[Boatanchors] Upgrade question

[Garey Barrell]

Glen -

My experience was a little different.  I took the Extra exam in 1959, 
"by accident".  A friend and I were on our way to the local radio store, 
(yes there WERE those in 1959, even in Louisville KY,) and on a 
short-cut from the bus-stop to the store passed through the Federal 
Building.  My friend happened to notice that the FCC was "in town" that 
day only for their semi-annual visit.  He had taken the Conditional test 
a year or so earlier, and wanted to take the "real" test for the 
General.  We actually did things like that back then.!  Since I had 
already gotten my General a couple of years earlier on a previous trip, 
I groused about what was I going to do while he took the test.   He says 
"take the Extra!"  Didn't need an appointment, no fees, etc., so -- 
ok.   A quick check of my General license showed that I had had it about 
two weeks longer than the required two years, so no excuse.

I had been handling traffic on KYN, 9RN and CAN for over a year, so the 
receiving code test was no problem.  Then came the sending test.  At 
that time, you could bring your own key or bug for the sending test if 
you wished, but no keyers.  I had been using a 9TO keyer (with dual J-38 
"paddles") for a few years, so my skills on the J-38 bolted to the board 
were pretty rusty!  So the examiner says "take your time, feel free to 
change the adjustments if you like".   So I fiddled with it for a while, 
but it didn't get any better so I just started sending from the 
laminated sheet.  I sent for a minute or two, and started to sound at 
least competent, and the examiner said "OK, can you go just a little 
faster?"  So a little faster.  Another minute (seeming like an hour) he 
says "just a little bit faster."  Now, no air conditioning, and I'm 
getting sweaty, my fingers/hand are starting to cramp, etc.  "Can you go 
just a 'little' bit faster?  Finally he says, "ok, you passed".   I said 
"Gee, that seemed like it was faster than the receiving test."  He says, 
"Yeah, it was about 35, I just wanted to see how fast you "could" 
go...."   An FCC examiner with a sense of humor just ain't right........

After that, the written, with it's oscillator schematics, "circle what's 
wrong with this transmitter schematic", etc. was a snap!

73, Garey - K4OAH
Glen Allen, VA

Drake 2-B, 4-B, C-Line & TR-4/C Service Supplement CDs
<www.k4oah.com>



Glen Zook wrote:
> 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. 
>