I'm a new HAM as I passed my Technician exam in May, 2009 and my General ticket four months later.  Once I've had a chance to play with HF for a while, I'll try for the Extra.  For me, it's the learning curve that I love about this hobby.  I've been spending most of my time on the VHF/UHF voice bands, VHF 1200baud packet modes and monitoring the HF digital modes.  Now that I have the General, I'll be  around the digital bands on HF.

My setup consists of a Yaesu FT-747 running a G5RVjr, Kenwood TH-F7A running a Comet CX-333, and a Yaesu VX-5R.   Digital modes are run via Linux on a Dell 1.2Ghz PentiumM using a combination of custom RHEL kernels, usermode soundmodem, AX25 tools, Linpac for packet, Xastr for APRS, JNOS for BBS & TCP/IP, and Fldigi for HF.   Using Centos for a HAM Linux distro isn't an easy distro for this purpose (especially when making everything into RPMs when possible) but I've been documenting it as I go.  Feel free to email me if you're interested in any of the details.

I've involved with the City of Santa Clara ARS/ARES/RACES group which has been a fantastic way to learn and get prepared for the worst.  I've also recently been working with the Santa Clara County folk on the emerging County JNOS BBS:TCP/IP system.  This system has split 1200baud end user and 9600 baud packet backbone legs. In many respects, this is a blast from the past with using BBSes but JNOS is a self contained system.   As the phrase goes.. it's like the Internet in slow motion!

As a little background, I work for a small Search Engine startup in San Mateo, CA.  My team keeps both the production website, the corporate systems, and the various business "glue" running 24/7/365. When I can, I'm usually on the N6NFI repeater and monitor WA6GFY and K9GVF repeaters.

73s!

--David