Author name: W8NI

Even as I typed this title, I remember back to my years as an ISO auditor. There was a saying that rang through my circles, “Don’t ‘should’ on people.” It is obviously a play on words that are not appropriate in all circles, but this speaks to our tendency to make everyone “conform to the way I do it” or the way I think it should be done.

And even in typing this explanation leads to a whole other discussion that may one day grace my blog. But to keep our focus, even as I realize I mustn’t “should” on people, there are just some basic things we all should understand about this hobby. From new to old OPs, let’s jump into this list, and learn what we can.

1. You don’t need expensive gear to have fun!

I remember when I first thought about getting my license in amateur radio. I had so many questions that I struggled to get answered. But one thing that I was told was that I could spend $15 to $15,000 in this hobby.

When I first got my license, the Baofeng UV-5R was only 15 bucks. This cheap handie-talkie was an easy and simple way to get on the air. For me, I was interested in CW from the very start of my journey and so a purchase of a simple 20m QMX mini (for about $50 as a kit) to start making HF contacts was an easy decision.

This meant that for under $100 I had 2 radios covering VHF/UHF and 20m HF, that could reach just about everyone in the world, if propagation would allow. I had a blast with that QCX mini, and although I have purchased much more robust radios since then, I still use that QCX today.

And as technology continues to develop, one can now purchase a QMX multi-band multi-mode transceiver (that does CW, Digital and SSB) for just a bit over $100! Which knowing this makes me think… I might need a new radio!

2. Clubs and Mentors are INCREDIBLY Valuable

Amateur radio is the one hobby that have a special name for their mentors. Elmers are so valuable to your journey, and to have a good one is greatly coveted. Don’t skip this part. Sure, YouTube is your friend, absolutely there is a lot of info on the internet, but there is no comparison to being able to sit down with a good Elmer and ask specific questions.

And although this journey that you are on has a lot of individual opportunities, to have a club, a group of like minded individuals to have your back is priceless. If you ever had a bad experience with a club, or don’t grasp the value, please read my post below. Too many people underestimate the value of a good Elmer and Clubs, and the hobby suffers for it.

3. Listening is an Important Skill

This is probably the most important thing in my list! I could literally write a thousand word essay on this point alone! So many situations I have been in that listening either got the person a contact, or the lack of listening caused them to miss a contact.

Now I understand that not everyone is chasing rare DX, or even POTA entities. I know Hams that are only after a good rag chew. But even those “rag chewers” need to develop the skill of listening. As someone who runs a lot of QRP, I have had multiple people just move on to my frequency and start calling CQ. And I understand they may not have been able to hear me… but they never even asked if the frequency was in use. 

So do the hobby a favor and learn to listen. Listen before calling CQ, Listen before answering a CQ. Listen before assuming the station calling CQ is answering you. In other words, just listen! It is a very important skill.

4. Portable Operation Changes Everything

I know it is a lot of fun chasing DX in the comfort of your home with a KW station pumping through your 7 element beam. I also understand that to resort to a simple 100w (or less) and a wire, seems like stepping backwards at first—like trading horsepower for humility.

But give it time, and you’ll realize it’s not a downgrade at all. It’s a different kind of challenge. One that sharpens your ears, refines your patience, and reminds you that this hobby was never just about power—it’s about skill, creativity, and the thrill of making something small go a very long way.

And for those who think that in order to experience portable operation you must join in with POTA or SOTA or some other program… Remember that Summer and Winter Field Days are also possible portable activities, and can also be supplemented with a good Elmer or Club (refer back to #2 on this list).

5. This Hobby is Bigger Than You Think

I know of no one who has plumbed the depths of this hobby. The longer you’re in it, the more you realize you’re only scratching the surface. Just when you think you’ve “figured it out,” you discover another corner—another mode, another band, another challenge—that pulls you in.

Maybe you started with a handheld and a local repeater. Then it was HF. Then digital modes. Then portable ops, POTA activations, contesting, satellites, building antennas, chasing DX, emergency communications, or tinkering with homebrew gear. Each layer opens up a dozen more paths you could take.

And the truth is—you don’t have to do it all.

That’s part of what makes this hobby so great. You can go as deep or as wide as you want. You can be the guy with a modest setup making contacts from a park bench, or the operator with a full station chasing rare entities across the globe. You can build, operate, experiment, serve, or just enjoy the conversations.

But here’s the takeaway: don’t box yourself in too early.

If you’re new, give yourself permission to explore. Try something that feels out of your comfort zone. If you’ve been around a while, maybe it’s time to revisit that area you’ve always been curious about but never pursued. There’s always more to learn, more to build, more to experience.

This hobby isn’t a straight line—it’s a wide open landscape.

And no matter how far you’ve come, there’s always another horizon waiting.

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So there is my list of 5 things every OP should know. What do you think? Did I miss one, or two? Is there something you think should be on this list. Leave a comment and let me know! And finally, Stay curious, keep experimenting, and enjoy the journey.

Kevin-W8NI has a blog that he posts to every week. Check it out at w8ni.weebly.com