Welcome to ham radio!
So you’ve passed your test, now what?
The new $35 FCC fee has taken effect as of April 2022.
Once your license is processed you will receive an email to sign into the FCC "CORES" system to pay online.
Please keep on top of your records and licensing. Your license is good for 10 years at which point you will need to log in and renew it. If you have a change of name or address this record needs to be updated within the FCC Universal Licensing System. Keep your current email on file and remember your ULS password which you created before taking the test and it will be smooth sailing for you.
Be familiar with how to sign into the FCC ULS
https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/universal-licensing-system
The ARRL has good information on this system:
http://www.arrl.org/universal-licensing-system
With that boring stuff out of the way, you will probably be eagerly awaiting your new callsign. It takes a few days to a couple of weeks to be assigned. Once your callsign shows up in the database you are legal to pick up that mic!
Here is how to find it:
1) Use the FCC search: https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchLicense.jsp
Instead of “By Call Sign” select “By FRN” and type your FRN.
2) Find it on QRZ.com - QRZ.com is a fantastic resource for looking up other hams and clubs. I would highly recommend you get registered and fill out your page so others can search you as well. They offer a really nice contact logging tool as well which is used by thousands to match each others contacts.
They post the FCC Daily Log on their forum. Simply do a google search for “QRZ daily log” it should be among the top results.
3) Find it on hamcall.net – Old site, but reliable.
http://hamcall.net/dailyfcc.html
Local Resources
In the meantime find and become familiar with your local radio club. Once you have your license see if there is a “net” weekly or monthly which you can check into. Maybe even find yourself a mentor or “elmer” to walk you through this wonderful hobby.
In Box Elder County we are the Golden Spike Amateur Radio Club (GSARC) – www.ubetarc.org
Take a look at the Utah Amateur Radio Club (UARC) - https://user.xmission.com/~uarc/
And the Utah VHF Society - http://utahvhfs.org/
Find your local club/area repeater and give a shout or locate your nearest “Intermountain Intertie” repeater and find some new friends. - http://utahvhfs.org/snowlink.html
Helpful Resources:
The ARRL - www.arrl.org
The ARRL is the official organization for Amateur Radio. They provide many resources and are the legal powerhouse for keeping ham radio alive in North America.
QRZ – www.qrz.com
From looking up other operators, to logging contacts (QSOs), to searching for help in their forum. QRZ offers some great information for all hams. Wondering where that guy is from you just talked to? Look him up! Please get yourself registered and fill out your page. Their logging platform is nice as well for when you get into HF and log the world.
Hamstudy – www.hamstudy.org
A fantastic resource to help you progress in this wonderful hobby and get your next license.
Repeaterbook – www.repeaterbook.com
Download their app today and find the nearest repeaters to you!
The UtahSDR – www.sdrutah.org
A collection of software defined receivers near Corinne UT. You can hop online and listen to signals from everywhere in a graphical way. Hundreds of hams use the system daily to listen to signals from around the world.
Where to get equipment:
Ask your local club members
You would be surprised with what amazing deals can be had locally
Ham Radio Outlet - www.hamradio.com (HRO)
Ham Radio Outlet is a very nice retailer of ham radio gear who also has a few storefronts. Be sure to check out their used and consignment listings for great deals on used or open box equipment.
Main Trading Company - www.mtcradio.com
Richard Lenoir and his crew offer some of the best deals and service around. Again, check the Used Gear store for deal.
Gigaparts - www.gigaparts.com
Selling much more than just ham radio, they seem to have every little gadget for most anything and a storefront in Las Vegas
KF7P Metalwerks – www.KF7P.com
Chris KF7P out of Murray makes wonderful tower parts, RF components, coax, and ways to get everything connected. Take a look at his cable entry panel
which make for a clean and lightning safe shack!
There are hundreds of other resources, and you will come to find those over the years but hopefully this helps you get a start. Remember that amateur radio is a hobby, and as such will require time and devotion to learn and grow. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or advice and good luck!