Passed Extra Today! Keeping my Original 2x3 Call Sign

[D31245]

Thanks to all who provided me tips in this thread:

Passed my General - Now on to Amateur Extra: Recommend some Books, Videos, Study Tips?

I just passed my General Exam yesterday and feel I would like to now study for my Amateur Extra. My typical approach for the Technician and General study, was to go through the Gordon West books*, then use the AARL books to go through the questions sequentially. In addition, I used the flash...

forums.radioreference.com

I took the exam this morning and aced it. Actually, I found it very easy. I took over 75 practice exams leading up to - just to be sure.

Since I don’t do CW and not anticipating learning it in the near future, I am keeping my original 2x3 call sign issued for my Technician license. 🪪

I searched a bit on the web and found a lot of Extras keep their original call sign; same for Gordon West - whose books 📚 helped tremendously.

Feels good to exit “formal” study-mode, but there is still tons that learn. I may delve into JS8 next…

As a gift, I might buy myself an ICOM ID-52A PLUS primarily for D-STAR. I am using my 705 now for some D-STAR work (on Terminal Mode using Doozy) but would like something a bit more mobile. I am surprised a major percentage of US D-STAR users (that I have listened to and looked up on QRZ) are Extra class! Lot of international folks call in to the reflectors also, but I am not familiar with their licensing levels. Some seem pretty advanced.

Anyways, thanks again for all the help and suggestions, and good luck to those on the journey.

 

[K4EET]

Congratulations!!!

 

[AB5ID]

Congrats!

 

[ak7an]

Congratulations and welcome!!!!!!

 

[ladn]

I am keeping my original 2x3 call sign issued for my Technician license.

I hated the 2x3 callsign I got as a Novice. When I upgraded to Technician a month or so later, I also requested a 1x3 callsign since I knew the N6 series was nearly depleted and I hadn't accumulated much of an identity on the local airwaves.. I've kept the 1x3 ever since.

 

[vagrant]

Issued a 2x3 in 2012. It was ugly. A month later I had my General and a vanity 1x3. Instead of my name, fellow hams often use my last 3, especially when around other amateurs. I later considered a 1x2, but I had been released out in the wild for too long. ( it’s bad enough when I sometimes say my amateur call using GMRS )

 

[merlin]

Good job, congrats.