Amateur Radio

Amateur radio

Cell phone of old (2010s) vs now (2026) are generations a part. Long ago, frustrated, I pondered, why I didn't I carry a two way radio for communications.  Upon completing the AT in 2014, I studied and passed the Technician Level.  A couple of years later, realizing I was missing out on a huge part of Amateur Radio which is making contacts in other parts of the USA and world, I upgraded to General Class giving me the reach I longed for. I've since made on the air friends across the country.  I currently sport a Yaesu FT-857 as my go to field radio. It's a shack in the box requiring a wire and a battery to get on the air.

A few places online to note

Parks on the Air a radio sport where hams make contact with those in State and National Parks and federally managed lands. I'm currently in the top 100 of over 8700 active Activators.

Summits on the Air a UK based contesting scheme that combines hiking and radio.  One does not need to be a hiker to participate.  There are Activators (hikers) and Chasers (non-hikers) together they exchange essential info to complete a contact. Utah's region is W7U If one wants to listen for an 'activation' try SOTAwatch2 where Activators will post destinations 

QRZ aka who's calling me. This site is dedicated to helping hams verify contacts.

Code of Conduct This page highlights courtesy practices for long distance contact.

American Radio Relay League, ARRL, This is the first stop for any HAM.

Utah Amateur Radio Club is Utah's oldest and longest running club dedicated to the science and privilege of amateur radio.

Utah VHF Society manages many of the repeaters for 2 meter and other VHF Frequency bands throughout Utah. 

Salt Lake County ARES is one of several emergency communication networks.

 

Practice Tests

HAM STUDY The testing pool for the 3 levels are available in a variety of resources.  I like this one as it provides several modes of study.
ARRL's download link for the 3 levels of question pools.   

 

Blogs

N0JI a Utah County base HAM with many good beginner links and discussions.
KB6NU a professionally designed and organized ham radio user site offering many resources.
KE2KY another personal blog that is stuffed with Ham Radio info. 
The DX Zone a commercial based ham radio blog.
M0UKD a UK based HAM who likes getting outdoors and using low power to make contacts
M0JCQ's Ham Blog subtitled Adventures in Ham Radio
Seek Solidude a US based HAM that likes to get out, following up with photos.
DO7PSL a Southern Germany HAM who states Radio is his Recreation
AB9IL He has a variety of resources in addition to HAM Radio

 

YouTube

I'm half a sleep updating this page.  I promise in the next few years I'll share my favor ham-tubers