2  Planning

2.1 About

Before you spend a dollar, I suggest that you put some time into planning the initial phases of your ham “career”. Your interests will probably change over time, but it’s a good idea to start with what excites you about the hobby right now. Here are some questions to consider. None of them have either/or answers.

2.2 Questions

• Where do you plan to operate?

From home, in your car, or from a portable location like a park or a mountain summit?

• What mode or modes do you want to operate in these places?

Voice (SSB or FM), digital modes, or CW?

• What type(s) of activities interest you in using these modes?

Special event support, contesting, SOTA/POTA, rag-chewing, nets.

• Who do you want to communicate with?

People you don’t know (yet) or very specific individuals.

And last, but certainly not the least important:

• How much do you have to spend?

In my opinion, the first question, where you plan to operate, has the biggest influence on your choices. So, what follows are three separate chapters relating to setting up a fixed station at-home, operating mobile (from a vehicle), and field or portable operations.