Looks like the last post is a year old. Are there any hams/amateur radio operators here on lemmy? If so, what projects (if any) are you working on? I’m building a 5 element yagi for 2m.
Looks like the last post is a year old. Are there any hams/amateur radio operators here on lemmy? If so, what projects (if any) are you working on? I’m building a 5 element yagi for 2m.
Yeah, I got the German equivalent (Klasse E) a few months ago, and always don’t know what to say after someone responds to my CQ call. Mainly just been listening to other people on HF.
Parks on the Air or Summits on the Air really helps with this. A standard exchange is usually used so no need to think of what to say.
I agree, POTA and SOTA is a great way to get started. You make contacts but the exchange is very standard. Along those lines, contesting is a faster paced version of this. It’s not for everyone, but I like to do a CW contest from time to time, it’s kind of a rush.
How hard is it to get into POTA/SOTA? I guess you might need to register somewhere?
I can’t say for SOTA as I don’t do that one myself. POTA is pretty easy. Register on pota.app, then take your radio to a registered park and make some contacts. Definitely easier if you have HF privileges, but possible on VHF if you are near enough to a major city. SOTA might be more possible on VHF due to the presumed elevation involved.
I’ll have to look into that. While I can use some of HF, I don’t have a battery for portable HF. I’m not near any really large cities, and looking at the map there aren’t any parks near me. I might try hunting instead of activating.
@Inductor
Contests can also be a nice way to get on the air without worrying about small talk. Like OTAs, they have a predetermined exchange; you each say your part, then you move on to another station.