Congrats on your ticket! I've been licensed since '94 or so, but not always active. Currently, I spend most of my time on DMR and P25. If you would like assistance with the digital world, I'll be glad to help.

Congrats from K8KJB

Congrats! I bought a FT2DR this year and love it. You definitely got a top drawer handheld. Enjoy and 73,
N4IOI

Congrats from KJ7FTH. Now, go for the General ticket, which I believe is just a bit harder than element 2. Gives you more bands to play with CW or Side band.

FYI, 40 meters is busy at early evening hours.

VHF/UHF is OK, look for a NET like Win System.

What do most do when they are licensed? I know it provides an emergency communication system backup, but in ordinary situations, are you just listening and chatting?

quote:

Originally posted by Oz_Shadow:
I know it provides an emergency communication system backup, but in ordinary situations, are you just listening and chatting?

Yes, "rag chewing" as it's called. We talk about all kinds of things. I've made lots of good friends over the years through ham radio. It's a good community.

I have my online Technician test on Monday night. Congrats!

Congratulations!

As others have mentioned, if you're interested, press on for your general while everything is fresh.

Have the FT2DR. Only downside has been C4FM and WIRES-X aren't real big in my area. Can overcome the latter with the WIRES-X Portable Digital Node and a computer.

Two accessories I like if you're not ready for permanent antenna solutions are the the MFJ-310 HT antenna car window mount clip and the N9TAX slim jim antenna. Both are compact when not in use.

Enjoy!

quote:

Originally posted by SigSauerFan:
Congratulations!

As others have mentioned, if you're interested, press on for your general while everything is fresh.

Have the FT2DR. Only downside has been C4FM and WIRES-X aren't real big in my area. Can overcome the latter with the WIRES-X Portable Digital Node and a computer.

Two accessories I like if you're not ready for permanent antenna solutions are the the MFJ-310 HT antenna car window mount clip and the N9TAX slim jim antenna. Both are compact when not in use.

Enjoy!

Thanks for the info. I've pretty much settled on the Victory 4X4 MNO mount which a bolt on bracket under the hood hinge. The antenna I'm still researching, but for now with no HF I'll just find a good dual band VFH/UHF. Install seemed clean and easy from the video Victory posted.

There is a big hamfest in Plano every year, and several of us from Houston make the drive. Unfortunately, this year's event has been cancelled. It will resume June 17, 18 and 19, 2021. Put it on your calendar!

How do you get a license today? I had one back in the 70s but because of job time couldn’t keep up it. My call sign then WB8YQP.

Start here and see what credit you may have for your former license.

http://www.arrl.org/exam-element-credit

I'm going to get my Extra in July or August and then I'm going to start some serious work on getting Morse Code proficient

quote:

Originally posted by nhtagmember:
I'm going to get my Extra in July or August and then I'm going to start some serious work on getting Morse Code proficient

New FCC Extra test coming this July 1. Fewer Q&A on the new test. Still a tough test, IMO.

Do spend some time on lower end of 40 meters in early evenings and listen to CW.

quote:

Originally posted by Oz_Shadow:
What do most do when they are licensed? I know it provides an emergency communication system backup, but in ordinary situations, are you just listening and chatting?

There are daily/weekly NETS on VHF/UHF. FM 449.375 is popular with UHF users as repeaters forward traffic from all states and overseas.

Is there still a morse code requirement?

there is no longer a code requirement for the Extra grant but code is still being learned and tested in some locations

quote:

Originally posted by nhtagmember:
there is no longer a code requirement for the Extra grant but code is still being learned and tested in some locations

CW is more popular today than 10 years ago. I guess it's kind of a nostalgia deal and there are lots of classes and learning tools available. I was very proficient while in the Navy where I used it from time to time and I doubt it will take much practice to get back to speed, except today, there are all types of keying aids which make sending near perfect code a lot easier than the one I learned and operated on.

quote:

Originally posted by satch:
How do you get a license today? I had one back in the 70s but because of job time couldn’t keep up it. My call sign then WB8YQP.

^^^^^^^^^^ Get off your rear end and get re-ticketed. You could be supprised as to what you still remember. And it is possible to get your "old" call sign re-issued to you by way of the "vanity" call sign if you so desire. Was off the air from 1980 till re-ticketed in 1993(KB5ZWJ) and in 1996 applied for and was granted my 1st call sign (KL7JIU) which the prefix denotes the state of Alaska I was able to get it back even though living in Louisiana because it had not been issued to anyone else enenthough it desginates a non-Conus location. Years ago your prefix was assigned as to which one of the call districts yoiu lived in but now that is no longer true for the continental US. That is why sometimes on the hf bands some operators ask what a Alaskan is doing in Louisiana. My callsign was actually on a local 2mtr repeater for a couple of years and travelers passing thru the area would ask what a Alaskan repeater as doing in south Louisiana. .........................de..KL7JIU..aka..drill sgt.

quote:

Originally posted by CD228:
Is there still a morse code requirement?

No there is no code requirement on any class now.