007 A Burning Desire for HF: How POTA and Passion Drove Me to Get My General License
In this episode, I share the story of my recent journey toward earning my General HAM Radio License and how my experience in the Parks on the Air (POTA) program motivated me to fully commit to passing the exam. You'll hear about my study techniques, my unexpected weekend adventure with a seasoned HAM operator, and how it all culminated in acing the exam. Introduction: Recap of last week’s episode where I mentioned I was hesitant but had signed up to take my General HAM Radio exam. I talk about how I was initially unsure if I wanted to pursue the General License because I already had privileges with my Technician license on the 10-meter band. Parks on the Air (POTA) Experience: On Saturday, September 14th, I had an unexpected and life-changing experience. While studying, I heard Tim Lawrence, W4TWL, call out on the radio. He was heading to a park for POTA. For those unfamiliar, POTA is a program where HAM radio operators set up their rigs in state or national parks to make contacts. It’s a fun way to explore radio communication in the great outdoors. My First Hands-On POTA Experience: When I arrived, I saw Tim’s full setup: an extendable mast, dipole antenna, battery, and his Icom 7000 radio. It was simple yet incredibly effective. Tim explained the basics of POTA and allowed me to use his call sign to make contacts while he supervised. I was nervous at first, but I quickly adapted. I made contacts with people in New York, Oklahoma, Texas, and other states, and the experience was exhilarating. This hands-on experience shifted my mindset from “I might pass the General exam” to “I have to pass this exam.” Study Techniques for the General Exam: I immediately ramped up my study efforts. Over the next few days, I dedicated every spare moment to memorizing the answers to the 484 questions in the General exam pool. My method? I used hundreds of colored index cards (green for questions I was confident about, yellow for those I was unsure of, and pink for those I didn’t know at all). I went through every question meticulously until I had them all memorized. Passing the General Exam: By Monday night, I had invested a total of 20+ hours studying, and I went into the exam with full confidence. I’m happy to share that I scored 35 out of 35 on my General exam—just like I did with my Technician exam a month earlier! I now have access to all HF bands, which opens up so many new opportunities for making contacts around the world. What’s Next: Many have asked if I’ll go for my Extra License next, but right now, I’m focused on mastering the concepts from both the Technician and General exams. My goal is to fully understand every question and concept from both exams before moving on to the Extra License. The Search for HF Gear: Now that I have my General License, I need HF gear. I’m currently considering a few different options: The Icom 7100, which is a great all-band radio, and I have an offer to buy one for $800. The Icom 7300, which has an amazing color waterfall display but is HF-only. Creating A Budget For This Hobby I share that I've decided to put my 1974 Classic Volkswagen Beetle up for sale to fund my new radio hobby.. Gratitude for the HAM Community: The generosity and support of the HAM radio community have been amazing. Special shoutouts to Tim Lawrence (W4TWL), Greg Lamb (W0QI), and Rod Milligan (KY4ROD) for their mentorship and guidance. I’ve also joined the Northern Kentucky Amateur Radio Club and ARRL, and I look forward to building even more connections within this incredible community. Affiliate Mention: If you’re studying for your Technician, General License, and/or Extra license, I highly recommend checking out Ham Radio Prep. Use my affiliate code "KQ4UUR" to get a discount on their course. Want to connect on HF? Feel free to email me at cliff@cliffravenscraft.com, and I’ll put you on my desired QSO list.
