What is YOTA?

Youth on the Air (YOTA) is a program designed for young amateur radio operators in the Americas, inspired by similar initiatives in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Their goal is to build skills, foster friendships, and create mentoring opportunities for youth in amateur radio. YOTA organizes exciting activities such as:

• Summer Camps for ages 15-25, featuring hands-on radio projects, contests, and more.
• Junior Camps for those under 15 to spark early interest in ham radio.
• YOTA Month Special Event, where operators under 25 showcase their skills on the airwaves worldwide.
• Youth Contesting Program and YOTA Contest, rewarding young operators for their enthusiasm and participation.

Through these programs, YOTA aims to inspire the next generation of amateur radio operators while providing a platform to connect youth from different regions.

Ham Radio Prep: A Shared Vision

At Ham Radio Prep, we share YOTA’s vision of empowering youth through amateur radio. Since our inception in 2017, our mission has been to simplify and modernize the learning process for aspiring ham radio operators. We understand that clear, concise, and engaging resources are vital to making ham radio accessible to everyone. That’s why our courses are designed to be simple, practical, and fun – ensuring students pass their FCC exams with confidence.

By partnering with YOTA, we’re taking our commitment a step further. We’re excited to provide free study materials to help young operators prepare for their FCC exams, empowering them to explore the exciting world of amateur radio.

A Big Thank You to Neil Rapp, WB9VPG

This partnership would not have been possible without the efforts of Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, the Camp Director of YOTA Americas. Neil’s dedication to youth engagement in amateur radio has been instrumental in building the YOTA program into what it is today. His passion and leadership inspire young operators to embrace ham radio and grow into the leaders of tomorrow.

Looking Ahead

Ham Radio Prep is proud to support YOTA’s mission and contribute to the growth of amateur radio among youth. We believe this partnership will create new opportunities for young operators to learn, connect, and thrive. Together, we’re ensuring the future of amateur radio remains bright and innovative.

For more information about YOTA and its programs, visit YouthOnTheAir.org. To explore our study resources and learn how to get started in amateur radio, visit HamRadioPrep.com.

Let’s get the next generation on the air!

The post Ham Radio Prep Announces Partnership with YOTA appeared first on Ham Radio Prep.

In the spirit of preparedness, Ham Radio Prep has teamed up with the Thermal Belt Amateur Radio Club to ensure that more people are ready to step in when disaster strikes. The partnership is focused on building a network of licensed ham radio operators who can provide critical communication during hurricanes and other natural disasters. The Thermal Belt Amateur Radio Club, based in the foothills of North Carolina, has long been a leader in emergency communications, playing a vital role in past hurricane relief efforts.

Why Ham Radio is Vital During Hurricanes

When hurricanes hit, infrastructure often fails—leaving people without access to phones or the internet. Ham radio, with its ability to operate off-grid and establish communication networks over long distances, becomes a lifeline. Operators can quickly connect emergency responders, shelters, and affected individuals, facilitating the coordination of relief efforts. Whether it’s providing weather updates, relaying calls for help, or linking emergency services, ham radio proves to be an indispensable tool during these challenging times.

The partnership between Ham Radio Prep and the Thermal Belt Amateur Radio Club is a shining example of how the amateur radio community comes together in times of adversity.

In a world where communication is everything, amateur radio remains a powerful tool for connecting people when disaster strikes. The efforts of Ham Radio Prep and the Thermal Belt Amateur Radio Club ensure that this vital resource will continue to thrive, ready to serve whenever and wherever it is needed.

The post Ham Radio Prep Donates Free Courses to Amateur Radio Club Affected by Hurricane appeared first on Ham Radio Prep.

The World Radio League mobile app is a significant milestone in the evolution of ham radio logging, offering a range of innovative features that make it easier than ever to log your contacts, sync your logs, and stay connected with the ham radio community.

At its core, the app is designed to provide a seamless logging experience, allowing you to log your contacts in the field without worrying about transferring data back to your computer. With automatic syncing, you can ensure that your logs are up-to-date and easily accessible, making it simple to submit POTA activations, send your logs off to contests, and enjoy cloud backup if you’re using your phone as your primary logging device.

Offline Capabilities and Community Features

But what sets the World Radio League mobile app apart is its ability to function offline, making it perfect for hams who often find themselves operating in areas with limited or no internet connectivity. The app allows you to start and finish an entire activation without ever being connected to the internet, and you’ll still be able to view your logbook and contacts offline. When you do get back online, your contacts will automatically sync up, ensuring that your logs are always up to date.

Additionally, the app includes a community forum directly accessible within the app, where you can ask questions, share tips, and connect with other ham radio enthusiasts. You can even show off your profile and aggregate view of your contacts on the go, making it easy to share your ham radio experiences with others.

