Finally, a ham!

[MisterK33]

I've been wanting to be a ham for maybe 20 years, but other things kept coming up that kept me from fulfilling that dream. Well, I made up my mind that I was going to do it this summer, and I finally did! Took my Tech yesterday morning and got 31/35 correct (little bummed it wasn't better). Took the General for kicks and giggles, and missed it by 5 questions! I was surprised, since I haven't even studied for it. However, I definitely plan on upgrading since I want to get on those HF bands. Feels really good to accomplish something I've waited so long to do!

 

[KD2DLL]

Congratulations! Be sure to let us know your call when it shows up!

 

[FullAuto]

Yes, indeed... congratulations! You didn't happen to take your test at the Cranston Public Library did you? If you did, I was probably sitting right next to you. I passed the Tech exam too (and missed the General by one)! Oh, well. I guess I'll study up and try again next month.

 

[Rt169Radio]

That's cool, congrats!

 

[xxdanielt3]

Congratulations!

 

[MisterK33]

@FullAuto: Yup, I was there (#2). Were you #1? Myself, I'm not sure if I'm going to try for the General before the end of the year; depends on what the work schedule is like come Sept (I teach). However, we'll hopefully get our tickets soon, and maybe I'll catch you on 2m :thumbup:

 

[CaptainBeefheart]

Congrats! I passed my Tech on Sat.. Now the wait ... it shouldn't be too long, but reminds me of being a kid 3 days from Christmas. Have fun!

 

[FullAuto]

@MisterK33: I was the guy farthest from the door (gray hair, glasses). It would be cool to have a simplex QSO with you from Worcester to Providence. But first I think I'll have to upgrade from my Baofeng UV-5RE and rubber duck!

I will likely take the General exam again next month. I'm glad that the CW entry requirement is gone, but I still feel the need to learn it. I'll give myself a year.

@FullAuto: Yup, I was there (#2). Were you #1? Myself, I'm not sure if I'm going to try for the General before the end of the year; depends on what the work schedule is like come Sept (I teach). However, we'll hopefully get our tickets soon, and maybe I'll catch you on 2m :thumbup:

 

[MisterK33]

@FullAuto: Nice to meet you last Saturday! I'm probably going to pick up a Baofeng UV-5R+ (almost the same radio) w/some accessories (including better antenna) next week through Amazon, since the prices there are pretty good; I just don't have the $ for one of the big 3 right now. Hopefully I can get maybe 2 mobile units some day and put one in my truck and the other in the house.

Congrats on getting that perfect score on the Tech, too! When I left, you were still working on the General, and I was pretty much convinced that you were going to pass it also, seeing how you did on the Tech and having a prior license. It is nicer to not have to worry about the CW

 

[xxdanielt3]

@FullAuto: Nice to meet you last Saturday! I'm probably going to pick up a Baofeng UV-5R+ (almost the same radio) w/some accessories (including better antenna) next week through Amazon, since the prices there are pretty good; I just don't have the $ for one of the big 3 right now. Hopefully I can get maybe 2 mobile units some day and put one in my truck and the other in the house.

Congrats on getting that perfect score on the Tech, too! When I left, you were still working on the General, and I was pretty much convinced that you were going to pass it also, seeing how you did on the Tech and having a prior license. It is nicer to not have to worry about the CW

If you guys arent far apart you can QSo on a Baofeng with 5 watts but only if the bands are right. The Baofeng Uv-5R is a solid radio for the price. I just ordered my first 'real" radio so I'm still in the Baofeng "club" programming can be a little bit hard, but if you upgrade the antenna it will sure perform. I have a Diamon SRJ77CA and its a direct fit with no adapters necessary..

Congrats on your licenses and good luck!

 

[FullAuto]

MisterK33@: You finished both tests faster than I did, so I assumed you passed the General. I got a little self-conscious being the last one keeping all the VEs hanging around. When I finished the General, a VE graded it and said I passed with the max wrong answers allowed. Then, as a double check, another VE re-checked and found that I had missed one more than allowed. Anyway, good meeting you too.

By the way, the license I had going in is a GMRS license. No test. Just money. Just got it a few weeks ago. Mostly to put my toe in the radio water (and pre-get my FRN) and I like the idea of maybe setting up a GMRS repeater for my family. But it got me reading, and that probably helped on the Tech and General exams.

@FullAuto: Nice to meet you last Saturday! I'm probably going to pick up a Baofeng UV-5R+ (almost the same radio) w/some accessories (including better antenna) next week through Amazon, since the prices there are pretty good; I just don't have the $ for one of the big 3 right now. Hopefully I can get maybe 2 mobile units some day and put one in my truck and the other in the house.

Congrats on getting that perfect score on the Tech, too! When I left, you were still working on the General, and I was pretty much convinced that you were going to pass it also, seeing how you did on the Tech and having a prior license. It is nicer to not have to worry about the CW

 

[MisterK33]

MisterK33@: When I finished the General, a VE graded it and said I passed with the max wrong answers allowed. Then, as a double check, another VE re-checked and found that I had missed one more than allowed.

Man, what a let-down! Before I left one of the VE's said that I has missed getting the General by 4, then he rechecked it and said it was by 5... maybe they didn't have enough coffee that morning?

73's!

 

[KD2DLL]

Man, what a let-down! Before I left one of the VE's said that I has missed getting the General by 4, then he rechecked it and said it was by 5... maybe they didn't have enough coffee that morning?

73's!

That's why when I took my tech and passed and tried the general, I just asked if I passed or failed on it, I didn't want to know the number.

 

[MisterK33]

That's why when I took my tech and passed and tried the general, I just asked if I passed or failed on it, I didn't want to know the number.

I gave that serious thought with the Tech, but curiosity got the best of me and I had to know how well I did. For the General, I did the best I could with what limited knowledge I had, so I wanted to see what my "baseline" was.

 

[k7ltc]

Outstanding!

Congratulations on passing. Look forward to hearing you on the bands.

 

[AgentCOPP1]

Congratulations on passing. Look forward to hearing you on the bands.

Whoa. Me and you have like the same call sign...

K9LTC

OT: Congratulations OP! Hope to hear you on the air soon.

 

[k7ltc]

Landon, we sure do. Also, my wife's callsign is W7LTC.

73
Bart

 

[FullAuto]

New call sign: KC1AID

It's got a nice ring to it

It showed up on the FCC page this morning
I was surprised that it starts with a K since I live in Massachusetts.

BTW, I've been taking a few sample General tests the last few days. Failing miserably
Will just have to work harder

 

[MisterK33]

KC1AIC here! Surprisingly fast turn-around, too. I orderd the Baofeng this morning, along with a better antenna and the programming cable. Can't wait for it to get here!

 

[FullAuto]

First QSO!

I know it's kinda silly, but what fun! I was sitting in my living room at about 8:15 am watching C-Span and monitoring a local repeater (about 7 miles away) (which I had just programmed into my 4W Baofeng HT the night before), when I hear "N1DDK listening...". After about 10 minutes, I finally got up the nerve to take the plunge. I hit PTT and said "N1DDK from KC1AID". N1DDK responded from his mobile (he was about to stop listening and head into his workplace). We then had short chat where I learned of a Saturday Ham breakfast at a local restaurant (at 7AM - yikes! Hams are morning people!!!).

So, I guess I'll be getting up early on Saturday!