Slow going... which isn't all bad.

[DesertAlbin736]

Then getting an HF/SSB radio and figuring out which antenna and length.

The only need for the sintered bronze grounding plate that I recently removed from the bottom of my boat (broken & leaking into the hull through the attachment bolt holes, a replacement for which would have cost $216) was in case of having an HF/SSB radio. Since I'm not crossing any oceans SSB is not in my future.

I got my FCC license in order to get an FCC MMSI number rather than the US only BoatUS freebie version because we cruise in Canada & with the FCC version the Canadian CG can get our data in case of a DSC distress call.

[Scudrunner]

Thanks Driftless,
I thought about doing both but would be happy just getting my General. It's been 20 plus years since I took the test for my Tech and have been struggling to get through the practice tests. I did a whole video program but may go through it again and watch the Extra too.

Thanks again,
KC0CIR

[tribologist]

If get in to CW you need it.. that call is a knucklebreaker on a straight key… the CIR part Sounds great but the KC0 makes my hand hurt.. lol! On SSB its not bad! I used to be SM3PFT in Sweden then i got a KB1PON here and fortunately K1ULF was free. W1ULF had gone silent key a few years before so i did not want that.. much easier to get ULF than Rob or Bob! Lol!!!’

Ulf
K1ULF

[DesertAlbin736]

ULF... Ultra Low Frequency?

[tribologist]

I can do 160 KHz.. thats pretty low but not ULF. Just LF….