CallSign! – What’s Next
Outstanding! you just received your ham call sign. Now what?
How do you get better at being a smooooooth ham operator?
Practice – Practice – Practice – Practice – Practice – Practice – Practice
- Check out [https://repeaterbook.com], they’ve got listings for repeaters everywhere –like these [2m] and the [70cm] repeaters in Idaho.
- Program these into your radio.
· It can be a challenge to know which are active, or useful. ProTip: GoogleSearch each of the call signs to see if they’re active and what kind of traffic they’re hosting.
· Listen to each for a few hours. They will advertise any ham club events like check-ins, and other events. - Attend an event or two or five and just listen only. This will give you a sense for what the club does, how they operate, and how you can participate. Even if it’s just to check-in, you’ll benefit from the practice. SOOOOOOON you’ll be an ace at your own call sign and picking up on others as well.
- Ham operators are a valued asset at many different events:
· Ham operators keep sports officials informed by relaying information critical to the function and safety of the event.
· Ham operators provide critical COMMS/OPS during critical events: Fires, Earthquakes, floods, etc –they relay information to and for first responders as well as event leaders.
–There are many great reasons to be a confident and experienced ham operator.
