WHY

I've already been asked so many variations of that question that I have a plentiful supply of answers, depending on the circumstances... short answers for casual acquaintances or hurried curb-side conversations, and medium length answers for people who ask with curiosity instead of distain, and a few long-form answers left over from dinner conversations.

Actually, and my instructor Wilf can probably confirm this - next to "How does it work?" my very favorite question is "WHY".

If you're curious about why I got into Ham radio, try one of these: SHORT - MED - LONG answers

Some things I'd like to learn... (updated)

• The names of all the different types of connectors I keep encountering
• Morse Code! (work in progress in 2024)
• I'd like to expand my winlink experience beyond telnet
• I'd like to experiment with more kinds of antenna design
• I'd like to explore more of the digital modes (started with WiresX, wanting to expand)
• I learned how to solder years ago, but I need to practice regularly
• I want to learn how to read wiring diagrams more readily
• I'm fascinated by the history of technology, and the development of radio
• I want to know more about space weather
• I want to try all the different bands available to amateur radio operators
• I'd like to learn more about low power and emergency power applications

Andrea's Answers...
to the question 'Why did you get your HAM License?'

Short

Medium

I've tried several times to understand electricity - in science class in high school and university, in welding school and college computer courses, and I'm still trying to figure it out. Maybe I'll manage to grasp electrical concepts more thoroughly by studying radio.

I'm interested in the history of technology - the development of the internal combustion engine was my first area of interest, but I've discovered a fascination for early radio that may rival my love affair with the carburetor.

Long

I had a brief but very vivid mental image of a post-disaster world in which I was cast as Florence Nightingale playing nurse to the entire neighborhood lying lined up across the floor in neat rows, and all suffering from the compound fractures that used to make me queasy in the first-aid training videos.

I have never enjoyed first aid training, although I did it every year for many years while working as a motorcycle rider training instructor in Ontario. The only thing I dislike more than first aid training is actually performing first aid on an injured person.

So considering my distaste for first aid, and the cold sweat I'd been left with after my momentary mental image, the opportunity to provide some alternative service to my community was immediately appealing.

So when the Emergency Program co-ordinator mentioned that the local HAM Club was offering a license course, I saw my opportunity to escape from my Florence Nightingale vision. Without the slightest knowledge of how much was involved in the radio license course, it seemed like a golden opportunity, in contrast to the imagined alternative.

So while my initial interest in amateur radio was related to emergency communications, I confess I was equally motivated by first-aid-avoidance. Not very noble of me.

For those of you curious enough to have plowed through this much of an explanation, I can probably assume you've got your HAM license too, so you've probably got a pretty good idea of how much I would have to learn about to get my license, and you must be wondering at what point in the process it dawned on me this was a heck of a lot to know just to avoid splinting a few broken bones. Well, yes, I did work that out on my own... but by then I was captivated by the idea of learning to read a circuit diagram, and understanding electricity better, and so I guess I was hooked then.

Fortunately I've discovered there are quite a few doctors and nurses in my neighborhood, so first aid, if ever needed, will be top quality, and there aren't any other licensed radio operators in my POD, so it has all worked out quite well. My conscience won't plague me too much about my first-aid cowardice, and I've discovered a fascinating new pastime in the process. Sometimes it pays to be cowardly.

And if you are wondering about Squelch, or about how I came to be an inflatable velociraptor... well, doesn't everyone want to grow up to be a dinosaur?

Thanks for visiting... hope to meet you on the air! 73
~ Andrea VA7ALG