Getting Started in Amateur Radio: Just Get On the Air
One of the best pieces of advice we can offer to new hams is simple: get on the air early and often—even if you don’t feel completely ready.
It’s very common for new operators to spend their first few weeks (or even months) just listening. While listening is an important part of learning, it’s easy to fall into the trap of waiting until you feel “perfect” before keying up. The reality is, amateur radio is a hands-on hobby, and the best way to learn is by doing.
The good news? The amateur radio community is incredibly welcoming. Most operators remember what it was like to be new, and they’re more than happy to help you along the way.
Start Simple
A great way to begin is by checking into a local net—like the EARS Information Net on Monday evenings. Nets provide a structured environment where you’ll know exactly when to transmit and what to say.
Keep it simple:
- Your callsign
- Your name
- Your general location
That’s all you need to get started. You don’t need fancy equipment or long-winded transmissions—just a willingness to participate.
Don’t Worry About Making Mistakes
Every ham operator—no matter how experienced—has made mistakes on the air. Misspeaking, forgetting part of a callsign, or keying up at the wrong time happens to everyone at some point.
The important thing to remember is that mistakes are part of the learning process. Other operators will be patient and understanding, and many will offer helpful guidance if you need it.
Ask Questions and Get Involved
One of the best ways to grow in the hobby is to ask questions. Whether it’s about programming your radio, understanding repeater operation, or learning proper procedures, there’s always someone willing to help.
If you have the opportunity, connect with an “Elmer”—an experienced ham who can provide guidance and answer questions as you learn. Our monthly training and mentoring sessions are also a great place to build those connections.
Learn Your Equipment
While getting on the air is key, it’s equally important to become comfortable with your radio. Take some time to learn how to:
- Change frequencies and memory channels
- Adjust power levels
- Set tones for repeaters
- Use basic features of your radio
Confidence with your equipment makes operating much more enjoyable and prepares you for real-world situations, especially during events or emergency communications.
Final Thoughts
Amateur radio is a hobby built on participation. The sooner you get involved, the more comfortable and confident you’ll become.
So don’t wait—key up, make that first transmission, and join the conversation. You’ll be glad you did.
LibertyFest Parade Information Meeting – March 26
Planning is underway for this year’s LibertyFest Parade, and we invite everyone to join us for an informational meeting on Thursday, March 26 at 7:00 PM at the Sleep Inn on Broadway (3608 S Broadway St, Edmond, OK 73013).
During this meeting, we’ll go over important details about our role in supporting parade communications, what volunteers can expect on event day, and any updates or changes for 2026. Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or have never participated before, this is a great opportunity to learn more and get involved.
No prior experience is necessary—everyone is welcome. If you’ve been thinking about helping with LibertyFest, this is the perfect place to start.
We hope to see you there as we get ready for another successful year supporting one of our community’s biggest events!
Clay, WA6LBU and Steven, N5ZQ
EARS Slack Community Now Available
The Edmond Amateur Radio Society (EARS) has launched a new Slack workspace to help improve communication, collaboration, and community engagement between meetings and events.
Slack provides a real-time, organized platform where conversations are grouped into topic-based channels—making it easy to follow discussions that match your interests and get involved with other members.
This new platform complements our existing nets, meetings, and website by giving members a place to connect throughout the week.
Why Slack?
Slack is designed to bring people together in a structured way. Instead of long email threads or scattered messages, conversations are organized into channels focused on specific topics.
This makes it easy to:
- Ask questions and get quick answers
- Share projects, photos, and ideas
- Coordinate events and volunteer activities
- Discuss equipment, antennas, and digital modes
- Stay informed during weather and emergency situations
Platforms like Slack are widely used for communities because they allow members to connect, share knowledge, and collaborate more effectively. (Slack)
Channels and Topics
EARS Slack includes a variety of channels to match the many interests within the club.
