so i finally did it after putting it off for like two years, passed the technician exam at the library VE session yesterday and got my callsign this morning. KD9 something, still getting used to saying it out loud lol. i have a baofeng uv-5r that my brother in law gave me ages ago and i've been listening for weeks but haven't actually keyed up yet. there's a local 2m repeater that sounds pretty active in the mornings, i think i know how to use the CTCSS tone but honestly not 100% sure i have it right. anyway just wanted to introduce myself and also ask if theres anything i should know before i make that first call. im terrified of messing something up and sounding dumb

welcome to the hobby man, dont sweat it at all. everyone sounds a little weird their first time on the air, thats just how it goes. just key up during a lull and say your callsign and that youre a new ham looking to make a contact. most folks on a local repeater are gonna be super welcoming. and yeah double check that tone, a lot of repeaters list it on repeaterbook.com if you dont have the info already. worst case you key up and nobody hears you, no big deal just try again.

oh hey i was in the exact same spot about 8 months ago, baofeng and everything. my first contact i literally wrote out what i was going to say on a notepad beforehand which felt ridiculous but it helped. the guys on my local repeater were really patient. you'll be fine just do it, the longer you wait the more you'll overthink it