KZ4LY

I gave up on amateur radio in junior high school. I couldn't reach even 4WPM morse code, which I was learning visually from flash cards. In my second half century, I (like many others) saw hams contributing to disaster communications and wanted to be prepared to help, and learned that morse was no longer a requirement. I took the advice to first pass the tests and then learn at my leisure, passed the tests on 5 October 2024, and was assigned KZ4LY on 8 October.

I thought when I started that I wanted to focus on FM voice on VHF, and maybe SSB voice and data chat modes on HF, at least where supported by Open Source software (not much interest in proprietary protocols). Expected to do text chat using js8call. Couldn't really see the attraction of FT8. Signed up for Brandmeister to use DMR, but given that it mostly seems to be just another way of doing VOIP that in a few cases involves some amateur radio endpoints, my interest was slight and short-lived. Checked into VHF voice nets, but just in-and-out because I didn't have anything to say for rag chew sessions.

But as I heard the repeaters indentifying in morse code, I wanted to know what they were saying, and got sucked in. I got started on Koch/Farnsworth training at LCWO. Then I started to use Morse Code for Android to drill character recognition, IZ2UUF Morse Koch CW for head copy practice, and Morsle for short fun word drills in spare moments.

In the meantime, I have occasionally used FT8 and have a few contacts, but to my surprise I've found myself spending most of my energy on learning CW, with a goal of casual QSOs on HF, and probably hunting POTA. I can imagine QRP operation in my future.

It will be interesting to see how this mixes into my other hobbies. I enjoy 3D printing and (mostly manual) machining. My first CW key is a 3D-printed single-lever paddle, and I expect to start machining my own designs at some point. Radio has rekindled an interest in electronic circuit design as well. I don't know much there, but I've started brushing off the rust!