Some of the core areas include:
- #general / #ears-discussion – everyday conversation and club discussion
- #antennas / #radio-programming / #digital-radio – technical topics and experimentation
- #ares / #emcomm – emergency communications and preparedness
- #weather / #nws-weather-alerts – weather discussion and automated alerts
- #public-service-events / #field-day – event coordination and volunteer opportunities
- #contesting / #qso-party-pota-activations – operating activities, activations, and contests
There are also channels for mentoring, introductions, and general community interaction.
Getting Started
Joining Slack is quick and easy:
- Visit slack.k5eok.org
- Enter your email address
- Check your email and click the confirmation link
- Create your account and join the workspace
This process follows the standard Slack onboarding flow, where users join a workspace by confirming their email and creating an account. (Slack)
Learn More
For full instructions, channel descriptions, and tips on getting started, please visit:
👉 https://k5eok.org/2026/03/16/join-the-ears-slack-community/
Join the Conversation
EARS has always been a strong and active community—whether on the air, at events, or through training and mentoring. Slack is another tool to help us stay connected and continue sharing knowledge across the hobby.
Whether you’re a new ham or have years of experience, there’s a place for you in the EARS Slack community.
We encourage all members to join, explore the channels, and be part of the conversation.
Steven, N5ZQ
A Thank You & Final Reminder for 2026 Membership Renewal
As the 2026 membership renewal season comes to a close at the end of March, we want to thank you for your continued support of the amateur radio community.
Your annual dues—$25 for an individual membership or $35 for a family membership—help fund services that directly benefit local hams and allow us to support amateur radio efforts throughout the area.
We also want to recognize and thank you for the time and effort you give back to both the club and the community. Your involvement truly makes a difference and reflects the spirit of amateur radio.
If you haven’t renewed yet, there’s still time. Please visit: https://k5eok.org/membership-form/
If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out at membership@k5eok.org.
Jhansi, KJ5FVK
Edmond Siren Test – Saturday, April 4th
The next monthly Edmond Outdoor Warning Siren Test is scheduled for Saturday, April 4th.
If you’ve been assigned a siren but are unavailable in April, please let Clay (WA6LBU) know as soon as possible.
We are also looking for a few more volunteers to adopt a siren. If you’re able to help or would like to be added to the siren monitoring list, please reach out!
📧 Contact Clay at: sirens@k5eok.org
Thank you for supporting this important community service!
Next EARS VE Test Session – Saturday, April 4th at 9:00 AM
The Edmond Amateur Radio Society will hold its next VE Test Session on Saturday, April 4th at 9:00 AM.
If you—or someone you know—plans to test, please visit the License Testing page and complete the sign-up form. This helps the VE team prepare to accommodate all participants efficiently.
Questions?
Contact Ralph Turner, N5AMR
📧 Email: Raltur47@gmail.com
📞 Phone: (573) 999-4748
We look forward to seeing new and upgrading hams there!
Thank You to Our Parade Volunteers!
A big thank you to everyone who volunteered for the Stockyards City St. Patrick’s Day Parade this year! Thanks to your time, effort, and teamwork, the event was a great success.
From early morning check-ins to wrapping up after the parade, your support helped ensure smooth and effective communications throughout the event. Whether you were a seasoned operator or volunteering for the first time, your contribution truly made a difference.
Events like this are a great example of what our club does best—serving the community while having fun and building connections along the way.
We appreciate each and every one of you who came out to help. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Andrew, KF5YEP
EARS Monthly Training & Mentoring Session – April 14th at 6:00 PM
The Edmond Amateur Radio Society (EARS) hosts a monthly Training and Elmer Session before each board meeting. Whether you’re a new ham or a seasoned operator, these sessions provide valuable information and a chance to grow your skills.
📅 Date: Tuesday, April 14th
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Edmond Fire Station 5 – 5300 E Covell Rd
April Topic: Other non-amateur frequencies to listen to
Presenter: Clay, WA6LBU
We look forward to seeing you there!
John, N5RET
help@k5eok.org
EARS Monthly Board Meeting – April 14th at 7:00 PM
The Edmond Amateur Radio Society (EARS) holds its monthly board meeting on the second Tuesday of each month. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, April 14th at 7:00 PM at Edmond Fire Station 5, located at 5300 E. Covell Rd, just east of I-35.
