Welcome to the Exciting World of Amateur Radio!

Welcome! Getting on the air is why we get licensed. After the exam, some new licensees find themselves stuck. HF is challenging, and our Tech licenses don't offer much in the way of priviledges on the HF bands. We have full privilegdes on VHF; three whole bands, 2 meter, 1.25 meter and 70 centimeters. But what does that mean? How do you start?

You'll find some answers here! We'll avoid the complicactions by using simplex, a direct, person‑to‑person communication without repeaters, offsets, tones, codes, or complicated programming.

With a radio that costs less that $30.00, and some tips from this website, you'll be putting that new call sign on the air in no time. No repeaters, no clubs, no dues, just talking to other hams in your community, one on one — maybe the whole reason you studied for your license in the first place.

The safety of those you care about might be what brought you to amateur radio. Perhaps you bought a recommended radio before you sat for your exam. You bought a radio for emergencies and you did the right thing by getting licensed. You want to practice so your skills are ready when needed.

Building your skills is the next step for you, too. This site will help you get your radio, and your radio skills, ready for the time the saftey of you and your family will depend on your communication skills. And, we'll have fun doing it.

We will start with just two of the simplex frequencies, depending on your location — all you need to get started. There is no need to program dozens of channels or confusing repeater settings.

Our first frequency is the national calling frequency. That's where simplex operators firs connect. You'll announce your callign here, and listen for replies. We'll go over that process in detail shortly.

After you connect with another operator, called making a contact, it's considered good etiquette to move to an adjacent frequency. Moving helps free up the national calling frequency for other users.

The local frequency cordinating authority, the Clallam County Amateur Radio Club or CCARC, has assigned specific frequencies for Sequim, Port Angeles, the West End and Neah Bay.

Frequency assignments make it possible for us to use the specific assigned frequency that's the best choice for where we are and with whom we are speaking.

Throughout the United States and many other contries, known as "ITU Region 2," the national simplex calling frequency is 146.520 MHz. This is where you will announce your call sign and listen for others on the air. Many amateurs refer to the frequency simply as "52."

Having a national calling frequency means you can reach out to other amateur operators throughout the country. Where ever you are in the USA, you can reach out on 52 and connect with other amateurs. Many amateurs monitor this frequency, so if you're away from home and need assistance, jump on 52 and ask.

The Clallam County Amateur Radio Club or CCARC is our local coordinating authority. They assigned our local simplex frequencies. Using these frequencies helps manage our radio traffic effeciently. Assigned frequencies also make it easy to select a frequency to move to once an amateur contact is made.

• National Calling Frequency -- 146.520 MHz
• Zone 1: Sequim --------------- 147.560 MHz
• Zone 2: Port Angeles --------- 147.520 MHz
• Zone 3: West End ------------- 147.500 MHz
• Zone 4: Neah Bay ------------- 147.540 MHz

Most users can start with the calling frequency and one or two local assigned frequencies. If you'd like to get on the air as fast as possible, just do your two. If you'd like explore, add all four.

Next, we'll look at how to enter these frequencies into the most popular hand held amateur radios, built on the Baofeng platform. We'll also look at how similar radios can be set up for simplex.

Not loacated in Clallam County? The national calling frequency is, well, national! Check with your local ARRL sanctioned Amateur Radio Club for the assigned frequencies in your area, or ask on 146.520.

Programming your Baofeng type radio for amateur radio simplex use. This will work on most brands. Programming your radio for simplex frequency is completed using two main processes.

First, perform some basic operational settings to make sure the radio's general settings are positioned for simplex use. This is done by ensuring the radio operates on a single frequency without repeater offsets, automatic shifts, tones, or dual monitoring.

Second, program the specific frequencies used to communicate. This is a basic description of the process (details follow in the next section). This is accomplished by a step by step keystroke process; entering the frequencies, choosing a channel number and saving the setting in memory

These specifics will be reviewed in the housekeeping, frequency and channel setting sections, below.

Just taking your radio outside will triple your reception sensitivity and triple your useable output power. Taking your radio outside removes all the barriers to your signal. This makes your antenna seem three times more effective, and makes your radio sound three times more powerfull.

Altitude is everything. Our simplex VHF signals are line-of-sight. Moving to a second-floor room, walking up a small hill, or driving to a high-elevation ridge line will do more for your range than boosting your power. VHF signals travel by line-of-sight. A single hill or a ridge line can reduce, or attenuate your signal. Position yourself on high-elevation clearings, peaks, or open trail overlooks rather than in deep ravines or valleys.

