links and resources for new HAMs and ardent RADIO enthusiasts in san diego
lINKS
Ham radio exams organized by San Diego hams for the general public
https://sites.google.com/view/ham-radio-exams/upcoming-exams
There are three levels of ham radio (amateur radio) licenses granted by the FCC for use in the United States. The FCC delegates the administration of ham radio exams to groups of Volunteer Examiners (VEs) certified to conduct the exams.
In 2020 and 2021, most exams were conducted during live Zoom sessions under strict proctoring protocols. There might be a small fee for the exam.
STUDY BEFORE YOU TAKE A HAM RADIO EXAM
Click here for a free study tool
There are 35 questions on the entry-level exam. The questions cover simple electricity and radio theory, FCC regulations for hams, and ham operating practices.
Friendly hangout where new hams often make their first radio contact and ask questions.
K6XI repeater 449.440 MHz (-) PL/CTCSS 107.2
Located atop Otay Mountain in southern San Diego County, CA
American Radio Relay League (ARRL)
ARRL is the largest national association for ham radio operators.
The ARRL publishes a monthly magazine, weekly email newsletter, and send news bulletins to announce breaking news of interest to hams.
Local clubs in the San Diego area
We recommend that you check club web sites looking for special presentations that interest you. Most clubs conduct monthly meetings (Zoom these days) that are open to the public.
Lists of weekly radio nets in the San Diego area
https://www.sdg-arrl.org/nets/
We recommend that you find one weekly net that fits your personal schedule and check into that net most weeks to prove to yourself that you and your radio are ready to communicate.
Nets are a great way to meet other hams, to socialize, to learn, and to listen to announcements about upcoming events.
San Diego Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)
ARES trains continuously to support hospitals, clinics, medical infrastructure, shelters, and other groups during disasters when normal communications are compromised. Membership is open to all hams.
American Radio Relay League (ARRL), San Diego Section (covering San Diego and Imperial Counties)
The "San Diego Section" of the ARRL is the local branch of the national organization
San Diego Ham Classes
San Diego Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS)
Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) trains to support the San Diego County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during disasters. ACS was known formerly as RACES and is managed by the San Diego County Sheriff's Department Communications Center.
https://www.sdsheriff.gov/recruitment/auxiliary-communications-service-acs
Real-time world map showing radio paths active under radio conditions today
Weekly Ham Radio Forum
A net that occurs on Mondays @ 1930 (7:30 p.m.) is the San Diego Ham Forum which meets on the CORA K6KTA five-repeater linked system:
- Mt Woodson
- El Cajon
- Alpine
- Mt Laguna UHF
- Mt Laguna VHF
For Forum topic agenda, see https://www.facebook.com/groups/856599821517281/
How to listen to long-distance ham radio conversations
If you do not own a High Frequency (HF) radio, you may listen to HF conversations using an Internet service, such as:
http://69.27.184.62:8901/ (located at Half Moon Bay, California)
http://kiwisdr.ka9q.net:8073/ (located in Central San Diego)
http://kiwisdr.com/public/ (search for "San Diego" or "California")
You do NOT need a ham radio license to listen.
Advice for buying your first radio
- Buy a dual band (2M/440) handheld transceiver (HT) because in the San Diego area, most mountaintop repeaters operate on either the 2M or 440MHz bands, so both bands are needed.
- You do NOT need a ham radio license to purchase a ham radio or to listen to ham radio frequencies. To transmit on a ham radio, you need an FCC license and FCC-assigned radio call sign.
- For your first radio, consider purchasing from Ham Radio Outlet (HRO). Some people like the Yaesu FT-60, FT-65, and FT-70 models.
- There are reliable mail order sellers of new radio equipment, such as Gigaparts and DX Engineering.
- Consider buying the same make and model that your friends own so that you can share operating tips.
- Factors to consider: does the radio feel good in your hand? Do want many buttons and knobs, or would you prefer simple? Can you read the display without your reading glasses?
- Baofeng radios are inexpensive and popular but not easy to program unless you have programming software. For Baofeng operating tips, see https://miklor.com/
- Consider purchasing the programming cable and software that matches your radio.
