Ham radio...

[macino62]

73's from KB9IHS.......I got my novice, tech, general, and advanced all at the ripe age of 12.........way back in 1994, haha!

 

[BIBBER]

and my no means did it compare to the class and challenges of ham radio...but before the "CONVOY" trucker craze the Citizens Band (CB) radio actually had to have a Federal License as well. The call letters actually showed the age of the CB'er reflected by the increment of the letters....in 1967 I was assigned KCL6364...and handles
were only used on Illegal channels of operation. Of course we had to have our radicals who used the illegal channels late at night with power amplifiers to increase signal output and shoot SKIP(a bounce of the signal off the atmosphere to see where in the U.S. you could be received....everything went to heck in a hand basket when Kris Kristoferson and Burt Reynolds (Bandit) showed up. The
electronic firms loved it with a 10 fold increase in CB radio equipment sales.....

 

[aerog]

73's from KB9IHS.......I got my novice, tech, general, and advanced all at the ripe age of 12.........way back in 1994, haha!

That was my intent, but missed the code by a question the first time out so I was stuck with Tech. When I went back for the 13wpm to get my General I didn't bother with the Advanced written. Should have, but I didn't.

Interestingly the FCC did not require me to take all the other exams. The examiners (this was the FCC, at their office, not a VEC situation) said I just needed to take whatever written/code I wanted. I could have walked in with nothing and walked out with an Extra ticket. People have argued about that, but that's how the FCC did it. So, I've never had a novice ticket /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

If you're still an advanced class ham (actually you're not, you've been knocked down to a general - at least as far as privileges are concerned...such is the advancement of the hobby), go to qrz.com and find their online "test" for the extra class ticket. I studied for three days and took the exam last weekend. Took all of 10 minutes (if that) to take the test, and about 30 minutes for them to grade it. Now I have a whopping extra 25kc of band to play with on CW. Weeee /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

I was surprised at the number of new hams that were taking their Tech exams. They had at least 20, maybe 25 people taking it when I was doing my extra last week. All age groups too. The VEs were insisting that everyone take the general exam too. I looked at the questions on both the tech and general and they're extraordinarily easy. One guy said they usually pass the general even though they haven't studied. Everyone was/is up in arms about the loss of the code test, but that says something about the written tests too, doesn't it?

PS: Anyone who has ever been interested in getting their ham ticket, do it. I can't see how it could possibly be easier. The online tests like qrz.com make it so easy to study compared to the old book methods. The online study sites have the actual questions and actual answers that will be on the test. Word-for-word. It would behoove you to get an ARRL handbook for all the info you need, but it isn't necessary. With the loss of the morse-code requirements getting a license means just learning a few simple operating rules, and some basic electronics.

 

[macino62]

it definitely has gotten tons easier.....in fact, i've been meaning to get around to finishing up my Extra. I've been out of ham radio for a while, so when my dad told me that my Advanced Class ticket doesnt really exist anymore, I was kind of bummed. At least I have the 20 wpm done (which I guess, also, isn't a requirement anymore).

Thanks for the info on qrz.com........i think i'll go ahead and finish up the Extra, just to "get it done"

Mike