A radio is just a box until you plug it into a community. Clubs and nets are how most hams actually learn the hobby, find mentors, and have somewhere to check in when it matters. This is the map to everything on QSO Journey about finding, joining, running, and sometimes starting your own club or net.
Finding and Evaluating a Club
- How to Find (and Vet) a Ham Radio Club Worth Joining
- What’s Wrong With Amateur Radio Clubs in 2026
- The Ultimate Guide to Arizona Amateur Radio & GMRS Clubs
My opinion on why so few younger operators show up, and what clubs should do about it: Where Are the Young Hams? Not at Your Club Meeting.
Starting and Running a Club
- Starting Your Own Ham Radio Club From Scratch
- How to Run an Effective Club Meeting
- Mentoring a New Ham: How to Be a Good Elmer
Running a Good Net
- How to Run a Net People Actually Want to Check Into
- Weekly Nets Are Stuck in the Past, and They’re Not Preparing Anyone for SHTF
- Net Topics That Actually Get People Talking
Nets Worth Checking Into
Volunteer Orgs, Public Service, and Coordination
- Running a Public Service Event: Parades, Races, and Marathon Comms
- CERT and Amateur Radio: How the Programs Overlap
- Is ARRL Membership Actually Worth It?
- Repeater Coordination Councils: What They Do and Why It Matters
Where to Go Next
New to the hobby? Start with Start Here: A New Ham’s Guide to Getting On The Air. Building out your emergency comms plan? See Emergency Communications and Preparedness.