What use is an F-call?

In the last few minutes I've spoken with an Amateur in Kansas, a couple in Port Pirie and a few in Perth, all within the same conversation. That sums up Amateur Radio for me in a nutshell.

Where else can you speak, real-time, with people across the planet, hear their voice, listen to their story and react as it occurs to you?

Amateur Radio is many things for different people. It is that way because there is no barrier to entry. If you can pass your test, you can become an Amateur. It means that people come at this hobby with different experiences, different expectations, different skills and different languages.

If you've had your license for a little while, you might have gotten to a stage where you wonder, "What Next?" - is this hobby really for me, or is it just another one that I started all excitedly and then got bored with?

I cannot stop your boredom, but I can encourage you to have a look around in the vast expanse that represents Amateur Radio. From making contacts across the planet, to building radios and inventing stuff, from going camping, to socialising over a cup of coffee, from having lunch to participating in a contest, there is such a range of things to do that it boggles the mind.

If you're stuck in a rut, I recommend that you try something else associated with Amateur Radio. If you've never done a contest, "because it's just not you", then I'd like to encourage you to try it anyway. If you know a couple of Amateurs, have lunch, or dinner, or coffee, or drinks, whatever. Talk about Amateur Radio.

Find the spark that represents what Amateur Radio means for you. I can guarantee that there is something here for everyone.

I'm Onno VK6FLAB