Get my HAM radio license

Well, I took the exam, passed, and successfully surprised my husband who had no idea that I had taken it! Yay me!

Got a nice chance to take a class nearby, and we’re doing the exam near the end of the month. yay

Next test is August 16th and I’m going to take it! Also, I’m going to pretend that I’m doing something else that night so my husband won’t know that I’m taking it. :P He’s been a HAM radio operator for years, and has wanted me to get licensed for a long time. It’ll be such a neat surprise! Tee hee :P I’m excited!

i signed up to start my study on father’s day.
passed my Technician’s exam on July 10th.
a tribute to my dad. morse code study to come.

Did this march 2008, and got General December 2008, lol

I got my Tech license in 2003 and was upgraded to Extra by April 2005 just in time for Field Day. Amateur Radio is one of the greatest hobbies I’ve ever tried and I’ll continue to enjoy for the rest of my days!

Years ago for my Birthday (like today is!) my sister sent me a box of code tapes and no explanation. I tried to put 2 and 2 together and found a test site a couple of days later. Passed first 2 written and code! ..next week General….next week passed 13 code and in two days read Advanced book, and passed the test..week later passed Extra. It can happen…nobody told me that is not how it is done. Found out I could not talk from FL to CA on a little radio. I went into HF and contesting. Months later sis passed and also got HF..we could talk. First day on my rig won FL section of CA contest and in a month had 100 countries…and on and on… it is a real grin! ..lots to do practice practice practice..and get good headphones!...keep good records! You Can Do It!

Almost half the reason for this goal is to have an excuse to throw myself into studying a subject that I find difficult. (Although I really want the license because I travel a lot and I already have a radio.)

But right now, that role is being fulfilled nicely by accepting Linux into my life. Ham’s gonna have to wait a while.

I read Erik Larson’s Thunderstruck and now I think radio is the coolest thing! I will taking the techicians exam on 24 Jan—just as my dad did 40 years ago. Hopefully I will get dinner with dad and celebrate when I pass.

Plus, nothing is cooler than the right to own HAM Radio “vanity plates” on your car.

Not hard, a quick study and the US test pool is online. do it this month.