View Full Version : It's finally done!
KD4LEI
06-01-2005, 04:43 PM
After 13 long years, it was time to step up and now I have.
K7JBQ
06-01-2005, 05:01 PM
Chad,
Don't worry about the 13 years. Only took me 30 years to upgrade to Advanced, 2 more to Extra.
Some of us stayed annoyed about Incentive Licensing for a looooong time.
Congrats and enjoy your new spectrum.
73,
Bill
N8CPA
06-01-2005, 05:10 PM
Well, you beat me by a year. So congratulations!
I went from Novice to General in about 5 months, then stayed General for 14 years.
KB5WX
06-01-2005, 05:24 PM
Congrats Chad ! Well done , etc . Hope you enjoy the new priveledges .
Congrads and well done!
Now's where the real fun starts -- not worring about a test and trying out the new things we read about preparing for the test. (Doing is a lot more fun than reading http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif )
73
de Dan
wa4brl
06-01-2005, 05:52 PM
Congratulations, Chad!
What equipment do youhave to get on HF with. If you have nothing yet and a low budget, pick up an old Heathkit HW-16 and a few crystals. CW only on 80, 40, and 15 meters. I kid you not, you'd have a blast with it.
Whatever you have/get, hang some wires up and get on HF. There's a whole world out there waiting to communicate with you.
Join up with a club group and operate Field Day later this month. Operate some Phone, and be sure to log/dupe for a good CW op -- you'll be shocked at how much your copy speed will improve from just a few hours of that!
Above all, WELCOME to the show!
ad5qb
06-01-2005, 05:56 PM
Congrats Chad! Enjoy the new spectrum and don't worry about the 13 years. Took me 25 years including a 7 year QRT period when I let my previous license expire to go from Novice to Extra. Doesn't matter as long as you're enjoying yourself!
w8amd
06-01-2005, 06:14 PM
Congrats on a fine job done. Somehow in most things the longer the road, the more satisfying reaching the destination.
W3MIV
06-01-2005, 06:20 PM
Good show. It's nice to have the extra frequencies (no pun; simple fact). I hope you will make good use of them having fun!
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
KG4YUV
06-01-2005, 06:24 PM
Welcome to the club from a 16 yr old!
KD4LEI
06-01-2005, 09:27 PM
Quote[/b] (wa4brl @ June 01 2005,04:52)]Congratulations, Chad! #
What equipment do youhave to get on HF with. #If you have nothing yet and a low budget, pick up an old Heathkit HW-16 and a few crystals. #CW only on 80, 40, and 15 meters. #I kid you not, you'd have a blast with it.
Whatever you have/get, hang some wires up and get on HF. #There's a whole world out there waiting to communicate with you. #
Join up with a club group and operate Field Day later this month. #Operate some Phone, and be sure to log/dupe for a good CW op -- you'll be shocked at how much your copy speed will improve from just a few hours of that!
Above all, WELCOME to the show!
Steve,
I have an Icom IC-706 MkIIG running up to a G5RV Jr on my rooftop about 20 ft up. I usually hang out on 40 with some trips up to comm on 20 too. CW is something I really need to get shored back up on. I am a little rusty and need (not want) to master again. My plans now are to take each item, master it to the best of my ability, and become an elmer.
I have vacation plans that put me out with my folks in Virginia for Field Day this year. My dad (KD4USI) and mom (KF4YPZ) and myself will give my xyl and kids the experience of seeing what field day is like. We will be participating with the Woodbridge Wireless ARC, in Woodbridge, VA. I participated in one back in 97 or 98 with them, but haven't been in one since. This will be the second one I will be participating in. I am really wanting to expand and participate more. There is a club here in Bellevue, NE that I would like to be a member of and go to the meetings.
I think the XYL realizes that Amateur Radio is fully apart of me now. She's not into it at all, but maybe we can convince her that it's not that bad. It CAN BE a family affair. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Now for something I am also looking forward to, I will get a chance to visit the local HRO store there in Woodbridge during the visit home. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif
KD4LEI
06-01-2005, 09:32 PM
I had some idea that there may be others who haven't upgraded in a while, but felt like I was the only one in the position I was in.
I will enjoy the extra bandwidth too. I can maybe enjoy "rubbing elbows" with the OM's out there who hang out in those portions of the bands.
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif
K5SEP
06-01-2005, 09:39 PM
Chad-
Congratulations on your recent upgrade to Extra Class!
I was first licensed as a Novice in 1967 as WN2CXS. Then upgraded to General Class in 1968 at the NYC FCC Field Office as WA2CXS. Finally I upgraded to Advanced Class in 1969 at the same exam point. I upgraded to Extra Class in 1986 to serve as an Extra Class VE! The point is it is irrelevant how much time passes between upgrades. You made it! Celebrate your new highest license class privileges and use it to benefit others.
Best wishes and 73's, http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Quote[/b] (KD4LEI @ June 01 2005,09:43)]After 13 long years, it was time to step up and now I have.
Hey, congrats!
Now you are cosidered an elitest, and old fart, etc.
Way to go! Look forward to catching you on the bands!
Again, congrats!
Chris
Great job Chad! You are not only an Extra, but you have been hamming long enough to be a true Elmer.
73,
Dave/al2i
wa4brl
06-02-2005, 12:07 AM
With that IC-706 you're rerlly set to go, Chad. I know you'll enjoy yourself. Heck, you already are!
The FD plans with the Woodbridge Wireless ARC sound great. Who knows, maybe your wife will catch the bug too. My wife got her Novice back around 1975 and upgraded to Tech. in '78. She just recently got the administrative upgrade to General. She seldom operates anything other than 2 Meters, but sometimes logs/dupes for me at Field Days. Every year I think she has forgotten the code, but then she provides immediate fills for any characters I miss! (No, I'm NOT one of the super CW ops, but I do love the mode immensly!) I'll be operating FD with the Cabarras Amateur Radio Society (Concord NC). If you hear K4CEB, say hello!
Get to stringing more wire in the air. It's the quickest way to learn about HF antennas. I'm hot to try K0BG's "Dipole with Dangles" I read about today on eham.net. I know, your G5RV is probably working great -- but goofing around with other ideas is where a lot of the fun lies hiddin.
QSL? (sorry, just trolling for 'SY) http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
KF0RT
06-02-2005, 12:49 AM
Congrats, Chad! I've got the books, but am having too much fun playing to study. Passed my last exam 32 years ago and still need to go for the Extra. My "goal" is to have it before the questions change in about a year.
73 es have fun! -Rob
Chad,
Congratulations! Great Job.
73
George
K3UD
Congrats.. and I hope to work you on the air. Perhaps I will work your club during FD. We will be using the call K5A here, so listen for us.
ai4ep
06-02-2005, 03:36 AM
Congradulations ! I stayed a N C T for 12 years ...then got off my butt and got busy.
KD4LEI
06-02-2005, 05:30 AM
Thanks for all the replies guys. It feels in some ways like a weight has been taken off my shoulders. I am glad it's done.
Congratulations on your upgrade. For some reason the Extra portions of the bands tend to be a bit quieter...
John/N2NH http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif