Is the "First Contact" a big deal anymore?

[WF7I]

I can remember the run-up to my first contact, and the contact itself, vividly. The hams who taught my novice ticket class (and other hams at the local club) made it clear that this was a major event, and one you would never forget. Those jitters and the nervous feeling of being heard around the world, the stage fright taking over, the inability to make out the "dits" and "dahs" that you studied. For me, it all went down in the summer of 1985.

As it turned out, for me the first QSO really was epic. The guy lived just across town, but it was HIS first QSO as well! We were both nervous but got through it pretty well. I still have the words written down in my first logbook from that QSO: "Have fun. I know I will."

John and I ended up becoming good friends, till he went silent key about 15 years ago. I surely won't forget that first QSO.

I get the sense that this is no longer seen as a big deal. Is it due to changes in licensing of new hams, different attitude, or is it still there? I'm thinking that if my first QSO was over a 2m repeater, it just wouldn't have been the same. Somehow the knowledge of reaching out across the continent (or world) made it much more exciting (and nerve-wracking!).

[kl7aj]

It is if you do it on H.F. If my first contact had been on 2 meters, it probabubbly would have been my last. *ho-hummmm*

[n2cfj]

Twenty some odd years later, it is the only QSL card I bothered to hang on the wall of my shack.

Previously I had many contacts as a "third party" in my father's shack but this one was MINE.

[w3dub]

My first contact was a big deal. It doesn't matter whether its on 2 meters or HF... its still memorable. Of course, your first DX contact on HF is always going to take precedence... but just cause its on VHF doesn't cheapen it in any way.

This almost feels like an extension of the code/no-code debate to me... I'm sure thats going to work its way in here http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[ne3r]

Local 2 meter repeater, HF DX, it all depends on the quality and content of the contact, not the mode or band.

I was operating from my club station one evening when I heard a call that sounded new on the local repeater. I called him, and it turns out I was his first contact. I talked about the club station a bit, and invited him to the next club meeting, and talked about some of the local nets on various repeaters in the area. Also helped him with a setting on his radio to increase his mic gain. It was a quality contact if you ask me.

73
Joe
NE3R

[KI4NGN]

Well, my first contact was late January, 2006. I should say it was my first contact since sometime in 1970. I don't remember my first contact as WB2LAL in the late 60's.

Last year's stands out because it was my return to ham radio after being gone for so long, but also because it was with a childhood buddy in NJ who got into ham radio because of me way back then! The difference between us is that he kept going all of this time, and 'life' interrupted me for 36 years.

He even recorded the QSO and sent it to me, which was also way cool. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Mike

[WA7OET]

It sometimes bothers me that I cant remember my first QSO or DX contact. But I still am having fun and meeting great people so I guess thats all that counts!

[WA7OET]

It sometimes bothers me that I cant remember my first QSO or DX contact. But I still am having fun and meeting great people so I guess thats all that counts!

[cu2jt]

Quote[/b] (n2cfj @ Mar. 30 2007,09:50)]... it is the only QSL card I bothered to hang on the wall of my shack. ...
My first QSO was a W2 on 40m CW, May 8, 1963. He never sent a QSL. At that time, I was SM5BGK. The rig was a Viking Navigator 40W and the receiver was some Canadian surplus boat anchor (100+ lbs) painted light blue. The second QSO, a few minutes later was CE4EC and his QSL arrived about 8 years later...

However, those were my first 2 QSO as SM5BGK. Before that, I had been operating the military amateur radio station SL1CF and the first QSO from that station is still vivid in my mind...

Edited: Reading my own post, I suddenly realized that I do not have a single specimen of any of my SM5 QSL cards left... I think I had 4 or 5 layouts over the years.

[W5HTW]

I don't intend this to sound mean-spirited, but I think there is a really major difference between the first contact some of us OTs made and the first contact of many of those of the past couple of decades. The reason is, so many of the more recent entries into amateur radio came from CB, and have made hundreds of contacts, perhaps thousands. And lately, even those who did not come from CB, have become very accustomed to cell phones, and though they are not the same, (some don't get that!!) the act of two way instant communication without wires still tends to downplay the amateur radio aspects.

When we OTs came into it, there was no CB. A first contact was truly a first contact. There had been no alternatives.

My first contact was also across town, to a friend who had just received his Novice license on the same day. We went to school together, had taken our tests together, and now we met on the air, on 40 CW.

There is also a major difference between a first contact that is on voice and a first contact that is on CW. Why? Because we talk all the time! In person, on the phone, on the cell, on CB. But we don't do CW all the time, so it is truly something apart from the ordinary. Not even PSK would be awfully exciting, as it is just an amateur radio form of Intant Messaging. But CW? That was truly exciting. You were using a skill you had learned (besides in typing class in school) and trying to interpret something yourself (rather than having a computer do it) coming in over the air.

