Zombiegirl1928
Member
Hi, I am a learning ham on my way to getting my license. I have a few questions and I am not sure where to go to ask or who to ask. Would anyone like to help me?
new here beginner ham
- Thread starter Zombiegirl1928
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Hi @Zombiegirl1928 and welcome to Radio Reference. What questions do you have? I or another member can probably answer them for you. So ask away… 73, Dave K4EET
Zombiegirl1928
Member
Hi Dave, thank you for the welcome. Nice to meet you. I guess my first question is i have 2 boefeng radios fh8h and i believe the 7 also. I was wondering how and what frequencies can I listen to people on. 2nd question. how do i know if a frequency works?
Welcome to RR.
Your radios are called dual band, because they will receive (and transmit) on two frequency bands; VHF (about 138-174 MHz) and UHF (about 400-512 MHz). Amateur frequencies are; VHF: 144-148 MHz, and UHF (or 70 cm): 420-450 MHz. You should only transmit in the amateur bands after you get your license, but the radios will receive a much wider range of frequences and you do not need a license just to listen.
These are handheld radios with antennas that aren't very efficient, so there may be active frequencies that are out of range of your equipment.
To find frequencies:
- Colorado Ham Repeater Frequencies: On Radio Reference, look here: Amateur Radio Repeaters in Colorado - The RadioReference Wiki
- Add simplex frequencies like 146.520, 145.500, 146.400, 440.700, 445.700. There may be others.
- For Colorado public safety frequencies, look at RRDB | Colorado Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference
- You can ask Colorado specific information on the RR Colorado Discussion Forum page: Colorado Radio Discussion Forum
Your radios will only receive analog FM, not digital. If a frequency listing on RR doesn't say "FM" or "FMN", all you will hear is static.
Listening is a bit like fishing--it takes patience. Not all channels are constantly in use, especially amateur frequencies. You can compare your reception with a Broadcastify feed from the same channel or agency (there's a minor time delay). Another way to test your radio is programming the NOAA weather radio channel(s) for your area: NWR Stations. The NOAA system transmits 24/7 with a significant amount of power and provides an easy reference signal for testing.
If you have specific programming questions, they can be better asked in the RR Budget and Entry Level Transceiver forum: Budget and Entry Level Transceivers.
You should also reach out to other hams in your area. One way to do so is to find a local ham radio club. Many (not all) clubs are affiliated with the ARRL and you can find affiliated club listings here: Search for ARRL Affiliated Clubs.
We all learn differently and you'll want to find a source of information that works for you. In person learning is usually good. There are a variety of license prep books available. Personally, I like books by Gordo West, WB6NOA over those from the ARRL. West's writing style is livelier and more reader friendly. I'll also recommend videos from Dave Casler, KE0OG, (David Casler Ask Dave). Dave lives near Montrose and has produced an impressive collection of YouTube videos on ham radio. (Dave's been a close friend of mine for more than 50 years).
Good luck and 73.
Well, first I have to ask two questions…
1. Who do you want to listen to? Hams, Public Safety, Taxi Cabs, etc.
2. As for frequencies to listen on, since frequencies vary depending on location, you would have to give me an idea of where you are in general terms such as the Chicago area unless you want a very specific agency like Ponduck Hollow Fire Department in Some County, Any State.
Second, to tell if a frequency works, we (here at Radio Reference) generally do the following.
A) Make sure the radio is working by programming in the local NOAA Weather Station’s transmitter frequency as your receiver’s frequency. NOAA’s transmitters are generally on the air 24/7.
B) Then, to tell if your specific frequencies are programmed correctly, and since you are apparently not licensed yet by the FCC as a ham, you will have to listen, listen, and listen some more. Depending on whose frequency you are listening to, voice traffic may be very often to very scarce.
One big help would be to check out any local ham clubs. Their members would likely be very willing to help you out. If you need help finding a club, just let me know. Any other questions, just post them in this thread.
Finally, @ladn has some good info too in the above post.
73, Dave K4EET
Zombiegirl1928
Member
Oh awesome thank you so much i did program the NOAA and it works. I just wasn't aware that its few and far between people talking which is ok by me for now. I live in Colorado if that helps. I managed to find a few frequencies for Colorado just haven't heard anyone chatting yet
Wow hi there nice to meet you. Thank you for all that information i actually printed it so i can read it closely. If its ok i will come back in a bit to respond. thank you im sure this will be a big help
Zombiegirl1928
Member
Hey I just read over your message. It was very helpful as it helped to let me know I am on the right track with my learning. I have downloaded CHIRP and I am getting use to it. So far the channels i have all came from here so it is working just quite. I will keep my ears open though for chatter thank you again for the help.
Welcome to the forum and good luck in getting your license. This is the best place to ask questions. Probably a 1000 total years of experience on this site.
You've gotten good advice from previous commenters. CHIRP is the software to use. I have no Baofengs at the moment but had several in the past.
As for where to listen for hams, go to this site's repeater list and find those near you to listen in on. A word about repeaters - generally there's more traffic during rush hours since hams like to chat on their mobiles. Evenings from 7 - 9 pm is another time to listen as there's more traffic plus there are Nets at specific times when hams gather on a repeater to discuss things.
You've gotten good advice from previous commenters. CHIRP is the software to use. I have no Baofengs at the moment but had several in the past.
As for where to listen for hams, go to this site's repeater list and find those near you to listen in on. A word about repeaters - generally there's more traffic during rush hours since hams like to chat on their mobiles. Evenings from 7 - 9 pm is another time to listen as there's more traffic plus there are Nets at specific times when hams gather on a repeater to discuss things.
kg4ehv
Member
Hello ZG, plenty of hams sites online to help with test questions. Good luck getting your ham ticket.
Glad to help!
Finding active channels can sometimes be a bit elusive, especially if you live in a rural art of Colorado.
Try adding the Family Radio Service (FRS/GMRS) frequencies to your search. These are low powered radios, so the range will be relatively short (like a few blocks to maybe a couple of miles), but these are ordinary consumer radios and are popular with a wide variety of users.
You can also add MURS and common business and itinerant frequencies. You can find all that information here on RR or using your favorite search engine. Learning how to research frequencies will help you become a better user.
If you are close to any fast food drive up restaurants (Mickey Dee's, Carl's, etc.), you may be able to listen in on their ordering systems. Search for "fast food frequencies" here on RR or elsewhere. This is older technology, and may have been upgraded in your area, but you won't know until you try.
When you program channels that you want to monitor into your radios, you do not need to program the PL Tone or DCS code that may be listed with the actual frequency. These are used to differentiate different users on the same frequency and control access to frequencies. Since, at this point, you want to hear everything on a channel, just leave it at carrier squelch.
Have fun!
Zombiegirl1928
Member
not sure how to thank everyone on here for helping me but yeah chirped my radio and it worked out so thats awsome leaening alot here too
oh thank you i appreciate the helpful advice. everyone on here so far is super nice and helpful i love it so far I'm learning a lot here so far. I have never had a radio befor my boefeng but i see there are a lot of good ones out there to try. thank you for reaching out.
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