Motivation For Hams

Hello ham community,

This is KD7QQO and I am a brand new ham of a week today (thursday). I was recently talking to a fellow ham on the 2-meter yesterday (N7QME) and he told me he had a son who he was going to try and get into the Ham world of ours.

Now he knew I was a new ham and only 13 and he asked me what had ever got me motivated to join up in the first place.

Ahhhhh! now that is an interesting subject, I thought. then I pretty much bored him out of his mind with the story you're about to read now...

Now, about 2 years ago I knew nothing about radios, nothing about hams, nothing about the love I have for the love I have now for the hobby.

Then one day I was invited to stay with my grandma and grandpas (KJ6AP) for a contest on the HF, And I'll tell ya I thought it was so wierd when he said "ALPHA PAPA!", but soon enough it was me out there yellin' and hollerin' into that litle microphone like there was no tommorow to yell at all.

So for those of you Curious I worked to stations my first contest. However my SECOND contest well, thats a different story, I worked about 40 stations #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif , Although 38 of them were Japan... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif #but hey! ya' know how it is on your first experience with a radio in general.

Anyway since then I have worked many, many stations and about 40 diffrent countrys as well as about 300 or 400 stations total.

About three weeks ago on March 23rd 18:17 Universal time 11:17 my local time in gresham Oregon I passed my tech test. Then just last thursday I got my call sign and 2 days ago got the actual licence in the mail. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Seriously though another one of my most motivating experiences is when my science teacher helped me realize that radio waves were here LONG before man... We did not invent them we DISCOVERED them.

So now you know my story. My motivations, And even My call sign. whats yours?

[KD7QWD]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (.KD7QQO. @ April 11 2002,15:47)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Now he knew I was a new ham and only 13 and he asked me what had ever got me motivated to join up in the first place.

Ahhhhh! now that is an interesting subject, I thought. then I pretty much bored him out of his mind with the story you're about to read now...[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
heh I am also new ( this Thursday I was granted my license) and i personally was motivated because of the concepts of what you can do with these #HAM rigs.

One of the coolest things to really help me was the thought of my local area autopatches -thats sooo cool being able to use the public phone system on a radio! (thinking Cell phone!http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif hehe


Also I Really liked the IRLP idea and when I printed out all the nodes that was cooool! (also the fact that there is a node less than 15 miles from where I live is also good =)

-Being 14 I find these things 'cool' =))

Congratulations on the new callsign! #I love hearing how others have gotten interested in this great hobby, especially the younger hams. #

My motivation was my daughter KG4OPC, who was only eight at the time. #I actually learned the information for my technician license as I was helping her study for her test. #We both got out technician ticket in July of 2001. #I went on to extra, while she was focusing on school work. #I began working DX in January and my first contest was the 160 contest in February. #That was all it took to get me hooked. #I have now worked 100 countries and confirmed 19. #I have also worked all states and have 30 confirmed. #I know I have a long way to go still, but I am having a blast. #After my daughter worked the 160 contest with me, she logged callsigns, she decided that she wanted to start getting ready for her general license. #She studied her theory and passed it over spring break. #She is planning on taking her code at the next test session in May and can't wait to get on HF. #Hopefully, after school is out for the summer, she will be able to take her extra theory.

[k5vr]

