Amateur radio is one of the most widespread hobbies, millions of people are engaged in it. But for those who are just taking their first steps in the radio model, it is important to know where and how to start a journey into this fascinating world.
Starting to study the basics of radio business, you need to imagine what goal you are going to. There are two main options: independent creation of various electronic equipment and communication on the air with other radio amateurs via short-wave communications.
Organization of the workplace
Where to start studying radio business? With the organization of the workplace. A table covered with some practical material is required. It can be a piece of plexiglass, fiberboard or even ordinary linoleum. There should be several sockets nearby, a table lamp should be installed on the left side.
You also need at least the simplest measuring instruments; without them, it is impossible to create electronic equipment. At a minimum, you need an ampere-voltmeter, commonly referred to as a tester, a multimeter. For example, a good option is the DT9205 digital multimeter, which measures voltage, current, resistance and capacitance. It is also highly desirable to have an oscilloscope, this is one of the most useful devices.
Of course, a soldering iron is needed, and preferably two - one for about 60 watts, the second for 25 watts. You will also need solder and flux.
First experiences
Remember that it is important not just to assemble a circuit, but to understand how it works. Therefore, it is necessary from the very first designs to understand the logic of the operation of the circuits. Missing this moment, you will not be able to subsequently collect and establish complex structures.
It is better to start with the creation of detector receivers. They consist of only a few details, but they allow you to feel the whole taste of the radio business - when a sound suddenly appears in the headphones of a radio receiver created by your hands, this is genuine happiness. Do not forget to make an outdoor antenna and reliable grounding, without them the detector receiver will not work. Then you can add transistor amplifier stages to it, which will allow you to output the sound to the speakers.
Having collected several designs on discrete elements, go to microcircuits. They can be used to assemble much more complex circuits, so you need to learn how to work with them. To set up complex circuits, you will need an oscilloscope - with its help it is very convenient to monitor the presence of a signal and its shape at the pins of the microcircuits.
The further path depends on your preferences. You can assemble various equipment, create your own original designs. Or build a shortwave receiver and take the first steps towards communicating by radio with shortwave radio amateurs from around the world.
Shortwave radio amateur
You have probably seen large, complex antennas on the roofs of some houses. Such an antenna indicates that a radio amateur lives in the house, communicating with his colleagues by radio communication.
The first steps in this direction are to build or acquire a shortwave receiver operating in the amateur band. Such a receiver will allow you to listen to the conversations of radio amateurs, you will learn a lot about how communication takes place on the air.
The next step is to get your own amateur radio call sign. Having received it, you yourself will be able to communicate on the frequencies of the amateur radio band. To do this, you will need a homemade or purchased transceiver - a device capable of both receiving and transmitting.
Whichever option you choose, serious knowledge of radio is required. Therefore, it is necessary to study the foundations especially carefully, this will allow laying a solid foundation for further work.
