What's an Elmer? An Elmer is an experienced ham who mentors beginners or the less experienced, advancing their knowledge in a personal way, usually with much hands-on radio operation and oversight. Finding a good Elmer can be a huge advantage for rapidly moving ahead with your amateur radio acumen. Finding the right Elmer for you can sometimes be a challenge, but engaging a local ham radio club can often provide fertile hunting grounds. Investigate any local clubs in your area, attend a few meetings, meet the hams and inquire about classes, learning, and Elmering. If there is a good fit, you will usually know it intuitively.

The term "Elmer" meaning someone who provides personal guidance and assistance to would-be hams--first appeared in QST in a March 1971 "How's DX" column by Rod Newkirk, W9BRD (now also VA3ZBB). Newkirk called them "the unsung fathers of Amateur Radio."

With the advent of the Internet and cell phones, there is less emphasis on having a list of Elmers.Today, it seems every Ham wants to help the new person in the hobby. If you have a question, ask any Ham. If that person does not know the answer, they will find someone who does.