Thanks for the information.  I'm using AOL and I don't think I want to download Netscape.  I searched all of the callsign databases and found that the Buckmaster page will search the FCC database for you. I was able to get my new callsign by simply clicing on the link.

Thanks and 73 de Pat, now AD6YO :-)!

Eveytime I upgrade and try to search for it on the FCC ULS page, I can NEVER access it.  Can anyone help me out?

Thanks and 73 de Pat, KF6OTP

Hi all,

I was first licensed 4 1/2 years ago as a tech.  I didn't upgrade to tech plus until last year.  This June, I upgraded to General-- 1 day before my code CSCE was to expire.  Then this past Saturday I upgraded to Extra and applied for a systematic callsign change for the first time.  I'm happy to have gotten all of the testing out of the way.

73 de Pat, KF6OTP

Hi all,

Just wondering about when I ask for a systematic callsign change when I apply for my extra-- what will I recieve?  I haven't been able to find anything explaining it, only vanity calls.  Any info would be apreciated.

Thanks and 73 de Pat, KF6OTP!

Hi all,

Just wondering about when I ask for a systematic callsign change when I apply for my extra-- what will I recieve?  I haven't been able to find anything explaining it, only vanity calls.  Any info would be apreciated.

Thanks and 73 de Pat,KF6OTP

Good idea creating a youth forum.  Kids starting out need as much help as they can get.  I know I did, and still do sometimes.  

My name is Pat, and I'm also known as KF6OTP.  I just upgraded to General about 2 weeks ago and am currently studying in order to upgrade to Extra in 2 weeks.  I've been licensed for 4 1/2 years.

I was first licensed when I was 12.  I wasn't pulled in by a relative, I guess I found it myself.  I found an advertisement in Trains Magazine for railroad scanners and saved up for one.  I ended up purchasing a Radio Shack scanner, and I used it to listen to trains and the local airport.  I stumbled across some hams one day and became very interested.  Found info on the internet, one thing led to another, and I was licensed 3 months later.

More school clubs and more visibility is what will bring in kids.  I'm trying to start one at my high school and I know more than a 1/2 dozen that are interested.  You can pull in more this way.  Everyone my age I've talked to think ham radio is the same thing: talking with CW in the middle of the night to aliens or Russians.  If they discover that ham radio is more than that (public service, contesting, repeater use, etc), they may become interested.  

I love QRP, SSTV, PSK31 and contesting.  My HF rig is a Yaesu FT-817.  Great radio!  I'm a member of South County ARES, a group that provides communications at air shows (fun!) and other events.  I'm also a member of the Palo Alto Amateur Radio Association, LYRA and the ARRL.

I think we need to show young hams how fun ham radio is, especially when you learn CW and get on HF.  I didn't learn CW until I had my Tech license for about 3 years.  I bought a set of CW CD's but didn't open them for 6 months.  I ended up learning CW in 6 days!  We need to show people that learning CW and upgrading is not nearly as hard as it seems.  If I wasn't on HF, I don't know how interested I would still be in the hobby.  There's so much more to ham radio than HT's and repeaters.  

73 and I hope to talk to y'all soon
Pat Semansky, KF6OTP

I think the 840 is a great rig.  I use it only on 10m, with a maximum output of 20 watts.  I have QSO'd with 45 states and 19 countries with 20 watts and a hamstick antenna mounted to a gutter.  It's not an impresive setup, but I would go with the 840 unless you want to spend over $1k.  Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions. 73 and good luck looking!

Hi,

Just wondering if there's anyone out there who can help me out with my Yaesu FT-50 question.

I just bought one, and I'm wondering if i should purchase the programming software as well.  How hard is the radio to program manually?

Thanks and 73 de Pat, KF6OTP

Hi Dave,

I used the ARRL's "Your Introduction to Morse Code" CD's.  They were great.  I spent two 15 minute sessions listening to as many CD tracks as i could in the first 15 minute session.  Later in the day, I'd go over those tracks again.  I got through the CD's in 5 days, and spent one more day reviewing, and passed the test on the seventh day.  

The most important part is to put the damn CD into the CD player and press play.  It took me 6 months to do just that. Once you get going, it's not only so much easier than people say, it's actually fun.  People seem to hype how hard it is to learn CW, mostly businesses, so you'll buy their products, but it's so much easier and fun than they say.  

I'll bet when you get on HF, you'll continue to use CW.  And remember-- it took me SIX MONTHS to put the CD's in my CD player, and SIX DAYS to learn it CW.

73 and good luck-- and see you on HF hehe.
Pat, KF6OTP

Hi,

I'm a junior at a high school in San Jose, CA.  I've posted this message in a few places, trying to find the best place to post it hehe.  There is no ham radio club at the school (there was one that folded 18 years ago) so I would like to restart the club.  If there are any hams out there who had any experience starting, running, or just being in a school ham radio club, I'd love to talk to you.  

Thanks, and 73 de Pat Semansky, KF6OTP.

Hi,

I'm a junior at a high school in San Jose, CA.  There is no ham radio club at the school (there was one that folded 18 years ago) so I would like to restart the club.  If there are any hams out there who had any experience starting and running a school ham radio club, or just being in one, I'd love to talk to you.  

Thanks, and 73 de Pat Semansky, KF6OTP!