Getting Started: Your First Station

Assuming you’ve passed your amateur radio Foundation exam and received your callsign, your next question may be: how do I actually get on the air?

There isn’t one correct first station. Some people start with a handheld and a local repeater, others put a VHF/UHF radio in the shack, while some head straight for HF and long-distance contacts.

Want a one-page printable guide? See our Getting Started Guides

Getting started on VHF and UHF

For many newly licensed amateurs, the easiest place to start is on 2 metres (144 MHz) and 70cm (430 MHz). These bands are widely used for local contacts, repeaters, nets and portable operation.

How far you’ll get depends heavily on your location and antenna. A modest radio connected to a good outdoor antenna can often outperform a more expensive radio using a poor indoor antenna.

Handheld radio

A handheld is one of the cheapest and simplest ways to get started. Most amateur handhelds cover 2m and 70cm and typically produce around 5 watts.

They’re convenient, portable and useful for local repeaters and nearby contacts, but the small supplied antenna limits their range. Performance can improve considerably outdoors or when connected to a better antenna.

See our guide to choosing your first handheld »

A radio for the shack

If you want better VHF/UHF performance from home, a mobile-style 2m/70cm transceiver makes a good base station.

These radios normally run from a 12-13.8V DC power supply and can be connected to an external vertical antenna mounted on the roof, in the loft or elsewhere as high and clear as practical.

Compared with a handheld, the biggest improvement usually comes from the external antenna and its height, rather than simply having more transmit power.

Mobile operation

Many VHF/UHF radios are designed for vehicle use. A suitable antenna can be fitted using a magnetic mount, boot/hatch mount or permanent installation.

Mobile operation can be particularly useful for accessing repeaters and taking part in local nets while travelling.

See also: Getting Started with Repeaters

Getting started on HF

HF opens up a very different side of amateur radio. Depending on the band and conditions, contacts can range from relatively local stations to operators thousands of miles away.

Getting onto HF doesn’t necessarily require an expensive station. New and second-hand transceivers are available at a wide range of prices, and antennas can be as simple as carefully cut lengths of wire.

The antenna is particularly important. Common beginner options include dipoles, end-fed wires and other simple wire antennas. An antenna tuner can be useful with some antenna systems, but it isn’t automatically required for every HF installation.

We’ve produced a three-part introduction to HF:

• Part 1: The HF Bands – what to expect from the different HF bands
• Part 2: Selecting a Transceiver – things to consider when choosing an HF radio
• Part 3: Aerials – feeders, antennas and practical options for the shack

How much power can I use?

UK Foundation licensees can currently use up to 25 watts PEP on most amateur bands available to them, although some bands and circumstances have lower limits.

Always check your current Ofcom amateur radio licence before transmitting, particularly if you’re experimenting with a new band or mode.

If you expect to progress to Intermediate or Full, it can make sense to buy equipment that will remain useful as your licence privileges increase. You don’t need to use the radio’s maximum available power.

Digital voice

Digital voice is now well established in amateur radio. Common systems include DMR, D-Star and Yaesu System Fusion.

Depending on your area, you may be able to connect through a local digital repeater or use a personal hotspot connected to the Internet. This can allow a relatively low-powered handheld to communicate with radio amateurs much further afield.

Before buying a digital radio, it’s worth checking which systems and repeaters are active in your area.

Data and digital modes

Connecting a radio to a computer opens up another large part of the hobby.

Popular modes include:

• FT8 – extremely popular for weak-signal contacts
• FT4 – similar to FT8 but faster
• PSK31 – keyboard-to-keyboard text communication
• SSTV – sending and receiving pictures by radio
• WSPR – useful for testing propagation and antennas using very low power

See our Getting Started with Data Modes guide »

Morse code

Morse code, usually referred to by radio amateurs as CW, remains popular. It’s efficient, works well with simple equipment and can make contacts possible under difficult conditions.

Morse is completely optional in UK amateur radio, so there’s no requirement to learn it unless it interests you.

Tips before buying your first station

• Think about what you actually want to do. Local repeaters, HF, digital modes and portable operation may require very different equipment.
• Don’t underestimate the antenna. Improving the antenna often makes a bigger difference than buying a more powerful radio.
• Ask other amateurs. Clubs, forums and local nets can be useful places to hear what works well in practice.
• Consider second-hand equipment. Good-quality used amateur equipment can provide excellent value.
• Don’t rush. Listening for a while before buying can help you work out which part of the hobby appeals to you most.

Still deciding what to buy?

We’ve put together more practical guides for newly licensed operators covering radios, antennas, repeaters and getting your first contacts in the log.

See the Essex Ham Getting Started Guides »

Related content

• Just got your licence?
• Essex Ham’s Getting Started Guides
• Choosing your first handheld
• Getting started with repeaters