[NJARC] Stupid Ham Tricks. Er, Questions-

[Scott Roberts]

This may sound stupid, please bear with me. 

I have my Ham license as you all know. Yesterday, I picked up a 2m & 70cm 5watt portable transciever (Icom IC-32AT). So I can actually use something to go on the air now(can't wait to get the HT-37 online shortly! Need antennae) on 2m. 

So, How do I get started?- literally- do I just key up, and state my call sign "KC2TYV" on any frequency in the band I like, that I'm authorized; or do I go to the local repeater freq(which would be SJRA at 145.290) and make the same call, or do I need to say "CQ" first?

I seem to recall from my studying I can just wait for a break in traffic, and  state my call sign, and people will get back to me, unless I state another call sign I want to talk to first, followed by my call sign(i.e. "N3IBX, this is KC2TYV) and wait for their reply.

I have the "book learnin'" now I need to press the key and talk.(And I do remember about id'ing every 10 mins)

Thanks for any help! I am about to go to bed- I've been up the better part of the last 96 hours, and my eyes are snapping shut as I type. If I am up early enough, I seem to recall a 2m group on Sundays? Or is that only by arrangement? (Rob?)

Thanks!
Scott

PS- Anybody interested in an Atwater Kent Model 53 in nice shape? Details available...