Main Sites
The following sites are a combination of on-line tools and information
https://www.arrl.org/
https://www.qrz.com/
https://www.eham.net/
Beginners Information
https://www.arrl.org/quick-reference-operating-aids
https://www.arrl.org/on-the-air
https://www.aaastateofplay.com/all-about-ham-radio-for-beginners
Comm-w-Other-Hams-Q-SignalsClubs
SEMDXA (Southeast Michigan DX Association)
Activities
Parks on the Air https://parksontheair.com/
Equipment
There are many online vendors for getting radio gear, but the two most popular are DX Engineering https://www.dxengineering.com/ and Ham Radio Outlet https://www.hamradio.com/ . Ham Radio Outlet has multiple store locations and a large inventory, but DX Engineering is famous for their super fast shipping. They are located in Ohio, and often times orders are delivered within 1 to 2 days.
Radios
There are many radios to choose from, at different price points and with different features. Below are some solid choices for a first HF radio. Many of our club members have at least one of these, and some have all of them. There are plenty of videos on YouTube that discuss the capabilities of each.
- ICOM IC-7300: IC-7300 | Products | Icom America.
- ICOM IC-705: IC-705 | Products | Icom America.
- Yaesu FT-710: https://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=102&encProdID=615ADFEAB5EDBC65EBE1D64835F209DB&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0
- Yaesu FT-891: https://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=102&encProdID=DF4DB262968932E999EAF928B5B6A1A7&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0
- Yaesu FT-DX10: https://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=102&encProdID=1ABBC23C7EC57175A35CB0FDE7A639A0&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0
Antennas
A good antenna is very important. A great radio is no good without a great antenna.
Some examples include:
- SOTABeams Bandhopper Linked Dipole (20 and 40M version): https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/band-hopper-ii-two-band-20m-40m-portable-dipole-antenna-system/
- Aerial 51 Off Center Fed Dipole: AERIAL-51 ANTENNAS – Model 404-UL
- Wolf River Coils Portable vertical https://www.wolfrivercoils.com/
- Packtenna EFHW EFHW-40/20/10 – End Fed Half Wave 40m, 20m and 10m Antenna
Masts
To get a good position of an antenna, having a good support system may be needed.
Some examples include:
- SotaBeams 23′ Fiberglass: Antenna Supports & Hardware – Antenna Lifting Kite, Telescopic Masts, Compact light
- Spiderbeam 23′ Fiberglass: Spiderbeam© High Performance Lightweight Antennas – telescope mast fiberglas 7 meter geocaching geocaches geocacher Spiderbeam 7m Mini fiberglass pole (eyelet version) MM070000eyelet
- Spiderbeam 40′ Fiberglass: Spiderbeam© High Performance Lightweight Antennas – telescope mast fiberglas 12 meter Spiderbeam 12m fiberglass pole HD MF120000
Transmission Line
Good transmission line is needed to get the most signal from the radio to the antenna.
Some examples include:
Videos
There are many “Ham-tubers” on YouTube….. HAM radio enthusiasts that have excellent YouTube channels.
Some examples include:
- https://www.youtube.com/@K8MRD This is Mike, K8MRD. He was a member of our club until he moved to Texas a few years ago. You may see me in a one or two of his videos.
- https://www.youtube.com/@HamRadioConcepts
- https://www.youtube.com/@HamRadio2