Get On The Air

An inexpensive and easy way to start communicating with other hams by radio is with a handheld transceiver (HT). These links can help you program your HT and find an active net. Or you can talk to another ham buddy in simplex range.

• GigaParts discount for new hams » Handheld VHF/UHF Radio & Programmer
• RepeaterBook is a free way to look up repeater frequencies » RepeaterBook
• The Chirp radio programming software queries directly to RepeaterBook Chirp Handheld Transceiver Programming

Once you are confident with tuning and/or programming a radio, you can delve into many subjects.

• ARRL's specialty magazines are free for members to read on your table or phone » ARRL Magazines
• Parks On The Air is a very popular amateur radio operating award program » Parks on the Air
• OH8STN is a popular ham blogger » OH8STN
• Johnny W5KV is another popular ham blogger. Follow via YouTube » Johnny W5KV
• cemaxecuter demos innovative Software Defined Radio (SDR) projects on YouTube » DragonOS
• SigIdWiki, or its off-line variant ARTEMIS, can tell you what's on your waterfall » SigIdWiki
• There are hams at NASA too » ARISS