What the Heck is a 59? - Ham Radio - TheSmokinApe

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You. I'm like the kid in class afraid to raise his hand to ask the question for fear of being ridiculed. I feared contesting by voice because I had never understood the 5/9 issue. Now I do, thanks to you. I really appreciate this video, most of them take for granted that everyone is an expert, when in reality there are just a lot afraid to ask the question.

I'd appreciate the honesty! I was wondering why I always hear 59, that's like everyone being a winner. I like the sound of a report more along S/N. I am a new technician and appreciate this video!

Contests.....everyone is a 59! I think the ionosphere knows there is a contest going on as well as everyone's antenna suddenly becomes resonant. Love it. Edit-so many factors....each receiving station has a different antenna, different location...signal reports should vary!

Thankyou for the FUN-Enjoyable-happy factor🎉

Thanks for saying what needed to be said. I got my licence when S meters were an optional extra or didn't exist for a lot of receivers, so reports were given by ear and were more honest than they are now. The most amazing report I heard given out by a local recently to a DX station was "You are 5 and 0". Yes, five and zero. He couldn't manage to give a report unless his S meter was showing a value. S meters are best used to give relative reports - "You are 10db stronger on that aerial compared to the other" for example. They are not to be taken as definitive. Cheers from a snowy England - G3WNR

I don’t feel slighted in the least if someone gives me an honest low number signal report. I’m happy they took the time to reply. I keep an RST cheat sheet close to my radio so that I can give a more accurate report. Great video as usual. Thanks man, Kn4eqg

My club does a weekly simplex test net on various bands and accurate signal reports are an important part for us. After all we are doing these to better understand how our radios work and what to expect from them.

I recently got an unsolicited "great signal, armchair copy " signal report from a 3rd party listening to a qso I was having where I mentioned my new home brew antenna. One of my favorite RST of all time. Lol

Fantastic video on a subject that is rarely talked about. Great job!

Thanks, so often I think Hams forget the this is a hobby for many, and take themselves too seriously.

Excellent video, thank you!

This is a great video. Thanks for all you do!

Great message. Thanks!!

Thank for this - you tackled a topic, i was wandering about - now i understand better.

Ape, I totally agree with you in this respect. If there is a problem with your radio or antenna, you need to know about it, from others that are receiving your signal. Giving out stock standard 59 signal reports are BS and helps no-one at all. Secondary to this, the two numbers are meaningless without some sort of back-up information (especially with voice modes) as to why you're giving this particular rating to another ham. I will say (where applicable), things like there is a whistle in behind your audio or your signal fluctuates, or whatever as the case may be. A very good video.

Great information, thank you Ape!

This seems like a simple topic, but you hit all the things about it that I've never really understood. I mean, I understand the system, but not how people are actually using it. Because, well, they kind of aren't using it. Thanks for the vindication!

What a great topic, and well put also. It can be confusing for new hams. I'm still somewhat new to HF and still learn stuff all the time. When I got back into the hobby and started doing HF I was scratching my head over my S-meter to try and give an honest signal report, but over time and with making more contacts learned similar stuff you outlined here in your video. 73 de N2NLQ

I really appreciate the content. Good refresher and good best practices reminders. Most of my signal reports will likely change as I will be less lazy and more accurate to the intent. I honestly needed to see cheat sheet again!

Great video! Glad to see this. Personally, I like to give a true signal report as well as receiving one. It tells me what my radio is doing. I guess I’m old time lol. Even when I’m activating POTA, I give the actual signal report. It all depends on lots of variables. And your very right, meters vary.