I Got Skunked!

By Phil Duggan, N1EP

Fig.1 - AI-generated image of getting skunked on ham radio.

Have you ever put your call sign out on your local VHF repeater, or called CQ on the high frequency bands, only to come up empty? Of course you have. We have all been there. Everyone gets skunked now and then. But there are operating practices that can help maximize your chances of a successful contact.

Possibly the best solution is to make sure you have a decent signal, whether it is on a 2-meter repeater, or on 40-meter single sideband. Without a doubt, the most important part of your ham radio system is your antenna. Making improvements in your. antenna system is the “best bang for your buck” as they say. Also, make sure you have the proper transmission cable for the amateur bands you are working. For example, a long length of RG-58 coax is a poor choice for a VHF/UHF as there is significant signal loss at those frequencies. Antenna height...for VHF/UHF antennas: the higher the better!

Just because you can “kerchunk” a repeater does not mean that your signal is strong enough that your audio is consistently getting through. Band and weather conditions can also affect your signal. Arrange for another ham to meet you on the repeater and give you an honest signal report. If your signal is “full-quieting” then you are good to go. If there is noise or hiss or fluttering on your audio, then perhaps in certain conditions or times you will not be able to get through.

Here are some other tips:

Make sure that charging devices or other modern electronics in your home are not hampering your communications. These devices can sometimes suppress your receive both on HF and VHF. They can produce so much noise (QRN) that you will not be able to hear other stations.
For VHF/UHF repeaters and simplex, some regions are more active than others depending upon population and other factors. But don’t give up too easily. Try two or three times over a 5 or 10 minute period putting your call out or asking for a signal report. Some ham might be in a nearby room to his/her shack and hear you and eventually wander into the shack and give you a shout.
Many hams “scan” their memory banks on their rigs, so when you put your call out, say what repeater or frequency you are on so that they know where you are in case the radio continues scanning. For example, N1EP on the 91 (146.91) repeater, or N1EP on 146.595 simplex, or N1EP on 52 (national calling frequency 146.520MHz), or N1EP on Hull’s Cove. You get the point.
Unless you are in a very remote area, there are usually multiple repeaters and common simplex frequencies used by local hams. Try them all out.
Contact a local ham radio club and learn where and when nets are held, and what frequencies are most often used.
Try different modes. Phone, cw, digital are all popular. FT8 is among the most popular modes now, but there are dozens of digital modes available. CW (Morse code) might be old-fashioned, but it is still very popular and reliable! If you are into QRP (low power) CW has quite an advantage.
Inexpensive dual band rigs from overseas are often the new ham’s choice for getting on the air after they earn their ticket. Sometimes, though, certain makes and models have low audio, making it hard for other stations to hear you, even if you have a strong RF carrier signal into a repeater. The BIG three (Icom, Yaesu, Kenwood) are usually very high quality, but more expensive. What’s that adage? “You get what you pay for.” Of course, there are many inexpensive overseas models that work fine as well.
Ideally, there should be someone monitoring local repeaters and simplex frequencies all the time in case someone needs assistance. But this does not always happen. Perhaps a friendly reminder at club meetings is in order.
If you are using a handheld radio inside your vehicle, connecting it to a decent mobile antenna on the outside of the car will work much better than the stock rubber duckie antenna. There are adapters that make this easy.

Finally, a suggestion for all the hams out there. If you hear someone on your local repeater, or elsewhere, looking for a contact or a signal report, please answer them. It will only take a moment of your time to welcome a new ham into the hobby, or exchange pleasantries with an amateur on the hf bands. After all, what would ham radio be like if we all just listened and didn’t transmit? Short wave listening is fun, but ham radio is even more so!

Back to N1EP.COM