Beyond FM: Advancing in Amateur Radio

Contesting at the Ohio QSO party

As I type this I'm also speaking, and being heard clearly, across northeast Ohio and possibly parts of southern Ontario on a frequency of 146.82 Mhz thanks to a repeater tower in Seven Hills, Ohio just south of Cleveland. I've just got done checking into a regular "net" hosted by the Cuyahoga Amateur Radio Society (CARS) and will soon give some short comments about my FM rig, give my answer to the CARS weekly trivia question and and hear some announcements for the good of all listening. 

Nets, like the CARS net on Wednesday nights, are a big part of amateur radio on the 2 meter and 70 centimeter bands. They typically occur on posted frequencies at scheduled times and allow regional communication in a range typical of an FM radio station or over-the-air network TV station. Repeaters, large receiving and transmitting beacons, host each radio operator's signal and broadcast it over an output frequency that propagates at higher power for everyone in the region to hear. So, even if you have a small handheld transceiver (like my $25.00 5-watt Baofeng UV-5R) you can be heard as far as the repeater transmits, as long as you are close enough to the repeating tower. Additionally, some nets host EchoLink, which allows individuals with amateur licenses to connect to the repeating tower via the Internet, and then be heard over the air waves; this is particularly helpful for new hams who may not have a device or rig capable of transmitting to the nearest tower, as well as old hams who may have retired to sunny south Florida, but still want to check in with their radio pals in Cleveland.    

My contact history and range on the FM bands

Today, I was pretty happy. Because the CARS net control operator all the way in Parma, 35 miles northwest of my station in Kent, heard me loud and clear before the net even began. So, even without the help of CARS' repeater, my voice was being heard well over a good portion of northern Ohio. So, my big spring project was a success! Once the net began, I could expect even better propagation across the region on 146.82 Mhz, since my signal was then boosted by a commercial transmitter located on Cuyahoga County's high-point of Seven Hills, where most of Cleveland's local broadcast affiliates lease land for radio and TV towers. I've come a long way since watching Dick Goddard do the weather as a kid on WJW FOX 8 Cleveland!

But, what's next for Ham radio? Now that I've got my UHF/VHF rig built, and even made some contacts from my Baofeng at some outdoor sites and parks, where do I go from here? 

The answer is to explore DX'ing (making contact with radio operators in foreign and exotic locations) and Contesting (gathering as many contacts as possible in a competitive setting) on the HF and shortwave bands. And, for that I need a bigger, more expensive radio and more importantly a General Class amateur radio license. So, advancing in my HAM radio journey will take a significant effort and investment as my current Technician Class license will not allow me to use most of the HF bands where it's possible to transmit farther than just this corner of the state.

Luckily, I can begin experiencing the excitement of HF radio already, with help from my local radio club, The Portage County Amateur Radio Service (PCARS). They've got an arsenal of HF radios and equipment, a station to broadcast from, and a wealth of experience from group members at all levels. And, the best part about working with the club, is that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) allows me to access all the available HF bands as long as I am under the supervision of the group. The same goes for non-licensed individuals who are interested in the hobby but unsure about testing for a license.  

One of PCARS' ICOM 7300 rigs

So, after attending a few events and joining PCARS, I've already got to use an ICOM IC-7300 HF transceiver at the club site, as well as a Yaesu FT-891 mobile rig out at the park. Both of these machines are excellent transceivers that I may purchase one day, but the units themselves plus any necessary accessories will run well into the thousand-dollar range. So, having the opportunity to use the club's equipment, as well as gauging my interest, is an important first step before I have a thousand-dollar piece of equipment collecting dust in my basement. Plus, being part of the club means that I don't really ever have to spend money on equipment again. If I want, I can contest and DX all I want with the club, and save my own money for something else like...sweet decals for my car.

Some of PCARS awards

Having not yet used the necessary equipment or contested on my own, I've already done both under club supervision. This past July, I made my very first HF contact on 15 meters taking part in Parks On the Air (POTA) from Lake Milton State Park. The following August, I participated in my first contest, The Ohio QSO party, from the PCARS club site. In that afternoon I officially logged my first five QSO's under the club's K8BF callsign: N3FLO (Pennsylvania), KV8P (Ohio), WA9TMU (Indiana), VO3NFM and VE3LFN (both from Ontario, Canada). Soon, I'll be taking part in Washington state's QSO contest known as the "Salmon Run," where I hope to make even more long-range contacts, and rake in points for our little club in Ohio. 

So, regardless of when I choose to test for my next license class or invest in more radio equipment, I'll continue to have fun and advance in amateur radio with help from PCARS. And, even if I choose to take a break from radio or focus on other things, I'll always be able to check-in on the various 2 meter and 70 centimeter FM nets in northeast Ohio. 

And, if anyone reading this heard my check-in on 146.82 Mhz on September 18th, reply in the comments. Especially if you were in Canada. I REALLY WANT to know if my signal can get across lake Erie...