Anyone on here a HAM?

[Power Hungry]

In May of 2023, I got my first amateur radio license, something I actually been wanting to do for many years. It was the Technician Class license and I was assigned the call sign KQ4ITN.

I had put it off for a long time, and the only reason I even got my butt in gear and took my FCC test was because I had picked up a portable radio that not only operated on FRS frequencies, but also operated on the 2m and 70cm frequencies as well. I figured that I might as well take the test and see what it's all about.

Armed with my little Baofeng F8-HP, a 25W amplifier, and a pretty decent antenna, I was able to hit a few local repeaters and make some contacts. Talk about exciting! I very quickly upgraded my handheld to a Yaesu FT-65 and installed a Comet GP-9 on my house, and I was able to really reach out. Of course, bigger is better, so I then bought the Yaesu FT-991A station and started setting up my official "Radio Shack" in my office.

This situation lasted about 3 months when I decided that I really wanted to give the HF world a try. At the end of August, I submitted my paperwork to change my call sign and then took my General and my Amateur Extra class tests. Passed them both the first time, with my Extra passing grade at 100%! Yes, I do like math.

Here we are now, nearly a year later, and I've made contacts all over the world, covered all 50 states, and have even built some of my own equipment. This has been an absolutely fascinating hobby and I'm really kind of kicking myself that I didn't do this much sooner. All those years wasted, but it's all good. I'm doing it now and having a blast!

If anyone cares to reach out to me, my call sign is WD4AMC and you can check my QRZ page here: https://www.qrz.com/db/WD4AMC

I look forward to seeing you on the air!

God bless and 73.

[Jackpine]

Congrats Bill -

I had no idea you were interested in HAM radio. Back in the old days, you had to learn Morse Code to get a license. Is that still a requirement? I had to learn it to be an Air Force pilot, since navigation radios at that time only identified themselves with a 3-letter Morse Code sequence. The one at Laughlin AFB in Texas, where I went through pilot training was "DLF" (Dah-dit-dit, Dit-dah-dit-dit, Dit-dit-dah-dit).

Weird how I remember that now - 59 years ago!

- Jack

[Power Hungry]

In 2006, the FCC dropped the Morse Code requirements for an amateur radio license. If I'd had know that earlier, I probably would have gotten my license sooner. Ah well, it's not a big deal. I did it and I'm really enjoying it now.

I have several radios, inluding a variety of handhelds, mobile, and base station radios. I stick mostly to the voice (phone) bands, but occasionally will take a peek at the digital stuff. Just not really my thing.

Over the last year, it's been great fun meeting and talking to people all over the world. Like forums, there are cool people and there are also knuckleheads, or lids as they're called. Overall the experience has been positive, but I'm really quite surprised at the lack of FCC regulation over the amateur bands in regards to some of these individuals. Not that I'm in favor of more regulations.

If you have any interest, this my ham radio page on our website. It has some really good pictures of the equipment.

https://thecohrons.com/billcohron/ham.shtml

Enjoy!