Hey all,
Name's Eli, 20 years old, new (freshly licensed) op in California.
I'm posting this because quite frankly, I don't know where to start. I've had my license since the early part of the summer, but haven't gotten on the air yet because of two reasons - one, the price of most transceivers deters 20-year-old college students, and two, not knowing what the first contact is like and how on-the-air is conducted worries me that I'll make a fool out of myself or violate some unspoken etiquette rule as soon as I key up.
I've read the ARRL guide on first contact, but I'd like to hear from people as to what their advice and/or experiences are with it (that being said, if you even remember it!) - is it understandable to feel nervous beforehand? What's it like, in a nutshell?
I finally broke down last night and got a UV5R. I've been doing some lurking on the community for a long time, and I figured if I was too cheap to wing the $40 I paid for it, it'd be surprising that a roof is above my head. I know cheap is as cheap sounds, but I need something that can get me exposure and on the air while I try to mount the $600+ for a full-fledged transceiver.
That is another thing - as far as "basic" or entry-level transceivers are concerned, what do you all recommend? I have my eye on the IC-718 - thoughts?
New person; many questions.
73,
Eli
KK6FVT
