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Comment by curiousfab | Hacker News Reader

Amateur radio (in particular "Contesting").

I second this. Amateur radio is an amazing hobby where you learn lots about electronics, (virtually and - if you like- physically) meet lots on new people and gain lots of knowledge on our planet, its countries and their people. You can participate in contests and compete with others many times a year and all this from home - if you are lucky enough to be able to put up antennas.

I amazes me evertime over and over again to have a conversation with someone living 10000km away from me without having to rely on other peoples/companies infrastructure. Especially when you are able to power your station with solar energy.

I've picked up this hobby with 40 and the only thing I regret is not having it picked up earlier. Also a great hobby for parents since you can operate from home at night times when everybody else is asleep.

Interesting. You may have inspired me to give it a go.

So where the hell do I start? Any recommendations for a beginner?

I'm in the UK if it makes a difference.

I myself did not know any amateur radio operator but read about it on the internet. I then did some research on what is needed to get on air - which is a license. Without a license, you can buy gear and listen to the airwaves (but are not allowed to press the PTT button) or listen to shortwave communications via WebSDR. Some people visit local amateur radio clubs, learn stuff there and get help. I went the following route:

* I decided that I want to get the beginner license first, then do a second exam for the big license

* bought some books for exam preparation

* bought a cheap 30€ handheld radio to listen to local repeater traffic while studying

* downloaded an exam preparation training tool

* worked through the material halfway through

* have registered for an exam

* stood up every morning at 5 and learned 2h before the family woke up for two months

* did the exam, got the beginner license

* studied another two months

* got the big license

* met other amateur radio operators a year after that ;)

Here are some links:

* this is the site of your country's club: https://rsgb.org/main/clubs/club-finder/

* the amateur radio subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/

There is so much more to write and I don't know where to start, but here are some fun facts:

* you don't have to learn morse code anymore for the license in most countries

* for local communicaiton, a budget of 30-100€ is sufficient

* for world wide shortwave communication, a budget of 400 to 700 can be sufficient when buying used

* you can do digi modes (computer to computer communication) instead of talking to people. This helped me the first year to get into it since i was mic shy.

* the community is awesome, people share their knowledge and help each other

* you can buy a digital handheld radio for around 200€ and work the world without any antennas over the internet. For some not the real thing, for others a blast.

Start at https://rsgb.org/main/get-started-in-amateur-radio/

Basically you need to take a course, take a test, and then you can get started.

Your local chapter will organise a reach out event once a year or so, that is a good opportunity to get started. There might also be fares.

The way radio contesting requires you to collaborate with your competitors is fascinating to me. Both stations my struggle to pull their competitor out of the noise because you both get points or a new multiple for doing so. Then there is no out of band way to verify logs, they just have to line up with what's in your competitor's logs.

And if you dig around the rules there are _lots_ of awards. e.g. I was the highest scoring QRP station in the Illinois QSO Party a few years ago.

Start your hobby at http://www.arrl.org/. The American Radio Relay League, if you are in North America. Every other country will also have a National Amateur Radio Association. Except north korea…

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