just my view!
Great advice Nik, thanks so much for watching. Such a great idea about the noise floor. Feel free to subscribe if you are interested in more videos. 73s
I have never ever herd so good tips before, thank you ever so much. 73 OZ3MN