Training Exercises for Amateur Radio Operators

As we have opportunities to use our radios, we learn and improve as operators. It is desirable that we have a wide variety of experiences to helps us increase our abilities to provide radio communications. This page briefly outlines some of the experiences that we might have as amateur radio operators.

Periodic emergency and traffic nets give us experience in talking over our equipment and in sending and receiving messages via our radio equipment.

Providing communications during parades and sports events gives us experience in nets and in serving the public.

Field-day activities to provide experience and fun activities with emergency antennas,equipment, and operation.

Normal activity in QSOs. DX, and similar activities help us learn how to use our equipment and to have conversations with other hams. This not only helps us improve as radio operators, but it helps us enjoy our hobby.

Participating in simulated emergencies. The purposes of such training are two-fold. First, to test the procedures and protocols defined for use during emergencies. Second, to give amateur operators experience in handling messages (traffic) during emergency conditions. At the conclusion of the training, it is recommended that we hold brief critique sessions to evaluate our procedures and protocols. As we participate in simulated emergencies, we need to remember that simulated training sessions are not created to test the operational abilities of the hams. The persons conducting the critiques must be sensitive to the feelings of the hams and not publicly embarrass them. Any suggestions for personal improvement should be given by the NCS or the Net Manager privately to the hams concerned.