Subj : Re: Learn, Amateurs Learn!
To   : Ed Vance
From : Rug Rat
Date : Mon Oct 27 2025 02:56:27

On Sun 26-Oct-2025  5:06p, Ed Vance@1:2320/105.0 said to Nigel Reed:

EV> Ihad a General Class License 30 years before taking the Amateur Extra
EV> test.
EV> It back in the days when the F.C.C. gave tests.
EV> I passed the CW portion .
EV> The written part had topics about some things I never knew, such as acUHF
EV> Oscillator Triode Tube, I also recall a question about Sattellite
EV> operation.
EV> I failed the written part but left the room with an Advanced Class ticket.
EV> Ed W9ODR

Ahhh yes, the good ol Advanced test.  Took and failed that one 7 times.  Was the biggest reason I put off Extra for so long, and as mentioned earlier I still would not have it except for the excellent classes being done on YouTube!  There is only so much math I can take before my brain just shuts down!  There was no way I would get through it without being walked through it, and being shown that for the questions, 3 other formulae to get to the one you need, because the answer already gives you the number you would get from the 3 other fomulas. 

Then there is the CODE..  THE CODDDE.  That was another 5 trips to the testing center.  The 4th time I missed it by 3 lousy characters...  It was a blessing and a curse that the VEs knew me, because I had done the full rotation in San Diego County!  They encourged me when they saw me, but had to ummm.  "play" with me too.   My friend KF6JAX came with me to take his General theory..  (I'm putting him there as a place holder..).  So when they were scoring the test, they we saying between them.  So close again... I was a bit miffed at myself.  I was sure I was ready this time, "So.... What.... I missed it by 2 this time.."  One guy says, "one.."   I said, "I'm going to go smoke...  I will be back up to schedule for next week..."

I came back, and my friend who was still testing, gave me a thumbs up...  I was like, "No!  Really?!!"  Got my papers and swore I would never take another code test!  Thank God I didn't have to.

Though now that JAX and I are both No Code Extra's, I still playfully tease him that at least I can say I did the 13...

At the end of the day though, it is all about what you do with the hobby.

Rug Rat (Brent Hendricks)
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