so i passed my technician exam last tuesday and got my callsign friday. spent the weekend just listening on the local repeater and honestly was too nervous to key up for like two days. finally just did it saturday afternoon, said my callsign and someone came back to me within like 30 seconds. guy named Ron, KD9 something, super friendly, we talked for maybe 10 minutes about nothing really, just the weather and what radio i was using. i have a baofeng uv-5r which i know everyone has opinions about but it was $25 and it works so whatever. anyway just wanted to say hi to the forum, been lurking here for a few months while i was studying. still figuring out how everything works but its way more fun than i expected once you actually get on the air

congrats on the ticket. that first QSO feeling is something else, you never really forget it. i remember mine was on a repeater in 2003 and i was so nervous i forgot my own callsign for a second, had to look at the paper i had taped to the desk. dont worry about the baofeng stuff, get comfortable first and worry about gear later. whats your general area if you dont mind me asking, might be some nets nearby worth checking out

welcome welcome. yeah the first time keying up is lowkey terrifying for no real reason lol. i did the same thing, just listened forever. Ron sounds like good people, theres always someone on the repeaters willing to chat with a new ham. have you thought about HF at all or just sticking with 2m for now