So while a first contact can be exciting, no matter what, for so many, it really isn't a true first contact. For many it isn't anything they haven't done thousands of times already. The difference is they are now doing it with an amateur radio callsign. The true drama of a first contact could only be found in CW because it is such a personal skill and art.

That is how we found it. Now that is nearly impossible, and there are other types of 'near-first' contacts. But the true 'first contact' spirit is pretty much a brass ghost.

Ed

[kr9d]

As far as I'm concerned, it's still a big deal. Jaded by CB? CB hasn't been in common use except by truckers in, oh, about 25 years. And cell phones? Nothing to be proud of there; it was built by others.

My first contact on radio was in 1972, on the Civil Air Patrol 26.620 MHz frequency. I had a Regency 500--yes it was a CB, but it only had those CAP crystals in it. We had to have a Restricted permit because it wasn't in the amateur service.

My first contact since recently becoming a ham was with a fellow in Belgium, on 20 meters. So, my first contact was also my first DX contact. I was planning to contact my elmer across town, but I had just erected the antenna while he was out of town and couldn't wait. Yes, the thrill of two-way communications through the ether is still there, undiminished by cell phones, CB's, the Internet, or any of the other modes provided over some established infrastructure. Just me, a rig, and an antenna, and that guy in Belgium, a rig, and an antenna, both of us operating as independent individuals, accomplishing with pennies and our own stuff what regular people have to employ vastly expensive infrastructures to do.

Rick "not jaded" Denney

[KF4NKF]

I had my first HF QSO today with KG4JB in Guantanamo Bay Cuba!!! When I got home today 17 meters was open and I heard him calling CQ. When I answered he asked for a signal report and my QTH and I just answered back saying you're 5-9! Yea I was a little more than just nervous. It was kind of scary knowing that when I was modulating that part of the world could hear me and not just a few cities like on 2 meters. Now I can't wait for my first CW contact! My only problem now is my MFJ-422D is so easy to use I can send a lot faster than I can receive.

73
Josh

[kn4ds]

Quote[/b] (W5HTW @ Mar. 30 2007,18:01)]The reason is, so many of the more recent entries into amateur radio came from CB, and have made hundreds of contacts, perhaps thousands. And lately, even those who did not come from CB, have become very accustomed to cell phones, and though they are not the same, (some don't get that!!) the act of two way instant communication without wires still tends to downplay the amateur radio aspects.
But there's a middle ground, too.

I was never a CBer. It always sounded stupid to me.

In 1995, there were cell phones, yes. Expensive as hell, and every minute was paid. The phones were bricks, and there was no such thing as a hand held cell phone.

We had the 'net just getting cranked up. But even in 1995, talking to people just outside town required a fee if you talked to them on the phone (or cell phone).

I guess I fall into a grey area between the folks who've been in the hobby forever... and those who've recently come into the hobby.

Oh, I was interested in ham radio back when I was 8 and 9 years old, but my parents told me there was no way I could do that, so I accepted it... for many years, I had that mindset.

I mentioned that I'd like to get into ham radio to my then-wife in 1994... her ex had been in Gulf War I, and so she knew about MARS, and hams. She put me in touch with the local guys, and I finally did get into the hobby, licensed on 1/24/1995.

My first contact was via a local 2m repeater... y'know, I don't remember how I got my callsign... I think I called the FCC and the woman there told me... I don't think it was available online back then.... but I got it, and keyed up my brand spankin' new HTX-202 and got Charles, K4FRM (now K4GK) on what was, at the time, his repeater (it now belongs to a guy that took his test the same day I did, Otis, KE4UWJ).

I'll never forget the contact with Dr. Norm Thagard aboard Mir... it was incredible to hear "station in Milledgeville, Georgia, I didn't get your call, please call again... this is R0MIR."

[ab9lz]

My first contact was on 7113 about 18 months ago, mangled it pretty badly but did copy his name and call sign ok. I had a badly drifting filterless ts-520 that I had bought for $50 doa, and had spent a few weeks reviving the thing as I studied for the code test.
I was so jazzed with adrenaline that I ran around the house telling my kids about it, thier (predictable) response was "what a dork" !

My second contact was on 20 meter phone, that wasn't nearly as exciting so I've stuck with CW ever since.

73 m.

[W4HAY]

Ours was a 'net' of several that received our tickets the same day (we all tested together) on the 40 Novice band. I was just tuning up when a friend called and told me he had his and to get on. Then the others began to log on.

