so i passed my technician exam on the 14th and just got my callsign in the ULS a few days ago. spent most of the week just listening on the 2m repeater in my area trying to figure out how people actually talk on these things vs what the study materials say lol

anyway today i just keyed up and said my callsign and that i was new and honestly wasnt sure anyone would respond but this older guy came back to me and we talked for like 20 minutes about antennas and he lives like 4 miles away. felt pretty surreal honestly. been studying for this for months and it was just like... oh that actually worked

not really asking anything just wanted to share i guess, this hobby is weird in a good way

congrats man, that first contact feeling doesnt really go away even after years of doing this. well maybe a little but the first one is something else. the elmer thing is real too, most of the old timers on repeaters are genuinely happy to talk to new folks, just keep keying up and youll find your people. whats your general area if you dont mind me asking, always curious where new hams are popping up

ha i remember my first QSO, i was shaking a little honestly. messed up my callsign on the first try. welcome to the hobby, it only gets more expensive from here