Information for New Hams


ASK AN ELMER:

Have a question or need some help?  Send a message to: Elmer@falara.org and a club member will respond


ARRL RESOURCES for NEW HAMS: 

New Ham Resources - http://www.arrl.org/new-ham-resources

On the Air Email subscription for new hams - http://www.arrl.org/on-the-air-email-subscription

On the Air Blog for new hams - http://www.arrl.org/on-the-air-blog


SOURCES of USED EQUIPMENT:

Ham Fests - Ham fests are one way to purchase used equipment.  The largest ham fest in New England is NEAR Fest.  FARA holds FARA Fest each November.  


On-Line Ham Classifieds - QRZ.com has an on-line "Swapmeet", eHam.net has on-line ham classified ad's, and QTH.com also has on-line ham classifieds.  


LIFE BEYOND REPEATERS:

Video Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-In_bHBbp2g

PDF Version: Life Beyond Repeaters-PDF


SDR Receivers on the Internet:

Internet accessible SDR receivers can be useful tools for new hams.

PDF version of WebSDR introduction presentation: WebSDR Introduction 


SATELLITE/International Space Station (ISS):

Working Amateur Radio Satellites web resource:  https://www.work-sat.com/index.html
Work FM Voice Satellites with your HT Quick Start: https://www.work-sat.com/ewExternalFiles/WorkSat-07182021.pdf

Contact the ISS: https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html


BAOFENG HT INFORMATION:

FARA provides a Baofeng HT to each person who passes a FARA Technician license class.  The HT's are fully programmed with local repeater, simplex, and marine weather channels.  There are links below to the HT manual, programming details, and a channel-frequency reference.


Baofeng Manual

Programming-1

Programming-2

Channel Frequency Reference


DIGITAL MODES INFORMATION:

WSJT-X - FT8/FT4 Modes software and documentation: https://www.physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html

WSJT-X Group - https://wsjtx.groups.io/g/main/topics

FLDigi - PSK31/RTTY and related digital modes software: https://sourceforge.net/projects/fldigi/

FLDigi - Users Manual: http://www.w1hkj.com/FldigiHelp-3.21/html/index.html

FLDigi Group - https://groups.io/g/winfldigi

VarAC HF Radio Text Chat Software: https://www.varac-hamradio.com/

VarAC User Guide (PDF): https://www.varac-hamradio.com/forum/manuals/english-manuals-by-varac-community

VarAC Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/varahf/


ANTENNAS:

The Projects section of this website contains information on building several antennas useful for the new ham.


LOGGING SOFTWARE INFORMATION:

Field Day Logging:

N1MM Field Day Logging - N1MM FD Log Operator Information

N3FJP Field Day Logging - N3FJP FD Log Operator Information


Logging Software Resources:

N1MM Contest Logger:

N1MM Download Page - N1MM Downloads

N1MM Installation Instructions -N1MM Installation

N1MM Full Documentation - N1MM Documentation

N1MM Transceiver Interface Help - N1MM Transceiver Interfacing


N3FJP's AC (Amateur Contact) Log:

AC Log Download - AC Log Download

AC Log Video Introduction - AC Log Video Quickstart

AC Log Guide Download - AC Log Guide

AC Log Guide PDF - AC Log Guide (local copy)

AC Log Transceiver Interface Help - AC Log Transceiver Interfacing


INTERNET OPERATING RESOURCES:

DX Cluster, listing stations on the air - DX Summit

Propagation Information - PSK Reporter, Reverse Beacon Network, WSPRnet
Getting the Most from PSK Reporter

Callsign Lookup - QRZ, HamCall

QSO Confirmation - Log Book of the World (LotW), QRZ, eQSL, Club Log

Sample USB/Serial Interface Information - Kenwood, Yaesu, Icom

Audio Recorder for Voice Keying - Audacity

WebSDR Listings, listen to your received signal using web browser - WebSDR, KiwiSDR

CW Keying Interface Information - N3FJP Schematics, Nano Keyer Arduino-based keyer, WinKeyer Kits

CW Decoding Software - FLDigi, CW Get, CW Decoder, CW Skimmer, MRP40

CW Keyboard Software - CW Type, FLDigi, MRP40, CW Decoder, CW Player

Virtual Port Software - VSP Manager (free to hams)

Virtual Audio Software - Virtual Audio Cable, VB Cable