Getting Started in Amateur Radio
I'm glad that you have an interest in earning a ham radio license. Those who've successfully passed an amateur radio license in the US is now a radio operator that is licensed by the Federal Government and authorized to transmit radio signals within the limits of the license class earned. It's an opportunity that is not as easy to come by in some of the other countries.
The pages referenced below will guide you in your quest for that coveted license!
Classes
Click on this link for listings on classes, instructors and testing sessions for getting an amateur radio license.
Studying for the Technician Class license
There's a separate section on study material for the Technician Class License. Click on this link to get to those web pages.
Testing Sessions
The Civil Defense Amateur Radio Club is one of the testing groups on Oahu. Click on this link to find out more information.
VHF Repeaters
You can often learn quite a bit by listening to hams on the local VHF repeaters on a police scanner or other radio monitor. The list of popular frequencies can be found here.
Setting up your first ham station
There's a number of things to think about and think through to help you identify the needs and capabilities of your first ham station. And, you don't have to get all the pieces at once -- you can grow the station as your interests and capabilites grow.
Email Reflectors
There are email reflector lists available for you to sign up and stay current on items of interest to the Hawaii amateur radio community.
HIHAM is a email reflector run by Allan Waller, K3TKJ and is moderated by Ron Hashiro, AH6RH. It is a reflector of general interest and is funded by the subscribers. There are many other topics, including other states, Icom, Yaesu and Kenwood interest groups and many more. You can sign up here.
hamradiohawaii is a email reflector run by Yahoo! and is moderated by Jim Yuen, WH6GS. It is a reflector of general interest and is funded by Yahoo. There are many other topics, including other states, Icom, Yaesu and Kenwood interest groups and many more. You can sign up here.
I subscribe to both. The content may be the same, it may differ, but at least you have two ways to stay current. Sometimes one or the other list encounters problems, and you're left out in the dark.
Amateur Radio Organizations in Hawaii
To foster your growth, join one of the amateur radio organizations in Hawaii. Click on this link to see the list.
Mantras for Amateur Radio
Here's some of my sayings that sum up key thoughts in just a few words. If you don't understand these right away, give it some time or ask around. After a while, you'll come to know the underlying truth.
- Amateur Radio: It's about MAKING CONTACTS.
- The first rule of amateur radio: If you can't hear 'em, you can't work 'em.
- The second rule of amateur radio: It's more fun to give away contacts than making them.
- The third rule of amateur radio: We're only one generation away from extinction.
- The first rule of emergency communications: Move the message forward.
- The second rule of emergency communications: Get ready today, be ready tomorrow.
- Radios: Real radios have knobs.
- Two meter SSB (Single Sideband): More fun per watt.
eham.net Product Reviews
You may find these product reviews at eham.net to be of interest:
- Icom IC-215
- Icom IC-22U / IC-24E
- Icom IC-28A/H
- Icom IC-251A
- Icom IC-910H
- ICOM Q7A
- Icom IC-3AT
- Kenwood TM-541A
- Alpha Delta Outpost
- Directive Systems UHF/SHF Loop Yagis
- Bencher Mercury Paddle
- Logikit CMOS 4 Keyer Kit (Complete!)
- MFJ-418 Morse Code Tutor
- West Mountain Radio PWRcrimp Powerpole crimp tool
- VK3YNG VHF Foxhunt Sniffer Mk 4
- Arrow Loop Fox Hunt Antenna
- ELLI Print QSL Cards
- Afreet Software Morse Runner
- GCMWIN23 - Great Circle Map Software>
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Updated: February 21, 2009
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