Hank Lambert

Well 2012 is finally here. For me, 2011 was a very good year and I hope 2012 is even better for me and everybody here. While I don't do New Year's resolutions, I do have a few goals I would like to accomplish in Ham Radio for 2012.

First is I want to upgrade to Extra. Since getting an HF mobile setup, I have had quite a few contacts I wanted to call that were just on the other side of the fence. With Extra, that won't be a problem. I am planning on testing on February 11th at The Orlando Hamcation.

Second, I want to re-learn CW. I learned CW in 1984 to get my Novice license, but stopped using it as soon as I upgraded to Technician. Looking back, I really did enjoy CW and I wish I had kept it up. I have downloaded and installed the CW trainer by G4FON, which uses the Koch method of learning CW. My goal is to be fluent at 25 wpm by the end of May.

My favorite event of the year is coming soon, the 66th annual Orlando Hamcation. Orlando Hamcation is a three day hamfest in Orlando Florida. This year it is going to be on February 10, 11, and 12. I will be there on Friday and Saturday, and will spend Sunday recuperating.

Hamcation is put on by The Orlando Amateur Radio Club, and supported by many of the clubs in Central Florida. It takes a solid year of preparations just for those three days. If you are looking for a great hamfest, then hamcation is the place to be in February.