In The Beginning....

Well as of April 7th, I am a Ham Radio Operator!  I started thinking about being a Ham way back in High School in the mid 90's.  My Grandpa got his No Code Tech License, and I had really considered getting one myself.  I was more interested in the long distance communications, which would require a higher license level.  Those would require a Mores Code test, and that really intimidated me.  So I didn't pursue getting my license at that time.  Over the years I had thought about it, but always stopped at the Mores Code requirement.

Fast forward several year!  Things had changed a lot in about 15 years, or so.  I was now a Mac user, had my own D-SLR camera, owned a house, and I'd started watching a Netcasting Network called TWiT!!  Owned & operated by Leo LePorte (Tech TV, ZD TV, The Screen Savers, & Call For Help), TWiT produces Netcasts about technology, and just about anything electronic.  I started watching for info about Macintosh Computers, and then Apple's iPad Tablet.  Man was I floored when he started talking about doing a show about Ham Radio!

Leo had been talking to Bob Heil, maker of high end microphones, and a legend in the professional music industry!  Bob had been wanting to do a podcast about Ham Radio, having been a dedicated Ham since he was a teenager!  So Ham Nation was born!!  I have watched/listened since the very first show, and was again floored when I heard that the FCC had dropped the Mores Code requirements for all of the license classes.  I immediately began thinking about finally getting serious about getting my license.  So I watched all the episodes of Ham Nation, but never did go through with getting study materials due to a busy life, but still intending to get to it very soon.

Well on March 9th of this year, I was hospitalized with sever shortness of breath, and chest pains!  I was afraid that I may have had, or was close to having a hear attack.  I'm only 32, I couldn't really be having a heart attack could I?  I had a couple EKG's, a chest X-Ray, and a CAT Scan to make sure there wasn't any blood clots in my lung.  After several hours in the ER, I was finally admitted, and spent 6 days in the hospital.  The diagnosis was Congestive Heart Failure, believed to be caused by a virus that attacked & weakened my heart muscle.  Thankfully my Cardiologist is very optimistic that I will make a full recovery!  But I was told very early that I would probably be off work for 90 days, and have to do 12 weeks of Cardio Rehab.  Adjusting medication, diet, and the exercise should restrengthen the muscle.

So while I was contemplating what I would do while I was off work, I decided to get my Tech License under my belt!  I had been talking already with members of the Southwest Missouri Amateur Radio Club (SMARC), and one of the officers notified the members of the Club's Facebook Page that there would be a 2 day class/testing session for the Tech License.  I signed up, I'd already ordered Gordon West's Tech Study Guide which was being used in the class.  The class dates were March 31st, and April 7th.  i attended both classes, and took my test following the second session.  I am proud that I past my test, having missed only two questions!  It took me a few weeks to get my Call Sign in the FCC database due to a paperwork mix up, but I finally got my Call Sign!  I currently have a Yaesu FT-60R Handy Talkie, and I am loving it!  I have also attended my first  SMARC meeting, and plan to become a paying member of the club as soon as I can do so.

As for HF, I do have a radio waiting for me.  My Grandfather has a Kenwood TS-820 that he used to use, but doesn't anymore.  When I told him that I was going to get my License, he told me that I could have it.  I haven't gotten it home yet, but I plan to before the first of June.  I have a 10 meter dipole antennae already, thanks to Mr. Bob Heil himself!  Around the time of I was taking my Class in April, I started emailing Bob, and have gotten the opportunity to meet him in person twice!  He is such a great man, and very genuine.  He acts in person exactly as he does on Ham Nation, and is becoming a very good friend!  I had mentioned in an email that I was going to try to make a dipole for 10 meters to get the Kenwood going by the first of June.  I was very surprised when a couple days later Bob presented me with a 10 meter dipole that he had made for me!!  I can't wait to get it up in my back yard, and will have a blast working contacts with it!!  I'm hoping to work some of the Navy Ships that are taking part in the Museum Ship Special Event coming up the first of June!

So That's the beginning of my Ham Adventures!  Sorry for the kind of long post, I'll try to keep them smaller next time, and add some pics to break things up a little bit.  I'm going to try to post weekly, and will include some Ham news, as well as my personal journeys!  I may post more often if there are things going on, but will post something, even if it's just me saying hi!  I'm going to set up a email account so that people in the Ham community can easily email me, and for readers of my blog.  That will be coming very soon!  Well I'm getting ready to go to the SMARC meeting in about an hour.  I need to finish up this post, and get going.  Hope everyone has a great rest of the weekend!!  :-)

73 to everyone, from KD0RSJ