u/brickson98

I'm a pretty new ham. Just got licensed the 19th of last month. General class. I've been participating in the 13 colonies special event. It was all smooth sailing until I got down to 2 standard stations left. Folks tailgating when they can't actually hear the calling station, purposefully waiting for a weaker station to reply to the call to step on them, tuning up for extended periods of time right on frequency, arguing over everyone, replying when the given partial call isn't even close to theirs, etc... Namely the pileups for K2C.

It just seems like, compared to the first majority of stations I worked through pileups for in the first few days of the event, it's been the wild west for K2C. Feels like I'm back on CB trying to "shoot skip" on CH6 or something. Countless stations keying up over the event station, laying down a 1 minute or more CW carrier, etc... Seems like all the studying I did about good operating practice and hams policing each other just went out the window. Feels like I'm hanging out on 7200 or something.

Is this just the norm for big special events like this? Do I just need to accept that this is how special events go and get over it? Idk, maybe I am just overreacting but it feels so contrary to everything I learned while studying to get my license, and everything I've experienced elsewhere since I've been licensed. Heck, even since I started listening via webSDRs years ago.

I just wrapped up my online test session with Tennessee Valley Exam Team. They were super easy to work with, and very friendly.

I was pretty nervous about the General test, as I’ve been slacking on my studying over the past week. But I wound up passing my tech with 100%, and my General with 88.57%. What’s funny is that’s two questions lower than my worst practice test score. I think I was just nervous and started overthinking a few questions.

I was hoping to have my callsign at the beginning of the weekend, but I forgot Friday is a federal holiday. Oh well. At least I’ll have my license before field day!

I wish I would’ve followed through years ago and got my license. I have a lot of pent up interests to explore now! Might even have to go back and get my Extra soon!

Now, for my question: If I have to choose between ONLY 20m or ONLY 40m, which should I go with? I like the idea of regional ragchew, but DXing sounds fun too. However, I don’t think I’ll be able to get too far with DXing under average conditions with the space I currently have (antenna height limitations).

I also lied… I have two questions. My second question is: Does anyone have experience with the Radioddity HF-010? If so, what are your opinions? I ask because I think I’m getting the POTA itch.

I just wrapped up my online test session with Tennessee Valley Exam Team. They were super easy to work with, and very friendly.

I was pretty nervous about the General test, as I’ve been slacking on my studying over the past week. But I wound up passing my tech with 100%, and my General with 88.57%. What’s funny is that’s two questions lower than my worst practice test score. I think I was just nervous and started overthinking a few questions.

I was hoping to have my callsign at the beginning of the weekend, but I forgot Friday is a federal holiday. Oh well. At least I’ll have my license before field day!

I wish I would’ve followed through years ago and got my license. I have a lot of pent up interests to explore now! Might even have to go back and get my Extra soon!