Now that you have recieved your TECHNICIAN class license what do you do.
First you have to obtain a radio.I recommend a good one at the beginning.
If you decide to work mobil you will need a mobil antenna or you can use a
hand held radio (HT).If you want to operate from the comfort of your home
you will need a power supply big enough to power your radio on high power
and a outside antenna.There are a lot of radios to choose from;think of what
you want to do in the radio world.If you want to talk on repeaters choose a
FM radio;if you want to use side band choose a all mode radio.Now you
have a radio and need a antenna;a JPOLE is a easy and cheap antenna you
can make on your own.

There are a lot of HAMs that would be happy to help you build a jpole.
Ok we have a radio;antenna and you are ready to talk.You can use your
radio to scan for repeaters in your area also ask other HAMs about what
repeaters are in your area you can also find repeater guides on the internet.
Check out the link on the home page.A REPEATER GUIDE can be
purchased online or at a ham fest that will list repeaters in all states.

After finding repeaters in your area give your call sign and introduce
yourself.These are HAMs just like you;they want to meet you and talk with
you;they want to know what your interest is in the hobby;where you live;
what you do or enjoy as other hobbies;you may find that there are others
that share a lot of the same interest as you.Do you want other radio sundries
for your station;This is a great place to see what other HAMs use or have
they can sell you.Try to avoid cb lingo such as (10-4)(good buddy)or
(whats your handle)(whats your 10-20)in HAM radio we say roger;qsl,
over;whats your name;where are you located Thank you.Advoid profane
words;remember there are children listening so KEEP IT CLEAN!

Dont support any one that may QUIRM the local repeater.Keying up with
out giving a call sign is illegal.This could cost a operater his license and
a lot of money in fines.Which brings us to another operation of HAM
RADIO;Fox Hunting;This is a great way to learn to find radio transmissions
and is a lot of fun to make your own antennas to see if you can locate the
transmitter that is usally hidden so you can hunt for it.Fox hunting is usally
a planned event.But given we have learned the skills of fox hunting
it becomes easy to locate a transmitter hidden or other wise.Its a lot of fun
to get together with other hams or spend some time out hunting the fox.
Fox hunting is one of my favorite acts of the hobby.

Hopefully by now you have considered upgrading.The thing about becoming
a ham radio operator you have to earn it.When you upgrade you can open
up a new world of radioing.The HF bands are full of operators in other
countries that would like to contact you.DXing is some thing that happens
almost every day.A general class license gives you the HF bands that most
DXing takes place on.GOOD LUCK;ENJOY.

ALL RITES RESERVED