The Most Overlooked Ham Radio Skills

In this digital age of ham radio licensing exam preparation, many hams learn the answers, but few take it to the next step and learn the whys and wherefores behind the questions. As a result, they get frustrated in “putting it all together.” We are going to look at a few basic skills that will make amateur radio much more enjoyable for you.

Antenna Theory & Building

Antenna building is not rocket science. The basic idea is to make the RF energy inside the radio radiate outside the radio in the most efficient manner possible. I often suggest starting off by building simple dipole or long wire antennas. Wire antennas are a great low-cost method of learning basic antenna theory. To make it easy, I suggest the DX Engineering Single-Band Low-Power Dipole Kit or one of the DX Engineering Low-Power Portable Dipole and Winder Kits. “Salty Walt’s Portable Antenna Sketchbook” is a great resource to get you started.

DX Engineering Wire Antenna Kit Components — DX Engineering Single-Band Low-Power Dipole Kit. (Image/DX Engineering)

dx engineering wire antenna kit with bongo ties — DX Engineering Low-Power Portable Dipole and Winder Kit. (Image/DX Engineering)

Portable Antenna Sketchbook Marquee — “Salty Walt’s Portable Antenna Sketchbook.” (Image/ARRL)

Cable Preparation

I am thankful I learned early on to make my own coaxial cable assemblies. DX Engineering makes some of the best Coaxial Cable Assemblies in the business. If you can’t find an assembly that meets your needs, the exclusive DX Engineering Custom Cable Builder lets you choose your desired cable from many options, select the precise length you need up to 300 feet, and choose what connectors you want on both ends.

But for do-it-yourselfers, learning the basic skills and investing in a quality tool kit lets you make practically any cable you need.

I recommend using the DX Engineering Next Generation Crimp/Solder PL-259s. These are quality connectors, and there’s plenty of installation support from the manuals and videos showing how to use the DX Engineering cable prep tools.

DX Engineering RF Coax Connectors — (Image/DX Engineering)

To make cable preparation a breeze, I use the DX Engineering Cable Prep Tool Kit for Crimp Connectors. It cuts all levels of the coax to the precise measurements in one smooth action.

DX Engineering Cable Grip Cutter Tool Kit — DX Engineering Cable Prep Tool Kit for Crimp Connectors. (Image/DX Engineering)

Finally, I use the DX Engineering Ultra-Grip 2 Crimp Tool Kit to ensure the proper crimp around the shield of the coax . I finish off the center conductor with the Milwaukee M12 Soldering Iron.

DX Engineering Cable Prep Tool Kit — DX Engineering Ultra-Grip 2 Crimp Tool Kit. (Image/DX Engineering)

Soldering

Which leads me to the skill of soldering. I am the first to admit that I’m not an expert in the art, but I can do what needs to be done. Whether you’re considering battery, butane, or electric models, take some time to review a variety of soldering guns and irons. Think about how you will most use it and what fits your needs and budget. It should be paired with the right solder for the job. And remember, flux is your friend. It helps the solder flow nicely and where you want it to go.