Peter,
Welcome to the list and to the hobby. I am sure that you will enjoy
yourself. I have had since 1957, when I got my call. So perhaps I
am even older than you!! I was 71 last September. I'm not quite
retired - work at a local center for independent living. I have been
there for the past six years. Starting in 1968 I wrote mainframe
software for over twenty-five years and then owned coffee shops in
several commuter train stations on a line going in to Chicago. I
have ham radio, am a reader and would find other things to do during
the day, but still enjoy getting out of the house. Due to state
funding cuts we are working a four day week and I have learned to
really enjoy my Friday off. So until Illinois figures its way out of
the financial mess it is in, I suppose we will continue reduced
hours. We are not a state agency but get state funding for a number
of things that we do for the state. Our state payments are six to
nine months behind.
My wife has her Extra class license but her interest in computers has
pretty well taken over her interest. I finally got my Extra about
twenty-five years ago just ahead of when my wife got hers, after
nineteen months of being a ham. Couldn't let her get there first
now, could I!!
Enough; glad to have you with us. Great list and a lot of ham expertise here.
Pat Byrne, K9JAUAt 06:01 PM 11/20/2011, you wrote:
>Hi again Peter,
>
>I just got my Extra license about 18 months ago by studying the materials
>from HandiHams. I held the Advanced class since a Junior in High School.
>The study material from HandiHams is very useful. After you go through the
>series of lectures then you should download the FCC sample questions and go
>through them several times. Next, there are some online practice tests that
>mimic the real thing. After passing the practice tests 5 to 10 times you
>are more than ready for the real thing.
>
>If you study for 1 to 2 hours per day, you will have your ticket by
>Christmas.
>
>Good Luck
>
>Howard,WA9YBW
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Peter Slowkowski" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Sunday, November 20, 2011 5:51 PM
>Subject: Newbie to Ham radio and the list
>
>
> > Hello,
> >
> > Special thanks to Tom KB8TYJ and Howard W A 9 Y B W. Thanks for the
> > welcome to this discussion list. I really appreciate it.
> > Right now all of this study material and information seems a bit
> > overwelming but I've set up a daily schedule to tackle the online lectures
> > I
> > have from HandiHam.
> > I joined HandiHam a few weeks ago.
> > From the few discussion threads I've read here in the past few days, it
> > is obvious that there is a wealth of knowledge and experience by members
> > of
> > the list. This is quite a valuable resource.
> > It appears that I am even older than Howard but with no Ham experience at
> > all. I am retired and live in Berea, Ky, with my wife who completely
> > supports my new interest in Ham radio. Thanks in advance for your
> > patience
> > and encouragement.
> > Happy Thanksgiving!
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