What use is an F-call?

Since I started in Amateur Radio, in November 2010, barely a minute and a half ago when compared with the history of this hobby, I've been involved in many different activities. Last week I had the opportunity to sit down and have a think about what that entailed for me.

I've been doing lots of things, partly because I'm likely to jump in head first into any new adventure, and partly because I want to get a feel for what Amateur Radio can be.

I'm going to list some of the things I've done, not to brag about them, but to attempt to share what you might do to expand your personal involvement with this fantastic hobby.

I purchased a radio after finding out about online sites like eham and qrz, where other amateurs congregate to share their opinion.

I participated in about five or so contests, ranging from smaller to large, on my own and as a member of a team, with low power, or high power, portable and in well appointed shacks.

I attended two WIA conferences, organised one of them, was the President of a club for a year, produced the weekly news for two years, recorded this segment for two years, hosted a weekly net for two years and visited new students whilst they were learning about becoming an Amateur.

I helped with an ARISS contact in the Northbridge Piazza, maintain several Amateur Radio websites, answer questions from hams around the country and participated in two or was it three Jamborees On The Air.

I was part of several field days, camped out with friends and set-up portable stations, have a weekly amateur radio lunch, built antennas and testing equipment, wrote articles, went to swap meets, attended many club meetings, started learning Morse, made several QRP DXCC contacts, won awards and received accolades and still I cannot quench the thirst for this hobby.

You might be listening to this list and get exhausted. Even saying this out loud is pretty insane to me, but the intent is to highlight what is possible within this magical adventure that's called Amateur Radio.

I'm very fortunate. I'm self-employed, don't have kids and have a very, very understanding XYL. Some of the activities I did with much help from the community and other amateurs who showed the way or helped me out.

I'd never tell you to get off your Alpha Romeo Sierra Echo, instead, next time you're bored, next time you're unsure what to do, go out and participate, be part of the community, get going, build stuff, meet people, get on air.

No-one is stopping you.

I'm Onno VK6FLAB