Hi there and Welcome to my corner of the web!   This project is a simple representative website for my Amateur Radio hobby, which I’ve designed and created myself. After receiving my Vanity Call-sign; NY2FM from the FCC on 10/23/2018, I’ve got inspired to create a few pages showing what being a HAM is all about for me. Like many HAMs, I’ve started out with GMRS to get more out of 2-way radios than what my little walkie-talkies could provide. Soon however I realized the limitations of the GMRS service and wanted something more.   The problem was I didn’t even know about amateur radios till accidentally came across a YT video about it, which got my attention. Shortly after that I’ve downloaded some free study materials and the actual question pool for the HAM exam, then practiced online with flashcards till I felt confident, and then a few weeks later on 10/19/2015 went down to the Columbia University Amateur Radio Club in New York City, where I successfully passed the Technician test with only 1 mistake made. A couple of days later I got listed in the FCC database and officially became a HAM with my first call-sign of KD2JQR!   Getting pumped up by my initial success, I’ve continued my studies the same exact way as before, and one month later went back for the General Class exam, which I completed with perfect score on 11/16/2015. After that I used the energy of that positive momentum and spent an entire month preparing for the final EXTRA Class exam, which I took at the same place on 12/14/2015 successfully with only 1 error made, completing my basic HAM studies and earning my wings for the rights of using the full spectrum of the Amateur Radio Service.   During the next 3 years I’ve filed multiple times for so called “Vanity Call Signs”, but failed each time. Unfortunately I was unaware of certain rules and limitations, but after learning about them, I’ve filed a few more applications till finally I’ve managed to grab this funky little call sign; NY2FM, which fits my style perfectly! And then I’ve decided to represent myself and the hobby on these pages, so others can get interested and inspired even to get into the hobby and become a HAM.   And that’s pretty much all I can sum up in a single page about me becoming an Amateur Radio Operator.

  Ho to become a HAM?!   SIMPLY PUT: One MUST sit down and study! There is no other way! Now, if you’re an electronics engineer or an expert in similar technical fields, then luck is on your side and you’ll go through most of the study material like a piece of cake, since all the basics make you feel right at home! However, if you’re not such a technical person, then at first the material may feel overwhelming and even frightening to the point of making you feel you could never pass the test, and even stop you right there before even trying. But don’t do that and don’t give up so easily!   As most HAMs will tell you, taking the exam doesn’t necessarily require you to understand all the technical details of two- way radio communication. In fact, most people gain the more relevant on-hands knowledge and experience AFTER they get their license! I myself, even after passing my Extra Class test, felt completely ignorant, because knowledge without actual experience is simply inefficient and it takes time to truly understand the fundamentals of radio technology.   So, just download the relevant study materials you can find, even if they were made for now expired test pools, because the technology is still the same, then download the test pools themselves and keep reading the answers while trying to memorize the RIGHT answers, which are indicated in the actual exam pool questions! Most important thing; NO NEED TO BUY ANY BOOKS OR STUDY MATERIAL! They won’t guarantee you any success! Just keep reading the answers inside the freely available question pool, one block at a time, take breaks, go back, read again, then go online and practice with so called “Flash Cards”, which randomly ask test questions till you get the majority right until you cover the entire material.   Remember that HAM exams are EXTREMELY GENEROUS!!! You can make MANY mistakes and STILL pass the test, so you really don’t need to focus on knowing ‘everything’ if you struggle with the material, only enough to get your license! The most important aspects of being a HAM is to continue with your studies, learn from more experienced operators, discover, experiment and enhance your knowledge while respecting and obeying the operating rules and regulations in a SAFE environment! If you can do that, then you are ready to become a responsible Amateur Radio Operator!

  Radios and Stuff.   FIRST RULE: DON’T START SPENDING ON HAM EQUIPMENT LIKE A MANIAC! Try simple inexpensive radios first, starting with a dual-band VHF/UHF handheld. One of my full-fledged 2m/70cm HTs (handheld transceiver) cost me $19.99, and it turned out to be a magnificent little unit that could outperform any of those overrated and overpriced bubble-pack FRS/GMRS ‘toy-radios’ hands down with superb capabilities and features! Stay the heck away from ‘big name’ brands that cost a fortune, at least at the beginning! This hobby is for a lifetime, so you have plenty of time to figure out just how deep you want to go.   WHAT I RECOMMEND: If you are transitioning from FRS/GMRS, keep those little radios and don’t throw them away! Then get a simple dual-band handheld and learn the frequency allocations to know which ones you can and can NOT use for simplex (walkie-to-walkie) operation. Learn the features of your radio and start adding local Repeaters into the memory, so you can start connecting with other HAMs and make new buddies, as well as extend your limited reach to larger areas. Many times even an inexpensive antenna upgrade can double your radio’s range.   For more power and capabilities, check out inexpensive mobile HAM radios, but don’t go crazy with the price! Read reviews, watch video demos and pick one you like, which you can use both in your vehicle while traveling, or home as a simple base-station. For that, you also need to buy an antenna and an inexpensive power supply with enough juice to safely power your mobile rig. If your radio has HF frequencies as well, then you have to start spending a bit more on antennas, SWR (Standing Wave Ratio) meters and probably even antenna tuner, but first you won’t need any of that! This hobby is all about experimenting, basic, advanced as well as emergency communication that can be achieved without breaking the bank. As you advance in knowledge, you can advance in technology as well step by step.

  Contact and Links:   I’m available in the NYC area on the local VHF/UHF repeaters, as well as via email at: NYTWOFM@GMAIL.COM if anyone needs to reach me. I also plan on creating HAM related videos on my YouTube Channel, which I only started on 10/23/2018, right after receiving the notification from the FCC regarding the approval of my first and brand new Vanity Call-Sign: NY2FM   MY FAVORITE LINKS: - HAM4ALL.COM - Learn about 2-Way Radios and prepare for the HAM test for FREE! - YouTube.Com/Ham4All/ - Two-Way radio tech reviews. - FCC Universal Licensing System - New Registrations and Online Filings. - FCC Call Sign Search - Verify Call Signs for status and availability.

THAT’S ALL FOLKS, THANKS FOR VISITING!