I only have a technician license at the moment but wanted to try some longer range stuff so I got an HF radio. I'm extremely new to the hobby so I have little idea what I'm doing lol.
Xiegu G90 HF radio Astron power supply EFHW antenna strung around the outside of the house like Christmas lights
This looks pretty cool and I admire the science and technical accomplishment of the thing itself, but I’m curious what amateur radio hobbyists actually do with this technology, just on a day to day basis? Like once you have it set up and everything, what is a typical radio hobby session like?
From what I gather just gab on the air about whatever and then there's like a bazillion challenges for people to try and do. For example, making contact with someone from really far away using the least amount of power as possible.
Basically this yes. And also the science of it, learning how the radio waves refract at different times or day and solar activity. Also designing and building your own antennas and even radios can be fun and challenging.