Anthony,

Congratulations on getting your ham license. I was only 14 when I got my license way back in 1971. I also had a Grandfather-ham. I was only 2 years old when he got his license, so I practically grew up in his ham shack. Some of my fondest memories were turning on those big tube type radios and tuning across the various hf bands listening to hams and shortwave broadcast stations. Then, when I was 14, a friend and I decided to study together for the Novice license. We studied off and on during the summer. Then one of my Grandfather's ham friends came over to give us our Novice exams. We got through the code, then the written test, and then the long wait for the results to come in the mail. Some weeks later, my friend called to tell me his callsign. I remember racing to the post office to see if my license was there--and it was! On September 26, 1971, I became a "ham" with my very own callsign -- WN5FMK ! What excitement ! My friend and I went to my Grandfather's house where he had a crystal-controlled Heathkit HW-16 just waiting for me to use. I nervously called CQ on 40 meters with a straight key and shaky hand. Somehow, I heard a reply coming back to my call and my first QSO was in progress! Now, almost 31 years later, I still enjoy the hobby. I've operated SSB, CW, AM, FM, RTTY, SSTV, Satellite, Packet -- even made contacts with the Space Shuttle and the Russian MIR space station. Ham radio is such a diverse hobby. There's no end to the opportunities for you to explore and learn. Oh, and if you still have your grandfather, enjoy your time with him and learn from him. My Grandfather became a "silent key" only one year after I got my license. I always wished he'd been around to ask questions and learn more from him. But, there have been other helpers along way. Ham radio has changed a lot in 30 years, but with "new blood" like you coming in, it is bound to continue for many more. Good luck in one of the best hobbies in the world.

73,

K5VR
Stan

[kd7qis]

KD7-QWD is actually a close friends of mine. I was the main source of motivation, but he won't admit it... I am waiting for him to get his rig so that We don't have to use the phones, but it will be a week. I got my license March 15th (before him) and got the callsign "KD7-QIS"....... I was 13 when I got my license, but my birthday was later that month.

Anyway, By now, I have forgoten what the original question was, so I will leave it at that for now...

[w6th]

It was in 1929, when I passed by a store window in my home town. I noticed a crystal radio set displayed in a window. Still going to school as I was only 7 years of age at that time, I asked my dad if I could have that crystal set. My dad took me in the store and purchased it for sixtyfive cents. I took it home and followed the directions as to a aerial and a ground to a water pipe, which I did. I now needed a headset, ear phones. My dad knew a radio engineer locally and borrowed the headphones. Hooked up and I heard a voice and it was an aircraft pilot talking to his base and telling him he was flying over my town. I knew then and there this radio set was for me. I further investigated and seen a magazine called QST on a news stand. My dad purchased the QST magazine and there was my start of becoming a Amateur Radio Operator. With the QST magazine I built my first shortwave receiver, listened to KDKA and received my first QSL card from them as a SWL. Also heard the #code coming in and there you have it. Learned the code and became a Ham operator in the year of 1938. I may add that my Elmer was the ARRL and their code practice sessions.

[n0ov]

Congradulations!
The only thing better that amateur radio is the people you will meet talking on the radio!!!

[KG6GAP]

Anthony,

Congratulations on your new call sign. #I've been a ham for only a year, and I've had a blast. #I was attracted to the hobby by some DX I heard on the "chicken band" while running across North Dakota a few years ago. #I had just purchased a new ssb rig and was spinning the dial to see what I could find. #On channel 37 lsb, I heard someone calling, answered, and talked to the Bahamas for about 15 minutes. #I was hooked. #Not wanting to spend the money on illegal equipment, I decided to get my ticket instead, and I'll never regret it (other than to wish I had done it 30 years ago).

I upgraded to General Class last weekend, bought an all mode, all band rig, and I've had a blast on 20 meters (only dipole I have in the air right now). #Prior to getting into HF, I had explored SSB and CW on two meters as well as six meters. #Get out there, explore the priviliges you have, and have a ball. #

73

Jim (kg6gap)

[NN6EE]

TONY,

Welcome to the wonderful and challenging world of HAM RADIO!!! It really is a kick, I've been in it going on 40yrs now, and we still never get tired of it!!! Once it gets into your BLOOD usually your hooked for life, it truly is a ADDICTION!!!

You'll probably dabble with VHF/UHF for awhile, but hope that you go on to a bigger and more worthwhile endeavor aka. HF OPERATING!!! That's where it really gets FUN!!!

