An Unofficial List of Resources for New Hams
This document continues to be a work in progress!

Amateur Radio Relay League: http://www.arrl.org
Nashua Area Radio Society (N1FD): http://www.n1fd.org
FCC license search: http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchLicense.jsp
A directory of hams: http://www.qrz.com (registering is very useful if you want to QSL!)

Amateur Radio: a hobby for the 21st century (UK): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYlmgc-xnso

Info for parents: http://www.kb6nu.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/ParentsGuidetoHamRadio.pdf

To make QSOs after getting licensed & before buying a radio, you can try EchoLink: http://www.echolink.org
A local dealer: Ham Radio Outlet in Salem, NH: http://www.hamradio.com (please tell them you took our class)
See also ads in the N1FD newsletter, ARRL publications, hamfest program books, and the class study guide

ARES (emergency service) NH & Hillsborough County: http://www.nh-ares.org/, http://www.k1hil.org/
Illustrated guide to “go kits”: http://www.valleyradioclub.org/Misc%20PDF%20Files/Go_Kit.pdf
ARRL Field Day: http://www.arrl.org/field-day

Local repeaters & band plans: http://www.nerepeaters.com/, http://www.nesmc.org/rptr.html, http://www.nesmc.org/docs/bandplans.pdf, http://www.nesmc.org/docs/2mSPX-2013.pdf
Repeater etiquette: http://www.w9mar.org/repeateretiquette.php
Free HT programming software for repeaters: http://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Home

Blogs & podcasts (see also Facebook, Twitter, and other social media outlets):
Nashua Area Radio Society (NARS, N1FD): http://www.n1fd.org
AB1OC & AB1QB: http://stationproject.wordpress.com
Ham Nation: https://twit.tv/shows/ham-nation
Ham Radio Now: http://arvideonews.com/hrn/
ICQ Podcast (UK): http://icqpodcast.com/
100WAAW: http://www.100wattsandawire.com
More: http://www.amateurradio.com/here-are-8-great-ham-radio-podcasts/
More: http://www.dxzone.com/catalog/Internet_and_Radio/Podcast/

Guides for your 1st QSO: Suggestion: Make yourself a script of what you want to say! For ideas, see:
http://www.arrl.org/making-your-first-contact
http://www.g0mwt.org.uk/training/courses/files/handouts/cars-sample-qsos.pdf
http://rsgb.org/main/get-started-in-amateur-radio/operating-your-new-station/making-your-first-qso/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbvldVDC7Gg
http://myamateurradio.com/episodes/parp8_1.mp3
http://www.electronics-radio.com/articles/ham_radio/qso/hf-ham-contact.php

What to do next? http://tomsmerk.com/radio/newhams.pdf
http://www.jpole-antenna.com/2014/01/29/i-just-got-my-ham-radio-license-now-what-do-i-do/
or check out this list of chapter titles for ideas, even if you don't buy the book:
http://www.kb6nu.com/product/21-things-to-do-after-you-get-your-amateur-radio-license-pdf/

Local hamfests & flea markets: http://www.near-fest.com/, http://boxboro.org/, http://www.fara.org, http://web.mit.edu/w1gsl/Public/ne-fleas, http://www.arrl.org/hamfests-and-conventions-calendar

Local sources of raw electronic components for homebrewing:
http://www.youdoitelectronics.com, http://www.esssurplus.com, http://www.electronicsplus.com

Q-signals:
http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Get%20on%20the%20Air/Comm%20w%20Other%20Hams-Q%20Signals.pdf
http://www.hamradioschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/learning_the_lingo.pdf

Technician band chart: http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Tech%20Band%20Chart/Tech%20Band%20Chart.pdf 
All-class band charts: http://www.arrl.org/graphical-frequency-allocations
Frequency guide: http://www.arrl.org/files/file/conop.pdf
All frequencies: https://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/publications/january_2016_spectrum_wall_chart.pdf

Line A: https://www.fcc.gov/engineering-technology/electromagnetic-compatibility-division/general/frequency-coordination-canada

Logging contacts: http://www.arrl.org/keeping-a-log (start logging online ASAP to prevent a lot of work later)

US region map: https://www.arrl.org/files/file/Awards%20Application%20Forms/WASmap_Color.pdf
US grid square map: http://gatorradio.org/Operating_Training_Aides/Ham_US_Grids%202005.pdf 
Convert an address to a grid square: http://www.levinecentral.com/ham/grid_square.php
World CU & ITU zones: http://www.icomamerica.com/en/amateur/amateurtools/2013_ITU_CQ_WorldMaps.pdf
Azimuth projection maps: http://www.wm7d.net/az_proj/az_html/azproj_form_short.shtml (or ..._long.shtml)
More maps, logging, DX spotting: http://www.clublog.org
Building simple antennas: http://ke7hr.com/caveradio/Portable_VHF_antennas.pdf
(from http://www.dxzone.com/catalog/Antennas/VHF_UHF/), http://www.arrl.org/building-simple-antennas
Grounding: http://www.arrl.org/grounding

Arduinos talking in Morse (but not using radios): https://raronoff.wordpress.com/2010/12/16/morse-endecoder/
More Arduino projects: http://www.dxzone.com/catalog/Technical_Reference/Arduino/

Use your favorite Internet search engine to find more, and please let us know if you find good sites!

Remember to be aware of electrical safety, stay clear of power lines, and wear a hardhat & safety glasses when launching lines over tree branches. Use proper fall restraints when climbing. Always operate within the limits of your FCC license class and always follow good radio operating practices, e.g. get comfortable with the “phonetic alphabet” and use it when identifying, even on local repeaters. Join a nearby group of hams who can “elmer” you. Most importantly, get on the air and have fun!

73! (That's “Best Regards!”)

Revised on 22-Oct-2017 by W1AKI, w1aki@arrl.net
http://www.w1aki.com