Re: [DX-CHAT] Exams
You all have brought back some fond memories. Well, all this has brought memories flooding bach that were almost forgotten. Back in 1955, when my novice license was about to expire, after almost one year of an exciting new hobby and the discovery of the miracle of DXing, I gathered up a bit of money, packed an overnight bag, went down to the post office and waited by the highway for the Greyhound bus. Here I was, a 17 year boy who had never been away from the safety of home by himself, headed 200 miles away to Mobile, Alabama by himself. How and why my parents allowed me to do something like this, I will never know. Anyway the bus finally got to the station in Mobile and I wandered around downtown, gawking at the huge buildings, looking for a hotel near the FCC office. I found the FCC office and a nearby hotel and somehow got checked in. I spent the rest of the evening reviewing the License Manual and after a night rest headed to the FCC. I don't remember anything about the written or code test, but I do remember that the examiner said YOU PASSED!. I don't remember how I got back home, maybe cloud 9, but 6 weeks later that coveted General class license arrived. It's been a great ride ever since. Bill W5EC Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org
[DX-CHAT] Exams
You all have brought back some fond memories. The examiner in Houston was Lyle Bebee. Actually a pretty nice fellow unless you got a pink slip from him. I never shook so hard in my life as when I went for my Extra exam (Jan 3, 1963). In those days the FCC issued a special blue certificate for Extra Class Licensees. Fortunately from where I lived it was only about an hour drive. Also, the exam wasn't a wussy exam like it is today. ie: Draw a schematic diagram of a push-pull power amplifier using triode tubes. Show the neutralization and biasing networks and the plate modulation system. (These were the days of AM and before SSB) Draw a schematic of a full wave power supply using a center tapped power transformer and mercury vapor tubes. Include the appropriate bleeder resistor and pi filtering network. Yeah, they really have it tough these days. 73, Merry Christmas Mike, W5UC age treachery will overcome youth skill http://www.suddenlink.net/pages/w5uc/ Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org
[DX-CHAT] exams
Remember the Federal Building in Chicago very well. The FCC examiner was a slight guy with those round glasses that he could barely see through. Sending and receiving was required then. My first sending test was with the FCC's bug which promptly fell apart as I started. The examiner then gave me a straight key for the sending exam. You had to pass the sending exam before taking the written test, then the receiving exam. Failing any part meant a thirty day wait before another attempt. A day off from work was necessary and a train ride into Chicago was also necessary. The waiting room was the hallway outside the examining room. There was no better news than hearing the FCC proctor telling you that you had passed all phases of the exam. The sending and receiving exams failed many a potential ham who didn't have the drive or persistence to stay with it. Going from novice, General, Advanced then Extra was an expensive proposition in those days when a day off from work was in order. I remember the huge hullabaloo when incentive licensing was introduced. All the talk was how it would ruin ham radio and make a potential ham walk to some other hobby. That sure didn't happen. There was a license called the Conditional for those people who lived more than 100 airline miles from an FCC office which gave the same privilege as the General class license. It was administered at home. Vy 73 to all, de W9UM, Nick War is Peace Freedom is Slavery Ignorance is Strength Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org
Re: [DX-CHAT] exams
Thanks all for your stories. Sounds like we all had similar feelings when going for the upgrade. Great hobby that will be with us for for ever. 73; Bill W2PKY
