Having received the last batch of small red cards, the dust has settled, and my long journey towards certification has finally come to a close. Reflecting on the past month, there are many thoughts I want to share, and I hope to express them here.
When I first saw the notification, I was somewhat hesitant. Is Chengdu too far? What if it affects my work? Is the cost of failing too high? But then I thought, this timing coincides perfectly with my 18 months of setting up the station, and it is the last exam under the old question bank and old certificate. Not participating would always leave a sense of regret. I made up my mind, booked my flight, hotel, and train all at once. Once the money was spent, there was no turning back; I could only charge ahead.
Next came the study of the Class C question bank. For someone like me, who does not come from an engineering background, electricity remains the most challenging part to understand. However, with the sharing and guidance from my peers, I gradually gained a certain understanding of that knowledge. Before the exam, I thought to myself, if I do not pass this time, the knowledge I gained in this month would still make the effort worthwhile.
On April 18th, I prepared my things early and headed straight to the train station after work, taking the flight to Chengdu. By the time I arrived at the exam location, it was already past 1 AM on the 19th. However, to my surprise, even at that late hour, Mr. Gao from the Sichuan Association was still waiting for me at the exam site, helping me with the check-in process, and I unexpectedly received a gift from the association.
(Arriving at the exam hotel in the early morning)
(Bags, badges, and call sign stamps given to each candidate by the Sichuan Association)
Although I already knew that the Sichuan Association had prepared a “simple meal” for us, I was still shocked when I arrived on site: this was not a simple meal, but a luxurious Sichuan banquet!
(Exchanging cards at the banquet)
(A slightly tipsy signature)
(Various cards)
(Pre-exam check-in)
After the meal, I anxiously made my way to the exam site. However, once I completed the check-in and received the exam paper, I felt calm. After finishing the exam, I was greeted with another surprise: the Sichuan Association and Mr. M’s HamSpace had prepared a lottery for everyone, with a 100% chance of winning!
(Counting the questions on my fingers)
(Winning a talent and taking a photo with Mr. M)
(Photo with candidates and staff)
(Another big gain: a huge number of cards)
After the exam, I rushed to the airport without stopping, as I had work the next day. It was a day of extreme operations, only flashing through Chengdu, but it was an unforgettable day.
(Collecting three small cards, the certification journey has come to a close) Some important feelings: 1. I highly recommend the Chengdu exam site and the Sichuan Association! From the beginning of building a group to share exam materials, providing discounted hotels, to offering free exam stationery, a luxurious Chinese meal, gifts, lotteries, and most importantly, the exam itself, every step was organized and filled with warmth, professionalism, and emotional value! Even if I do not pass the exam, I feel it was worth the trip. In contrast, another association starts reminding members to leave the group before their membership expires, which is a clear difference. Always imitated, never surpassed, I once again recommend the Sichuan Radio Association! 2. The identity of Zhejiang as a radio wasteland has been recognized nationwide. This exam might be my only opportunity to interact with enthusiasts from all over the country, and every time I chatted with them, most expressed sympathy (and helplessness) for my being from Zhejiang. This helplessness is not only reflected in the prohibition of UHF, the ban on 146-148MHz, and the sudden ban on the 6-meter band, but also in the opaque and un-discussable mentality. Even Shanghai, which also bans UHF in the Yangtze River Delta, still provides convenience for enthusiasts traveling far by allowing the use of 430-440MHz. Speaking of this, I can only smile helplessly.
(Image unrelated) Now that the C license has become a thing of the past, I am still unsure about the path ahead. 1kw base station with a Yagi? QRP portable operation? Or slowly retreating into the mountains? The long road of life, seeking and exploring, I am still on the journey of radio.