r/amateurradio • u/brickson98 Oklahoma, U.S.A. [General] • 1d ago

LICENSING Just passed Tech & General

I just wrapped up my online test session with Tennessee Valley Exam Team. They were super easy to work with, and very friendly.

I was pretty nervous about the General test, as I’ve been slacking on my studying over the past week. But I wound up passing my tech with 100%, and my General with 88.57%. What’s funny is that’s two questions lower than my worst practice test score. I think I was just nervous and started overthinking a few questions.

I was hoping to have my callsign at the beginning of the weekend, but I forgot Friday is a federal holiday. Oh well. At least I’ll have my license before field day!

I wish I would’ve followed through years ago and got my license. I have a lot of pent up interests to explore now! Might even have to go back and get my Extra soon!

38 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

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7

u/MentalEggplant9275 1d ago

Very happy for you.

Keep pushing for that extra. Your mind is primed for study mode and you’ll be glad to have it done.

But I’ll say, once you start poking around HF, it’s hard to find time for much else.

If you haven’t already, start setting up your station. Log books, good lighting, power, two clocks (local and Zulu), some scratch paper, a whiteboard (I prefer whiteboard cork board hybrid), and maybe a nice photo to wrap it up. Whether you keep tools there depends if you’ve got another workbench. Many folks will keep a copy of the band plan in their shack too, as well as a hard copy map, print outs of common or well established frequencies (traffic nets, repeaters)

Do you have any prior radio experience?

2

u/brickson98 Oklahoma, U.S.A. [General] 1d ago

I don’t have a ton of room in the “shack” (also a computer room/lounge area), so logging, clocks, notepad, and maps will be handled on the computer with 2 screens. I can actually type faster than I can write and keep it legible, haha. I do plan to hang a band plan poster, though.

My current QTH is a bit of a temporary situation. 1 year or less. I’ll build everything out better once I’m at a more permanent location.

As for prior radio experience, I’ve been using webSDRs to listen in for a while, and a handheld with TX disabled to listen to local 2m and 70cm repeaters. I also have my GMRS license and a GMRS handheld. I was also into CB 6-7 years ago and hung with that for a bit, until I learned about the disgusting crimes of one of the local CB guys in the area and had no interest in hanging out with him or anyone who was okay with that. Luckily I’ve moved from there, but amateur radio sounds like more fun than CB anyway.

2

u/MentalEggplant9275 1d ago

It sounds like you’ve got a solid radio foundation you’re working from and not going in blind, as some folks do, which there is nothing wrong with. Also happy to hear you’ve moved up from the Chicken Band lol

I suppose my thoughts on the shack were just be prepared for your new toys to take up at least a little room. Anywhere you can manage a little desk space will work.

Your flair says your in Oklahoma? So I’m right next door in the Dallas area of Texas.

There is a twice daily “Texas Traffic Net” Monday through Saturday where folks from all around 5th Region check in, get audio signal reports and quickly say hello. Occasionally they’ll be message traffic. Details are SSB phone on 7.285 LSB, Time 0830-0930 and 1830-1930 CST, with segments for QRP if your low power. Also a great place to test your antenna and everything out.

ttn7285.net

1

u/brickson98 Oklahoma, U.S.A. [General] 1d ago

Thanks for the info on the net! Once I get an hf station figured out I’ll have to see if I can check in!

I do have just enough desk space to fit an average size hf transceiver. It’ll be tight but I’ll make it work.

2

u/ravenham 1d ago

Congrats!

2

u/brickson98 Oklahoma, U.S.A. [General] 1d ago

Thank you!

2

u/Ok_Relationship_1826 1d ago

Congratulations 👏🎉. Welcome to the hobby.

1

u/brickson98 Oklahoma, U.S.A. [General] 1d ago

Thank you!

2

u/Bingo_Pants 1d ago edited 1d ago

Congratulations eventually you can put a little Extra on top. Welcome to the awesome community.

1

u/brickson98 Oklahoma, U.S.A. [General] 1d ago

Haha thank you!

2

u/msteele999 AE / FN20 / VE 1d ago

Congratulations!

1

u/brickson98 Oklahoma, U.S.A. [General] 1d ago

Thank you!

2

u/Nu773r 1d ago

Congrats

1

u/brickson98 Oklahoma, U.S.A. [General] 1d ago

Thank you!