WB4CS
Member
This is why I avoid all things net related.
There's something for everybody in this hobby.
Anyone else Mic Shy?
- Thread starter Cressida81
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This is why I avoid all things net related.
There's something for everybody in this hobby.
I think ham radio is fascinating. I'm also a shy person with or without a microphone in my hand. One thing I've been doing in an attempt to conquer the mic shyness is to work in ham radio contests. It helps because what you say is mostly pre-determined. Call sign, signal report, sometimes a serial number of some sort, location, etc. It helps me get my mouth open to speak into a mic and get used to getting a response. At the same time, it tests my transceiver and antenna system. Knowing that your equipment is working properly is encouraging.
I know what you are experiencing. You are not alone. Keep trying.
I know what you are experiencing. You are not alone. Keep trying.
Sccafire
Member
Here is my take on it. I believe we are in the same boat. I also worked public service (Fire Service) and have no issues talking on the radio. Here is where the issue lies, I did not talk on the radio unless spoken to first 95% of the time. The other 5% was asking for ETA's and requsting additional resouces i.e police, medics. I/we are possibly so used to being called first instead of being the one who is calling.
To the OP; the suggestion that you join a club is great, I highly recommend that route. You'll meet people that really enjoy ham radio for the camaraderie of it all. Don't be afraid to stand up and introduce yourself if there is a roll call, or better yet, get there a bit early and introduce yourself to the leadership; they may very well extend a warm welcome to you as they present to the club membership.
My very first net was the NYC Shortwave and Scanner Net, created and run by Charlie, N2NOV. I had been listening as a scanner head for years and it was one of the reasons I got my ticket. He was very welcoming and always was interested in anything anyone had to add, plus he was very knowledgeable and happy to share his wisdom.
My next net, of my first club (HoSARC, in Queens County, NY) was run by a gentleman named Ken (forgot his call sign) he was very kind and really good at running a round table, good at asking questions and coaxing even shy hams to feel welcome.
These are the kinds of nets you are looking for, if you are lucky enough to have one in your area! Run by hams who are welcoming and good facilitators of conversation.
Congrats on getting your license!
73,
Jim KC2LMH
My very first net was the NYC Shortwave and Scanner Net, created and run by Charlie, N2NOV. I had been listening as a scanner head for years and it was one of the reasons I got my ticket. He was very welcoming and always was interested in anything anyone had to add, plus he was very knowledgeable and happy to share his wisdom.
My next net, of my first club (HoSARC, in Queens County, NY) was run by a gentleman named Ken (forgot his call sign) he was very kind and really good at running a round table, good at asking questions and coaxing even shy hams to feel welcome.
These are the kinds of nets you are looking for, if you are lucky enough to have one in your area! Run by hams who are welcoming and good facilitators of conversation.
Congrats on getting your license!
73,
Jim KC2LMH
I would have to say I'm mic shy.
I work as a radio operator at running events and have no trouble.
I think I am shy to start up a conversation with a complete stranger.
Not shure what to talk about.
Analogy would be to srike up a coversation with a complete stranger on the street.
What do you talk about? Weather? Trafic? ???
Now give me a job to do or a practical use and I don't have a problem.
I work as a radio operator at running events and have no trouble.
I think I am shy to start up a conversation with a complete stranger.
Not shure what to talk about.
Analogy would be to srike up a coversation with a complete stranger on the street.
What do you talk about? Weather? Trafic? ???
Now give me a job to do or a practical use and I don't have a problem.
I hear you, Paddykern. That's why if you can find a well run, inclusive net every week to check into, it makes things easier.
But to your point, and the OP's; one cool thing about Emcomm (whether it's your local ARES net or a club) is that it is communication with a purpose. Everyone is there for the same reason, and the nets are (usually) directed. It's not just chit-chat.
Having said all of that, I also like the idea of mic-shy hams like yourself getting on the air with the digital modes. I don't myself, but I stopped being shy about my on-air activities a long time ago!
But to your point, and the OP's; one cool thing about Emcomm (whether it's your local ARES net or a club) is that it is communication with a purpose. Everyone is there for the same reason, and the nets are (usually) directed. It's not just chit-chat.
Having said all of that, I also like the idea of mic-shy hams like yourself getting on the air with the digital modes. I don't myself, but I stopped being shy about my on-air activities a long time ago!
Cressida81
Member
Had a much better time this last wednesday night's net. The NetOperator went down the line of folks who checked in (about 12) and tell everyone what they're doing for Thanksgiving, any interesting traditions, and what they did in Amateur radio that week. It gave me something to talk about specifically, identify myself as a new Ham, and apparently pulling out of my driveway made a HUGE different in my signal because I was coming in nearly full quiet with just some lite popping.
