I hesitated to throw in my "Extra Ticket" story, but what the heck. You
see, I failed the theory by one question.
I think that was in 1974. Maybe 75.
While living in Germany, I went home for Christmas only about every 5 years
or so.
I had not put any thought into taking an exam because here in Germany I had
full privileges, but I got bored sitting around the folks' house in OKC. I
borrowed their car, drove down to Dallas and took the General, Advanced, and
Extra without any previous studying.
Of the 20 people who took the CW test I was the only one who passed the
copying part, making just one mistake.
To my surprise the examiner had a Hallicrafters TO keyer and a Vibroplex
Iambic paddle.
He offered to let me use it.
I sat down adjusted the speed to about 28 or 30 wpm, sent BENS BEST BENS
FEET which we had practiced a lot in the Army and within about 5 seconds he
said "you passed". Of course 10 years of being net control in NTS cw nets
prior to moving to Germany had not hurt.
I did manage to upgrade my Conditional to an Advanced, but I regretted that
I had not bought a license manual and studied.
As a result, I did not get my Extra ticket for another 30 years, in 2008,
after I moved back to Oklahoma. Of course CW was no longer required so yes,
I'm a "No Code Extra".
The second time (2008) I was much smarter. I bought a license manual, but
still flunked the theory by one questions. Turns out a new question set was
released in July and I had studied from the old manual. So I bought a new
license manual, and passed the test on my third attempt, one month later.
73
Rick, DJ0IP
-----Original Message-----
From: tentec-bounces@contesting.com [mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com]
On Behalf Of TroyW6HV
Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2012 4:36 AM
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
Subject: Re: [TenTec] new to CW dxing
Well, that sparked a memory. When I took the extra I had no idea you could
bring your own bug. I took the test with their straight key (shudder) and
managed to pass. The next guy up sat down, opened a carrying case , pulled
out a beauty of a Vibroplex and--my jaw dropped. If only I had been smart
enough to know!
73,
Troy, W6HV
OOTC
-----Original Message-----
From: Kim Elmore
Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2012 3:52 PM
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
Subject: Re: [TenTec] new to CW dxing
Being an Official Olde Fahrt (QCWA and OOTC member) I took all my tests
under the baleful eye of the FCC. When I took my Extra test, I brought my
Vibroplex and the wedge contacts, so I could use just key across their
straight key. The examiner barely raised an eyebrow and allowed me to send
maybe one word before he pronounced me adequate.
No, I didn't bring a transparent green celluloid hat brim or the elastic
sleeve retainers!
73,
Kim N5OP
On Jul 3, 2012, at 11:41, Jim Lowman n<jmlowman@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> Back in the day when the FCC was administering ham radio exams, we had
> to be able to send at the required speed, as well as copy, and what
> was provided was a straight key. There may have been an option to
> bring one's own key, but I don't remember.
>
> Before I learned how to use one correctly, I used the "dah" side of a
> bug as a "horizontal" key when I was a Novice. It was one of those
> plastic-case models made by (I think) Hi-Mound. It looked like a
> plastic coffin to me.
>
> 73 de Jim - AD6CW
>
>
> On 7/3/2012 6:36 AM, Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP wrote:
>> So as I see it, if you want to learn code for the test (which is no
>> longer necessary anyway), use any crutch you want, but IF YOU WANT TO
>> LEARN IT RIGHT, LEARN IT ON A STRAIGHT KEY.
>>
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TenTec mailing list
> TenTec@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
_______________________________________________
TenTec mailing list
TenTec@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
_______________________________________________
TenTec mailing list
TenTec@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
_______________________________________________
TenTec mailing list
TenTec@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
|