New technician class operator!

[BlueMoon2]

Effective today I am a new ham operator! I tried for my general class but didn't make it. Oh well at least I'm in!

 

[marcin4]

Effective today I am a new ham operator! I tried for my general class but didn't make it. Oh well at least I'm in!

Congrats!!! I did the same thing today! Passed technician, tried and didn't get general! But at least we're both in!!! WOOHOO!

 

[BlueMoon2]

Just out of curiousity, where did you take your exam? I took mine at a field day site in earlysville, va.

 

[marcin4]

took mine in lake in the hills, IL

 

[gewecke]

The place where I took mine burned down! :twisted:


73,
n9zas

 

[QDP2012]

Effective today I am a new ham operator! I tried for my general class but didn't make it. Oh well at least I'm in!

Congratulations!! Good job.

 

[Rt169Radio]

Congrats!

 

[WB4CS]

Congrats! Welcome to the hobby!

 

[CaptainBeefheart]

I share your satisfaction that comes from accomplishment. I passed my Tech day before yesterday. I kinda feel like I did three days before Christmas when I was six. The clock crawls when you are anxious. I'll finally get to plug that mike in within the next few days ...

 

[MisterK33]

I TOTALLY know what you guys mean about it being like Christmas: the waiting, etc...

Congrats to everyone who passed Tech (and General). Did the same myself Saturday. What are you guys looking at getting for equipment?

 

[krokus]

Welcome to the club, all of you. Get in with an active club, and you will find many facets available.

 

[WB4CS]

For recommendations on what radios to start out with, here's a few things to keep in mind...

• If you want to start out with VHF/UHF, find out what bands are popular in your area. 2 Meters is pretty active in most places, but some cities have a very active 70cm band. Don't forget 1.25 Meters, there may be some activity there as well.
• Don't forget about 6 meters! In some part of the country there are a few 6 meter repeaters, and 6 meters can provide some good long distance contacts when the band is open.
• Even as a Technician you don't have to start out on VHF/UHF. Take advantage of the HF privileges you have as a Tech (or new General). 10 Meters can give some great worldwide DX when the band is open. If you've learned Morse Code, you can take advantage of the CW portions of the HF bands that Technicians have.
• Unless you live very close to a local repeater, don't start out with only a handheld radio! A 5 Watt HT with the stock antenna won't go very far. An HT will do a little better with an outdoor antenna, but even then 5 Watts won't get into the more distant repeaters very well. Look into setting up a base station using a mobile radio, power supply, and outdoor antenna.

Finding out what aspects of radio interest you the most will go a long way in helping to pick the best first radio for you. Decide if you want to explore digital modes, satellite contacts, long distance contacts, or just chatting with the locals. This will help you narrow down what features you'll need or want in a radio.

Good luck, and have fun!

 

[KD2EQF]

Congrats OP and marcin4 and thank you WB4CS for the tips. I passed my exam last week and I can tell that this isn't a hobby one can tackle on their own. I'm looking forward to doing a lot of reading here and hopefully finding a few people that are local to me.

 

[wtp]

where

what town in bergen?

 

[MisterK33]

Congrats KD2EQF!

 

[ButlerAlerts]

Congratulations!

 

[KD2EQF]

what town in bergen?

I'm in Teaneck.

 

[wtp]

myself

i grew up in hillsdale and also just got tech.