Again CONGRATS on getting your "STARTER-TICKET" and have lots of FUN!!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

JIM/nn6ee

Tony,

Way to go! I am very excited to see the large influx of young operators into this hobby. I have been a Ham since 1977 and got my license when I was 13. Just yesterday my 14 yr old nephew got his ticket. My 11 yr old son is now "pumped" and studying for his.This is the best hobby. You will meet so of your best friends and nicest people through radio.I love HF CW more than anything. In the first year I had my General license I rarley used SSB. But I like ALL facets of the hobby. I live in portland and monitor 146.840 alot. Give me a call sometime.

73's
Richard/ KA7DNJ

hey jim http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif just curious is t hat a vanity call sign? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif ?

[KD7OHI]

Congrats on the new ticket, you'll surely find something fun to do with it http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
As for myself, I mainly got motivated into radio technology, like many, by a persistent grandfather determined to make his grandson understand the physical sciences more than himself. As a child, there were many times that I listened to my grandfather's shortwave radio, but I was always frightened by the ghostly sound of CW coming from the speaker, I used to think that it was a giant machine that would somehow transmit itself into my radio and eat me http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
As I began to mature, however, my interests wandered away, until I found myself engaged to a beautiful, vibrant woman living in a town 80 miles away. It was then that I remembered the magic of radio. My main motivation for getting my ticket, I must confess, was to elude long-distance toll charges. But soon after obtaining the liscence, I quickly realized that my fiancee' also had to have a liscence and radio. To this day, I'm still trying to get her to get the ticket, but she just doesn't have the technical and electronic aptitude necessary to even pass the entry-level exam. My interest remains strong in spite of this, and I will continue to soldier on against impossible odds (the story of my life so far), but I figured my story needed telling.

[n7uo]

Welcome to a splendid hobby. You'll find that you will meet some of the nicest folks through this hobby. The great thing is that you are an equal from the beginning.


I look forward to seeing you on the hf bands....wow that callsign will wear you out on CW.

Frank/N7UO

[vo1one]

Hello,

It's always great to see more young amateurs to join us into this wonderful hobby. Sometimes I wonder myself, if I was 10 years younger today, and computers were everywhere and everyone had the internet and a cellphone, would I still have gotten my ticket? Of course, I'd hope the answer would be, "Yes!" but no one knows for sure.

I got my first licence, KB8NDW, a novice class licence back in 1991. I was the first in my immediate family to get their licence. A couple of my uncle's had theirs and they inspired me, but it was when I saw a sign at the local KMart about a class and information session on Ham Radio that got me on my way to my own licence. I had just turned 12 and boy was I excited! I took my exam at a VE's house and passed with flying colours after a month or two of studying the written exam and running around on the playground in grade 6 reciting the alphabet in morse code. Back then, the FCC wasn't as efficient as they are today. I had to wait weeks upon weeks for my licence to arrive in the mail. The popularity of the new No-Code Technician licence had the FCC backlogged in paperwork. Every day after school, I was checking the mailbox for that special piece of mail from Harrisburg to arrive. It was about 8 weeks later when I was home from school sick that I stumbled to the mailbox and found something for me. It was almost enough to make me better; it certainly made me happier! It was finally time for me to get on the air on my own. I worked with borrowed equipment at first, and then saved up to buy my own, with money I probably still owe my parents today!

It didn't take me long to get inspired to upgrade to Technician class. I did have VHF priveledges but they were limited to 220MHz. I had the opportunity once to try out a repeater on 220 but I was scared to. Nonetheless, repeaters and VHF interested me, and I was driven to upgrade and get new privelidges along with a new callsign. To be honest, it took me two tries. Luckily, there were two VE sessions on the same day, and even though I failed the first, I studied in the car driving to the second session and I passed! That was in 1992 when I was issued the callsign of N8TLV.

