Getting Started with Amateur Radio — A Personal Quick Reference
Overview
This is my personal go-to reference for amateur radio — covering frequency bands, local repeaters, calling frequencies, and how to make your first transmission.
Frequency Bands
Amateur radio is split into several frequency bands. The three you'll encounter most as a beginner are:
| Band | Full Name | Frequency Range | Wavelength |
|---|---|---|---|
| HF | High Frequency | 3–30 MHz | Various |
| VHF | Very High Frequency | 30–300 MHz | 2 m |
| UHF | Ultra High Frequency | 300–3000 MHz | 70 cm |
VHF (2 m) is great for longer-range communication and performs better in rural areas and through foliage. UHF (70 cm) excels at building penetration, uses shorter antennas, and is generally better suited to urban environments.
Local Repeaters
Repeaters extend the range of handheld and mobile radios by receiving your signal and retransmitting it at higher power from an elevated location. My local repeaters are:
| Callsign | Link | Frequency | Band | Club Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB3NR | gb3nb.org.uk | 433.000 MHz | 70 cm (UHF) | |
| GB3NB | gb3nb.org.uk | 145.025 MHz | 2 m (VHF) | Monday |
Calling Frequencies
Calling frequencies are where you listen for activity or announce yourself before moving to a working channel.
- VHF — 145.500 MHz
- UHF — 438.500 MHz
Making a Transmission
On a repeater
When using a repeater, give your callsign and let stations know you are listening:
"Standing by for any calls" or "monitoring"
Calling CQ
A CQ call is an open invitation for any station to respond. The standard format is:
CQ CQ CQ, this is Mike Seven Whisky Charlie Oscar, Mike Seven Whisky Charlie Oscar, Mike Seven Whisky Charlie Oscar, standing by.