[Boatanchors] Upgrade question

[Glen Zook]

Then the FCC office used the commercial test tape for some reason because the actual FCC regulations called for plain text for amateur radio.  Now when I took the CW exam in October of 1959 the FCC office located in room 826 of the Federal Courthouse in Chicago, Illinois, they definitely used plain text.  However, you were not allowed any time at all after the test ended to even think of looking back and filling in any blanks.  You were instructed to put down your pencil and turn over the paper.  The FCC engineer then collected the papers.  There were about 50 people taking the test when I was there.

Then you had to wait for the tests to be graded.  Next you were called in alphabetical order and told whether or not you had passed.  If you passed then you had to take your turn at an old J-38 key to send from a prepared text.  After sending for a few moments the engineer either handed you your written test or else said "something" and the person left the room for a few minutes and then came back to send again.  Since I was the very last person alphabetically I definitely was very nervous when my name was called.  I started sending and then I found out what the engineer was telling certain people.  Basically he told me that I was too nervous and to go out and walk up and down the hall for a couple of minutes and then come back and try again.  I did that and then sent like 5 letters before he handed me my written test.

Now the FCC engineer could definitely fail someone for not sending properly even though they had passed the receiving test.  But, this particular engineer gave everyone the benefit of the doubt and allowed them a second chance for sending.

By the way, if you had passed your commercial CW exam you were allowed credit for the amateur CW exam and therefore did not have to take one for your amateur radio operators license.  The FCC "allowed for", and it was most certainly well deserved, that if you could pass the 5 letter groups that you would definitely pass the plain text examination.

Glen, K9STH

Website:  http://k9sth.com


--- On Fri, 9/12/08, Bob Macklin <macklinbob at msn.com> wrote:

From: Bob Macklin <macklinbob at msn.com>

When I took the CW test in 1957 it was the 5 character groups.