Club Learning Guide

A 75-minute starter session

Use these activities as a menu, not a test. A mentor can adapt the pace to the learner, equipment, license privileges, and local conditions.

1. 1. Discover what is possible (10 minutes)

   Ask learners to choose one hobby area on the Getting Started page and name one practical goal.

2. 2. Get a signal on the air (20 minutes)

   With a qualified mentor, confirm privileges and demonstrate proper repeater etiquette or an HF contact.

3. 3. Explore a signal without transmitting (15 minutes)

   Use a browser-based SDR to hear an amateur signal or compare HF bands.

4. 4. Learn to measure (20 minutes)

   Demonstrate SWR or antenna measurements with the transmitter safely disconnected.

5. 5. Choose a first mini-project (10 minutes)

   Pick a quick tip, define one success criterion, and arrange a club mentor or follow-up.

Newly licensed learner checklist

• Confirm FCC license grant and current class privileges before transmitting.
• Know your callsign, local repeater frequencies, offset, and tone.
• Practice listening before calling and asking for a signal report.
• Save two trustworthy learning links and choose one first project.
• Meet a club contact who can answer follow-up questions.

Returning operator checklist

• Check that the license is current and identify what regulations or bands have changed.
• Inspect aging cables, connectors, antennas, and power equipment before transmitting.
• Explore one modern avenue: FT8, portable operating, SDR, satellites, or CW training.
• Check radio firmware, logging options, and software compatibility deliberately.

Safety and good practice

Respect station control and operator privileges. Do not encourage unlicensed transmissions. Keep antennas and masts well away from utility lines, check RF-exposure requirements, supervise soldering and electrical work, and avoid presenting amateur radio as a substitute for emergency services. Verify local repeater and club information before printing handouts.

A simple week-one follow-up

Give new licensees the First 7 Days plan. They can start with receive-only steps while waiting for an FCC license grant, and share one observation with a mentor at the next meeting.

Assign a guided take-home activity

After the session, choose one guided learning path. Ask each learner to record one step they completed and one question for their mentor. The paths include verification checks, preparation lists and safety reminders.

Print-friendly club handout

For a compact take-home aid, print the First Contact Quick Reference. It includes a repeater checklist, sample on-air wording and a space to log the first contact.

Print this page or provide a QR code linking to the Getting Started hub. Add your club's meeting location, repeater details, mentor contact, and next exam date to your own flyer. Those details change, so they are intentionally not hardcoded here.

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