HAM Radio Call Sign Check-In Thread

[Prerunner1982]

Just thought I would check in. How do you add your call sign to your banner on the left?

Looks like you got it figured out!

Taking my extra in a week. Just missed it the first time by one question. I work in communications so the tech part was easy, I just had 4 hours to study. Maybe if I get through the study guide all the way I can get at least one more question right... WTF is a ZEP antenna???? ;-)

I'm sure you will pass it. Good luck though.
When I first started my venture into the ham radio hobby I thought I would be fine with General, I mean it gives you most of the frequency range for each band....... and then the DX I wanted was in the Extra portion. After 5 years as a General I upgraded to Extra.

 

[jpax300]

New OB member checking in...

KF7SDU, Currently have Kenwood TM-V71a in Chevy Silverado, just ordered FTM-400 XDR for Jeep (need to figure out self install)...

 

[Prerunner1982]

@jpax300 hope to hear you on the weekly OB echolink net. Sticky thread at the top with more info.

 

[jpax300]

Thanks @Prerunner1982 , I will check the sticky thread for connection info, would love to join in!

 

[Jeffrey Dill]

Finally got my call sign issued!

KN4UBI, checking in.

Can't wait to start hopping on for the weekly OB net.

 

[Magic Mike]

Finally got my call sign issued!

KN4UBI, checking in.

Can't wait to start hopping on for the weekly OB net.

Congratulations

 

[Prerunner1982]

Finally got my call sign issued!

KN4UBI, checking in.

Can't wait to start hopping on for the weekly OB net.

Congrats,
Good thing you took your test when you did or you could have ended up with KN4UTI and go by KN4 Urinary Tract Infection.

 

[Tallen79]

KE8KTR

 

[Jeffrey Dill]

Congrats,
Good thing you took your test when you did or you could have ended up with KN4UTI and go by KN4 Urinary Tract Infection.

Haha, no doubt! Really dodged a stinging, burning bullet there.

 

[Prerunner1982]

KE8KTR

Hope you are able to make our Echolink net on Friday nights.

 

[old_man]

Just took and passed my Extra Class this evening. I only missed one question. I went from no license to an Extra ticket in 2 weeks.

It does help that I have worked in commercial communications for years.

73!

KE0VJR

 

[Jeffrey Dill]

Just took and passed my Extra Class this evening. I only missed one question. I went from no license to an Extra ticket in 2 weeks.

It does help that I have worked in commercial communications for years.

73!

KE0VJR

Congrats!

How much more involved would you say it is to get your General or Amateur Extra, as far as additional content that you have to be familiar with? I just got licensed as a Technician a few weeks ago. Was wondering if it'd be worthwhile to just keep working towards the higher certifications while I'm at it.

 

[Magic Mike]

Congrats!

How much more involved would you say it is to get your General or Amateur Extra, as far as additional content that you have to be familiar with? I just got licensed as a Technician a few weeks ago. Was wondering if it'd be worthwhile to just keep working towards the higher certifications while I'm at it.

Great Job

 

[old_man]

Great Job

That is a somewhat complex question. I am an electrical engineer with decades of experience in the commercial/military/space field and communications.

For me it pretty easy. The test is a pretty good test of overall electronics and RF knowledge coupled with antenna design. It goes into a lot of communications protocols and the reasons behind them. In order to gain that knowledge is not trivial.

The other side of the coin is that they publish every single test question in the pool of questions that are selected somewhat by random. You can pass the test by simply memorizing the several hundred questions. While not an easy task, it is routinely done.

There are several study guides out there that can help with basic background teaching and practice, but for the General, if you have no electronics and RF knowledge, I figure you should spend a month or more with some familiar with the basics just to pass the General. The whole stated goal of the amateur radio setup is to teach and further the knowledge.

 

[aahyut]

For the general, I read the arrl book then took practice tests in my phone. I did this for about 2 weeks and passed comfortably.

 

[Rubicon_Flash]

Reginald Walton - KI5ATB (Texas)

 

[Prerunner1982]

Just took and passed my Extra Class this evening. I only missed one question. I went from no license to an Extra ticket in 2 weeks.

Congrats OM

 

[Prerunner1982]

Reginald Walton - KI5ATB (Texas)

Hello Reginald, welcome from Oklahoma. Hope you can join us for our Friday night Echolink nets.

 

[Prerunner1982]

Was wondering if it'd be worthwhile to just keep working towards the higher certifications while I'm at it.

Depends on what you want to do with ham radio. If you just want trail comms a Tech license is all you need.
If you think you might want to make it a hobby then absolutely get your General or Extra. VHF/UHF is ok, but to me HF is where the fun is.
Talking to other countries from my Jeep, setting up portable radios at camp, digital modes, contests, and much more. Fun stuff.

 

[Jeffrey Dill]

That is a somewhat complex question. I am an electrical engineer with decades of experience in the commercial/military/space field and communications.

For me it pretty easy. The test is a pretty good test of overall electronics and RF knowledge coupled with antenna design. It goes into a lot of communications protocols and the reasons behind them. In order to gain that knowledge is not trivial.

The other side of the coin is that they publish every single test question in the pool of questions that are selected somewhat by random. You can pass the test by simply memorizing the several hundred questions. While not an easy task, it is routinely done.

There are several study guides out there that can help with basic background teaching and practice, but for the General, if you have no electronics and RF knowledge, I figure you should spend a month or more with some familiar with the basics just to pass the General. The whole stated goal of the amateur radio setup is to teach and further the knowledge.

Depends on what you want to do with ham radio. If you just want trail comms a Tech license is all you need.
If you think you might want to make it a hobby then absolutely get your General or Extra. VHF/UHF is ok, but to me HF is where the fun is.
Talking to other countries from my Jeep, setting up portable radios at camp, digital modes, contests, and much more. Fun stuff.

Makes sense. Thanks for the replies.

For now, all I'm wanting to accomplish is trail comms. But I have a feeling I'm going to be compelled to go deeper down the rabbit hole after checking out ARRL Field Day for the first time in June. Contesting seems like it'd be really fun.