View Full Version : KD5OWO/AE
I posted here over the summer letting everyone know that I passed my General. Today I passed the Extra. After several weeks of reading my gorden west book, taking practice exams, and cramming information in my head. I was very excited when they VE's told me I passed.
When I first got my Tech, I told my self I wanted to get my Extra before I got out of high school, well I did. Took me nearly four years.. but I did.. Thanks to all those who encouraged me to study. That includes K3ASK who has been a great help for me. Also to QRZ.com, eham.net, aa9pw, and kidshamradio.com for the online practice exams. I used alittle bit of them all, and tho they were all the same questions, it helps when I don't get bored looking at the same screen.
.. BTW: We have a new Tech.. my stepbrother passed his Tech test this afternoon.. I am hoping he gets his call at the end of the week... I will hope he takes a real interest in ham radio, atleast he took the starting point. Now I will gear him towards learning and building his skills..
KC0KBH
02-13-2005, 11:16 PM
Ahhh crap! Now I have to catch up. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif I plan to get mine in May.
Go for it my friend.. go for it.. good luck..
N0KLT
02-13-2005, 11:29 PM
Congratulations, OM. That wasn't all that hard was it? Have fun and enjoy. And it's never too soon to hint for a good HF rig for a graduation present. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
The IC-718 that I got when I passed the General is still doing a fine job.. plus I just bought a 40gig Ipod..
I should have bought a new radio.. but the Ipod was begging to be bought.. and I love it.. Plus there are not many HF rigs I can buy new for $400..
KC0KBH
02-13-2005, 11:46 PM
I have had to pay for all my rigs with money out of my pocket that I worked for, except my HTX-242. I plan to either buy a nicer laptop or a little Garmin Etrex at the upcoming hamfest. But, right now I really need a nice laptop to replace my crappy desktop. And then I need a rigblaster. But, I think this summer I will work for a FT-817.
This summer... I will be working for a car.. I said my HF rig was the last big buy for me.. but the Ipod, I had to have.. Seriously, I need somthing to drive.. Its kind of hard to get around on my Ipod or HF Rig..
KC0KBH
02-13-2005, 11:53 PM
I would never even think of getting an Ipod. The only car I would ever have is a Geo metro. Otherwise, I would get at least a Chevy 1500. No Fords or Dodges. Just Chevy. I will probably get an older body style one.
W3MIV
02-14-2005, 12:05 AM
Congratulations, Steve!
The IC-718 strikes me as a fine radio, and you've got to spend way, way more to do a whole lot better. And that is the point. Wait for a while and spring for something that is a really big jump over what you have (e.g. IF DSP instead of AF, etc) rather than just a pretty face.
Again, FB on the upgrade. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
KC0KBH
02-14-2005, 12:13 AM
OWO-
What is ASK's deal? He is all mad at me again for something, but I think it is that I told LBO to use the NAYN preamble as a guideline.
That's SUPER!
And what's icing on the cake is that you're passing it on to another. Way to go!
Cortland
KA5S
Thanks guys for all the kind words..
KBH.. email me if you want to discuss whats going on.. but I think he explained it well in the email he sent you..
KG4ZQZ
02-14-2005, 12:38 AM
kd5owo - good job! now you only have to worry about band edges, not license frequencies!
you're very fortunate; i wish i had gotten into ham radio years ago, but only started my journey on April 13, 2003 at the age of 48 - it's been a lot of fun catching up, but you have many years of enjoyment ahead of you...
hope to work you on HF - in any mode!
My grandmother got into ham radio at the age of 71.. she never upgraded past the NCT.. but spent 8 or 9 years enjoying 2 meter FM.
Proves you are never too old to get into ham radio.. amd never too young.. 7 and 8 year olds get their tickets, and many advance on to become good operators.
WA9UAA
02-14-2005, 01:47 AM
Hey Steve,
Way to GO! Hope to work you as well.
73,
Rob WA9UAA
k0ews
02-14-2005, 02:16 AM
Nice job. Feels good, don't it?
KC0KBH
02-14-2005, 02:16 AM
I just re read it. I like to skim things when I read, and it was a little long for me at the time, and I was in a hurry.
Congrads
What's the next challenge.
I recommend looking in to something related to RF Engineering.
Lots of cool stuff out there that makes some of the most advance amateur radio equipment look like two tin cans connected by a string
For you, the sky is the limit!
Well done.
KC0KBH
02-14-2005, 02:22 AM
Now I feel dumb. All you guys are Extras and I am just a mere General. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
KC0KBH
02-14-2005, 02:23 AM
Quote[/b] (w0pee @ Feb. 13 2005,13:17)]Congrads
What's the next challenge.
I recommend looking in to something related to RF Engineering.
Lots of cool stuff out there that makes some of the most advance amateur radio equipment look like two tin cans connected by a string
For you, the sky is the limit!
Well done.
Actually, at school we are doing a career thing, and RF engineer is the top thing through the testing crap.
Though I am interested in an electronics career.. I am going into computers. Got my first computer when I was a wee one.. and plan to be a computer geek for life..
Networking will be what I will be doing.. Or atleast I plan on it. My dad designs networks for schools with his work, and I have learned a lot about setting up networks. I plan to attend TSTC and obtain degrees in both Computer Networking and Systems Admin.. and also get a degree in Networking Security.. both are two year degree's.. and the classes for both go hand and hand.. with special classes for both.. People come out with those degrees and some certs, and get good jobs..
