FishinGary

Congratulations! Definitely go for General next. If you're using hamstudy.org then you're on the right path. Consider Amateur Extra as well. Yes, it's a bigger lift, but you can do it. Just study like you studied for Technician and General.

Hang in there, man. The steroids will help, and hopefully not have too many side effects.

"Leaves of three, let it be!" Poison Oak/Ivy/Sumac always has this leaf configuration. If a plant has three leaves, that doesn't necessarily make it poisonous, but the ones that are will always have this configuration. Here we have California Blackberry, which also has three leaves an often grows right along with Poison Oak. It's not poisonous, but the thorns are another matter....

There are 6m repeaters, too. There are a few in my area. Like any repeaters, they get used. Just not 24/7/365.

I don't own this radio, but I have other Wouxun radios and they make noises on some functions, even with key beep off. For example, my KG-935G+ beeps when I initiate a channel scan, if I recall correctly.

Inductive coupling! It's fascinating, but also frustrating when you're trying to tune a mag loop, you get it "perfect", then move your hand away and your SWR shoots up.

Q: Which band are you working today? A: Yes. It's been interesting following the FTX-1 pre-order drama online, I guess. People walking into Hamvention and walking out with one, while pre-orders have not been shipped yet. Seems like HRO is shipping out orders now though.

Skywave propagation is a trip. Just messing around with WSPR, the sweet spot for me, in terms of signal strength is roughly between 800-1500km. Anything farther away gets weaker with distance, anything closer just passes right overhead. Of course, there are tons of variables here, and I'm working QRP, too.

HTs on the amateur bands are basically limited to VHF (6m, 2m, 1.25m) and UHF (70cm), so not really any different than GMRS (UHF). Mode (FM) and power levels are basically the same as well. It basically comes down to the things you already mentioned, like terrain, as well as antennas, availability of repeaters, etc. In my area there are a handful of GMRS repeaters, but there is at least one ham repeater in almost every city in my county alone. YMMV

Welcome! I think my first experience with FRS was road tripping, too.

I went from unlicensed to AE in one session, like Steve, and was issued a 2X2 callsign as well. Also, this is how the Sequential Call Sign System is currently structured, according to the FCC. https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/amateur-radio-service/amateur-call-sign-systems

I neglected to mention that you have to check the box on the form, but yes, you're right. If you go from unlicensed to Amateur Extra though (assuming you pass the Technician and General exams at the same time), they do issue you one sequentially right out of the pool. I've heard that supposedly there are some regions where they have run out of AE format callsigns and new license grantees going from unlicensed to Amateur Extra are being issued Advanced format callsigns, but I cannot confirm.

If you go for AE and you're really lucky you may be issued sequentially one of the highly coveted 1X2 or 2X1 callsigns. If not, you'll still get a 2X2 which lets everyone know you're an AE. You can apply for a vanity 1X2 or 2X1 as well, and I considered it, but when I got my 2X2 I was happy with it.

Good luck!

Ham is a hobby of hobbies. You figure out what you want to do or what might interest you and you do it. I think a lot of people judge the exams to be harder than they actually are, because they start reviewing the question pool and they don't know most of the material. But, you can learn it. There's also a lot of talk about "Amateur Extra is a lot easier if you have a background in Electrical Engineering", which might be true, but EEs weren't born knowing that stuff either. They had to learn it to get their degree and work in their field. If they can learn it, you can at least learn the minimum you need to pass the exams. I feel like you should aim as high as possible, then you can grow into your license privileges, rather than hitting a wall when you want to try something new and having go back and study for another exam. And, when you reach AE, you can just enjoy no longer being in perpetual "studying for finals mode." Just my take...