Another New Guy Here

I just thought I'd post a quick thread introducing myself. I decided after reading a thread about amatuer radio on another site that I frequent that it was something I wanted to explore, even if I was already 53 years old. A week later I took the Technician and General tests and then the Amateur Extra test three weeks after that. I'm what you guys call a "No Code Extra" or "Extra Light". The day my AE upgrade showed in the ULS, I applied for the only available 2X1 call sign in my region and actually got it. I found the obituary of the only other holder of this call sign, and it sounded like he had a great 95 years on this Earth. He only lived an hour away from me, too. I hope that I never bring dishonor to his reputation.

I have an Icom IC-7300, an Astron RS-35A-AP, and a Yaesu FT-70DR -- all still brand new in their boxes. I've yet to get on the air. I'm going to have to spend a great deal of time researching antennas. I live in the country and have plenty of room for something decent. I just need to learn what that is. I also need to learn proper protocol and etiquette before transmitting for the first time. I certainly don't want to offend anyone.

 

HI DAVID,

WELCOME TO THE WONDERFUL FUN FILLED WORLD OF HAM RADIO AND THE QRZ FORUM.

CONGRATS ON YOUR FB FB EQUIPMENT.

I DID A LOOK UP OF FOLKS IN UR AREA...........

K9HRJ Donald F Heisler Springville IN
KA9JBU RICHARD C MC GOWEN SPRINGVILLE IN
KB9SDC ARTER V THOMPSON, II BLOOMFIELD IN
KC9DRD Lloyd R Godsey SPRINGVILLE IN
KC9IAI Marcie L Davis Springville IN
KC9NMN William D Kemple Springville IN
KC9TEA Joel A Nordness Springville IN
KD9CGU Mark A Hardwick Springville IN
KD9FRT Frank S Meade Springville IN
KD9JVQ Dennis M Pagel Springville IN
KF9OZ RICKY L PADGETT SPRINGVILLE IN
KI6OGA Tyler H Churchill SPRINGVILLE IN
KK4RTG CARL W KOEHLINGER Springville IN
N9HXU RICHARD A LEWIS SPRINGVILLE IN
N9NGF JEFFREY M JONES SPRINGVILLE IN
N9VWV JEFFERY J VERMILLION SPRINGVILLE IN
W9LDC Larry D Carmichael, II Springville IN
WA9FFZ VERNON L HAMMERSLEY SPRINGVILLE IN
WB9BYU MICHAEL L MANZENBERGER SPRINGVILLE IN
WD8JJA Rick D Davis Springville IN

THESE FOLKS SHOULD BE ABLE TO HELP YOU OUT.


HERE IS A LIST OF CLUBS IN UR AREA

• ARRL AFFILIATED CLUB
  
  SOUTHERN INDIANA AMATEUR RADIO ASSOCIATI
  City:
  Bloomington, IN
  Call Sign:
  N9SIA
  Specialties:
  Contest, Digital Modes, DX, General Interest, Public Service/Emergency, Repeaters, VHF/UHF
  Services Offered:
  Entry-Level License Classes, Hamfest
  Section:
  IN
  Links:
  http://
• • Go Now!
  ARRL AFFILIATED CLUB
  
  BLOOMINGTON HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH ARC
  City:
  Bloomington, IN
  Call Sign:
  K9SOU
  Specialties:
  Contest, DX, School or Youth Group
  Services Offered:
  Entry-Level License Classes, License Test Sessions, Mentor
  Section:
  IN
  Links:
  http://k9sou.org
• • Go Now!
  ARRL AFFILIATED CLUB
  
  Bloomington ARC Inc
  City:
  Bloomington, IN
  Call Sign:
  K9DIY
  Specialties:
  Contest, Digital Modes, General Interest, Public Service/Emergency, Repeaters, VHF/UHF
  Services Offered:
  Entry-Level License Classes, General Or Higher License Classes, Hamfest, License Test Sessions
  Section:
  IN
  Links:
  http://www.bloomingtonradio.org
• • Go Now!
  ARRL AFFILIATED CLUB
  
  Southern Indiana Amateur Radio Association
  City:
  Bloomington, IN
  Section:
  IN
  Links:
  https://73siara.org/
• • Go Now!
  ARRL AFFILIATED CLUB
  
  ARC AT INDIANA UNIV
  City:
  Bloomington, IN
  Call Sign:
  K9IU
  Specialties:
  Contest, Digital Modes, DX, General Interest, Public Service/Emergency, Repeaters, School or Youth Group
  Services Offered:
  Entry-Level License Classes, Mentor, Repeater
  Section:
  IN
  Links:
  http://www.indiana.edu/~k9iu

73 - K1LKP

 

Thanks for the welcome! Yeah, I'd looked up hams in my area via zip code before on ARRL's website. Believe it or not, as small as my area is, I don't know a single one of those people -- and everyone knows everyone around here. Lol! I've lived in this same house since 1993. My wife does know Vernon L. Hammersley -- he's got to be close to 80 now (not that that means anything.) When I look up local repeaters, Richard Lewis comes up as having one about a half mile past me on my road. I do not know him, nor have I ever seen antennas in that area. It's on a hillside down in a valley that doesn't seem logical for a repeater, and the houses appear abandoned.

 

Well done! Now get some wire and feed line in the air and have some fun.

 

Welcome!