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Ways to get on the air
A map of what operators actually do, from rag chewing to moonbounce.
A map of what operators actually do, from rag chewing to moonbounce.
Amateur radio is not one activity but a family of them, and most people settle into two or three. The map below groups what operators actually do. Every entry is explained in its own article, so treat this page as a menu.
The best first activity is usually the one your equipment and surroundings already support.
| If you have… | Try… |
|---|---|
| A handheld radio | Repeaters, Simplex operation, local Nets, and the ISS |
| A mobile or base VHF/UHF radio | The same, with a better antenna and Mobile and maritime mobile |
| An HF radio and a wire antenna | Ragchewing, DXing, Contesting, CW |
| A computer and a sound-card interface | FT8 and FT4, PSK31, Winlink and radio email, APRS |
| A radio and a free weekend | Parks on the Air, Summits on the Air, Field Day |
| A soldering iron | Kits and homebrew, SDR listening, Raspberry Pi and Arduino projects |
| Just a receiver or an SDR | SDR listening, Receivers, scanners and SDR dongles: listening needs no amateur license |
Under the activities sit a handful of modes, the ways information is carried. Voice is the easiest to start with: FM voice operation on VHF and UHF for local contacts, SSB voice operation on HF for distance. CW is the oldest and, watt for watt, one of the most effective. Digital modes let a computer do the hard work, so a small station can make contacts a voice signal could not. Digital modes overview compares them.
Some operators chase the extremes: weak signals bounced off the Moon (EME (moonbounce)), microwave links over mountain tops (Microwave operating), or satellites that pass overhead for only a few minutes at a time. If a record exists, someone is probably trying to break it.
Amateur radio's public-service purpose is not a formality. ARES and RACES, SKYWARN and weather spotting and Public service events put the skills to use for neighbours. New to all this? Clubs, Elmers and community explains how to find people who will help you get started.