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COLORADO SEVERE WEATHER NETWORK

SKYWARN® Trained Amateur Radio Support Team
Providing Ground Truth Under The Radar

Getting Started & Licensing

New to amateur radio? These resources will help you get licensed and start your ham radio journey.

  • ARRL (American Radio Relay League) - The national association for amateur radio in the United States. Offers comprehensive study materials, license exam information, beginner guides, and membership benefits including QST magazine.
  • HamStudy.org - Free online practice exams and study tools for Technician, General, and Extra class licenses. Features adaptive learning to focus on areas where you need improvement.
  • QRZ.com - Call sign lookup database and active community forums. An essential resource for looking up other operators and asking questions as a newcomer.

Equipment Retailers

Trusted vendors for purchasing amateur radio equipment, antennas, and accessories.

  • Ham Radio Outlet - Major retailer with physical locations across the US and a comprehensive online store. Known for excellent customer support and wide product selection.
  • DX Engineering - Specializes in antennas, towers, and accessories alongside transceivers. Excellent technical resources and customer service.
  • Gigaparts - Well-regarded equipment vendor offering new and used gear with knowledgeable staff.
  • Universal Radio - Carries new and used equipment with detailed product descriptions and specifications. Great for comparing models.

What to Consider When Buying Equipment

Choosing your first (or next) radio can be overwhelming. Here are some key considerations:

For Beginners

Most new hams start with a dual-band VHF/UHF handheld transceiver (HT) for several reasons: they're affordable (typically $25-$150), portable, and perfect for accessing local repeaters to make contacts and join nets. Popular models include the Baofeng UV-5R (budget option), Yaesu FT-65R, and Icom ID-52A.

Moving to HF

Once you upgrade to General or Extra class, HF equipment opens up worldwide communications. Consider whether you want a mobile rig, a base station, or a portable QRP (low power) setup. Entry-level HF transceivers like the Icom IC-7300 or Yaesu FT-891 offer excellent performance and modern features.

New vs. Used Equipment

Used equipment can offer tremendous value, but do your homework. Check equipment reviews on eHam.net, verify the model's reputation, and if possible, test before buying. The QRZ.com classifieds and local ham radio swap meets are good sources for used gear.

Antennas Matter

Remember that your antenna system is just as important as your radio. A modest radio with a great antenna will outperform an expensive radio with a poor antenna every time.


Technical Resources & References

Deep dive into the technical side of amateur radio with these authoritative resources.

  • ARRL Technical Information Service - Antenna designs, propagation information, technical standards, and engineering resources.
  • eHam.net - User-written equipment reviews, product comparisons, and ratings from actual operators in the field.
  • Repeaterbook.com - Comprehensive database of repeaters worldwide with frequencies, PL tones, and coverage maps. Essential for programming your radios.
  • VOACAP Online - HF propagation prediction tool to help plan when and where to make long-distance contacts.

Community & Learning

Connect with other hams, learn new techniques, and participate in activities.

  • r/amateurradio on Reddit - Active community with over 200,000 members for questions, discussions, and sharing experiences.
  • QSO Today Podcast - Engaging interviews with amateur radio operators about their experiences, specialties, and perspectives on the hobby.
  • Parks on the Air (POTA) - Popular portable operating program where hams activate parks and nature areas. Great way to combine radio with the outdoors.
  • Summits on the Air (SOTA) - International program for operating from mountain summits and peaks. Combines hiking with radio operations.
  • Contest Calendar - Find upcoming amateur radio contests to test your skills and make lots of contacts in a short time.

Digital Modes & Software

Modern amateur radio extensively uses digital modes alongside traditional voice and CW.

  • WSJT-X - Free software for FT8, FT4, and other weak-signal digital modes. Enables contacts under challenging conditions.
  • Fldigi - Multi-mode digital communications software supporting PSK31, RTTY, and many other modes.
  • QRZ Logbook - Online logging service that syncs with desktop logging software and supports awards tracking.
  • DX Watch - Real-time spot tracking to see what DX stations are on the air right now.

Emergency Communications

Many amateur radio operators participate in emergency and public service communications.


YouTube Channels & Video Learning

Visual learners will appreciate these excellent amateur radio YouTube channels.

  • Ham Radio Crash Course - Beginner-friendly tutorials covering everything from basic concepts to advanced operations.
  • Ham Radio 2.0 - Reviews, tutorials, and discussions about modern amateur radio technology and techniques.
  • K6UDA Radio - Antenna theory, construction projects, and technical deep-dives.
  • The Smokin' Ape - Practical advice, equipment reviews, and operating tips with a down-to-earth approach.

