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Old 12-05-2012, 09:22 AM   #1
W3TLN
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Default Newbie Oldbie

First became interested in amateur radio in 1958. There was a ham on my paper route. Still remember his call. It was W3AEN. He had a Heathkit DX100 and a Hallicrafters SX99. He would invite me to come over in the evenings. My Dad and I built a Allied Ocean Hopper receiver and I became an avid SWL. Still have the QSL cards I received and I had my own SWL-W3 cards printed.

Discovered cars and girls, busy college years, got married, new house at 25 and 2 children and ham radio took a back seat to other interests. Twice during those years I joined ARRL and would read QST. Bought a code oscillator, test question books, etc. but never took the final step.

Retired in 2001 and bought an RV and started to spend 5+ winter months in FL. Developed a friendship there with another RVer that also was a ham.

In January of 2012 I was reading the Crystal River, FL newspaper and saw a notice that the Citrus County Amateur Radio Club was having a two Saturday Technician class. I enrolled and past the test. I was elated that after 54 years I finally had a license.

Came home in April and ordered some new gear from AES and a couple other suppliers. Changed my KB3YBO assigned call to the vaniity W3TLN. I had thought about applying for my original elmer's call of W3AEN but opted for my initials instead.

I also joined the local ham club, Skyview Radio Society. I had belonged to the processor of this club in 1959! I had been on their yahoo mailing list for 5 or 6 years. Skyview is a very active club with a super club house and a great radio room with 4 or 5 operating positions. Started to attend their weekly meeting and got lots of help and advice.

I operate 10, 6, 2m and 440. I like HF SSB but the Tech privileges limit me to 10m.

I plan to upgrade to General in the next few months.

So I consider myself a Newbie Oldie or a Oldie Newbie.

-Tom, W3TLN

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Old 12-05-2012, 10:48 AM   #2
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Welcome aboard, Tom.
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Old 12-05-2012, 11:08 AM   #3
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Welcome to ORR.

Ken
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Old 12-05-2012, 11:12 AM   #4
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Hi Tom. Welcome. I got my first ticket in 1961. Then several years in the military, school, and many years of work. One of the first things that I did when I retired was get my license again. The new, no code tests were a breeze. As soon as I get a break from my fishing schedule, I'll take the extra test. A few days of study and you'll be ready for the general test. Good luck.
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Old 12-05-2012, 06:22 PM   #5
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Good for you go for the General! I retired last Nov. and after 22+ years as a tech I had the time to upgrade to General and have been enjoying every minute of it and will take the Extra next month. All though I remained active in the hobby in the 6 meter to 10 gig stuff and am the tech for the local club I now can't wait to turn on the HF in the truck and see who is out there in some place far away I really enjoy mobile hamming.
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Old 12-05-2012, 06:25 PM   #6
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Hey Ken I think K9WOF is an open call I have 2 Great Danes I might apply for that one!
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Old 12-05-2012, 10:15 PM   #7
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Welcome aboard Tom.

I grew up listening to hams (my uncle and cousins). I always wanted to be one, but there was no one in my town that was a ham.

Fast forward 4 years ago...my daughter and her best friend took a technician class as part of their science class and I joined in. We all three passed and it has been all things ham since then.

Grab that General and HF gets really fun. My oldest daughter just upgraded to General a couple of months ago and now we are working on the youngest.

Enjoy your time on the air.
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Old 12-06-2012, 06:27 AM   #8
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Welcome aboard Tom! I got my Novice in '62-'63 (KN1WNW) and let that pass till I got Tech Plus in '76 (WA1PNI). Got grandfathered to general in '01 (N1CJG), passed the Extra in '06 and took the call N1ORK. Enjoy the HF bands and go for your Extra, you'll enjoy the extra frequencies.
73!



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Old 12-06-2012, 07:28 PM   #9
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Tom, you in Chiefland now? I am in Clermont.

JIM
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Old 03-19-2014, 10:36 AM   #10
W3TLN
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Finally, upgrade to General last Sat.

-Tom, W3TLN
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Old 03-19-2014, 11:15 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by W3TLN View Post
Finally, upgrade to General last Sat.

-Tom, W3TLN
Congrat's.

Now the fun begins.
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Old 03-19-2014, 12:10 PM   #12
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Congratulations!
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Old 03-19-2014, 03:59 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by W3TLN View Post
Finally, upgrade to General last Sat.

-Tom, W3TLN
Congrats Tom!
Hope you try HF, it's lots of fun chasing DX and getting QSL cards. If you haven't yet, try eQSL, it's like getting QSLs without the postage expense.

73!



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Old 03-20-2014, 06:17 AM   #14
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Allied Ocean Hopper........

My first Shortwave receiver was the Knight Kit Star Roamer from Allied Radio.

I had a chance to replace it a few years back but alas was short on cash that day.. That was a nice radio in many respects, Many hours of enjoyment.
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Old 03-20-2014, 06:50 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wa8yxm View Post
My first Shortwave receiver was the Knight Kit Star Roamer from Allied Radio.

I had a chance to replace it a few years back but alas was short on cash that day.. That was a nice radio in many respects, Many hours of enjoyment.
Search eBay, (Knight,Allied) Star Roamer and you can replace it quite inexpensively. Four or five of them, and tube sets for them, and manuals, nothing over $50 at the moment.
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