Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Getting started in HF ham radio can feel overwhelming — antennas, propagation, noise, band conditions, portable setups, gear choices… nobody explains any of this when you’re a brand-new operator. In this video, I’m breaking down the 5 things I wish I knew before getting on HF, so you can avoid the same mistakes and get more reliable contacts from day one.
Whether you’re upgrading to General, diving into HF for the first time, experimenting with portable HF, or jumping into Parks on the Air (POTA), these tips will help you understand what really matters on the air.
If you’re trying to improve your HF setup, learn how propagation actually works, avoid wasting money on the wrong gear, or simply make more contacts, this video will save you time, frustration, and a lot of trial-and-error.
Perfect for: new ham radio operators, HF beginners, POTA activators, QRP users, portable HF enthusiasts, and anyone leveling up their station.
Support the Travelin' Ham here:
patreon.com/c/KE0VIMTravelinHam
buymeacoffee.com/thetravelinham
Also see affiliate links below. Click a link before any Amazon purchase and I get a commission even if it isn't a product I list. And it's no extra cost to you! Amazon makes more money if you don't!
Map of all of my activation locations on MyMaps:
google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1iEKlKvNlrwZZO1Y1mjNuA0W_DeFu-Vk&usp=sharing
AMAZON AFFILIATE LINKS:
Radio Equipment:
Bioenno 9ah LiFePO4 - amzn.to/4lsyrww
Bioenno 15ah LiFePO4 - amzn.to/4kWqEqF
Sony ICD-PX470 Stereo Digital Voice Recorder - amzn.to/4mua8zk
Nanuk 909 Case - amzn.to/4jgwB03
Nanuk 910 Case - amzn.to/3Z3wFcl
Digirig DR-891 - amzn.to/4k8CuO1
Lido Suction Cup Mount for Yaesu Mobile Radios - amzn.to/4mwZ9VT
CW Morse Iambic Paddles - amzn.to/3FvcLQP
Arrow II 70cm/2m Yagi Antenna w/out duplexer - amzn.to/3Sl55Ub
Sandbags for antenna tripod - amzn.to/3HdwVzn
Vekkia Headlamp w/ redlight - amzn.to/43sLOFw
Rite in the Rain logbook - amzn.to/4kBAz4B
Heil Sound foot switch - amzn.to/45x5QkG
Nano VNA-H antenna analyzer - amzn.to/4jgVedf
InnoView 15.6 Inch FHD 1080P portable monitor - amzn.to/3Tk7yPf
Recording Equipment:
DJI Wireless Mic System (not what I have, but what I'd get today) - amzn.to/43xRsq3
NEEWER iPhone Cage - amzn.to/4i2OwbL
NEEWER Quick Release Handle - amzn.to/443vdZW
Other Items I Really Love:
12.5' Quik-Set Clam - amzn.to/4nqHz69
National Park Map Coffee Mug - amzn.to/3FCEhMn
"Come to the Park Side" T-shirt - amzn.to/49FO1C4
Music:
"Rusty Nails" - by Got Happy
epidemicsound.com/track/OUORcm6mpd
Getting started in HF ham radio can feel overwhelming — antennas, propagation, noise, band conditions, portable setups, gear choices… nobody explains any of this when you’re a brand-new operator. In this video, I’m breaking down the 5 things I wish I knew before getting on HF, so you can avoid the same mistakes and get more reliable contacts from day one.
Whether you’re upgrading to General, diving into HF for the first time, experimenting with portable HF, or jumping into Parks on the Air (POTA), these tips will help you understand what really matters on the air.
If you’re trying to improve your HF setup, learn how propagation actually works, avoid wasting money on the wrong gear, or simply make more contacts, this video will save you time, frustration, and a lot of trial-and-error.
Perfect for: new ham radio operators, HF beginners, POTA activators, QRP users, portable HF enthusiasts, and anyone leveling up their station.
Support the Travelin' Ham here:
patreon.com/c/KE0VIMTravelinHam
buymeacoffee.com/thetravelinham
Also see affiliate links below. Click a link before any Amazon purchase and I get a commission even if it isn't a product I list. And it's no extra cost to you! Amazon makes more money if you don't!
Map of all of my activation locations on MyMaps:
google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1iEKlKvNlrwZZO1Y1mjNuA0W_DeFu-Vk&usp=sharing
AMAZON AFFILIATE LINKS:
Radio Equipment:
Bioenno 9ah LiFePO4 - amzn.to/4lsyrww
Bioenno 15ah LiFePO4 - amzn.to/4kWqEqF
Sony ICD-PX470 Stereo Digital Voice Recorder - amzn.to/4mua8zk
Nanuk 909 Case - amzn.to/4jgwB03
Nanuk 910 Case - amzn.to/3Z3wFcl
Digirig DR-891 - amzn.to/4k8CuO1
Lido Suction Cup Mount for Yaesu Mobile Radios - amzn.to/4mwZ9VT
CW Morse Iambic Paddles - amzn.to/3FvcLQP
Arrow II 70cm/2m Yagi Antenna w/out duplexer - amzn.to/3Sl55Ub
Sandbags for antenna tripod - amzn.to/3HdwVzn
Vekkia Headlamp w/ redlight - amzn.to/43sLOFw
Rite in the Rain logbook - amzn.to/4kBAz4B
Heil Sound foot switch - amzn.to/45x5QkG
Nano VNA-H antenna analyzer - amzn.to/4jgVedf
InnoView 15.6 Inch FHD 1080P portable monitor - amzn.to/3Tk7yPf
Recording Equipment:
DJI Wireless Mic System (not what I have, but what I'd get today) - amzn.to/43xRsq3
NEEWER iPhone Cage - amzn.to/4i2OwbL
NEEWER Quick Release Handle - amzn.to/443vdZW
Other Items I Really Love:
12.5' Quik-Set Clam - amzn.to/4nqHz69
National Park Map Coffee Mug - amzn.to/3FCEhMn
"Come to the Park Side" T-shirt - amzn.to/49FO1C4
Music:
"Rusty Nails" - by Got Happy
epidemicsound.com/track/OUORcm6mpd