Reference & Tools

Handy calculators, charts, and reference materials for everyday use.


Need help finding a class in your area? Contact your SKYWARN Area Manager for more information. We'd be glad to lend a hand!


Taking the Test

Once you've worked your way through the material, take some time to go through a few practice tests. If you're taking a licensing class through a local club, you'll probably have an opportunity to do this toward the end of your class. Online training courses such as HamTestOnline have practice tests built in. If you want to try your hand at a few tests, try this:



Earning some passing grades? Great job! Now it's time to take the real thing!


The amateur radio license tests are administered by teams called Volunteer Examiners (VE's). Each VE Team is accredited to administer exams by either the American Radio Relay League Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (ARRL-VEC) or the W5YI-VEC. There is a cost associated with taking a test, and most VE Teams will accept cash only. The cost is currently around $15, but when you register for a class your VE Team will let you know how and how much to pay.


Admittedly, you may have to do a little searching to find a VE Exam Session in your area. The good news is that Hamstudy.org makes it very easy to find VE sessions in your area. There are also ways to have your test administered online.


The ARRL web site has an Exam Finder that might be helpful. We've found that a lot of testing sessions somehow don't get listed on their web site, so you may want to check with a local ham or your SKYWARN Area Manager for help finding an exam. In most areas you should be able to find a session within a 30-minute drive at least once every two months. Like we said earlier, you may have to drive a bit to get to an exam when you're ready to take one.


Get on the Air

The Importance of Ham Radio Communication during Disasters


Once you pass your exam you're ready to get on the air! There are a multitude of vendors selling amateur radio equipment online and in retail stores. A very major full-line retail vendor is Ham Radio Outlet (HRO). In addition to radios and antennas, HRO sells a full assortment of reference materials and all the various odds and ends you will need to get your first station up and running. Other popular mail-order vendors include: Universal Radio, R&L, Gigaparts, and Texas Towers.


NOTE: The links above are for convenience only. CSWN and the National Weather Service do not endorse any specific vendor of amateur radio equipment.


Another great source of new and used radio equipment (and just about everything else under the sun) are hamfests. There are major regional and national events that take place throughout the year, and the ARRL web site has a Hamfest Locator you might find useful. Most hamfests feature local and national vendors, private sellers, educational forums, and manufacturer representatives ready to show off their cool new toys. You'll probably also find VE Exam sessions and various community service organizations such as ARES/RACES and SKYWARN.


Many new hams start off with a simple 2-meter handheld transceiver (HT). This is an inexpensive way to get on the air-- two of the major manufacturers, Icom and Yaesu, both offer HT's in the under-$150 price range. However, keep in mind the limitations of low output power and small battery packs. At a minimum, an inexpensive magnet-mount antenna for your vehicle, a plug-in hand microphone, cigarette lighter power cord, and an alkaline battery shell should compliment your HT purchase if it's going to be your only radio for a while. The additional investment in a few accessories will pay off in the convenience of operating safely and efficiently from home and on the road.


For significantly greater operating distance, a mobile radio can be used in the car or at home. While HT's transmit with between 0.2 and 5 watts (some as high as 7 watts), inexpensive mobile radios can be found operating with up to 75 watts of power, which will considerably enhance your ability to get a signal out to the other station or a distant repeater.


Before investing in any new equipment, take a moment to think about your requirements. Where will you primarily use the radio? What bands do you want to be able to use (SKYWARN uses both the 2-meter and 70-centimeter bands in some areas). Do you just want FM capabilities, or would you prefer to also have single-sideband (SSB) or morse code (CW)?


When it comes to the "new vs. used" question, bear in mind that for most entry-level equipment there is usually no significant savings in buying used equipment from eBay, Craigslist, or other sources. Since there are so many things one can do to a radio to adversely affect its operating condition, do yourself a favor and make your first purchase a new radio from a reputable vendor with a warranty attached. The warranty won't cover your silly mistakes, but it will ensure you're not buying a $200 boat anchor!


You may want to stop by your local ham radio club's monthly meeting and ask for advice (you'll get plenty of it!) and many hams are more than willing to let you play with their radio, or maybe even borrow one of their old clunkers until you get a station of your own on the air!


Whatever you end up buying, have fun with it, and never stop exploring. Ham radio is a fascinating hobby and the possibilities are endless. Whatever you're interested in, there are others out there in our hobby that share the same interests and perhaps years of experience you can benefit from every time you turn on the radio.