Well, as the title says I made my very first contact on the 10 meter band today. 28.4000 was the frequency and my contact was in the Mojave Desert in Arizona. I was using a Flatlanders's end fed 1/2 wave Antenna. Really kind of exciting. I didn't know exactly what to say and I am sure I did most everything wrong, but it was fun. I was kind of shocked when the guy came back to me. I need to write things down and post signs around me so I remember things and remember all the "Q" codes. Heck I can't even remember my call sign yet........
Very First Contact Made
- Thread starter billdean
- Start date
Congratulations! I hope you mentioned he was the first for you on the 10 meter band, that's always exciting. I've been several people's 'firsts' and it's always a neat feeling. There really isn't anything wrong to say when you're making contacts, just get out there and make them!
wtp
Member
i was expecting something a bit different...
I did tell him he was my first contact. Like he did know already!
wtp
Member
they guys i hated as a kid...
best of luck on your contacts !
best of luck on your contacts !
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Congratuations.
I remember my first 10 meter contact, probably back in 93 or 94. Kodiak AK to someone down in the Sierra Foothills of California.
As for the Q codes, you'll pick up the common ones quickly. Don't get too hung up on them. They were a shorthand for use in Morse code, and some hams really like using them. I always just said what I meant and it made things easier for everyone.
I remember my first 10 meter contact, probably back in 93 or 94. Kodiak AK to someone down in the Sierra Foothills of California.
As for the Q codes, you'll pick up the common ones quickly. Don't get too hung up on them. They were a shorthand for use in Morse code, and some hams really like using them. I always just said what I meant and it made things easier for everyone.
Hi @billdean and a BIG congratulations on your first 10 meter QSO! I still remember my first contact from 51 years ago. Nervous as all get-out, sweaty palms, my brain went blank, and I did mess up my callsign -- not once but three times. And back then in 1974, being a Novice class licensee, and I was definitely an 18 year old novice, my first QSO was in Morse Code!
But it gets easier with each QSO. You will have a blast! And then there is your first foreign QSO which will be equally exciting. Most hams worldwide are very good with their English. Fun times lay ahead, my friend! Enjoy! "Reach out and touch someone" by either calling CQ or answering a CQ...
73, Dave K4EET
But it gets easier with each QSO. You will have a blast! And then there is your first foreign QSO which will be equally exciting. Most hams worldwide are very good with their English. Fun times lay ahead, my friend! Enjoy! "Reach out and touch someone" by either calling CQ or answering a CQ...
73, Dave K4EET
Congratulations!!!!!!!
Hi @billdean. That is good advice. I am a QRZ premium member and use their services with several logbooks that I use to document my QSOs. My logbooks, in turn, upload contacts to QRZ as well. If you want to, you could start a new topic about Logbooks. There are a lot of them available and they all have their pluses and minuses. Logbooks are a must-have so when you do receive a QSL card, paper or electronically, you have a record to confirm that you really did talk to them. Enjoy, my friend! 73, Dave K4EET
Yep this is great advice, and actually put your location on your QTH, makes it easier if anyone is ever trying to point a beam in your direction and or get the actual distance. I use QRZ log book for everything that matters then upload to LOTW. (when it's working) IYKYK.
W4AXW
A keeper of the SSB flame
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Welcome to Amateur radio! I'll add another voice to the recommendation for using QRZ.com. You can search for nearly any amateur on the planet and the log is a piece of cake to use. The forums are also a great place to learn about this hobby, tons of very smart and experienced folks there.
Now go work a contact on the other side of the planet, you'll love it!
7 3
Now go work a contact on the other side of the planet, you'll love it!
7 3
Thanks everyone for the QRZ suggestion! I register and have a log book now. Great site. Lots of info for the RV Hams too.. Made 4 contacts today. Three were made on my President Washington mobile. I had to try with my mobile as the 10 meter band seemed like it lit up later in the afternoon. Parked in my dentist parking lot for an hour trying to make contacts. I was very surprised! One contact was made on my FT-710 after I got home.
bolo928
Newbie
Congratulations! Mic fright is normal. hihi. Your first DX contact will be memorable too.
W4AXW
A keeper of the SSB flame
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2024
- Messages
- 98
- Reaction score
- 153
Great radio choice you made with the 710. Very capable rig with great receiver/filtering. After two years with mine working 150+ entities around the planet, wouldn't trade it for much of anything.
7 3
Is that what you call that.....As soon as I make a contact I forget every thing I was suppose to say! It's like I have developed a stuttering problem! Going to have to find a speech therapist!
You'll be fine. All of us were new at one time or another. I didn't necessarily have mic fright when I got licensed after years on the CB but I stared at that Morse code paddle some time before my first CQ got thrown out.
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