It is a well known fact that I get on kicks. That is to say, I get intensely interested in a subject or activity for a period of time and later that kick is replaced by something else.

One thing I’ve been in and out of for the last 8 years is Amateur Radio. I got my license a few days before Sept 11, 2001 and upgraded in 2007 to a General Class license. (Visit ARRL.org if none of that makes any sense). Before my upgrade I volunteered with EMA, did storm spotting and other local activities. Ann got her license and got involved in some of the same things, and we were in a great club which gave us plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the hobby.

When we moved to Little Rock, I just couldn’t find a good club to get involved with and there was no time to volunteer with an organization so my hobby fell by the wayside.

After moving back to Alabama, I started getting some interest back because I could put an antenna up and talk all over North Alabama. I know the area, so storm spotting was more viable and surely I would find a club that was a good fit.

None of that happened except putting up the antenna. I have always been interested in getting  a General or Extra license because it would allow me to talk over greater distances: across the state, the Country and even across the globe.

Since my upgrade I have talked to states from New York to Oregon, made contacts in Spain, Italy, Canada and the British V.I.

Tonight I embarked on my newest goal: The “Worked All States” award. Getting the lower 48 will be relatively easy with the exception of the smaller New England states… the real fun will be working Alaska and Hawaii. I’ve only talked to Hawaii one time and that was on ARRL Field Day in 2002 or 2003 at about 3am. Keep in mind that this was before I had my upgrade, so I was making the contact using the club’s callsign so officially  I haven’t talked to them, and I’ve never even heard an Alaska station. Ever.

So, now I have a new goal. The good news is that I can take my time and I have found a group that meets regularly for the purpose of getting people together for the Worked All States award. Now the fun will be trying to do it with only 100 watts and a 120 foot peice of wire strung up in the back yard.

Man, i’m a geek.