Re: [Elecraft] New Mystery: Copying groups vs plain language text (Rather OT)

On 5/1/2020 9:46 PM, Frank Scolaro wrote: > Is Finkleman the guy with the 'half glasses' ??  Took my test from him > in 1966, as did my father just before WWII... And the bow-tie - that's him. 73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane __ Elecraft

Re: [Elecraft] New Mystery: Copying groups vs plain language text (Rather OT)

Mike, I also failed the code test for the T2 on my first go round. Can't remember if it was the groups or plain text. At the time you had to wait some period, 6 months?, before you could sit for the test again, unless you were granted a waiver. I had recently received my Extra (which I had

Re: [Elecraft] New Mystery: Copying groups vs plain language text (Rather OT)

Pictures here; > http://www.wb2lqf.com/amateur-radio-and-me/the-legendary-mr-charles-finkleman > 73 - Steve WB6RSE > On May 1, 2020, at 9:46 PM, Frank Scolaro wrote: > > Is Finkleman the guy with the 'half

Re: [Elecraft] New Mystery: Copying groups vs plain language text (Rather OT)

Is Finkleman the guy with the 'half glasses' ?? Took my test from him in 1966, as did my father just before WWII... 73, Frank, W2YK At 01:59 AM 5/1/2020, Steve Lawrence via Elecraft wrote: FCC office in lower Manhattan. Finkleman's exam chairs were school desk writing arm chairs. The

Re: [Elecraft] New Mystery: Copying groups vs plain language text (Rather OT)

Just as it fell out, I took all my tests from the FCC at 1600 Custom House, Boston (was living in the Ct. River Valley at the time.)  For the novice, I was printing in block capitals on yellow lined paper, and doing fine until I heard a character I didn't recognize, and panic set in - shortly

Re: [Elecraft] New Mystery: Copying groups vs plain language text (Rather OT)

Took novice mail exam 1959, Kn1LHN in Vermont Could not do 13 so got tech license. Tried repeatedly to make 13 until 1975. FCC made agreement with civil service for them to do testing. I was in Youngstown TV chief. Took test every other month maybe 4 times. Federal building high ceiling

Re: [Elecraft] New Mystery: Copying groups vs plain language text (Rather OT)

I do remember sometime spring/summer/autumn of 1960 getting on the Long Island Railroad, riding into New York, and then taking the subway much further south than I had ever been before. I walked into the office and was greeted by a gruff examiner who gave me the tests. I managed to pass both

Re: [Elecraft] New Mystery: Copying groups vs plain language text (Rather OT)

t; > 73 > Frank > W3LPL > > - Original Message ----- > > From: "Phil Kane" > To: "Elecraft Reflector" > Sent: Friday, May 1, 2020 10:23:23 PM > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New Mystery: Copying groups vs plain language text > (Rathe

Re: [Elecraft] New Mystery: Copying groups vs plain language text (Rather OT)

--- Original Message - From: "Phil Kane" To: "Elecraft Reflector" Sent: Friday, May 1, 2020 10:23:23 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New Mystery: Copying groups vs plain language text (Rather OT) On 5/1/2020 11:14 AM, Dave Sublette wrote: > February 1, 1963 I sat for

Re: [Elecraft] New Mystery: Copying groups vs plain language text (Rather OT)

On 5/1/2020 11:14 AM, Dave Sublette wrote: > February 1, 1963 I sat for my Extra with the District Engineer himself > in the Federal Building, downtown San Francisco.  I never did know his > name and I cannot read his signature on the certificate on the wall > behind me. That was Ney R. Landry,

Re: [Elecraft] New Mystery: Copying groups vs plain language text (Rather OT)

On 5/1/2020 11:14 AM, Fred Jensen wrote: > One of the things I forgot is that the ARC-5 was cathode-keyed and the > bug was hot.  Reverting to my K3 was a joy. Thanks for reminding me. Change "K3" to "K2" and I agree wholeheartedly. 73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane Elecraft K2/100 s/n 5402 From a

Re: [Elecraft] New Mystery: Copying groups vs plain language text (Rather OT)

My experience is a little different. I was an airborne voice intercept op in Vietnam. I flew with 4 other CW ops. I used to copy the voice 5 character groups until I heard CW. I would pick up the call sign and then pass it on to the CW ops. Actually this experience was what got me started

Re: [Elecraft] New Mystery: Copying groups vs plain language text (Rather OT)

Folks, I have restrained and refrained from entering this discussion until I can no longer endure. February 1, 1963 I sat for my Extra with the District Engineer himself in the Federal Building, downtown San Francisco. I never did know his name and I cannot read his signature on the certificate

Re: [Elecraft] New Mystery: Copying groups vs plain language text (Rather OT)

