so i finally did it after putting it off for like two years, passed the technician exam last tuesday and got my callsign a few days later. spent the weekend just listening on the 2m repeater in my area and then yesterday i just went for it and keyed up and someone actually came back to me. older guy named Harold, he was super patient with me stumbling through my first exchange lol. i dont even remember half of what i said i was so nervous. but it counted right

anyway just wanted to share because i feel like nobody in my real life gets it. my wife thinks im obsessed with a walkie talkie. whats the first contact you guys remember making

congrats man, that first QSO feeling is something else. mine was on a HT through a repeater too, i was shaking a little bit which is embarrassing to admit. the guy on the other end probably had no idea i was freaking out. Harold sounds like a solid elmer, good ones are hard to find sometimes

and yeah the wife thing... my family still doesnt fully understand why i have an antenna on the roof but they tolerate it so thats good enough i guess

welcome to the hobby, just wait till you try HF and work somebody in another country for the first time, thats when it really gets you. i still remeber my first DX contact and it was just some guy in canada but i was absolutely thrilled anyway