[AMRadio] FCC exam

[JAMES HANLON]

Bernie,
 
I, too, took my exam from Mister (Joe) Cotton.  It was in Cincinnati in February of 1952 and I was taking the new Novice test.  The "class" was a group of young boys, myself an 8th grader, with the exception of one adult man who happened to be Black.  We all passed our 5 wpm receiving test, but when it came to the sending test our Black colleague became quite nervous and was shaking so badly that he could not send properly.  In 1952 it would have been quite ordinary, even expected, for an examiner not to give him a break, especially because he was Black, and to fail him.  But Mr. Cotton settled him down, told him that he knew he could do it, and worked with him until he passed his code sending test.  
 
I've never forgotten that experience.
 
Jim Hanlon, W8KGI (ex Wn4VIV)