Ham Radio Operating Guides
Getting licensed is step one. Actually getting on the air and making contacts is where the hobby comes alive. This section covers the practical operating skills that every ham needs — from making your first contact on a local repeater to chasing DX on HF, running a pile-up at a rare entity, operating portable from a summit, confirming contacts with QSL cards, and building a digital log with Logbook of the World. Whether you are a brand new Technician or a returning ham who has been off the air for years, these guides will get you operating confidently.
What is a QSO?
A QSO is a contact — a two-way radio communication between two amateur radio stations. The term comes from the Q-code system and is used universally in ham radio to refer to any completed two-way contact, whether on VHF/UHF, HF, CW, phone, or digital modes.
Do I need an HF radio to get started operating?
No. A Technician licence and a dual-band VHF/UHF handheld is all you need to start making contacts on local repeaters, participate in nets, and operate on the 2m and 70cm bands. HF opens up significantly more operating opportunities including DXing, contesting, and POTA, but it is not a requirement to get started.
What does 73 mean?
73 is the traditional ham radio sign-off meaning best regards. It comes from the old landline telegraph era and has been used in amateur radio since the earliest days of the hobby. You will hear it at the end of virtually every QSO. 88 means love and kisses and is used between close friends.
How do I find people to talk to on the air?
Start by monitoring your local repeater — just listen for activity and check in when there is a net. On HF, tune around 14.200–14.350 MHz on 20m USB during daytime hours and listen for stations calling CQ. DX clusters like DXWatch.com and the Reverse Beacon Network show active stations in real time. POTA activators are also always looking for contacts and are posted at pota.app.