Blog · Getting Started · June 20, 2026

Day One After Your License Arrives

Your callsign is your identity on air — practice phonetics before you key up.

First hour

Confirm callsign on FCC ULS
Program repeater per CHIRP article
Listen 30 minutes
First TX: “CALLSIGN, monitoring” or directed check-in only

Buy order

Cable → antenna → spare battery before second radio. Amazon three-thing starter · mistakes guide.

UV-5R specific: day-one UV-5R checklist.

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Day-one accessories

Cable and antenna before radio #2.

CHIRP programming cable USB cable for Baofeng/BTECH — verify FTDI chip. ~$12 · Amazon → Nagoya NA-771 antenna Dual-band 2m/70cm whip upgrade for any SMA HT. ~$10 · Amazon → Midland WR120 NOAA radio SAME weather alerts — program before any deployment. ~$35 · Amazon →

See all curated Amazon picks · Full dealer directory