Got Your Technician Class License! Now What?

Edition: Standard 6×9 Desk Edition

De: Terry W. Platt NN4Y, Terry Platt, Terry W. Platt, NN4Y

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

GOT YOUR TECH? NOW WHAT?
(EBook Edition)

You’ve passed the test, got your call sign, and earned your Technician Class license.
Now what?

If you’re like most new hams, you quickly discover that getting the license is just the beginning. You’ve unlocked a vast world of frequencies, gear, and possibilities—but where do you start? That’s where this book comes in.

Got Your Tech? Now What? is a friendly, plain-English guide that bridges the gap between passing the exam and actually enjoying the hobby. Written in a conversational, Elmer-style voice by Terry Platt (NN4Y), this pocket-size field companion walks you through everything a new Technician needs to know to get on the air, explore new modes, and stay excited about amateur radio.

This isn’t a study guide. It’s a hands-on, “let’s do this” guide—something to read at your workbench, carry to the field, or keep next to your first rig.

Inside You’ll Learn:

• Your real-world privileges as a Technician: what bands you can use, how to find activity, and when those frequencies come alive.

• Station building made simple: how to choose your first transceiver, understand power supplies, and build practical antennas for both home and portable use.

• The HF adventure: how the 10-, 15-, 40-, and 80-meter bands behave, what to listen for, and why propagation changes when “the sun is right.”

• VHF and UHF operation: repeaters, simplex, satellite contacts, and the magic of 6 meters—how to make the most of local and regional radio.

• Digital modes made easy: from FT8 and JS8Call to APRS and Winlink—what they do, why they matter, and how to get started.

• Mesh networking and modern experimentation: how hams use modified Wi-Fi gear and AREDN firmware to create private, high-speed digital networks.

• CW and Morse code today: how to learn it at your own pace, find slow-speed contacts, and enjoy the timeless rhythm of radio’s original language.

• Community and growth: joining clubs, attending hamfests, volunteering, and eventually mentoring the next generation of operators.

Throughout the book, you’ll find diagrams, real-world tips, and friendly explanations that make complex topics feel manageable. Whether you’re operating from your home shack, your truck, or a picnic table at the park, this little guide will help you make the most of your license and equipment.

Each chapter feels like sitting down with an experienced ham who remembers what it’s like to be new—someone who can explain not just how things work, but why they matter.

About the Series

Part of the NN4Y Amateur Radio Pocket Editions, this book is the first in a growing collection of concise, field-ready guides for hams who learn best by doing. Each title blends practical instruction with the spirit of experimentation that defines amateur radio.

Whether you’re making your first contact, tuning your first antenna, or exploring the digital frontier, Got Your Tech? Now What? will help you discover that the best part of amateur radio starts after the license.