I stuck with my Tech plus licence for a long time. I always kind of wanted to upgrade but didn't until 1997. It was kind of strange of what got me to upgrade finally to general. I was applying for a reciprocal licence in the Bahamas for use when I was on vacation, and they required at least a general class licence. I needed to get one quick so the next VE session, I took my general exam and passed. As soon as I got the documentation in the mail (a lot quicker this time around!http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif I mailed it off to the Bahamas for processing. This was about a month or two before I was scheduled to leave. It was not quite soon enough however. My permit arrived in the mail one day after I had left for Florida and the Bahamas. Oh well, Murphy's Law will get you everytime, hey?

Well it's 2002 now, I'm 22 and I added a couple more callsigns onto my belt, M0BRJ and VO1ONE. M0BRJ I got for my travels in europe in past years before the FCC signed the CEPT agreement and VO1ONE is my Basic plus code licence I got for while I stay in Canada where I live 3/4 of the year now. Someday I'll upgrade N8TLV to extra class, hopefully. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Anyways, the main reason I was replying to this was to extend my invitation to all young amateurs around the world to join in on a group called INYA. http://www.qsl.net/inya is the webpage for this group. A group of us gather on wwconvers on packet in channel 90 at all times of the day. You can connect either via your local packet tcp/ip gateway with the conv or conf command, or via the internet using either telnet or a program called WinConvers http://www.sdk-software.com/winconvers
You can connect in via the servers mentioned on the inya webpage. Of course you can ask me if you need any help. Young hams from all around the world gather on wwconvers channel 90 and its always a blast chatting with others who you can relate to. I look forward to meeting more young amateurs on convers soon!

73,
Mark N8TLV/VO1ONE/M0BRJ

[NN6EE]

In answer to your question TONY, yes it is!!!

Here's a call run-down for you of all that I've had:

1. WN6BBC--1962-63 (novice)
2. WB6BBC--1963-79 (tech to Gen.)
3. KB6OH----1979-96 (ADV.)
4. W6IBD----1996-Jul.2001 (ADV.)
5. NN6EE---- Jul.2001-to PRESENT!!! (ADV.)

So that's where we stand as of now OB!!! Sure I've had a few calls in my time but with almost 40yrs. in the HOBBY I for one still like CHANGE, even in calls!!! I don't feel any obligation to keep any one call, especially my earliest, why should I???

Hope that explains it and again CONGRATS on becoming one of US!!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Jim Davis/nn6ee

[kj6ap]

Hi ALL especially you young guys,
Good to see Anthony started such a great thread. I am his grandfather and got my first license in 1956. A neighbor was a ham and used to cause TVI at my house. When he came over to install a high pass filter, he invited me over to see his shack. What a bunch of clutter that I learned to appreciate. He took me to a Civil Defense meeting and I was really hooked watching them operate their weekly drills. Much studying and I got a novice license. The license was only good for a year and was not renewable. I went to the FCC office in LA but failed the code test. I discovered girls and partying so got sidetracked for many years. In 1977 I borrowed a sideband CB for a trip across the country. 11 meters was hot with "skip". It sure renewed my interest so when I got home I found a club and took the test the first night. Surprising how the code stays with us. I got my general in 1978 and Advanced in 1979.
Anthony has been bit by the Ham Radio Bug. I look at Ham Radio as a disease and the only cure is radio waves, static and white noise. 73, Mike KJ6AP http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[NN6EE]

MIKE!!!

Welcome on board, and you've got six years years on me but it just goes to prove Ham Radio is way too much fun not to get into it!!!

I might add that when I first got my NOVICE ticket that I'd got stomping up all around on my parents 2 story house whose ROOF THAT HAD CEDAR SHAKES on it and I must have BROKEN 1/2 OF THEM!!! #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif # I'm really surprised that my folks did'nt SKIN ME ALIVE or WORSE!!! #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

Also we've got a history of HAMS in our family also in that my own Grandfather was a HAM in "ARIZONA TERRITORY" in 1909 before it even was admitted into the Union!!! My Uncle was a HAM in Eagle Rock near Pasadena starting in 1933 until his death in 1989, his intial call was W6IBD and ended up with W6EE!!!