Also, I took notes during the Net and looked up every callsign on QRZ to see if anyone lives really close. FINALLY found out who lives around the corner from me with the 50-60 foot tower in his backyard. He is my new buddy and is going to give me a lot of help.
I'm feeling much better about getting on the radio when i've got something to say. Until I get my handheld mounted better in the car I'm going to leave it off. It just too distracting right now. Once I get it clipped in (i'll post some pictures) and its stable it will hopefully see more use.
Thanks for the good information on the HF bands. I've heard there are some "closed groups" around. It will likely be a while before I get a HF rig so I've got some time to network with friendly Hams before then.
Also, I took notes during the Net and looked up every callsign on QRZ to see if anyone lives really close. FINALLY found out who lives around the corner from me with the 50-60 foot tower in his backyard. He is my new buddy and is going to give me a lot of help.
I'm feeling much better about getting on the radio when i've got something to say. Until I get my handheld mounted better in the car I'm going to leave it off. It just too distracting right now. Once I get it clipped in (i'll post some pictures) and its stable it will hopefully see more use.
Thanks for the good information on the HF bands. I've heard there are some "closed groups" around. It will likely be a while before I get a HF rig so I've got some time to network with friendly Hams before then.
Good to hear all of this!
I was going to suggest HF, too. Especially DXing and contesting, as often those exchanges are short and to the point, rather than "rag chewing".
Still it's better knowing that you have broken the ice with the local net and have made some new ham buddies!
73,
Jim
I was going to suggest HF, too. Especially DXing and contesting, as often those exchanges are short and to the point, rather than "rag chewing".
Still it's better knowing that you have broken the ice with the local net and have made some new ham buddies!
73,
Jim
KW4HKY
Member
IF you can find one, an informal rag chew is great. I lucked on to one my first night after I got my ticket. We still talk nightly for 50 minutes.
The OT guys are great in helping newer operators feel at home.
HF is full of daily rag chew. Throw out your call and tell them you enjoy listening. You might meet some new friends and most all are a wealth of knowledge.
The OT guys are great in helping newer operators feel at home.
HF is full of daily rag chew. Throw out your call and tell them you enjoy listening. You might meet some new friends and most all are a wealth of knowledge.
k6cpo
Member
Yes, I know. I've been a VE for three years. I just didn't want to complicate things for the OP.
It's great to hear things are working out for you. A little perseverance goes a long way.
k3cfc
Silent Key
Mounting HT.
I have an icom 2200h mounted on top of my dash with Velcro. it has been there for 5 years winter and summer without any problems.
K3CFC
I have an icom 2200h mounted on top of my dash with Velcro. it has been there for 5 years winter and summer without any problems.
K3CFC
Cressida81
Member
You ever worried about theft?
k3cfc
Silent Key
I live in an area that we do not have local police. i have left my windows down all night with my wallet on the seat and came out the next day and it was still there. besides i have full coverage on my van and it's contents with replacement of my equipment. my 2 meter is not all that i have in there.
K3CFC
The best way to break the ice is to find the local club and join. Go to the meetings and you will meet a lot of friendly hams. I was never afraid to talk, but sometimes the talking part might be the other guy, not you. If you were to try to talk to me, I would do all I can to keep the QSO going as long as you held up your end. The best bait to catch a ham in a QSO is to ask questions about real problems. Your first might be the signal report you got, see if anyone on the repeater can help you, that is what Ham Radio is all about. The term Elmer is common for someone who knows a lot to help someone who knows less. It is the essence of what being a Amateur Radio operator is.
The Ham club is usually the one who is sponsoring at least one of the local repeaters. The clubs don't ask anyone for dues, but they are there, and out of respect for the club, you should try to find how much that is, and try to pay it. It puts you on the club roster, and you will hear many of those people you meet on the local net. All of the information on the local club should be on their web site, do a Google search for the name of your community and ham radio club, and you will be able to get all the information you need by reading. Once you know about it, you can be prepared to move forward in joining them, and making new friends.
Many are correct about HF chat groups, they won't say more than hello to you, and that is if they can hear you. Many of them are running a lot of power, and have very good antennas, so you will hear them a lot better than they will hear you. HF nets are a different story, they want people to check in, but some of the same is true there, while they might want to hear from you, you might not have the kind of radio station that can make that easy. This takes us back to the local club and hams that will help you do whatever you want. But be prepared to learn, Elmering someone is about teaching, not doing the job for. The best experience I have had in Amateur radio occurred when I was getting myfirst HF privileges, that involved learning CW, and it got really fun and exciting once I made my first contact. I was going at it every day, and every night, it was the most fun I have had operating Amateur radio. I eventually passed the next CW test, and thought that I didn't need CW anymore, but I was dead wrong, I love it. I am one who thinks that taking CW away from the testing was a big mistake, some hams will never know how much fun it is until you force them to do it. The sad truth is that they only required 5 wpm reception to get HF access, many just stopped there and never had a QSO with a live person before. Some hams have a CBer mentality. Sorry for the rant, but it is all true. Nobody should be offended here, they only let true Hams into this forum.
