Andy

ft8battle.com is to me a great example of a way to make amateur radio more appealing and fun. Fun and low stakes but a little competitive to keep you motivated. Would recommend checking it out.

Super excited to have a semi permanent EFHW antenna up in the back yard. Thanks for my BIL for helping mount the entry box. Was able to chill in the shack last night and make some SSB contacts without having to tear down the antenna in the dark. 😂

Was very nervous but passed my General exam today!

DMR Hotspot gets a case after its successful testing last night. Nice no hardware case with this remixed top saving the day on fit.

With some help from KF0WXX I was able to get WPSD setup successfully and now have my own DMR Hotspot. First things first, I reached out a Nebraska Mesh Talk Group and chat quickly with KF0WXX and KF0WYD. I am really finding a lot of joy and satisfaction in my radio journey that has been a pleasant surprise for me.

First FT8 contacts made recently! Using a Xiegu G90 and a Radioddity HF-009 antenna on 10m. I can totally see the “it’s just computers talking to each other” but it was a ton of fun and a great way to dip my toe in HF.

First contact made yesterday over a local FM repeater while on vacation in Ohio, using a Baofeng UV-5R mini and a tiny flexible rubber ducky. Really appreciate the kind individual on the other end, who then also made me aware of a local net starting soon. 2 for 1 special as I wrapped up vacation.

Getting my call sign assigned Friday and eagerly grabbed my Baofeng DM-32UV, N9TAX Slim Jim antenna and a telescoping CF pole as I head out the door to go camping with my family. Yesterday I got the antenna all rigged up, programmed in a few near by local repeater, keyed the mic and…nothing. Was hard to hide my disappointment, but we push forward and learn. Not sure if it was the heavy tree coverage, the HT’s low power, or programming error on my side. Back to the desk to keep learning.

Got my Amateur radio technician license on Friday and it’s been interesting to have the call sign start to grow on you. I can see how some don’t go the vanity route down the road after getting there General and Extra.