This weekend, early, in fact, Saturday morning, I go to Tomahawk, WI, to take my General class ham radio license exam. Woot, and whatnot.
I’ve been seriously studying for about a month or so, and I think I’m ready to go. You can see if you’re ready to go (or what I’m getting myself into) by checking out these practice exams that are pulled right from the actual test question pool. I’ve been doing pretty well on those practice tests, so I think I’m ready for the big time.
This new license will give me a whole lot more privileges on the air. So far, I’ve been pretty much restricted to playing with VHF radios that are more-or-less line of sight rigs. A lot depends on antenna and amplifier setup, but with the radio in my car, I can reliably get a signal out between twenty and forty miles. With my new ticket in hand (and a new radio in the house!), I’ll have potentially world-wide communication ability in the HF (think shortwave, though that’s not technically correct) radio bands.
Just think: I’ll be able to ignore my chores while yakking with someone in Europe, Aisa, or the southern Pacific who’s also ignoring chores. Booya!
Also: Kevin, this means you no longer have an excuse to wait. Heck, I’ll even send you my manual if you promise to take the dang test already.
Good “luck” on your test tomorrow!!
I have plenty of excuses. I’ve got more excuses than politicians! For one, I’ve got to write a Powerpoint for a kayaking club that I’m going to be talking to later this month. Congrats on the General class, though.