Ham radio provides one with a few honors. Yes, there are certificates, WAS is an example, but few hit the heart like being the first contact of a brand-new ham. I made an amazing, quick contact with a ham this morning. He is on a one-week vacation from school—elementary school—from his first-grade class. This young ham just turned six a few weeks ago and got his callsign this morning. This new technician’s call is KO6CCI.
A quick backstory.
A few years ago, I got a knock on my door from a man asking if I was a CB operator; he saw the antennas over my house. He’s from Italy and he used CB to great success. However, I calmly explained how ham was the way to go and gave him some info. He came back a week later—another knock on the door, extoling the virtues of ham radio. Marco asked how I could help him.
I mentored Marco through the study process guiding him through getting a radio and antenna. I also guided him through the process of setting up his shack. Once he got his license, I encouraged him to get his general ticket. Every time I pushed him, he said it was impossible for him to do. Yet, he seemed to do the impossible. Every time. His goal was to make a contact near his hometown in Italy. I then encouraged him to go for his extra ticket. Impossible.
To his credit, he got a translation of his study guide in Italian. He studied and in time received his extra ticket. He mentioned to me many times that it was impossible for him to reach Italy with a vertical and 100W. Patience padawan. Then came the day he called me crying and told me he reached Italy and had the most wonderful QSO in Italian.
I encouraged Marco to get his son licensed. He knew that age was not a factor and kept me updated on Andy’s progress. Finally, I made contact with the newest ham on the national calling frequency this morning. Not impossible.
Marco, I would say to him, you have to learn Morse Code. Impossible.
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