Resources

This section has a number of pages for helping hams.

Fundamental Basics for Amateur Radio Operators
A few of the most fundamental concepts that all amateur radio operators should have seared into their brains. Familiarity with these concepts is required to earn the Technician Class license, and they will be used throughout your ham career.

Amateur Radio Clubs in the San Francisco Bay Area, Northern California and Nevada
A list of amateur radio clubs we are aware of in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, Northern California and Northwestern Nevada.

Donate to MDARC
There are multiple ways to donate to MDARC and support the repeater systems that are so important to amateur radio in the Bay Area.

Equipment Resources
Pages and links to external sites with good information about different types of equipment, from Powerpole connectors to dipole antennas to IP codes to Yaesu radios and much more.

Getting Started in Amateur Radio
A number of pages on how to get started in Ham Radio, including:

1. License Class Description
A description of the three ham radio license classes still be issued by the FCC.

2. Getting Your First License
A recommended method to prepare for and pass your first license test.

3. Upgrading Your License
A recommended method to upgrade your license.

4A. Getting On the Air
OK, you have your license. Now what? Some thoughts on choosing your first radio, operating procedures, regulations, safety and others topics.

4B. Getting On the Air-HF
You've just upgraded your license and want to get going on all those HF bands. Here's some ideas on equipment, operating procedures, the jargon, regulations, safety and others topics.

5. Choosing Your First Radio
For new hams, some more details on how to choose your first radio

6. What Do Hams Do
Has anyone ever asked you why they should become a ham? Show them this loong list of things we hams do.

7. Where did “Ham” Come From?
There are a number of theories about how the term “ham” came to refer to amateur radio operators. So it may be that no one knows for sure which one (or ones) is/are correct. Here are a few theories.