I'm Not a Ham Radio Geek, But I do have an Amateur Radio License
I feel like I am kind of outside the norm on this one. It seems that most people that are into HAM radio are into it because of the hobby. Some of them are really into the tinkering aspect, and others spend tens of thousands of dollars on radio gear and antennas and brag about having "contacts" all around the world. I'm not knocking them, but I'm just not into it like that.
I have a very low interest in Amateur Radio. When I explain it to people, I call it a utilitarian interest. I am only interested in the technology as it serves a purpose, and nothing more.
I have no interest in making contacts around the world, and I don't have the disposable income to spend thousands on equipment, not that I would anyway if I had that kind of money.
For me, I only got interested in amateur radio due to an interest in severe weather. As a kid, I loved thunderstorms, and the more powerful a storm was, the more I was interested in it. I live in lower Michigan where we get our fair share of severe weather, but it's almost never as bad as Kansas, Oklahoma or the traditional Tornado Alley states.
In late 2024, I learned about Skywarn, studied and took the test to become an official Storm Spotter. I soon found out that the local group where I live is an AARL ARES/RACES amateur radio group, so I studied for the Technician's license one day for six hours and then took the test.
I passed and got my FCC call sign the next day (along with an Amazon package with a Baofeng UV-5R). I made my first contact that day and was pretty elated.
Over the next couple months, I dabbled in APRS and joined the local nets here and there, but It wasn't until June 2025 that I realized that I just wasn't into Amateur Radio as a hobby.
I did make the investment in two TIDRadio TD-H3 handhelds and a signal stick antenna for the primary HT for better performance. I wanted the dual PTT buttons this radio offered. Our ARES group often switches from 2M to 70CM and being able to monitor and key up on both without having to swtich from A channel to B channel is important to me.
Call me weird, but the only reason I have a license and radios is for the purpose of contributing to community through storm spotting and the local ARES group. I have no interest in sharing my life over radio. My life is pretty dull anyway, so who really wants to listen to me share my dog walking adventures?
I will say that I have an interest in Shortwave Radio. My dad got a Grundig for me when I was 13 years old, and I have always liked listening to broadcasts, and dropping into the Amateur Radio bands to listen to the old guys talk about their rigs.
I still listen, and I do turn the TD-H3 radio on to listen, but I rarely key up for any reason other than reporting weather. For the most part, I listen to WebSdr stations at work more than anything I do with the handheld radio.
My reviews are a bit different than other's you might have seen. I only review products that I have purchased on my own, and have used on a regular basis for a minimum of at least three months. I do not take sponsorships and I don't review "free" products sent by companies hoping for a good review. As such, the products never look immaculate or just out of the box. I use my S23 camera since I don't have any other. The photos aren't perfect. But my reviews are my own, and from my experience using the product. Please be advised that I do use affiliate links for Amazon on this site where at no cost to you, I receive a commission for any product sold via Amazon.