RADIOMETEO · IZ6CLV

First steps

RADIOMETEO · FIRST STEPS

Got your callsign? Here are your first steps

Your first station, first antenna, first QSO, the right bands, the log and QSLs: everything you need in your first months as a radio amateur, with diagrams and drawings.

6illustrated steps
59the most common report
73end-of-QSO regards

Your first station

A few pieces, connected in the right order.

Power supply13.8 VRadioHF · VHFSWR meterchecks SWRDCcoax cableAntennaoutside, up highgroundAntennaoutside, up highcoax cableSWR meterchecks SWRRadioHF · VHFgroundDCPower supply13.8 V
From power supply to antenna: the SWR meter goes between radio and cable.
The radio
An HF rig that also covers 6 m or 2 m lets you try almost everything. To start, using it well matters more than the most expensive model.
The power supply
Regulated 13.8 V, with more current than the radio draws when transmitting.
The SWR meter
Tells you if the antenna is matched. Below 1.5:1 you are fine; above 2:1 it is worth fixing the antenna.
It can wait
Amplifiers, beam antennas and accessories: first learn with a simple station.

Your first antenna

The dipole: simple, cheap and it works.

50 Ω coax cablelegleginsulatorcentreBandTotalLeg40 m · 7.1 MHz20.1 m10.0 m20 m · 14.2 MHz10.0 m5.0 mTotal length ≈ 142.5 / f (MHz)then trim or lengthen while checking SWRlegleginsulatorcentre50 Ω coax cableTotal length ≈ 142.5 / f (MHz)then trim or lengthen while checkingSWRBandTotalLeg40 m · 7.1 MHz20.1 m10.0 m20 m · 14.2 MHz10.0 m5.0 m
A dipole is a wire split into two equal legs, with the cable in the centre.
Work it out
You will find the lengths for every band in the Antennas and measurements calculator.
As high as possible
Away from walls, gutters and power lines. Never near mains cables.
In an apartment
Balcony or roof: ideas and rules in the article Antenna in an apartment building.

Your first QSO

Listen first, then call.

IZ6EA8CQ CQ CQ, this is IZ6CLV, India Zulu Six CharlieLima Victor, over.1IZ6CLV this is EA8ABC, over.2EA8ABC good morning, report 59, name Luca, QTHTeramo, over.3Thanks Luca, you are 59 too, name Juan, QTHTenerife, over.4Thanks Juan, QSL via LoTW. 73!573 Luca, good DX!6IZ6EA8CQ CQ CQ, this is IZ6CLV,India Zulu Six Charlie LimaVictor, over.IZ6CLV this is EA8ABC,over.EA8ABC good morning, report59, name Luca, QTH Teramo,over.Thanks Luca, you are 59too, name Juan, QTHTenerife, over.Thanks Juan, QSL via LoTW.73!73 Luca, good DX!
A complete phone QSO: call, reply, reports, regards.
FT8 · WSJT-X
CQ IZ6CLV JN62call
IZ6CLV EA8ABC IL18reply with locator
EA8ABC IZ6CLV -10report in dB
IZ6CLV EA8ABC R-12received + report
EA8ABC IZ6CLV RR73received, 73
IZ6CLV EA8ABC 7373
Listen first
Before calling ask if the frequency is free: «Is this frequency in use?» or in CW «QRL?».
Answer a CQ
At first it is easier to answer someone calling than to call CQ.
The report
On phone R and S, 1 to 5 and 1 to 9: 59 means «I hear you well and strong». In FT8 the report is in dB.
FT8 to start
With little power and a simple antenna you can make many QSOs. Guide in WSJT-X and Log4OM for FT8.

Bands to start with

Which band at what time, roughly.

0003060912151821localtime10–15 mdaytime, with the sun high20 mmorning to evening40 mafternoon to morning80 mevening and nightGeneral guide: it depends on season,solar cycle and the day’s conditions.0003060912151821localtime10–15 mdaytime, with the sun high20 mmorning to evening40 mafternoon to morning80 mevening and nightGeneral guide: it depends on season,solar cycle and the day’s conditions.
General guide for Italy: real conditions change every day.
Check first
The bands open right now are in Band conditions.
Follow the band plan
Each mode has its own segment: CW, digital and phone. See the band plan.
Who is on the air
DX Cluster spots show where and with whom people are working.

Log and QSLs

Every QSO goes in the log, then gets confirmed.

IZ6CLVITALY · JN62CQ 15 · ITU 28Confirming QSO withEA8ABCDate2026-10-23UTC14:30Band20 mModeSSBRST59Thanks for the QSO · 73PSE QSL · TNX QSLDate and time always in UTCBand and mode as in the logReport: 59 on phone, 599 on CWLoTW and eQSL instead of paperIZ6CLVITALY · JN62CQ 15 · ITU 28Confirming QSO withEA8ABCDate2026-10-23UTC14:30Band20 mModeSSBRST59Thanks for the QSO · 73PSE QSL · TNX QSLDate and time always in UTCBand and mode as in the logReport: 59 on phone, 599 on CWLoTW and eQSL instead of paper
A QSL holds the same data as the log: callsign, date, UTC time, band, mode and report.
DateUTCCallsignBandModeSentRcvd
2026-10-2314:30EA8ABC20 mSSB5959
2026-10-2315:02JA1XYZ20 mFT8-10-12
UTC time
Always log UTC time: you will find it in UTC time.
Confirmations
LoTW, eQSL or paper QSL via the bureau (in Italy the ARI one). All in Logbooks, QSL and awards.
Where is it from?
To find a callsign’s entity and zones use DXCC prefixes.

Mistakes to avoid

The ones almost everyone makes in the first months.

Too much power
Use the power you need, not the maximum: you cause less interference and learn more.
Not listening
Calling on a busy frequency is the most common mistake: always listen and ask.
Logging local time
QSLs do not confirm if the time is not UTC.
High SWR
Transmitting with high SWR heats the radio and can damage it: fix the antenna first.
Wrong PC clock
With FT8 one second of error is enough to fail a contact.
Talking too fast
Say your callsign slowly, with the phonetic alphabet.

What next?

The path after your first QSOs.

  1. 1Digital modesFT8 · RTTY · PSK
  2. 2Contestsmany QSOs in little time
  3. 3ActivationsPOTA · SOTA · WWFF
  4. 4AwardsDXCC · WAZ
  5. 5Radio and emergencieswhen networks go down

No licence yet? Start from Become a radio amateur and try the exam quiz.