The meeting will be held in the training building, located down the hill near the tower. The blue pin on the map below marks the exact location.
If you have any trouble finding us, just call on the repeater and we’ll be happy to guide you in.
All are welcome—we hope to see you there!
Steven, N5ZQ
Severe Weather Spotter Training – 2026
This year’s severe weather spotter training will be held at the National Weather Service in Norman on Thursday, March 26, at 6:30 PM. We rotate the location every other year between Edmond and Norman.
National Weather Service Office
120 David L Boren Blvd
Norman, OK 73072
Room #1313
If you are unable to attend this session, there are several other trainings offered around the state. This training is free and open to the public.
All ARES members are strongly encouraged to attend one of these NWS spotter training sessions.
Severe weather spotting and accurate reporting are critical components of our mission during weather events. This training helps ensure we remain qualified, informed, and ready to support emergency management and the National Weather Service when activated.
If you plan to participate in severe weather operations this season, please make every effort to attend at least one session.
Additional 2026 NWS Norman Spotter Training Opportunities
| Location | Day / Date | Time | Venue / Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackwell, OK | Tue, Mar 24 | 6:30 PM | Kay Room |
| Norman, OK | Thu, Mar 26 | 6:30 PM | National Weather Center – Room 1313 |
| Pauls Valley, OK | Sat, Mar 28 | 10:00 AM | Garvin County Community Center |
| Duncan, OK | Mon, Mar 30 | 6:30 PM | County Fair Grounds, Prairie Room |
| Cheyenne, OK | Tue, Mar 31 | 6:30 PM | Roger Mills County Fairbarn |
| Advanced Webinar | Wed, Apr 1 | 6:30 PM | Online (GoToWebinar) |
A complete and up-to-date schedule is available at: https://www.weather.gov/oun/spottertalk
Training Resources
- Basic Spotter Guide (PDF): https://www.weather.gov/media/oun/spottertraining/basicspotterguide.pdf
Ben, KJ5IEB
Did you know?
📡 The “Phantom Signals” from Fence Lines
In the early days of amateur radio (especially the 1920s–30s), operators sometimes reported receiving signals that seemed impossibly strong—but no station could be identified.
It turned out that rusty fence lines and barbed wire could unintentionally act as radio detectors.
👉 Here’s what was happening:
- A long metal fence could act like an antenna
- Corroded joints between wires created crude diode junctions
- These junctions could rectify RF signals, just like a crystal radio
Under the right conditions, audio-frequency currents would actually flow along the fence.
Some farmers even reported:
- Hearing faint radio audio in nearby equipment
- Telephone lines picking up broadcasts
- Fence wires “mysteriously” carrying signals
⚡ Why it matters
This phenomenon helped reinforce an important RF concept:
➡️ Non-linear junctions (like corrosion) can demodulate signals
That same principle is why:
You sometimes hear AM audio in unexpected places (like speakers or wiring)
Poor connections cause interference
Metal structures can re-radiate signals
Why Space Weather Matters for Radio Operators
Space (solar) weather plays a significant role in radio communication. While its most noticeable effects are often seen on HF bands, solar activity can also impact VHF, UHF, and even higher frequencies under certain conditions.
Understanding space weather helps us better predict band conditions, plan operations, and troubleshoot unusual signal behavior.
Below is a recommended video from a trusted YouTube channel that shares updates on solar activity and space weather about every two weeks. The presenter breaks down complex topics in a way that’s easy to follow and incredibly informative.
📺 Watch the latest space weather report
If you haven’t already, I encourage you to follow her channel. It’s a valuable resource for amateur radio operators at all levels!
Upcoming Contests
Here are a few upcoming HF contests to keep an ear out for! These events offer a great opportunity to sharpen your operating skills, test your equipment, and connect with hams across the country—and the world.
For a more comprehensive list, check out the ARRL Contest Corral in QST Magazine, available as a downloadable PDF from the ARRL website.
