Got my General ticket!

[KE0GXN]

As of tonight I am a newly minted General Class Amateur Radio Operator!

Once again I would like to thank all of those that helped me along. Your assitance and feedback helped keep me on track!

And no, the HF question was not on there, however I wish it would have been instead of the one I got wrong

73

 

[Blackswan73]

Congratulations! Now you are ready to start studying for your Extra

 

[KE0GXN]

Ya know, I been tossing that around in my head for a little bit and I am at the point in this quest where I actually want to start learning instead of memorizing. I have gone this far and to be honest I feel clueless....

So for me, I think the best course of action is to take a break and actually begin learning about the hobby. For example, I spoke with my VEs tonight and they invited me to their next club meeting. So I will be attending that and going from there....I have also been invited to the Missouri QSO Party in April by a co-worker who is a member of another club and I'll be trying my best to go and do that.

I know the question pool for Extra will be changing in June 2016, so I kind of want to use that time till then to get some hands-on experience and exposure to the various facets of this hobby, before I make a decision on when to start studying and testing for my Extra ticket. It may be before June 2016 or after.....

Either way, I am extremely happy I found this hobby and I have progressed as far and as quickly as I have!

And to think two months ago I ventured down to this section of the forums, totally clueless about ham radio and with the only intentions at the time was to ask about how I could go about learning how radios work.......to now being a fully licensed General ham operator......is just crazy!

Man, am I glad I came down here and asked that one question, would never known otherwise what a great service I was missing out on. This is one of the most helpful and positive communities I have ever been around and I am proud to now be a part of it!

 

[N0IU]

Congratulations!!

And no, the HF question was not on there, however I wish it would have been instead of the one I got wrong

73

NEWSFLASH: Your license only shows your class of license, not your test score! (And thank goodness for that!)

Edit after reading the post you made while I was writing my original post:

I think it is commendable that you want to learn more about this hobby before venturing into Extra territory.

However....

The scope of the material on the Extra test is so broad that if wait until you have a thorough and complete understanding of all of the material, you will miss out on enjoying those additional privileges... one of which is becoming a VE yourself! No one expects you to be an electronic engineer in order to enjoy this hobby. There is also so much material on that test that you will probably never see again or ever use.

I have been an Extra for just over 20 years. There were questions on my test about amateur satellites and slow scan TV (SSTV), among others, and in those two decades, I have never made a contact using either of those modes and I still feel that I have had a rich and fulfilling career (if you want to call it that) in amateur radio.

And I know this won't be a very popular answer, but my advice (which is worth what it cost you - $0.00) would be to get your Extra ticket by whatever means you feel comfortable with. There's a lot of stuff on that test so don't agonize over learning it all.

 

[KE0GXN]

Oh yeah, no doubt....but my logic is, if you study to score 100%, well, your almost guaranteed not to fail.

Edit after reading your edit:

Thanks for the advice Scott! I will definitely keep your words in mind.

And I'll be listening for your call in April

 

[N0IU]

I will look for you in the next MO QSO Party. I messed up last year. I made 103 contacts all on 40 meters and I waited too long to send in my log!

Oh, and I used to live in Southwest City... not too far from "The Flower Box City"!

 

[KE0GXN]

Good old McDonald County. Well its a small world, because I used to live in South St. Louis (Oakville) and Jeff Co (High Ridge)! Been in Neosho for the last 8 years. During my time in the Lou, I ventured up to St. Chuck County a time or two....I even know a few people in your neck woods.

 

[K4EET]

Tony, congratulations on getting your General ticket!!! And I must add, kudos on your wanting to learn some practical aspects of the hobby so you can learn about the technical stuff that you memorized.

I say this because I have a friend that is an Extra but is clueless about everything. I once told him to meet me on 7272 kHz. He asked me "What is that in MHz? My radio only displays MHz." Another time I asked him to meet me on 3.947 MHz (since he cannot do conversions from kHz and he asked "Is that in the Extra Class band privileges?" Yes, totally clueless. He doesn't even know the difference between a vertically polarized yagi for 2 Meters and a horizontally polarized beam for 20 Meters.

Sooooooo... Kudos on wanting to learn. And like you said, we are here to help you with anything. Again, congratulations on passing the General Ticket!!!

73, Dave K4EET

 

[KC4RAF]

Congratulation Tony!

We all knew you would pass the general test. Now as you posted, take a break and get some radio time in. But remember, there's the Extra yet to learn. If you can do the General, you'll be able to pass the Extra.
Again, congratulations sir on a job well done,
73s

 

[AB4BF]

Congratulations, Tony! While you are talking on 40 meters, keep your laptop open to the ham exams. Study and get that Extra. After that, Morse! I'm telling you, you'll never stop learning.

Great Job!!

KM4MMN

 

[bill4long]

Congrats on the General. Enjoy your new privileges. You are not obligated to listen to anyone else trying to make you into their image. Upgrade to Extra if you want. Learn morse code if you want. Or forget them both if you want, and don't feel bad about it. The choice is yours and nobody is entitled to pressure you into making you conform to their idea of what "Ham Radio is Suppose to Be." Different strokes for different folks.

Personally, I like the digital modes and recommend them. But only do them if you want to.

73

P.S. I think it is a good idea to read Part 97 every so often so that you know what the rules are, and who is right and and who is full of malarky when it comes to these rules. Someone's opinion is not necessarily the rules no matter how long they have been a ham.

 

[KE0GXN]

Thanks guys!

 

[K3RBP]

Congratulations Tony, good jib. Proceed as as you choose, but going for the Extra Class sometime over the winter, probably would make sense. You are still in study mode, with lots of information still fresh in your mind. And some of what you have learned, is likely directly related to the new material you will be studying. Also, with winter here, you may be less inclined to want to do outdoor stuff compared to when summer weather is back.

Most important, IMO, is to get on the air, and enjoy the hobby.

 

[KE0GXN]

Thanks K3RBP!....Your advice does seem logical in regards to stuff still being fresh in my mind.

However, my plan for now is attend my first club meeting and go from there. Nothing is set in stone on my part, I have till June 2016 till the pool questions change, I may very well end up studying and trying to get my Extra ticket before then.

Believe it or not, I already actually miss studying.

 

[K4AOL]

Just passed my Tech. and General on 1/9/2016 now just waiting for FCC to post the call sign. But am learning a little by listening as I wait. Also need to get antenna up over 30 feet when weather is better.

 

[K4EET]

Just passed my Tech. and General on 1/9/2016 now just waiting for FCC to post the call sign. But am learning a little by listening as I wait. Also need to get antenna up over 30 feet when weather is better.

Congrats on your new ticket as a General! But... So as to not "hijack" this thread, you might want to start a new thread... 73, Dave K4EET

 

[AC2OY]

Congratulations!!!!