Got my element 2 Thursday night. Attempted Element 1, almost passed. (I hadn't completed my Gordon West tapes yet.)
Finished tapes today, been reviewing like mad. Can't sleep. Got a 2 hour drive ahead of me (going to Huntsville from Birmingham), gotta be there at 8am.
If I pass my Element 1 I'm gonna attempt the General test. I'm running at about an 75% pass rate on the various internet practice tests, which are basically the only study material I have.
Did I mention I'm too excited to sleep?
Sold my freebanding Ranger RCI-2970DX a week ago in preparation.
Ordered a Yaesu ft-857 w/ATAS 120, and I'm planning on buying a Yaesu VX-7R from Gigaparts while I'm up there tomorrow. (Prolly get a CW key as well, I'm anxious to CW on HF provided I pass...) I traded recently on an Icom 746 for home use as well (non-Pro model).
Gotta figure out what I'm gonna do for an antenna for that Icom, as I live in a duplex townhome. Granted, they're pretty lax here, but I can't be too conspicuous with anything...dipole stretched around the house siding with a 10m/2m combo vertical? (I mean 2 antennas on the same mast) I may be able to get away with a low mount behind the house, off the deck. It won't clear the rooftop, but at least it'll be SOMETHING.
Did I mention I'm too excited to sleep?
Anyway, just wanted to share with you guys...ex-freebander headed your way.
Wish me luck! (Please)