I passed my technician’s test in March. I was given my first call sign, KC3YQI on 3/13/2024. I wanted to take some time to reflect on the past year and look ahead to see where I want to go next.

# My journey to Extra

Let’s go way back to my introduction to amateur radio. As a kid, I was obsessed with aviation. I’d spend hours flying around in Chuck Yeager’s Flight Simulator. My dad told me about Civil Air Patrol, and I was eager to join up as soon as I turned 13.

There was an amateur radio station at the clubhouse and the cadets were getting their licenses to operate it. I was more interested in flying than radio, so I only gave it a passing glance. I overheard them talking about packet radio and as a computer nerd, this pique my interest, but not enough. Although I didn’t get hooked back then, it planted the seed.

Some time ago, back when I was still on TikTok, I came across two TikTokers. The first was a live stream of someone at Sandy Point State Park. He was on a park bench making contacts. I had no idea what he was doing or why he was doing it. All I knew was he looked cold. I now know that he was activating the park. I wish I knew who he is, this live stream became a core memory.

The second TikToker was Glam Ham who recommended W3EEY’s free online course. At the time, Gary was in the middle of the session, so I subscribed to his channel and moved on.

Fast-forward to January 2024, and while scrolling YouTube, I saw that his winter session had just started. Ten weeks later, I was taking my technician’s test on 3/10. It wasn’t the fastest way to pass the test, but I feel like I learned a lot.

I crammed for my General using a combination of AnkiWeb, W3EEY’s vidoes, and HamStudy.org. I passed it on 4/20/2024 (nice). I was pretty content with General, but decided I’d study for my Extra and take it during Field Day in June. The primary reason I wanted my Extra was to become a VE to help administer tests.

# Make contacts, making making contacts

Looking at my log, It looks like I was eager to get on the air. I made my first contact with N3COB via the K3VB repeater on 3/16/2024. Like many folks, I made this contact with a UV-5R variant, a GT-5R. I timidly keyed up and said, “This is KC3YQI looking to make my first contact”. Glenn responded quickly, and we had a short conversation about where we were each located. That was it, I was hooked.

I was fortunate to have gotten a decent refund check last year, so I was able to grab an FT-991A and a PSU. I also bought a signal staff and put it up on an 8-foot pole. It is not nearly high enough, but it works well enough to get me on the local repeaters. My next goal was to do POTA. I watched KB9VBR’s videos on YouTube, and really wanted to go play radio in the park.

It looked like most folks used end-feed half-wave antennas (EFHW) while at the park. So I found plans online how to build one, I sourced the parts on Amazon. This was a mistake. If you’re looking to build an EFHW, just buy a kit from a fellow ham. They’re getting bulk pricing. You will save money and gain the same experience of learning how to love or hate winding toroids. If you source your parts online, you’ll end up spending more and have a box of extra parts you’ll never use. At any rate. I love my little pink princess of an end fed. We’ve activated many parks together. Speaking of activations, my first activation was at US-1596, Seneca Creek Park on 4/14/2024, only a month after getting my ticket.

I made a total of 11 contacts that afternoon. For my second activation, I brought the family out. The 10m band conditions must of been bad because I called out and called out and no one responded. I bored my son and other kiddo. After a couple of minutes of nothing, they went off to wander in the wood. I tried to show them the exciting world of radio, only to show them nothing.

At home, I was making 10m contacts using what I called the “jank-tenna”. I wanted to see what was the minimum I needed to get on the air. It was literally two 5m wires attached to a SO-239 bulkhead connector. I strung it up between two old tomato posts. It was no more than 7-8 feet in the air. Despite being too low, I was able to make contacts all over the globe with this antenna. When I was just getting started, I’d annoy other hams by asking, “would this work?”, “would that work?”. More often than not, their response would be, “Just try it”. I did not think this janktenna just 8 feet off of the ground would work, but after trying it, sure enough it did. “Just try it” has been my mantra this year of radio.

I learned a valuable lesson with that antenna. When going outside to adjust an antenna, be sure to click “Halt TX” and disconnect it. I hope that is the first and last time I take 50W of FT8 to the thumb.

Other than minor injuries, most of what I’ve gotten out of amateur radio is the new people I’ve met. I’ve made friends all over the world, as far as Australia.

Both the Mastodon.radio community and Pride Radio Groupdiscord have been very welcoming. Despite the reputation of amateur radio being a bunch of closed-minded preppers, these kind people have shown me that amateur radio is a lot more diverse than I initially thought. They also taught me that this is my hobby, I deserve to enjoy it.

## Goals for 2025

1. Make a contact via the ISS APRS digipeater
2. Work a Satellite
3. Get more involved with https://mcacs.net/
4. Build a QMX
5. Make my first CW QSO
6. Learn how to use more digital modes
7. Activate a Summit
8. Do a foxhunt
9. Figure out what the heck GNU Radio is

Here’s to another year of learning!