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.
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
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