2

What IS A Ham Radio Operator?

December 1, 2010

Ham radio operators can be many things – although the old rule definitely applies to ham radio – Jack of all trades – master of none.  Most hams that I know of are quite good at a number of different things.  Some more than others.  For example, every ham needs to know something about antenna hardware, installations and tuning.  They also need to master mike techniques, ability to “speak the lingo”, ability to pick a weak signal out of background noise, etc..

Ham radio is so diverse however that it generates subject experts in specific areas.  For example, a person that is expert in satellite communications may not be an expert in digital modes of ham radio communication.    A person with expertise in HF communications may only be so-so in UHF and VHF communications.

Some subject experts are subject experts because of professional training.  For example, one fellow that I know of is an engineer by training and is the consummate kit builder and software programmer as it relates to ham radio control circuits, etc.. 

One of the good things about having subject experts in the hobby is that you can find someone somewhere that can give you sound advice and help for no fee in most cases.  For example, as a new ham I needed help getting a mobile antenna tuned and I turned to another ham to help me out.  He had a very nice swr meter, etc. that was quite expensive.  I only needed it the once in the first few years of my ham radio experience and therefore it wasn’t worth it for me to buy one and learn how to use it.    Recently I purchased one for myself.  Now I will be willing to help hams that need the help.

One question is – if you are interested in a particular area of the hobby and want some advice or help – where do you find a ham radio operator that is a subject expert?  Here are some thoughts.  The local ham radio club is a great place to start.  Another place is the local ham radio repeater.  www.ARRL.org is always a place to do a search for a person.  Especially for legal concerns, etc..  Google is another place to do a search.  You may wish to limit the search to a particular region of the country.  For example – “ham radio Appleton Wisconsin” will bring up hams in the Appleton, Wisconsin area first – then other hams further out.

If you want to find an answer to something – do NOT be shy about asking.  Everyone has questions from time to time.  And this hobby is so diverse that it is just not reasonable to expect yourself to be an expert at everything.  One of the neat things about the hobby is that after you learn something and get good at it – you can pass that knowledge on to another ham.  With that said – pass the link to this blog post on to another person if you will please!

Jon Kreski, AB9NN – Appleton, Wisconsin area

http://www.HamRadioResources.com

http://www.Twitter.com/AB9NN

Related Blogs For HamRadioResources.com


: Uncategorized Ham Radio Subjects
: , ,

Leave a Reply

Previous Post
«
Next Post
»