I'm sure your grandson is really JAZZED about following in GRANDPA'S FOOT-STEPS!!!

Warmest Regards,

Jim Davis/nn6ee

[wh7y]

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Aloha all!

Please look in this month's World Radio for yet another "How I got started, glad I did and really dig it!" story. That'll save me from typing it all again, hihi!http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Jan, WH7Y
haribol2all@yahoo.com

[KG4ROL]

Welcome to this hobby. You find it that it is fun. I got mine Feburary of this year and as well, a tech. I'm still finding things out here on ham radio. Meeting new people on here. I live in Oviedo, Florida. I work in Orlando, and talk to people over right new NASA, which is on the east coast of Florida and talking to them. Which 45 miles difference, that to me is interesting. Talking to people at a distance http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif . Well, enjoy this hobby.

73's

Chris, KG4ROL

[tfkeel]

I'll add my welcome, too - I got licensed in 1963 when
I was 11 - its a wonderful hobby - I wish you many
years of pleasure and friendships like I've had

73 - Tom

[dachief156]

Congratulations on your new ticket. I was 14 when I passed my novice test and received WN2ZOU. Both of my parents were licensed (W2HQD and K2AIU(SK)) and I was exposed to the hobby at a very early age.

Today I hold an Extra class ticket, and I an the youngest member of my local Quarter Century Wireless Assn. chapter at age 41!

Congrats and 73s
de Bob, WA2ZOU

[k1kaa]

Hello, I'm Mike, and I too am a new ham. I got my license at 11 (that was last year) and just a little while ago, I passed General Written, (Element 3). I am currently working on code. My motivation is the single thought that maybe there is a bigger picture in amateur radio. Maybe, we are actually accomplishing something by chatting away. Maybe we are preparing ourselves for something yet to come, maybe we are attempting to figure out a reason for being here. If this is as close as it gets to figuring all this out, I'M GAME! Lets admit, radio is fun, and at the same time educational. Thats how I'm allowed to have my shack take up most of my parents' house! Anyway, thats my motivation, crazy as it sounds. Please visit my website at kb1fwn.com (http://www.geocities.com/kb1fwn).

Hello, my name is Glenn and I am a new ham.
(crowd affirms my statement.)



I had a novice lisence way back in 1984 (High school), had no money nor love of CW, I think i had 2 contacts as KA7THC.

Fast forward 10 years...

KA7THC ticket expired in 1994. (was that a surprise?)

Forward to 2002...

Decided that I wanted to be able to chat with someone while on my 1Hr commute 4 days a week. FRS has no range, CB is full of a$$#$ and illegal mods that make the off the shelf useless anyway, so I decided to get my Tech test, got the book and read away.

March 15, went to the Puyallup, WA hamfest and took element 2. Passed it. Was told that my prior call was proof of the novice code credit. Took element 3, passed it. Tried element 4 and was 4 answers away from passing it. Well, General was good enough to start operating.

Picked up a dual band HT and had a blast.
studyed an element 4 book i got from someone who passed element 4 at the same time.

Apr 13, took and passed element 4. awaiting new callsign. Having too much fun with a mobile 2M and awaiting my mobile 10M with anticipation.

within a month from expired novice to extra!

I am actually thinking of re-learning code now and trying QRP for the fun of it.

73

Glenn
KD7QKH/AE

Anthony,

Congratulations on passing your test and joining the club. #I, too, was 13 when I got my Novice (WV2POC). That was ancient times - 1960. I passed my Tech exam in 1963. #I clearly remember receiving my Tech ticket in the mail on November 21, 1963. #The next day was the day President Kennedy was assasinated. #I remember agonizing over whether it would be improper for me to go on the air. #But I did, and was surprised to hear so many hams QSOing. #That was 2 meter AM. #I had a "gooney box" - a Gonset Communicator II, 12 watts input to a 2E26 final. #I had many amazing hours working that rig. #Now, almost 40 years later, I finally have my Extra ticket, and am absolutely LOVING the HF bands. #I have to tell you, it was as big a thrill passing my Extra exam as a middle aged adult as it was passing my Tech exam as a 16 year old. I hope you won't wait 40 years to move up to this part of the hobby.

