To whom this may concern:

I recently made the decision to become a Ham. This was not an overnight decision but more a culmination of my life's path. I think I have been a Ham at heart my whole life, but never had an elmer or a role model who could jump start my hobby. That said, I would like to take the opportunity to give my point of view and the steps I've had to take (am still taking) to become a General Class operator.

I grew up fascinated with radio. From a small boy who owned a CB to the grown man (I'm 35 years old) who lays in bed at night with an AM radio plugged in one ear, I have always been fascinated with the technology, and the idea of invisible waves propogating through the night sky. But it was not until recently that I took a look at an online test, and realized that I had the knowledge to pass the technician exam and I had the space and financial resources to become a Ham radio operator. I say I had the knowledge because I went back to school about 5 years ago and studied Electronic Engineering and Telecommunications.

So, I began studying for my exam. I took the online tests every day. I went out and bought the technician book. And I took even more online tests. I had to use the internet to look up local clubs and to find a place to test. I gathered this information from the ARRL website. It turned out the next test in my area (50 miles away), was 5 weeks out. So, I continued to study and conducted nightly searches of eBay and Rigpix to become familiar with the types of radio and equipment. As my test date neared, I decided to attend the monthly meeting of my local amateur radio club. I got in my truck and drove to the meeting site (which was wrong), it turned out no one had updated the clubs website in sometime. So, I reversed direction and headed to the other side of town to arrive, better late than never. I sat through about an hour of admin type meeting notes and voting on club officers, and special events, etc. But, I sat patiently, after all this is how one becomes a Ham, they attend a local meeting and someone will help.

Eventually the club officer called a break and the 20+ members of the club got up and began to move around the room, I stood and looked around, a little nervous being a stranger but confident that this was where I needed to be. After several minutes the club President came over to me (maybe this is why he's the club president) and began to talk with me. I told him my name and began a quickly rehearsed rundown on my credentials and my desire to be a Ham. This drew the attention of others and soon I gathered a small crowd. I mentioned I was interested in HF and that through my online investigations that I thought a Kenwood 440 or equivalent radio was what I was looking for. By shear coincidence or by divine fate, an older gentleman told me his friend had a Kenwood 440 and was near death, he was sure his wife would want to get rid of the equipment. I was excited, yet saddened. I gave my name and number to the gentleman and told him only if its convenient and only if the soon to be widow was in the state of mind. With that said, I drove home figuring I would probably never hear from the guy, but at least I had taken the steps necessary to continue with my efforts to become a licensed Ham.

The next weekend was test day. I had studied for 5 weeks now and knew the material well. Once again I was nervous, but told myself this is what I had to do to become a Ham. So I jumped in the truck and drove the 50 miles to the test center. I arrived and waited in line, eventually I handed over my 12 bucks and waited. Their were about 25 people in the room, and it took about an hour of standing around before someone called my name and handed me the test. I finished the test in about 15 minutes and handed it to someone to grade (due to poor planning and lack of real leadership), I waited another hour for someone to tell me that I had passed (I got a 100!). In all it took me 4 hours to drive to and take the test, but finally I had completed my first step to becoming a Ham.

The next week, the gentleman from the club called, and informed me his friend had become a Silent Key. I gave my regrets and told him "no hurry, that I did not want to disturb anyone who was grieving and that I could wait". He informed me the widow had called him and asked if he knew anyone who was interested in his Ham gear (once again I can't help but feel like I was on destiny's path), so he gave me directions and we planned on looking at the widow's gear the following weekend.

I drove to a retirement community and picked up the gentleman from the club and we drove to the widow's house. After several minutes of greetings and condolences, she led me to the garage where the ham gear had been packed up the previous year, when the Silent Key had become to ill to use it any longer. I carried the boxes in the house, and slowly unpacked the Kenwood 440, MC 85 desk mic, Astron 35M amp, Delta antenna switch, electronic keyer, and Benched low pass filter, she also led me to a corner of the garage where there was stored a Cushcraft R5 antenna. I was excited to finally be touching the equipment I had been dreaming about, to spin the VFO for the first time. The equipment was in very good shape, but definitely used, the Silent Key had spent many hours switching between USB and LSB, I could hardly make out the letters on the keys. After about 45 minutes of talking with the widow and the gentleman from the club, I handed over some money and eagerly loaded the boxes into my truck. Once again I was struck by the feeling that I was meant to pick up the mantle of this Silent Key, and to faithfully put his equipment to use, after all he may be silent but his spirit may still be in the radio. I dropped off the gentleman from the club and thanked him again for his time and effort, he was truly passing on the spirit of the Ham operator (perhaps I had even found an elmer).

Since that day, I have set up my shack. I drove a ground rod into the earth, I set up a ground bus for the equipment and I raised my antenna. At night I go up to the shack and I listen (after all I'm only a technician). I have become familiar with the rig and I'm trying my damnedest to listen to the veterans, to learn right from wrong, and how to properly begin a QSO, or how to call CQ. But all I can do is listen and study. I got some CW software, and the General handbook and once again spend my nights studying. The day that I can finally pick up my mic and brave the airwaves is still out there, but I'm getting closer, so If you ever hear my call, or if you catch me doing something wrong, be patient...because its taking me a long time and a lot of dedication to get to that shining moment. And while many of you think the tests are to easy, or the CW test should be harder, remember what it takes for someone to become an HF operator, and the dedication to the hobby long before someone has the right to call CQ. But most of all remember that if your hobby is going to survive it will take many more journeys by people less motivated, and perhaps less lucky than myself, because I can't help but wonder how many Silent Keys have no one to pick up there mantle.

KG6UHC