so i passed my technician exam on the 14th and been lurking on the local 146.520 simplex frequency just listening for a few days before i worked up the nerve to actually key up. finally did it yesterday, just said my callsign and that i was a new ham looking for a contact. guy came back almost immediately, we talked for maybe 10 minutes about nothing in particular, his antenna setup i think, and honestly i was so nervous i dont even remember half of what he said but it was great. hands were literally shaking a little when i was transmitting which is ridiculous because its just talking on a radio but whatever. anyway just wanted to share because i feel like ive been reading this forum for months leading up to my test and it feels good to finally have something to post about

congrats and welcome, that first contact feeling is something else isnt it. i still remember mine, i was on 40m ssb and completely fumbled my callsign twice before the other guy just waited patiently and then said good job for getting on the air. the nervousness goes away pretty quick once you do it a few more times. keep at it, 2m simplex is a good place to start but once you upgrade and get on HF youre in for a whole different world

haha the shaky hands thing is real, happened to me too. welcome to the hobby