so i passed my technician exam like three weeks ago and just got my callsign last week and i've been terrified to actually key up and say anything. been listening on the local 2m repeater for days just trying to figure out how it all works. yesterday i finally just did it, called out on the repeater during what sounded like a quiet moment and this guy came back to me right away. i blanked completely on my callsign for like a full second which was embarrassing but he was super patient and we had a solid 10 minute ragchew about nothing really, just signal reports and weather and what radio i was using. i was shaking the whole time which is ridiculous because its just talking on the radio but still. anyway just wanted to share because it felt like a big deal

haha that first QSO feeling is real, dont let anyone tell you otherwise. i remember mine, i actually forgot to say my callsign at the end and the other guy had to remind me. took me like two more weeks before i stopped getting nervous every time i keyed up. you'll get used to it fast though, just keep jumping in when you hear a clear frequency

welcome to the hobby, the shaking thing is totaly normal. i was on HF for like 6 months before i worked up the nerve to call CQ on my own. just keep at it and honestly the repeater crowd is usually pretty welcoming to new calls, most of us remember what it was like starting out