Browse other links and ham communities
Before you buy, read product reviews at eham.net
Before you buy, read product reviews at eham.net
Before you buy, read product reviews at eham.net
Look up ham call signs at qrz.com
Before you buy, read product reviews at eham.net
Before you buy, read product reviews at eham.net
Locate other hams in your neighborhood
Before you buy, read product reviews at eham.net
Locate other hams in your neighborhood
Get frequencies of San Diego repeaters
Learn about ham radio topics by listening to presentations given to a national audience
Locate other hams in your neighborhood
Watch ham educational videos for San Diego hams
Learn about ham radio topics by listening to presentations given to a national audience
Learn about ham radio topics by listening to presentations given to a national audience
Learn about ham radio topics by listening to presentations given to a national audience
Learn about ham radio topics by listening to presentations given to a national audience
Learn about ham radio topics by listening to presentations given to a national audience
https://sites.google.com/view/ratpac
(RATPAC = Radio Amateur Training Planning and Activities Committee)
Browse links collected by San Diego Ham Ninja N1CLC who is a Summits On The Air (SOTA) enthusiast
Browse shelves of parts at Willy's Electronic Supply locations in Kearny Mesa and National City, CA
Browse links collected by San Diego Ham Ninja N1CLC who is a Summits On The Air (SOTA) enthusiast
Hike mountains vicariously with Adam K6ARK, a San Diego ham, who transmits from summits
Browse shelves of parts at Willy's Electronic Supply locations in Kearny Mesa and National City, CA
Browse links collected by San Diego Ham Ninja N1CLC who is a Summits On The Air (SOTA) enthusiast
Browse shelves of parts at Willy's Electronic Supply locations in Kearny Mesa and National City, CA
Browse shelves of parts at Willy's Electronic Supply locations in Kearny Mesa and National City, CA
Browse shelves of parts at Willy's Electronic Supply locations in Kearny Mesa and National City, CA
Confirm that your radio antennas transmit safely by using an RF Exposure Calculator
Confirm that your radio antennas transmit safely by using an RF Exposure Calculator
Browse shelves of parts at Willy's Electronic Supply locations in Kearny Mesa and National City, CA
CHECK WEB SITES FOR CURRENT STATUS OF Repeaters
CORA Cactus Open Repeater Association
Palomar Amateur Radio Club (PARC) repeaters
Palomar Amateur Radio Club (PARC) repeaters
Palomar Amateur Radio Club (PARC) repeaters
Palomar Amateur Radio Club (PARC) repeaters
Palomar Amateur Radio Club (PARC) repeaters
East County Repeater Association (ECRA)
Palomar Amateur Radio Club (PARC) repeaters
East County Repeater Association (ECRA)
San Diego Repeater Association (SANDRA)
Valley Center Amateur Radio Club (VCARC) repeaters
East County Repeater Association (ECRA)
K6XI / K6RRR Repeater Network
Valley Center Amateur Radio Club (VCARC) repeaters
Valley Center Amateur Radio Club (VCARC) repeaters
Valley Center Amateur Radio Club (VCARC) repeaters
Valley Center Amateur Radio Club (VCARC) repeaters
Valley Center Amateur Radio Club (VCARC) repeaters
PAPA System repeaters
PAPA System repeaters
PAPA System repeaters
Call signs
Vanity call signs
As soon as you get your first call sign, you can apply for a vanity call sign, if you want to try for one. Some people get a vanity call sign which includes their initials.
Click here for vanity call sign info.
Click here for more vanity call sign info.
Ham Radio Conventions (annual recurring events)
Check the event web sites . . . some ham conventions are free, virtual events these days.
Ham conventions feature workshops, lectures, and ham radio equipment vendors that will dazzle you.
QuartzFest (desert RV boondocking event for hams on US 95 near Quartzite, AZ) - January
Comm Academy (Pacific Northwest) - April
Dayton (Ohio) Hamvention - May
Sea-Pac (Seaside, Oregon) - June (virtual in 2021)
Lakeside (San Diego County) Hamfest - October
Pacificon (San Francisco East Bay) - October
QSO Today Ham Radio Expo - twice per year
Click here for a searchable database of ham conventions
(Search tip: select Division "Southwestern" for SoCal and Arizona results)
HISTORY
Overview of radio, TV, and broadcasting history
https://wyomingllcattorney.com/Blog/Business-Studies-Broadcasting-History
(Tip of the hat to Noah for suggesting this link.)
ham radio testimonials
How did you become interested in ham radio?
Long ago, I read an advertisement in Boys' Life Magazine. For $1, the ARRL sent several books to study for the entry-level license exam. Fast forward many years, my wife insisted that I be able to communicate when hiking in the backcountry where there is no cell phone service. Rob K6RJF
Send us your story
Please use the comment form at the bottom of his page to tell us what brought you to ham radio.
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San Diego Ham Radio Community
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