The Ham club is usually the one who is sponsoring at least one of the local repeaters. The clubs don't ask anyone for dues, but they are there, and out of respect for the club, you should try to find how much that is, and try to pay it. It puts you on the club roster, and you will hear many of those people you meet on the local net. All of the information on the local club should be on their web site, do a Google search for the name of your community and ham radio club, and you will be able to get all the information you need by reading. Once you know about it, you can be prepared to move forward in joining them, and making new friends.
Many are correct about HF chat groups, they won't say more than hello to you, and that is if they can hear you. Many of them are running a lot of power, and have very good antennas, so you will hear them a lot better than they will hear you. HF nets are a different story, they want people to check in, but some of the same is true there, while they might want to hear from you, you might not have the kind of radio station that can make that easy. This takes us back to the local club and hams that will help you do whatever you want. But be prepared to learn, Elmering someone is about teaching, not doing the job for. The best experience I have had in Amateur radio occurred when I was getting myfirst HF privileges, that involved learning CW, and it got really fun and exciting once I made my first contact. I was going at it every day, and every night, it was the most fun I have had operating Amateur radio. I eventually passed the next CW test, and thought that I didn't need CW anymore, but I was dead wrong, I love it. I am one who thinks that taking CW away from the testing was a big mistake, some hams will never know how much fun it is until you force them to do it. The sad truth is that they only required 5 wpm reception to get HF access, many just stopped there and never had a QSO with a live person before. Some hams have a CBer mentality. Sorry for the rant, but it is all true. Nobody should be offended here, they only let true Hams into this forum.
KC5AKB
Member
Congrats
rapidcharger
Member
I'm not sure why everyone is suggesting going to a club meeting.
I mean... if you're too shy to key up the radio and talk to strangers in the comfort of your own home or vehicle, I'd imagine that going to a meeting full of strangers -alone- where you know absolutely no one is going to be extremely awkward. Actually, I don't have to imagine it, because I've been there and done that.
A lot of people are shy. It's one of the reasons the bands are so dead.
My advice would be to not give up. It might not have even been your radio with the less than perfect signal. It might have been the other station that was in a bad spot.
Another thing you might try doing is simplex instead of repeaters. For instance, the national calling frequency, 146.520 is one of the most active frequencies around, even more so than the majority of the repeaters where I live. On simplex stations are often better equipped to pick up weak signals, they're more tolerant of weak signals because afterall it's simplex and if it's too weak, they just ain't gonna come back. And being a calling channel, conversations are generally brief. You can start out by telling a station that comes back to you that you are just getting started and wanted to try simplex. You might ask for some recommendations for local repeaters or clubs or other simplex frequencies based on the area.
And if that doesn't work, you might try echolink if you're concerned about having a too weak of a signal. With echolink you can use a computer or the app on a mobile device and check into repeaters all over the country or the world. If you send me a PM, I can give you a node to connect to where we can always have some non-traditional topics of conversation going and where you can get your sea legs. I'm a nice guy and like WB4CS, I'll do most of the talking!
I mean... if you're too shy to key up the radio and talk to strangers in the comfort of your own home or vehicle, I'd imagine that going to a meeting full of strangers -alone- where you know absolutely no one is going to be extremely awkward. Actually, I don't have to imagine it, because I've been there and done that.
A lot of people are shy. It's one of the reasons the bands are so dead.
My advice would be to not give up. It might not have even been your radio with the less than perfect signal. It might have been the other station that was in a bad spot.
Another thing you might try doing is simplex instead of repeaters. For instance, the national calling frequency, 146.520 is one of the most active frequencies around, even more so than the majority of the repeaters where I live. On simplex stations are often better equipped to pick up weak signals, they're more tolerant of weak signals because afterall it's simplex and if it's too weak, they just ain't gonna come back. And being a calling channel, conversations are generally brief. You can start out by telling a station that comes back to you that you are just getting started and wanted to try simplex. You might ask for some recommendations for local repeaters or clubs or other simplex frequencies based on the area.