At any rate, my best to you and my admiration for pursuing such a worthwhile activity successfully. The future of ham radio depends on people like you being interested enough to do the work necessary to forward the hobby.

73,
Mike
W6MDK

[DA1TNJ]

It's very interesting to read the many different motivating
factors that got others interested in amateur radio. #My
motivating factor was my brother who, at the time, was
not and have has never been an amateur operator. #He
built a radio out of a coil of wire, pencil lead, safety pin,
and a razor blade. #From that moment on I was hooked
in electronics. #I was visiting a high school friend during
my high school days and he was using what we now call
"Chicken Band". #A friend of mine and I went with his
father to a Hamfest. #Walking through all the flea
market items, watching, listening I knew I had to get
out of the "Chicken Band" and into amateur radio. #I
bought a used copy of the ARRL handbook, long before
it became expensive to buy, and I studied the code.
I read chapters in the handbook and soon I was ready
to take the novice test. #For some reason CW appealed
to me. #Mostly, I guess, because it was the only mode
I could use on HF. #Two meters just didn't appeal to me.
The Benton Harbor Lunch Box I had, well lets just say
HF CW was where it was at back then. #A number of
years went by and I met many hams at various hamfests
both young and old alike. #Each had their own stories to
tell. #One ham who lived close by lived in a one room
shack. #When I say a "Shack" I do not mean radio room,
I actually mean a shack. #In his yard were 2 "Lazy H"
antennas which amazed me. #He took me into his "Shack"
and in a book shelf was a complete "Breadboard" transmitters and an old Hallicrafters receiver. #He operated "AM" and "CW". #Side band just wasn't his
cup of tea. #

I have always enjoyed CW and over the past 35 + years
I have been a ham I can't say that I have ever lost the
desire to talk CW. #I joined the Navy and aced the code
test. #Visions of sitting in front of a receiver banging out
code at 25 wpm and copying the Navy CW broadcast
seems so exciting I joined the Navy. #After 22 years of
being a Radioman and not using code that much the
love of CW still remains.

I have worked numberous countries, too many to count.
I don't collect QSL cards as this does nothing for me.
I do enjoy chatting. #Contest are not for me. #I'm sure
they have their place but chatting on CW like some
people do on sideband is what I really enjoy. #I can
still remember those nights, late at night, tuning around
on 40 meters using a KnightKit T-60 and a BC-312
with a dipole antenna will remain with me forever. #I
can't remember the callsign of the first station I worked
but I can remember the moment. #The many countries
I have worked from the states I have visited including
the guys I worked. #I presently live in Germany and
enjoy CW on all bands, but mostly 20. #DX is local
here and the states is DX. #Japan is a nightly contact
but the states is more difficult.

To those of you who are thinking of getting into amateur
radio I say, "Don't let the thought of code be a show
stopper". #You never thought you could learn how to
drive but you did. #Code is not difficult to learn and once
you learn it it will be like riding a bike. #Code is not
for everyone, that I know. #However, it should never
be removed as a requirement for a license. #No matter
how much high tech gets into amateur radio CW will
always be there. #

Have fun, enjoy the hobby. #Just consider what you
can learn from someone else, even in a different country.
Language, culture, people in general, etc. #What other
hobby can give you all this? #By the way, the cost of
equipment is high but there is alot of older equipment
out there that will do you just as good as the newer
$2,000.00 wisbang equipment today. #I have both,
all solid state and tube rigs. #Both of them do the
same thing, communicate with others over the ham
bands.