I might be a blue collar worker, maintaining some servers for the rest of my life.. but I will have fun..
As for my next steps as a ham.. Its time to start chasing paper.. and enocouraging others to join the hobby, and working to elmer youth hams. In about a year and a half I will be a VE (when I turn 18)
KC0NBW
02-14-2005, 05:06 AM
congratulations on passing your extra ! #now you can get to work on becoming an of like the rest of us! #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
kbh, it's not too late!
start hitting those study guides and the sample tests, you can take the test at st. cloud ! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif
KB5WX
02-14-2005, 05:28 AM
Way to go Steve ! Good job on passing the extra . I see on your callsign lookup that you are in central Texas . I grew up just north of you in West . Still have a lot of family and friends in and around Waco and West . Tell all of them out there that I said hello from Alabama .
ai4ep
02-14-2005, 06:26 AM
Congradulations !!
KD7WHQ
02-14-2005, 07:16 AM
Congrats indeed http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Congrats, and don't worry about that IC-718 being all you have. You first radio is most likely better than what most of us started with.
My first radio was a Swan and I hated it.
KG4YUV
02-14-2005, 08:35 PM
Congrats, OWO. I'll be joining you this Saturday when I go for my Extra as well (P.S. To those who don't read sig's, I'm 15)
Steve, since you had Gordon West's book, what did you think of ELI the ICE man? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
WA5KRP
02-14-2005, 08:42 PM
http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/otn/realhappy/luxhello.gifhttp://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/otn/realhappy/luxhello.gifhttp://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/otn/realhappy/luxhello.gif
NICE YOB!
WA5KRP
Texas
WA5VQM
02-14-2005, 08:44 PM
Way to go man! Congratulations!
73,
Mark
@ FP
I am 30 minutes from Waco.. and 45 minutes from West.. my mother (KB5UOW) lives in West.. Where she grew up..
OWO, congratulations dood!!
wb6bcn
02-15-2005, 05:53 AM
CONGRATS!!!!!!!!
w8amd
02-15-2005, 06:25 AM
Way to go!
K3STX
02-15-2005, 10:53 AM
Congratulations. That rig will do you fine for years and years. Much better than my first HF rig, that's for sure.
If you are at all interested in DXing your life has changed (for the better, I think).
Good job.
paul
Congrats and hope you enjoy the new earned privs! Hope to catch you on the band(s) somewhere!
again, congrats! Good job!
@STX
Indeed, I am very interested in DX. One of the reasons I decided to upgrade is to get access to the DX windows. I have looked on the cluster a lot and saw good DX, but could not talk to them. Not because I could not hear them, but because I did not have the spectrum to talk on.
This week I will be busy with SCR (School Club Roundup) but maybe I will get a chance this weekend to work some good DX, or I might catch some during SCR.
ad5st
02-15-2005, 06:21 PM
Very congratulations, OM! You've done in four years what took me nearly thrice as long.
We'll be looking for you down the log.
KC0KBH
02-15-2005, 10:34 PM
SCR is this week?? Give me the details!
KBH.. There is a PDF files with rules and info here (http://www.arrl.org/contests/rules/2005/scr.pdf)
I worked as KD5OWO/AE this afternoon, and made lots of contacts. More elbow room down under the general part of the band.
Steve,
I just now saw this thread.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Hope to hear you chasing DX in the low end. Great Job!
73
George
K3UD
Thanks UD..
I am sure I will be working more DX next week.. This week is SCR, and that has been keeping me busy.
Also now I will be able to hang out on 7213, thats where a local group hangs out in the afternoons.
KB9YCO
02-16-2005, 01:52 AM
Congrats Steve!
KC0KBH
02-16-2005, 09:56 PM
I love DX! I get so excited and nervous, and then I work the station and I feel like I can work anybody! And then I work 5 or 6 more DX countries after that! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
I enjoy working DX.. I am sure I will work some this weekend.. I also enjoy getting those DX stations, and now I will have more space to go and find the DX..
KC0KBH
02-17-2005, 12:36 AM
What I hate is, when I am tuning around on 20, I will hear some DX, and put on the headset. And then I realize it is in the Extra portion. Also, how is that Rigblaster working for you? I am going to get an M8, probably. I had one offered to me, used for $60 shipped.
When you take your Extra test and pass it in May. you will have the whole summer to work DX.. The Rigblaster is a great.. I need to use it more, but I still use SSB more then PSK31..
KC0NBW
02-17-2005, 05:24 AM
kbh, start taking the sample tests on qrz, and go to saint cloud and give the extra a try, the most you can lose is the test fee, and you can write that off to getting a look at a real test !
what have you got to lose? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
KC0KBH
02-17-2005, 01:14 PM
Good point. I am getting a book from the library for it, and will test in May. I take Extra practice tests from time to time, adn usually get about 60% right. And that is without studying.
Ham books at the library.. that is really cool to hear..
Good look KBH..
Congratulations Steve. Glad to see another Extra on the bands.
Congratulations to your stepbrother too. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
N8CPA
02-17-2005, 06:31 PM
Congratulations! You are a credit to the name we share. #Now, if you want to work that DX, consider using CW on-air. #It will be a pain at first. #But you'd surprised how quickly you get comfortbale with it once you start using it. #And it will fill up your DX log quite fast!
Again, congratulations! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
CW has never been an interest of mine, call me a lid or what have you. Still it has not been an interest of mine. Of course there is much more DX down on CW. One of these days I may find an interest in CW, and re-learn it.