In article , Mike Coslo writes:

That's the way to do it. By the time, I got my General, I was actually
pretty used to HF operation. As a tech, I had operated in some contests
that the club participated in, plus a field day. (to the sticklers -
yes, with a control op)

They tricked me! Got me hooked on contesting, and I had no choice but
to upgrade!!!

bwaahaahaaa! You've been barracuda'ed.

Well they really didn't trick me, but it worked out that
way anyhow.

(Jacques Cousteau voice ON)

".......ze barracudaz veecteemz often do not reelize zay are veecteemz unteel
too late..."

(Jacques Cousteau voice OFF)

But every time I try out a different mode, I spen weeks listening
before I ever transmit. I hope these new people will do the same.

This is one thing which has changed radically since I was a newbie.

Back in the bad old days, many if not most prospective hams started out with a
shortwave rx, listening to other hams on the air. Most of us had many hours of
SW listening experience before we ever took a license test. I and many others
learned the code by listening to hams use it on the air - no tapes, no software
packages, etc.

Starting out this way meant we already had some real hands-on experience in
operating procedure, propagation, receiver operation and related subjects
before we ever got on the air. We also had most of what was needed for a ham
shack of that era - receiver, antenna, key, 'phones, and a desk or table to put
it on. When the license test was passed, all that was left to do was add the
transmitter and T/R system.

In my case, I built my first transmitter while waiting for the license to
arrive.

From what I've read and seen, many newcomers today get the license first, then
set about putting a station together. Some did it that way back when, too - and
often they were the ones whose Novice licenses ran out before they were ready
for the General test.

Cart before the horse, IMHO.

73 de Jim, N2EY