What use is an F-call?

When I was learning to fly an aeroplane my instructor at the time told me that every pilot has to do something called "Going Solo", that's flying on your own for the first time. It's not the end of instruction, it's one in the path towards becoming a pilot. He also told me that this was true for pilots flying Cessna's, Boeing 747's and Space-Shuttles.

The same is true for your f-call. The time you've spent learning how Amateur Radio works, where things are written down, basic etiquette and procedure are all designed to prepare you for the wider world of Amateur Radio. Your f-call license is the first step in the process of mastering this technical hobby.

Think of your f-call as the keys to the front door. It's what allows you to participate at what ever level you'd like to. You can of course go on to get extra licenses, just like in flying, going solo is only step one on the way to the moon. The joy is in the process of discovering your niche in the path along the way.

So, your f-call is but one aspect of your hobby.

On the air last week, an amateur had purchased a radio which turned out to be not such a great bargain. Through trial and error you learn what this hobby is all about. Talking to like-minded people will help you find out what the tips and traps are.

I realise that there are more than a few listeners who either haven't got their kit ready, or if they do, are afraid to talk and use it. Over the coming months a few of us are going to get together to come up with a way that you can participate on the air without being afraid to make mistakes.

And I should also say that you should find ways of participating in events as they happen. The people turning up at those events come from all different walks of life, but they all have in common that they have an interest in this hobby of amateur radio.

I'm Onno Benschop - vk6flab