73's,

Michael
DA1TNJ/WB8TNJ

[kb3hfp]

When I first got interested (btw i'm 12), I went to a hamfest to look @ police scanners. While I was there, Dan Miller K3UFG from the ARRL gave me a study guide. Considering that I could study now (and I got it for free!http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif I figured "what the heck i might as well study". Then I went on vacation and spent the whole time studying and then passed my test. This is probably the most boring story any of you have heard in a long time. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[ke7mbl]

T0: qrz.com:
I enjoy these little tidbits how they
got licenses keep the up the good work.
I would like the logbook be reinstated
on this site I had fun using it.
73's http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[NN6EE]

HIYA MICHAEL!!!

NAH, Your story isn't any more boring than mine or any of the others out here!!! It's just that now you're one of the members of the greatest FRANTERNITY ON EARTH, AMATEUR RADIO!!!

CONGRATS on taking the time and trouble to study for your NEW TICKET, and as each year goes by you'll ENJOY IT EVEN MORE, THAT'S A GUARANTEE!!!

PS, I got my 1st ticket @ 15, now I'm 55, so you do the math!!!

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif #es 73,

Jim/nn6ee

[w4awm]

Hi Anthony,

Congratulations on the new ticket. #You have just set yourself up for a life of pure enjoyment, discovery and "it's a small world" happenings.

I was first licensed at the ripe old age of 14 in l954 as WN4AWM in Asheville, NC, back in the mountains. In those days, the tests were given in Atlanta, GA, a 6 hour bus ride away, unless one wanted to wait for the examiner to come to a quarterly examining point in Knoxville, TN, a 4 hour ride over back country roads.

To go back a bit, I had long been interested in ham radio but the code was a stumbling block and they didn't have a novice license until shortly before I got mine. The burr under my saddle occured when I discovered that my best friend and arch rival in school had just receives his novice license. #That got the wheels spinning and with the help of my grandmother (not a ham) who called out the letters and checked me as I recited the dits and dahs, it wasn't long before I was on my way to Atlanta to take the exam.

In the 50's it took 4 to 6 weeks to get your license after you passed the test and there was no such thing as an interim ticket. #That left plenty of time to build my transmitter, a pair of 6L6s in push-pull configuration. #I was on the air within minutes of the license hitting the mail box and I have never looked back.

Again, congratulations, Anthony, and don't just stick with one mode of operation. #Discover all that ham radio has to offer and encourage others to follow in your footsteps.

73,

John, #W4AWM
Hallicrafters spoken here.

[n8ary]

I'm still trying to figure out how all those people can fit into that little box on my desk.

[kd5scg]

I just got my ticket on saturday, that went pretty smooth. except that we copuldn't find the testing location(it was some discreet airport building). Actually it took them longer to grade it than it did for me to take it. I got my call sign on wednesday right after my radio arrived. All I need now is to figure out the antenna and wait for my power supply

bye,
kdscg

[KB4UHK]

Congrats.

I was 13 when I got my novice ticket. At the time I was really interested, of all things, in the hardware. A friend of my dad had a cool shack and a nice looking tribander quad on 30ft tower. I never listened in though, had no idea what the stuff was for. In the library one day I was pretending to look for electronics books (my Ti-94a and CoCo II weren't interesting anymore) instead of hunting down some anatomy book or the Meese Report on Porn, I ran into a book published by Tab on ham radio. In retrospect it was not a really well written book but it got the interest started. I finally made the connection with the mass of equipment at my future elmer's house, and the book.

The library was well stocked with out of date books (which I have found have been thrown away or given out since hen), old ARRL manuals going back to thr 50's, homebrew books, etc. It was a goldmine. I also started to get to go to hamfests and picking up back issues of QST, CQ and even (yikes) 73. Didn't have much money but saved for a HW16 with external vfo. It didn't work well (probably something correctable) as a rx. I sold it, got a Hallicrafter s40b which was better. It helped for code practice esp.