Maintain antenna position. Hold your handheld transceiver perfectly vertical. If you tilt your radio at a 45-degree angle you can lose] signal strength.

Exploit water refraction. If you are operating near open water, sound waves and radio signals propagate beautifully across flat, aquatic surfaces. Use low-angle paths along coastlines or large lakes to achieve surprising range boosts on minimal wattage.

Watch out for thick foliage. Trees and wet leaves block for high-frequency signals. The 2-meter band (VHF) is best when hiking through deep, dense forests. The relatively longer wavelength bends around large tree trunks better than other bands.

Practicing on simplex frequencies (radio-to-radio without repeaters) is a critical preparation skill. Repeaters and other communication infrastructure will fail during an extended grid-down scenario. Here are preparation activities to build your radio skills.

Understand your surroundings. Test communications from various points in your neighborhood. Note locations like hills, buildings, or terrain features that improve your send and receive capabilities. Identify dead zones that block your signals.

Test different power settings. Your radio can transmit using full power, or limited power. Limited power reduces battery drain and keeps your signal from revealing your presence.

Real preparation isn't just having, it's doing! Preparedness is not about having the right radio, preparedness is about knowing how to use the radio you have. An emergency makes a very poor learning environment. Buying gear can give you a false sense of readiness, practicing skills give you readiness you can depend on.

Build a personal preparation network. Humans overcome adversity by working together. No matter what disaster befalls us, groups outlast individuals – every time. Use radio as a tie that binds a group of like minded people together in the common goal of survival.

After you've checked for other traffic, it's time to do what you've been wanting to do since you studied for your test!

Hold your radio so the mic opening is can pick up your voice clearly, press the push-to-talk button and announce your call sign in plain language and in phonetic equivalent.

Use the table to the right to choose your phonetic call sign. Write it down and keep it handy until you have it memorized.

If your call sign is AA1BCD, you would call "A A 1 B D C, Alpha Alpha One, Bravo Delta Charlie, monitoring"

Why "Monitoring?" When we are reaching out to other amateur operators on the calling frequency, we announce our call and say “monitoring.” We're letting other amateurs know we're on the air and interested in communicating.

When another operator answers you, they will give their call sign and name. Release your push-to-talk button to listen to them. When it is your turn to talk again, you can keep the initial conversation straight forward.

• Give your first name and physical location
• Give a signal report for example, "You are coming through perfectly clear into my radio"
• Describe what kind of radio gear you are using for example, "I'm using a 5-watt handheld radio"
• State your FCC call sign at the end of your conversation, and at least once every 10 minutes if the conversation continues
• When you are ready to say goodbye, it is custom to say "73", which is amaetur radio shorthand for "best regards"

This informative 10 minute video shows two amateur operators demonstrating a first amatuer radio contact conversation in real time.

When we are reaching out to other amateur operators on the calling frequency, we announce our call sign and say “monitoring.” We're letting other amateurs know we're on the air and interested in communicating.

When we are operating under the guidelines of a sanctioned activity, — like activating a Parks on the Air (POTA) or Summits on the Air (SOTA) location — we call CQ. We're letting other amateurs know we are seeking contacts – rapid exchanges of call signs and signal reports.

What if I hear a CQ call, should I respond? Absolutely! The operator will be delighted to get your reply.

Wait for a gap and say your call sign clearly once using standard phonetics (e.g., "Kilo Alpha One Two Three X-Ray"), then listen for acknowledgment.

What if I never get an acknowledgement? This happens when using a handheld transceiver. The activator might be using a high output transmitter. 50 or even 100 watts. Your handheld transceiver is probably transmitting less than 10 watts. You can hear them, but they can't hear you. And that's OK. It's all part of the fun.

If you do get an acknowledgement, the activator will repeat your call sign and give you a signal report, often followed by their park location (e.g., "KA123X, you are 5-by-9 into park number X-1234."

Acknowledge their report, give them a signal report, and state your location.

How do I give a signal report? When using a handheld transceiver, use this simple guide:

• "Five by Nine" (Perfect): audio clear, no hiss
• "Five by Seven" (Strong): Strong audio, some background hiss
• "Five by Five" (Moderate): Understandable, noisy static
• "Four by Four" (Fair): Broken audio with heavy static
• “Three by Three" (Poor): Audio drop outs, loud static

And that's all there is to it. You are now and active amateur radio operator. Congratulations! Have fun, and 73!