Conclusion

The World Radio League mobile app, with its ease of use, seamless syncing, and offline capabilities, is a game-changer for the ham radio community.

Ready to take your ham radio experience to the next level? Download the World Radio League mobile app on Android or iOS and start logging like never before! With its seamless syncing, offline capabilities, and community features, you’ll be able to focus on what matters most – making contacts and enjoying the hobby. Create your free account today and discover a new way to log your contacts, connect with fellow hams, and make the most of your time on the air.

The post Introducing the World Radio League Mobile App appeared first on Ham Radio Prep.

Reminder: If you are new to ham radio, you must take the exams in order, so take your Technician and General exams first.

What’s new in this course?

Our team of licensed hams has spent hundreds of hours building this course from the ground up.

You’ll get brand new videos, animations, graphics, and lessons – designed specifically to help you understand the concepts and get licensed quickly.

The course is broken up into 30 quick lessons of about 5 – 7 minutes each, so you can study at your own pace without getting overwhelmed.

The course is available on our website, in our mobile app, as a book on Amazon, and an Audiobook on Audible so you can study anywhere, anytime!

Which question pool should I study?

The new questions go into effect on July 1st, 2024. So, if you are planning on taking the course on June 30th or earlier, you should study the 2020 – 2024 version.

If you are planning on taking the exam on July 1st, 2024 or later, make sure to study the new course for 2024 – 2028.

How do I get access?

If you have already purchased the All Access Pass or the Amateur Extra course, then you will get access to this new course for FREE!

If you have not yet signed up, you can sign up here.

If you’re using the mobile app, be sure to go to the app store and update to the latest version to get the new course.

Don’t Delay – Sign up today!

There’s never been a better time to get your Amateur Extra License, and with the Ham Radio Prep program, you’ll be able to achieve it in no time.

We’re so confident you’ll pass, we offer a 100% money back guarantee if you don’t pass on your first try!

We’re offering special discount pricing for the launch so sign up today!

Sign Up for the NEW Amateur Extra License Course!

The post The NEW Amateur Extra 2024 – 2028 Course is Available NOW! appeared first on Ham Radio Prep.

Just a few years after World War I, amateur radio operators are exploring worldwide propagation on the short-wave bands.

Robert Deforest, President of Deforest Radio Telephone and Telegraph company, says,

“If you haven’t a hobby–get one. Ride it. Wireless is of all hobbies the most interesting. It offers the widest limits, the keenest fascination, either for intense competition with others, near and far, or for quiet study and pure enjoyment in the still night hours as you welcome friendly visitors from the whole wide world.”

But the future of amateur radio was uncertain, with commercial interests clamoring for bandwidth.

So, in 1925, a group of amateur radio operators gathered in Paris, France and formed the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), and decided on a spectrum allocation that is still widely used today across 160, 80, 40, 20, and 10 meters.

Today, almost 100 years later, amateur radio is more popular than ever, with over 3,000,000 licensed operators globally.

Our mission here Ham Radio Prep is here to continue the great heritage of amateur radio by getting more people licensed and active on the bands, with the world’s best amateur radio educational materials.

No matter where you are in your journey, we’re here to help you get licensed, start operating HF, and join the worldwide movement of independent communicators!

The post 🌎Happy World Amateur Radio Day!🌎 appeared first on Ham Radio Prep.

This is James KN4NEH, the CEO of Ham Radio Prep today with a huge announcement about major legislation that affects the entire ham radio community.

Two U.S. Senators, Roger Wicker from Mississippi and Richard Blumenthol from Connecticut, have introduced legislation to give ham radio operators the right to install outdoor antennas on residential properties and serve their communities.

Many homeowners associations prevent ham radio operators from installing antennas, which leaves many American communities without any type of backup communication system in the event of a blackout, natural disaster, or other communication outage.

So I want to commend Senator’s Wicker and Blumenthol for taking this extremely important step for American security and communications, and I want to extend our full support of Ham Radio Prep for this legislation.

One of the major reasons for the amateur radio service in the United States is to ensure that all Americans communicate when cell phone service and internet are not available.

This is critical infrastructure for US communications, and amateur radio operators are the backbone of our off-grid communications infrastructure.

This act is called the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act of 2024. We’ll post links so you can read more about this.

Let’s come together as an amateur radio community to get behind this piece of legislation and help build our communications infrastructure, so that our communities can stay connected in every disaster situation.

Source: https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2024/2/senators-wicker-blumenthal-introduce-the-amateur-radio-emergency-preparedness-act

The post MAJOR Ham Radio Legislation! Emergency Preparedness Act of 2024 appeared first on Ham Radio Prep.