Trying to decode one cw signal on the novice portion of 40 at night when the BCs roared in, on a general coverage receiver with no bandspread is interesting. Helped with the code. Tom Van Ettenger offered to let me borrow a paddle keyer. That was very helpful. I had already wired up a practice oscillator, but this much better. SO got my ticket, bought a Swan 500cx and a wattmeter, and that night stapled a 15 meter dipole to my ceiling and made a bunch of qso's on 40 with it.

I haven't been consistantly active since then but I would say it doesn't leave you. And I can say it has definately had a positive affect for me. If my kids ever wanted to get a liscence I would definately assist.

I guess what all this sums up is, the attraction for me was cheap, obscure hardware that was hard to use.

[W5ATX]

My mother drove a taxi when I was a kid, and I rode with her sometimes, and once in a while if it was quiet, she'd let me grab hold of that big old Motorola mic and say hi to my grandmother who was the dispatcher. #Near as I can figure, that must have been the seed. #(And the start of insanity as I now collect and use old Motorola gear - what a mess!)

I was 11 or so when I heard what I later realised was cw coming through the AM radio in the kitchen. #Later I would meet W2OJJ down the block from us and one look at his shack and I was hooked. #

At 13 I became WN2ZDY, and made lots of contacts on 40 cw with a 6L6 and a crystal on 7123 kc. #I upgraded to general at 14, by which time I had a manufactured transmitter of some sort and an HQ120 receiver from 1938. #As an Extra at 16, the rig was more modern, but I was still on cw. #I really did eat and sleep ham radio back then. #I also got my commercial telegraph license with full intentions of going to sea. #That never happened, but for the next 20 years or so I would work cw, tty, amtor, pactor, and of course 2 fm in the car. #I've had a good share of the old rigs from the golden era of ham radio, and I'm proud to know I shared in that age. #A look at my web page here (http://www.monmouth.com/~cjohnson) will show you a picture of my shack in 1976. #The old timers will recognise most of the gear there. #It all worked, I used it all on the air. #

I still enjoy hamming, but now just to keep in touch with local buddies on vhf/uhf. #Times change but I expect I'll return to HF someday. #

Good luck to the new hams; it's worth the ride!

73,

Chris

[KD5RNN]

Well I am only 14 and have passed my tech. and my element 3 and go back for my code in less tham a month !! I was the only ham in the family and just yesterday my father got his call ( KD5SEH)!!

73 !! -Neil Smith

[KC2JNN]

I just felt like adding my own bit to the thread, I'm a brand new ham myself. My good friend, KC2JKQ got me started. Constantly driving around with him while he was on his mobile 2m rig, listening to him rag chew, just made me want to join in. SO myself and two others went up and we all got out tickets yesterday, not bad considering today (the 5th) is my 31st brithday, a nice present from the FCC http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

To all you other new HAMs and old, I hope to get a chance to talk to who I can while I'm a tech, and the rest when I get up there in the HF bands as a general and extra class.


I also want to add, I really appreciate these forums, getting on QRZ and reading them, really got me more interested in the world of Amateur Radio, and I'll be reading them from here on out, thanks QRZ!


73 from KC2JNN

(my friend who tested the same day received KC2JMN for his call, confusion for all on the local repeaters so far http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif )


Mark

[k4iii]

Congrats! Welcome fellow Ham! Enjoy the hobby!!!

Possible word of advice: If interested in a vanity call, get it right away so that you don't forget it or have to buy all your decals, badges, shirts, etc... all over again!

Friend of mine did and sometimes forgets and uses his old call since he had it 2 years before changing it recently!

[n2pet]

Hey!! Welcome to the hobby! I'm sure you will enjoy it.There is so much to do and learn. Wish that more young people would get into the hobby, but with the internet I'm sure that is one of the things that keep younger folks away. Good Luck and enjoy!!