{"id":3302,"date":"2012-10-12T16:55:40","date_gmt":"2012-10-12T16:55:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dev.rsgbtestzone.biz\/wordpress\/?page_id=3302"},"modified":"2026-04-07T17:04:52","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T16:04:52","slug":"operating-your-new-station","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rsgb.org\/main\/get-started-in-amateur-radio\/operating-your-new-station\/","title":{"rendered":"Operating your new station"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Members<\/a>

Making contacts via amateur radio is fun!<\/p><\/div>\n

Getting your station set up and knowing what to expect on the bands are the first two steps in becoming an active radio amateur.<\/p>\n

First, take some time to listen on the bands to find out how contacts are made.<\/p>\n

The best apprenticeship for anyone wanting to use the HF (or indeed VHF\/UHF) bands is to spend some time as a short wave listener.<\/p>\n

In this way you can learn all the procedures necessary and the way contacts are made.<\/p>\n

Many contacts on the HF bands tend to be rather short and tend to follow a straightforward pattern. Nevertheless, it can be quite daunting when you first pick up the microphone so a little preparation can go a long way.<\/p>\n

You find plenty of guidance in our Foundation Practicals videos<\/a>.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n