And if that doesn't work, you might try echolink if you're concerned about having a too weak of a signal. With echolink you can use a computer or the app on a mobile device and check into repeaters all over the country or the world. If you send me a PM, I can give you a node to connect to where we can always have some non-traditional topics of conversation going and where you can get your sea legs. I'm a nice guy and like WB4CS, I'll do most of the talking!
rapidcharger
Member
Shortly after I posted my reply to this thread yesterday afternoon, a clearly terrified new ham connected to out echolink-linked network by smartphone and I came back to him. It was one of his first contacts and he was trying to demonstrate it to someone else at a gathering with friends. He didn't want to talk long, but I did most of the talking in an attempt to alleviate his fears. He kept over-identifying just "to keep the FCC happy".
I can see now why so many hams are shy. Between the mean know-it-alls and the fear that the FCC is going to come and get you if you screw up and don't identify every 10 minutes, or any other minor mistake, people don't want to transmit. Complete and utter fear.
It's easy for me to understand now why someone would be mic shy. But you don't have to be. You really don't.
I can see now why so many hams are shy. Between the mean know-it-alls and the fear that the FCC is going to come and get you if you screw up and don't identify every 10 minutes, or any other minor mistake, people don't want to transmit. Complete and utter fear.
It's easy for me to understand now why someone would be mic shy. But you don't have to be. You really don't.
Cressida81
Member
Thats all great information.
That is a good point. Thankfully last year I stepped out on a limb and took a CERT (Community Emergency Response Team). In that class I met a guy who had mentioned Ham Classes/Tests. Fast forward another year and I went to take my test and it was the same guy who was administrating the Test, Bill AC5BC, who I had the class with. Also finally met my neighbor, N5REG, who is a Ham and part of the same club and another club. While in his shack we made contact with a guy in Canada on 20m. I got a hand me down 2m handheld radio and j-pole to setup my base station so I can keep my other gear in the car.
I am very thankful for the Ham community support. Its making getting into the hobby a lot easier.
My next major challenge is in cabling... darnded if the "right" cable isn't too expensive. Especially when we're talking about VHF where you've got to use the really beefy cables. I'll probably be asking a question about that in another post.
That is a good point. Thankfully last year I stepped out on a limb and took a CERT (Community Emergency Response Team). In that class I met a guy who had mentioned Ham Classes/Tests. Fast forward another year and I went to take my test and it was the same guy who was administrating the Test, Bill AC5BC, who I had the class with. Also finally met my neighbor, N5REG, who is a Ham and part of the same club and another club. While in his shack we made contact with a guy in Canada on 20m. I got a hand me down 2m handheld radio and j-pole to setup my base station so I can keep my other gear in the car.
I am very thankful for the Ham community support. Its making getting into the hobby a lot easier.
My next major challenge is in cabling... darnded if the "right" cable isn't too expensive. Especially when we're talking about VHF where you've got to use the really beefy cables. I'll probably be asking a question about that in another post.
WB4CS
Member
You know, you reminded me of a few times where I've heard newer hams "over-ID" and also be quite "protocol-ish" about transmitting. And what I mean is, using "Over" "Roger" "Copy that" etc.
The best advice I can give new hams is "listen, listen, listen!" Every repeater and group of hams have their own operating style. Some hams are very protocol-ish and ID every transmission and use every Q-Signal in the book. "QSL, I'm nearly at my home QTH so I'll be QRT." (Come on, really!?) I'm excessively "plain language." I ID at the 10 min mark, and I never ever ever ever use Q-Signals or "Roger" on VHF/UHF. I just simply talk.
Once you listen and figure out what is the norm for a given group of people, jump in and emulate their protocol. (Just be sure it's not bad behavior you're copying!)
When you get down to it, no matter how serious some people take ham radio, it's just a hobby. Enjoy it and have fun with it! Don't be scared!
osros
Member
I a bit Mic shy as well, but I know I want to get Licensed and get started, maybe can reverse that shyness and there are also digital modes to play with. I like to have the Lic to be able to use the bands when I need to, mic shy or not its good to have.
Part of the problem is some people just have the gift of gab, but others have to have something in common or share an interest to get the ball rolling. I need to have a common interest with someone for me to be talkative. Main thing is to listen and listen and if you feel you can join in the conversation give it a go.
The comments on some Hams not being very open or friendly to others is dissapointing but just like in life that happens as well, but if a newbie is doing their best, trying to follow the rules and its obvious there new and causes no harm no need to be mean, you may have a good friend for life there never know.
Part of the problem is some people just have the gift of gab, but others have to have something in common or share an interest to get the ball rolling. I need to have a common interest with someone for me to be talkative. Main thing is to listen and listen and if you feel you can join in the conversation give it a go.
The comments on some Hams not being very open or friendly to others is dissapointing but just like in life that happens as well, but if a newbie is doing their best, trying to follow the rules and its obvious there new and causes no harm no need to be mean, you may have a good friend for life there never know.
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