You can also find up-to-date contest schedules and detailed information at:
contestcalendar.com
| Sasquatch Stomp | 1900Z, Mar 27 to 0300Z, Mar 28 |
| Louisiana QSO Party | 1400Z, Apr 4 to 0200Z, Apr 5 |
| Mississippi QSO Party | 1400Z, Apr 4 to 0200Z, Apr 5 |
| New Mexico QSO Party | 1400Z, Apr 11 to 0200Z, Apr 12 |
| Missouri QSO Party | 1400Z, Apr 11 to 0400Z, Apr 12 and 1400Z-2000Z, Apr 12 |
| Georgia QSO Party | 1800Z, Apr 11 to 0359Z, Apr 12 and 1400Z-2359Z, Apr 12 |
| North Dakota QSO Party | 1800Z, Apr 11 to 1800Z, Apr 12 |
| Florida State Parks on the Air | 1200Z-2359Z, Apr 17 and 1200Z-2359Z, Apr 18 and 1200Z-2359Z, Apr 19 and 1200Z-2359Z, Apr 20 |
| Texas State Parks on the Air | 0000Z, Apr 18 to 2359Z, Apr 19 |
| Georgia State Parks on the Air | 1200Z, Apr 18 to 2359Z, Apr 19 |
| Michigan QSO Party | 1600Z, Apr 18 to 0400Z, Apr 19 |
| Ontario QSO Party | 1800Z, Apr 18 to 0300Z, Apr 19 and 1200Z-2000Z, Apr 19 |
| Quebec QSO Party | 1300Z-2400Z, Apr 19 |
| ARRL Rookie Roundup, SSB | 1800Z-2359Z, Apr 19 |
| Nebraska QSO Party | 1400Z, Apr 25 to 0200Z, Apr 27 |
| Florida QSO Party | 1600Z, Apr 25 to 0159Z, Apr 26 and 1200Z-2159Z, Apr 26 |
Web Links
Here are a few links to other websites that may be of interest.
- ARRL (American Radio Relay League) – https://arrl.org
- CORA (Central Oklahoma Radio Amateurs) – https://coraok.org
- Ham Holiday (OKC Hamfest) – https://hamholiday.com
- ARRL Oklahoma Section – https://ok.arrl.org
- South Canadian Amateur Radio Society (SCARS)
- DMR Info – https://w5nor.org/okdmr/
- They have lots of other good info on their website such as modes of operation, weather/emergency info etc.
- ARES
- ARRL ARES – https://www.arrl.org/ares
- OK ARES – https://aresok.org
- Winlink – https://winlink.org
- AREDN – arednmesh.org
- POTA (Parks on the Air) – https://pota.app
Upcoming Events
- Monday Night Information Net – Every Monday at 8pm
- Route 66 10m Net on 28.390 – Every Monday Following the Information Net
- EARS Breakfast – Every Saturday at approximately 6:30am at Around The Corner, 11 S. Broadway, Edmond
- EARS Breakfast Net – Every Saturday at 7am on 147.135 and 443.425
- Spring Technician License Class – Wednesdays Starting on March 4, 2026
- Skywarn Training in Norman – Thursday, March 26th at 6:30pm
- LibertyFest Parade Info Meeting – Thursday, March 26th at 7pm – See Info Above
- Altus Hamfest – Saturday, March 28th
- EARS Licensing Testing – Saturday, April 4th – Sign Up on License Testing page
- Edmond Siren Test – Saturday, April 4th at 11:30am – Send email to sirens@k5eok.org
- Green Country Hamfest – Friday and Saturday, April 10-11
- April Mentoring Session and Training – Tuesday, April 14th at 6pm at Edmond Fire Station 5, 5300 E Covell
- April Board Meeting – Tuesday, April 14th at 7pm at Edmond Fire Station 5, 5300 E Covell
- All Ham Dinner – Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 6pm – Pickles Steakhouse, 1201 S Meridian Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73108
License Test SessionRepeating Event
Monthly Mentoring and TrainingRepeating EventMonthly
We’d love to feature your original content! If you’ve written—or would like to write—an article, we’d be happy to include it in an upcoming issue of the EARS newsletter.
Steven Christy, N5ZQ
n5zq@n5zq.us
