I'm sure it was discretionary. I took the Novice in late '53, and the General in mid '54, at the FCC Office in Los Angeles. Obviously, a bug was inappropriate for the Novice, and while I took my bug for the General, I still had to use the "FCC Key," although I don't remember it being "ratty." Both times, I probably sent for no more than 10 - 15 seconds and was told "You pass."
When I went for the Extra in '56, I had just started driving, went alone, and was so involved getting my route planned out so as not to get lost in downtown LA that I arrived several hours early. I had my Lionel J-36 bug, but had practiced 20WPM on a straight key just in case. The examiner was about to give the 2nd telegraph, and told me that if I filled out the app and passed the 25WPM test. Thoroughly intimidated (I was exactly 16 in what seemed like a very adult place), I didn't even ask about using my bug. As I sat down at the straight key, he said, "Oh come on, kid! Who do you think you are!? No one can send acceptable code at 25 WPM on a straight key. Plug in the bug and get on with this." Again, I doubt that I sent for more than 10 seconds. With regard to the question that originally started this thread, when I've been asked by a new ham wanting to upgrade, I always tell them, "Learn on whatever you are comfortable with." I've never understood the alleged 'purity' that supposedly comes from learning on a straight key first. Just one opinion, YMMV, Fred K6DGW Auburn CA CM98lw EricJ wrote: > > It must have been discretionary. There was nothing in the regs about what > equipment you had to use. I took exams at Boston and Long Beach and took a > bug to both of them. Jammed the wedge right into their "ratty old FCC > office" key. > > Eric > KE6US > _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [email protected] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
