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My Son Passed His Tech!
15 June 2012 | by My 16-year-old son, Antonio, has been studying hard for his Technician license, and yesterday evening three VE’s — Dean, NYØI, Scott, KBØNLY, and Terry, KCØQED — paid us a house call. When they showed up, I was out in the driveway installing a dual-band antenna on my pickup. They crowded around, watching me, helping where they could, and chatting while Antonio grilled steaks in the back yard. Pretty soon the aroma of grilled ribeye had our mouths watering!
Terry, KCØQED, left, and Antonio (nervously contemplating the exam), right
After one of the biggest feasts we have ever had, the testing began. Antonio was pretty nervous at first, but he breezed through the test easily. Terry scored it, turned to me and gave me a thumbs up! While the other two VE’s scored Antonio’s test, I went and got the Wouxon KG-UV6D HT (with leather case, high-gain antenna, speaker-mic, and emergency AA-battery pack) I’ve had waiting for him. He smiled as he opened the box and started taking things out and putting them together. 
Antonio called Grandpa Mitchell, NØARQ, to share the good news. Just for fun he also took the General exam, and surprised himself by coming closer to passing than he expected — now he wants to study for that!
Antonio is interested in ARES® (he got an ARES vest yesterday, too), but he’s also interested in other aspects of amateur radio. Yesterday evening he said he would like to start up our CW lessons again so he can work HF CW, and he also wants to join the ARRL and the West Central MN Amateur Radio Club.
Here’s a slide show with a few more snapshots from yesterday evening. Congratulations, Antonio!
10 Responses to “My Son Passed His Tech!”
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- Matt W1MST, Managing Editor
A hardy Congratulations to your son Antonio for his acomplishment in passing his Tech. As a VE myself I am always glad to see the youth of today getting into the thrill of ham radio. May he have many fine QSOs in the future hope myself to maybe someday working him. Best of 73s and DX Antonio.
Congrats! 🙂
Congrats Antonio!
Way to GO….
…………….Antonio!
I remember when I was 13 and my novice came in the mail 30 years ago best day of my life
That’s great news Todd,I will say the VE’s were well fed before the exam….but as you said and it’s very true “Antonio studied very hard” hard work in the end will always pay off.
I am happy for you and your son .
I am sure he will love radio and it will last and grow with him .
Chuck N4UED
Congratulations Antonio, I received my Novice license when I was 13. I know how you must feel. Probably, the greatest thing you have done so far.
You are fortunate to have a group of Elmers to help you along.
Thanks for the kind words, fellows. My son appreciates them — he’s reading them off Mom’s smartphone while they’re in Des Moines for a Clinton Anderson show (Antonio rides horses, too).
Congratulations Antonio, welcome to one of the world’s most interesting hobbies.