After the test, we figured we'd all passed and ordered crystals on the same frequency. Naturally, the crystals arrived long before the tickets. We would occasionally get on the phone with each other, do a quick tune-up and 'signal quality check', then shut 'er down, so we were cocked and primed for the big day! Then we realized the folley of all being on the same frequency, so second crystals were ordered, each person being on a different frequency.

For some time afterwards we'd all meet on the air Saturday Mornings and then stick our crystals in our pockets and ride our bikes to one of the group's home, have sandwiches, and do some group hamming using his rig. Our version of frequency agility! Alas, our group was 13, 14, and 15 years old at the time and began to discover girls...

*****
Very rarely I'll be someone's first contact, and it's probably as big of a thrill for me as it is for them. A couple of contacts have been with OPs that have spent time on 'phone and then decided to try CW. They're excited too!

[ky5u]

Quote[/b] (kl7aj @ Mar. 30 2007,09:42)]It is if you do it on H.F. If my first contact had been on 2 meters, it probabubbly would have been my last. *ho-hummmm*
As Don Adams used to say as character Maxwell Smart, ".....missed it by THAT munch!"

[ky5u]

My first HF contact was by CW with K1LEE. Remember it like it was yesterday.

[W4MAJ]

I am setting up a new shack after being off the air for three years. My radio is new and the room is new and speaking to someone on 40 meters for the first time was almost like the first time. It was a thrill.

[k0ews]

I remember my 1st contact on 2 meters. That was fun, and met a few "local" people. After a few days, however, it became less of a big deal, and 3 months later, I maybe turned the radio on once a week if at all.
Got a cheap QRP rig as my "first" HF rig, and made my first ever HF contact on CW, using QRP, no less. I was simply amazed that a guy 1500 miles from me could hear my puny 5 watts to an antenna that wasn't even all that high. That night, it really did feel like magic. I have eventually gotten different rigs and run pretty much all of the modes, but CW, and QRP will always hold a special place in my heart because of that first QSO. My HF experience is probably unique that it happened in 2000, but I can imagine that it felt the same way back in the days of the Novice license. I remember being very nervous, and not always getting every single thing that was sent, but having a good contact nonetheless. The ham sent my his card immediately (he knew he was my 1st QSO, and he also needed SD for his WAS award) That card is still among my favorites today.

[k9zmd]

KN0ZOJ, July 1960 approximately 27 minutes after the ticket arrived in the mailbox. Barely completed the CW basic info exchanges before my lousy receiver drifted away from him (it could cover all of 40 meters without me touching a knob). I never forgot that QSO and still have the card. Minutes later, contact #2 was KN9WIC in my home town, and we completed that one by landline. John kept sending "RX died LL me xxx-xxxx" until he heard his phone ring. I've stayed in the hobby all these years, hoping to find a new experience that can match the excitement of that first day.

[k9zmd]

Whaaaat happened there? Sorry folks, double post deleted.

[K8YZK]

I remember mine, it was 2meter AM as a novice, and talk about mike shy, don't remember my first cw contact, but I guess I could look in the logbook, remember we had to keep them way back when.
Like others say it doesn't make it any better on HF or VHF. When I know that it is the others first contact, I try to make it interesting and easy for them.

[k2gsp]

It was a big deal for me. W1AW

[ae5rc]

My first contact was a big deal. I was a Novice and was on 10 meter ssb in 1990. I stumbled onto the "World Peace Net" during my lunch break, a weekday in late January of that year. The control op was a guy named Bob and when he said "Broken Old Bottle" I was lost. Nothing I had listened to before remotely sounded like that. I managed to repeat his call and mangled mine. He then asked me if he was my first contact. I admitted as much. He said we were all beginners once. He sent me a nice card and note of encouragement.

Since that time I have been first contacts for several newcomers. I tried to remember how "Broken Old bottle" welcomed me into the amateur ranks and attempted to do the same.

My first cw contact was after that, sitting in my car parked in a local playground/park. It was a hoot to actually hear my call coming back to me in code. Both #firsts were equally exciting. Would not trade them.

Saturday 3/31 I had my first qso with my new call and that was exciting as well. I looked at the FCC database to be sure it was there as predicted. When giving that call I sort of felt like a new operator again.

73,
AE5RC
(ex.KB5LPA)

[NA4BH]

It was and is still a big deal for me. I have my first two contacts 6 meter (New York, LIM) and 17 meter (New Mexico, MZM)Top/Center on my wall. At that time I did not have QSL cards, so I sent them a printed (color) page stating that it was the first contact for this station. I hope that it meant as much to them as it did to me.

