Amateur (Ham) Radio License?

Both of my parents are Ham Radio operators. I grew up with early morning/late night CQ being called by my Dad. I recall Dad paying attention to the weather forecast, sunspot activity, the atmosphere, bouncing signals and chatter.

CQ, CQ, CQ...calling CQ. That was my lullaby many a hot summer night...

I have so many happy memories associated with the sound of Dad downstairs calling CQ, listening to him tapping out Morse code, tune his rig, calling CQ, going outside to mess with his antenna, calling CQ and then finally laughing a really hearty big old bear laugh when an English speaking person in Kuala Lampur or some other exotic locale on this great planet Earth responded to him. I would listen to their chatter, not always understanding the lingo, but somehow some of it must have sunk in.

Many of my parents friends were Ham operators, and they frequently visited our house. Some of them I never even knew had real names...I only knew them by their call signs. CMD. YGG. BZU. (said "bazoo"). Some of their "names" are lost to my middle aged brain...but what fun these people were. They were an eclectic group of hippies, entrepreneurs, nerds, weirdos and normal blue-collar workers. There's even a millionaire in there whose name would be known to quite a few people for an invention he created that allows me now to type this post! And he sat at my childhood dinner table more than once! :))

At any rate, I've recently gotten back in touch with a couple of the Hams from those days and I have been challenged to sit for my Amateur Radio License. So...I went to www.qrz.com last night to take a practice test. I thought what the heck...it can't hurt. So I took the first 5 tests for Technician and my overall score was around 71%. Not too bad for someone who never studied for the test. Never really had interest in it to be honest, but a challenge is a challenge.

I suspect I learned a lot more than anyone would have thought during those late nights listening to Dad call CQ or listening to him and Mom have "ham" conversations with their friends. I soaked up something...because I understood all of the FCC rules questions, and a good deal of the theory and electronics. I was quite impressed with myself. But....I need to study now, because 71% isn't going to land my Technician license.

So, this is now a goal I've set for myself. My friend HGO said if I get my license, he'll loan me a radio (because one of those gizmos is certainly NOT in my budget). I suspect it would surprise the heck out of my Dad if I made contact with him under my own call sign, and make him darn proud too. Probably surprise a few of the other old timer Hams who know me too, like CMD, and especially IZR and UKW.

So, a challenge is a challenge. A goal is a goal. Before the end of this year, I intend to have my Amateur radio operators license.

Wish me luck. This is for my Dad...hope it makes you proud Daddy.

I love you! :))