My first Contact

[KF5BET]

Ok so I know its not very exciting to most of you guys, but I had my first official contact this morning on the way to work.

I finally got the kenwood back together after putting new pilot lamps in (thanks Andy you were a big help). Put the radio in the truck, but had problems with the antenna.

After a couple of tries (and different antennas). I moved the mag mount to the very middle of the roof (f250 crew). Wow what a difference. All of a sudden there were people on the local repeater that I could hear.

One of the instructors checked in and I was able to make his contact.

I can see where this can get exciting (it's the small things in life for me).

I am not crazy about the mag mount on the roof and the coax rubbing on the paint, so I might change the antenna. Not sure at this point.

Anyway, I think that I am getting hooked on all of this... I took a practice test for the general ticket last night (not so good 60%) but not too bad for no studying whatsover.

Thanks fo letting me rant. Will check in every so often, but all of my spare time is consumed with the MIL house right now trying to get it on the market (wish us luck).

Galen

[One Country Boy]

Congratulations Galen, you will always remember that "first contact". The center of that rooftop gives you a much better groundplane effect. Therefore better performance transmit and receive. You're hooked now !!! That trip back and forth to work won't seem near as long now with someone riding with you.

~Jim~

[TXiceman]

Congrats on the contact. Wait until you can make your first DX contact...One of my early 20m contacts was Moscow.

Now go study for that General exam.

Ken

[Andy N1ORK]

Congrats Galen!
Glad to hear my info helped. Once you get your general, maybe we'all can meet up on 20m sometime. Jim and I have tried on 40m, but we've had trouble connecting up.
73
Andy - n1ork