[W0JBC]

HTW, Ed...

Back when I was a Novice, I had listened to W1AW practice bulletins and the whole gambit ...

AFTER I was confident, I got on the air ....

My first contact was on 40 meters .... It was wonderful !! We both sent our air time minutes to Newington .... Got a ragchewer cert in about 3 months ..... Conversation was about EVERYTHING .... Speed was around 10 wpm .....

Bring back the NOVICE !!! First Ham contacts meant more back then ... No Phone firsts ....

Just an observation ....

Thanks for the OT trip !!

JB

[W4HAY]

Actually, my first 2M contact (early 70s) was pretty exciting. I had purchased a handheld dirt-cheap, with two crystals, one on .52 and the other on the 'local' repeater about 30 miles away, because it "didn't work". I built a 3-element hand-held yagi from a wrecked TV antenna and, lo-and-behold, hit the machine. I put a copper pipe J-Pole on the roof and used it for a couple of years before upgrading to a Heath 2036.

I was running a Heath SB-300 & Elmac AF-67 on HF at the time. Wish I still had that Elmac.

[KI4ITI]

The very FIRST contact of any type may not be such a big deal anymore, since we don't all start out as Novices with CW-only privileges and homebrew rigs, but there are still a lot of memorable moments that keep the spirit alive.

I got into Amateur Radio through a school project that used APRS telemetry, so my first contact was a packet-based, "oh, it works" non-event. Since then, however, several contacts have been noteworthy and left me feeling thrilled.

- My first 2m repeater contact, believe it or not. I'd been listening to a local net while waiting to test and receive my call sign. Being welcomed by that group for the first time was a good feeling.

- My first HF contact, 40M SSB over a 400-mile path. I was still learning to use my older rig (an FT-901DM) and antenna tuner, and had built my own antenna. Making any contact at all was a milestone in my operating experience.

- My first CW contact, of course. Thrilling for all the reasons W5HTW mentioned.

- One afternoon when I had tuned up on 15M for the first time just to check the rig out on that band. Didn't expect the band to be open, and didn't expect much out of my 40M attic dipole - but wound up having a great phone QSO with a station over 2000 miles away in Oregon. OK, technically not DX, but I was happy!

There are still great moments to be had for all us newcomers.

73
Josh KI4ITI

Quote[/b] (W5HTW @ Mar. 30 2007,16:01)]...I think there is a really major difference between the first contact some of us OTs made and the first contact of many of those of the past couple of decades. The reason is, so many of the more recent entries into amateur radio came from CB, and have made hundreds of contacts, perhaps thousands...

When we OTs came into it, there was no CB. A first contact was truly a first contact. There had been no alternatives. ...

There is also a major difference between a first contact that is on voice and a first contact that is on CW. Why? Because we talk all the time! In person, on the phone, on the cell, on CB. But we don't do CW all the time, so it is truly something apart from the ordinary....

So while a first contact can be exciting, no matter what, for so many, it really isn't a true first contact. For many it isn't anything they haven't done thousands of times already. The difference is they are now doing it with an amateur radio callsign. The true drama of a first contact could only be found in CW because it is such a personal skill and art.

That is how we found it. Now that is nearly impossible, and there are other types of 'near-first' contacts. But the true 'first contact' spirit is pretty much a brass ghost.
I think there's obviously some basis to this, but I also think that there's some inevitable inter-generational distancing going on.

When you had your first contact it was a big thrill. It doesn't seem to you that rookies have the same thrill. But perhaps they do, and you're just not aware of it. (I'm not trying to be pejorative, just remembering the old maxim that 'nostalgia isn't what it used to be' http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

I had my first contact less than a month ago, and it was a blast ! In fact, it was a mere two hours before the ARRL phone contest started so that weekend I logged maybe 20 new countries with a very modest antenna. That was a buzz, let me tell you ! And then, two weeks later, the WPX contest - March is a great month to go on the air !

(And before anyone jumps in and says that contesting isn't real QSO-ing, well I've had those too !). It's fun finding out how good 20M propagation actually is these days, at the bottom of a sunspot cycle... Now if only I can get a better antenna installed so I can actually talk to those NZ and Australia stations I hear...

And as for CW - I'm busy practising, and plan on having my first QSO in a month or so...

[WB8MKV]

My first contact, was on cw, remember way back when novices had to use cw ?..anyway, the first was with a sgt stationed in Fort Leavenworth..however, the second and third was cw with two Russian stations on a homebrew dipole made out of electricans conduit, 15 meters.At the time I didn't know what a UT or a UC call sign was. Yes, very memborable..all that 38 years ago