1st HAM Radio Setup, and WHY DO HAM in 2024?

First video I've found that doesn't make the whole thing seem completely overwhelming - you are one chill dude, many thanks.

OUTSTANDING! I'm going to have a knee replacement this winter. I was wondering what to do during my recovery...Now I know...Study and PASS the Ham License test.

One of the reason these are still make sense is disaster preparedness. You know, in the modern world where everything is so convenient, people often take it for granted, but the fact is disaster can happen anytime, where cellphone services knocked out, internet, powerstations knocked out, gas line, fresh water, elevators, cash-less transaction services etc. During time like that, we have to 'back to the basics'.

I’ve been in ham/Cb radio since 1964. I’ve built HealthKit units as well as modern kits available today. The thing is radios will always work if all other communication goes down. During natural disaster’s it’s still the only form of communication working including today with what happened in Florida.

For a better antenna I would recommend the Diamond x50, you can stick it in a flower pot, it’s about 5.5 feet, you can camouflage it with a phony vine or flowers and stick it on your balcony, if you don’t have a balcony just get it close to a window, it should get out far better than your mobile window antenna. Good luck, KG7VDN 🤘🏼

This Video got you a new subscriber. I’ve been a ham since 1974 and a pilot since 1976. I probably wouldn’t have found you without this video. Thanks

I used an MFJ 1622 Apartment Antenna for years when I was in an apartment. It covers 2m through 40m. I worked the world with this

When the big winter storm hit in Texas a while back and the power kept going out, I was able to still use my radio (HT and battery backup desk unit) to listen/talk to other people in my area I didn't know and see what they knew. I still use it during thunderstorms because you'll find out what's headed your way before the news can tell you. It's also nice just to listen/talk to people you don't know. Can't do any of that with a cell phone.

You're like the version of me I wish I could have attained! Organized as anything, fit, pilot, awesome at guitar, and extremely level-headed.

Great Encouraging Video and really thought out and organized very well. Appreciate your effort. I am a retired helo driver, little bird and UH1 (30 years in Army) and a former SCCA race driver. I can appreciate your motivation for aircraft and cars. But I would add one more reason besides fun and that is part of being prepared (prepper). I am 81 yr old and decided to get my tech license and in process of studying. I really appreciate your passion and encouragement. Bless you.😊😊😊

Wait wait wait.... Guitar Max is a HAM?? Dude you're officially one of the coolest YouTubers out there in my opinion.

I like your story about how you got into ham radio. Once there's an interest in radio, it never goes away. I'm a CBer, and a bit of a funny story, my friends bought me a UV-5R for some radio favours I did for them. I loved that thing, listening to the cops etc. One morning I drove off for work at around 6am, and 200m down the road took the first turn and heard a sliding sound on the roof. I knew it wasn't a coffee cup, I very quickly realised I'd left the radio on the roof of the car the previous night because I was using the light to help with firewood. I didn't have time to stop so looked for it after work. I eventually found what may be it on the side of the road. It was very flat and large, and when I turned it over, all that was distinguishable was a sought of over sized speaker. It looked like something out of a cartoon. Turns out it was run over about a 100 times by potato tractors, I lived high up in potato country (awesome for DX) and it was harvest time.

Cool to hear your perspective and upbringing into such a niche hobby (especially when you clearly have a thousand other hobbies going on!). I do work with youth advocacy and getting more people into ham radio, so it’s excellent to hear your story. We’re still doing it! A Lot! Hope to hear you on the air! 73 😊

This is EXACTLY what I was looking for. I have had UV5R's for a few years, and I didn't want to spend a ton of money to step it up. Thank you!!

I'm from the guitar channel and I am also a railfan. I use a Baofeng GT3 primary as a railroad scanner and it works pretty good considering how cheap it is.

I’m an FCC licensed GMRS radio operator. Right now there are 2 different versions of the Baofeng UV-5R Radio on the market. I know, I have one. There is the Ham Radio version, and there is the GMRS version. Basically the only way to tell which version it is, is by a colored label sticker located in the back of the radio battery compartment attached to the back of the radio itself. The difference is that the GMRS version comes with the factory installed “Red” colored label sticker that has “GMRS” printed on it, and the Ham Radio version has a factory installed “Blue” colored label sticker. Mine came with the factory installed “Red” colored Sticker label printed with the word “GMRS” on it. Mine is also programed for the GMRS frequencies and the GMRS frequency repeater channels in my state area. Mine was programed for the GMRS frequencies along with the proper FCC legal transmit output power for the GMRS frequencies and channels with the “Chirp” program. My son-in-law and his father are both licensed GMRS radio operators. They belong to a local GMRS club up in the state capital area of my state. Both of them have the same Baofeng UV-5R radio’s, and theirs are also programed with the same GMRS channels and repeater frequencies along with the proper FCC legal transmit output power for the GMRS frequencies and channels as well. There are a couple of other people in the state capital area of my state that also have the same radios set up for GMRS frequencies. How I found out about the 2 different versions was through a video produced by the FCC licensed GMRS operator “NOTARUBICON” on YouTube. Among all the other GMRS videos he has posted on Youtube, he also has also produced and posted a Youtube video pertaining to the two different Baofeng UV-5R Radio versions. Before he produced and posted that particular video he was always insisting that the Baofeng UV-5R was strictly a ham radio and was illegal for use on the GMRS frequencies. because all the “SAD HAMS” kept insisting that the Baofeng UV-5R radio is strictly and only a ham radio, and is not legal to be used on the GMRS frequencies and channels. But “NOTARUBICON” himself found out differently that there are 2 different versions. So he produced and posted that video pertaining to the 2 different versions, so that it would keep the “SAD HAMS” at bay and off his back of which keep insisting that the Baofeng UV-5R radio is strictly and only a ham radio and is therefore not legal to be used on the GMRS frequencies and channels.

Enjoyed you conversation and journey. I am Disabled Vet and an old ham...have lost my ham head and returning to the air...have lost my cognition to some degree. So your self explanation and history is refreshing my knowledge base. Thanks for being there. 73, John KH3AE😊

Just got callsign this last week. Looking forward to exploring hobby.

Welcome to ham radio! I have watched some of your guitar review videos and found them very interesting. Good luck in getting your general license. I have been having a lot of fun on the hf bands and, although fairly new to hf, have been able to make contacts with several foreign countries.

Getting into ham radio as well, disaster preparation is a most. Besides, it’s a cool hobby.