Sponsored by Orlando Amateur Radio Club

Orlando HamCation, sponsored by the Orlando Amateur Radio Club with a global membership of around 300 enthusiasts, is poised to be a platform showcasing the diversity and expertise within the amateur radio community.

Engaging with Local Clubs and Collaborating

Highlighting the importance of local clubs, Ham Radio Prep encourages attendees to explore these hubs of knowledge. These clubs, instrumental for newcomers, offer invaluable guidance within the amateur radio community.

The event, drawing volunteers from diverse clubs across Florida, promises to welcome both local and national entities. Esteemed groups like QCWA, Dayton Amateur Radio Club, 10-10 Group, AIS, AMSAT, among others, will ensure enriching networking opportunities.

Ham Radio Prep extends an open invitation to all attendees, inviting enthusiasts and newcomers to explore their booth and engage in the exciting world of amateur radio at Orlando HamCation.

As the countdown begins for Orlando HamCation, the enthusiasm grows, promising an event brimming with the passion and expertise of the amateur radio community.

Get Hamcation tickets: https://www.hamcation.com/

The post Ham Radio Prep is Going to Orlando HamCation 2024 appeared first on Ham Radio Prep.

Stone Mountain, GA – The Ham Radio Prep team recently attended the Stone Mountain Hamfest, bringing a buzz of excitement and enthusiasm to the event. The team of ham radio enthusiasts – Jim, Max, and James, showcased Ham Radio Prep’s comprehensive ham radio license courses, interacted with students, and introduced attendees to the new World Radio League Logbook.

A Day of Learning and Fun

The event kicked off early, with people arriving even before 8 a.m. Jim, known for his involvement with Ham Radio Prep and the World Radio League, expressed his eagerness to explore the Boneyard – a place to find hidden gems for ham radio at bargain prices. Max, sharing the same excitement, was on the lookout for a Morse code key, a symbol of the ‘final frontier’ in amateur radio.

James highlighted the giveaways for ham radio prep students, including free books and the opportunity to sign up for the World Radio League. The day promised a great blend of social interaction, learning, and shopping for ham radio enthusiasts.

Exploring the Stone Mountain Hamfest

The team roamed around the hamfest, exploring various stalls and interacting with other enthusiasts. They came across a range of interesting finds, from emergency communication trailers to satellite equipment.

Jim pointed out the significance of old manuals and books for beginners in ham radio, emphasizing that the basic technology behind antennas and electronics remains largely unchanged.

Max, interested in Morse code, picked up a straight key and a handmade double paddle, while Jim was tempted by the various equipment and radios on display, including a recent model RF radio offered at a reasonable price.

Education and Interaction

A significant part of the Ham Radio Prep team’s mission was to educate and interact with fellow enthusiasts. They discussed various aspects of ham radio, from learning Morse code to the importance of grounding and resonance in antennas.

The team also showcased their new World Radio League logbook, an innovative tool designed to help users log their contacts and visualize them across the globe. This feature was part of the team’s broader effort to support ham radio operators from getting their licenses to actively engaging in the community.

Tips for Aspiring Ham Radio Operators

Max and James shared valuable tips for those new to ham radio. The key advice was to dedicate time to learning the material and to utilize the available resources, such as mobile apps and online courses, effectively. They emphasized that success in getting your ham radio licenses, from technician to amateur extra, is achievable with the right approach and resources.

Wrapping Up

The Stone Mountain Hamfest was not just an event for buying and selling equipment; it was a vibrant gathering of enthusiasts sharing knowledge, stories, and a passion for ham radio. Ham Radio Prep loved being part of this amazing experience with both expert and new hams.

The post Ham Radio Prep Goes to Stone Mountain Hamfest 2023 appeared first on Ham Radio Prep.

The post Urgent: How YOU Can Defend Our Ham Radio Spectrum! appeared first on Ham Radio Prep.

We’re on the brink of a seismic shift in ham radio, and you’re at the heart of it. Introducing the World Radio League – not just a platform, but a movement.

• First-Mover Advantage: Navigate our modern, streamlined platform and start learning the platform before everyone else. This isn’t just about being first; it’s about leading.
• Revolutionary Live Contesting: Be among the first to dive into contests, dominate live leaderboards, and set the benchmark.
• Global Trendsetters: Engage with ham radio visionaries from across the globe and redefine what’s possible.

Don’t watch from the sidelines. Register for FREE today and be a part of the movement!

Be sure to watch the exciting announcement video by clicking here! 

Exciting features are coming later on as well. Stay tuned and welcome to the World Radio League!

The post Welcome to the World Radio League: More Than Just a Logbook appeared first on Ham Radio Prep.