Well ... a few years ago I decided to test my recollections of "The Good Old Days" by entering an NAQP using an SX-28 I had inherited and an ARC-5 converted to 40 m.  I lasted about 2 hours, my rate was around 8 or 9 Q's/hr.  First thing about "The Good Old Days" was that the electrolytics in

Re: [Elecraft] New Mystery: Copying groups vs plain language text (Rather OT)

On 5/1/2020 10:15 AM, Joe K2UF wrote: > I remember the examiner called me to his desk after the cw test. He > had my copy folded to show one character and asked me to identify the > character. I told him what I had copied and he told me I had passed. ht happened quite often. I used to

Re: [Elecraft] New Mystery: Copying groups vs plain language text (Rather OT)

I do not remember his name but I remember his face. In 1957 as a teenage country bumpkin I took a bus to Schenectady N.Y about 20 miles from home to take my general test. The testers were all business. I remember the examiner called me to his desk after the cw test. He had my copy folded to

Re: [Elecraft] New Mystery: Copying groups vs plain language text (Rather OT)

I took my General (twice), my Extra, and my 1st Phone there. And we all talked about our experiences. I won't repeat the whole story again, but when I took my Extra, I did bring my own key -- a homebrew electronic keyer. He sneaked up behind me and pulled the plug after he'd heard enough to

Re: [Elecraft] New Mystery: Copying groups vs plain language text (Rather OT)

On 5/1/2020 9:01 AM, EricJ wrote: > Just curious. How or why would anyone know, let alone remember the name > of their FCC examiner. Seems rather strange to remember someone after > such a very short encounter more than 30 years ago. Presenting one's self for an FCC license exam is a special

Re: [Elecraft] New Mystery: Copying groups vs plain language text (Rather OT)

On 4/30/2020 10:59 PM, Steve Lawrence via Elecraft wrote: > You were given a very thin sheet of paper and a dull pencil to write > your copy. I could barely get the pencil out of a groove to write the > next letter. Felt deliberate. Nah - just the results of a pauper agency whose requests for

Re: [Elecraft] New Mystery: Copying groups vs plain language text (Rather OT)

You were allowed to bring your own key. FCC examiner in Boston and Long Beach (twice) were very accommodating to me. Just curious. How or why would anyone know, let alone remember the name of their FCC examiner. Seems rather strange to remember someone after such a very short encounter more

Re: [Elecraft] New Mystery: Copying groups vs plain language text (Rather OT)

FCC office in lower Manhattan. Finkleman's exam chairs were school desk writing arm chairs. The writing surface had grooves everywhere. They were the size of the Grand Canyon. You were given a very thin sheet of paper and a dull pencil to write your copy. I could barely get the pencil out of a

Re: [Elecraft] New Mystery: Copying groups vs plain language text (Rather OT)

Finkleman's keys in New York were like that, too. I remember trying to adjust mine. He must have used a pipe wrench to tighten them down. 73, Victor, 4X6GP Rehovot, Israel Formerly K2VCO CWops no. 5 http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/ On 01/05/2020 5:30, Fred Jensen wrote: The 2T and Extra were both

Re: [Elecraft] New Mystery: Copying groups vs plain language text (Rather OT)

On 4/30/2020 5:50 PM, Mike Morrow wrote: > The First Class license had the same written elements (1, 2, 5, 6) as > the Second Class license but the Morse test was 25 wpm Plain Language > and 20 wpm Code Groups, plus a six-month service requirement at > stations open to public correspondence. The

Re: [Elecraft] New Mystery: Copying groups vs plain language text (Rather OT)

I guess my memory is better than I thought. In '56, I sat for the 2T accidentally ... 16, new driver, terrified driving to downtown Los Angeles, and got there in the AM as he was setting up for the 2T.  He [roughish sort of guy, voice like a growl, cigar, and no fooling, green eye shade] gave

[Elecraft] New Mystery: Copying groups vs plain language text (Rather OT)

Now, in my mid-eighties I can still hear the cigar chewing examiner, a Mr. Neeb saying "Son, that's mighty fine code" ... This would have been in the very early sixties. See my QRZ page for additional related info. 73 Ken Kopp - K0PP On Thu, Apr 30, 2020, 19:25 Robert G Strickland via

Re: [Elecraft] New Mystery: Copying groups vs plain language text (Rather OT)

Mike... When I tested for my general, vintage 1960, I had to receive a five minute plain text code message with no errors for one minute. But, I don't remember having to send anything (I did have to draw the Colpits oscillator, HI). And, for sure, no 5-letter groups. I was scared to death,

Re: [Elecraft] New Mystery: Copying groups vs plain language text (Rather OT)

Fred, The Radiotelegraph Second Class license required send and receive at 20 wpm Plain Language and 16 wpm Code Groups with no errors for one minute during the five minute test. The First Class license had the same written elements (1, 2, 5, 6) as the Second Class license but the Morse test