A New Project: Entry-Level HF Digital For New Hams

I’ve recently found myself elmering new hams. This are young people (usually husband-and-wife) who got their technician licenses together, have bought a budget HT, and now wonder what they can do with it.

Since they are young, I think the digital modes will appeal to them.

I’m opening their eyes to Echolink and IRLP so they can see the possibilities of what they can do with that handheld.

I’m also thinking of trying to put together a package of a low power 10M transceiver and some software (JT65-HF, WSPR, FlDigi) that would allow them to get on the air on HF cheaply.

So the hunt is on for a source of inexpensive 10M SSB transceivers, probably 5-10W max. Kits are fine.

This will be fun.