Obtaining an amateur radio license and trying your hand at ham radio will enable you to connect with a plethora of interesting people. Although people commonly use online forums and social media platforms for this purpose, ham radio is nothing to sneeze at. Decades before the Worldwide Web was accessible to the population at large, people used ham radio to make new friends and form lasting connections. It could even be argued that ham radio was the original social media platform. When conversing with other ham operators, it’s important to communicate clearly, as this will ensure that you’re understood by your peers. Putting the following tips to good use will ensure clear communication and increase your chances of making friends with your fellow operators.
Procure a Reliable Console
Using outdated console equipment or radio tools that are well past their prime greatly diminishing your odds of communicating clearly. This isn’t to say that every ham operator needs a tricked-out cutting-edge console, but the newer your console, the more clearly you’ll be able to communicate. Additionally, a newer console will enable you to send your signals much farther than you’d be able to with an older one. When looking for effective ways to increase the power of your ham radio console, you can’t go wrong with high-quality directional couplers from Werlatone.
Hold Your Mic Properly
The manner in which you hold your microphone plays a role in determining the quality of your communications. As any experienced hammer can confirm, holding your mic too close to your mouth will make your words difficult to understand and produce an annoying hiss that’s practically guaranteed to hurt the ears of your fellow operators. With this in mind, make sure to keep your microphone about an inch away from your mouth when speaking.
Practice Personal Volume Control
It’s also imperative that you be mindful of your personal volume when speaking with other ham operators. Many novice hammers have a tendency to speak too loudly, thus inconveniencing anyone who happens to be listening to them. If you have problems keeping your personal volume in check, practice speaking in a measured, even tone of voice until the manner of speaking becomes natural to you.
Even though its popularity has largely been eclipsed by high-speed Internet, ham radio is by no means down for the count. In fact, amateur radio has experienced something of a comeback over the last few years. To maximize your odds of making friends and connecting with new and exciting people via ham radio, take care to utilize the previously discussed communication tips.