[CW] One Day to Extra Class

[David J Ring Jr]

I was very disappointed with myself when I studied for my Extra, I had to learn how to 
convert from polar to rectangular coordinates.  (The study guide made a "jump" in that part of 
the complex impedance calculations - and I had to discover this "trick" myself before I felt I 
had learned the technique of complex impedance calculations, calculating phase angle and 
converting (and even slightly understanding the concept of j (square root of negative one) as 
a "marker" so that phase angle could be calculated.

I really wondered about my abilities - because I found this math rather difficult.

So too, when I drew the schematics of a parallel Class-C RF output stage being modulated 
by a push-pull AB(sub2) modulator.

I would draw the schematics, and forget the by-pass capacitor on the power supply, or I 
would have the neutralization capacitor hooked up wrong, 

As you remember pre-1967 there were ten schematics to draw, and even one small fault in 
the answer would make the answer incorrect.

If you opted for not doing the schematics, you would start with a maximum of 90% and then 
have only 14 more questions that you could get wrong out of the total of 100 questions that 
comprised the Extra examination.  

I think the passing grade for the examination was 76%. I might be wrong - but I think it was in 
the range of 72% to 76% - perhaps 

I really wondered about my abilities - because I found this math rather difficult.

I took the Extra without studying (but always learning and reading) the first time just having 
finished the "two years as a licensed radio amateur" requirement, and failed.

But I finally made it on the next try several months later (and really intensive reading and 
study) and passed with a score of 96%.  (My lowest score on any FCC exam was 88% for 
the 2nd RadioTelephone, the others (elements which lead up to both First-class 
Radiotelephone and First-Class Radiotelegraph were from 100% to 94%. (I had to wait until 
18 to get the commercial licenses.)

I was pleased when my Section Communications Manager, Frank Baker, W1ALP wrote a 
letter which was published in QST (around February 1968) about my accomplishment, 
bragging that if a "kid" only 16 years old could pass the Extra, we all should give it a try.  (I 
was told that I was youngest Extra at the time).

Jim, I think you're right - it used to mean something - or at least we educated ourselves for 
these exams.  And that education was a good one - look at what we have done with it!

73

David Ring
N1EA


On 19 Apr 2002 at 13:47, Jim Reid wrote:

I am shocked at the following report from the ARRL!
I  am sending this to a fairly wide distribution with this
question:  is this where Amateur Radio really wants
to be going?  Or do you think the following is just
great and wonderful??

>From today's ARRL Letter:

"New York's Long Island Mobile Amateur Radio Club--LIMARC
--reports its first "one-day Extra" licensing upgrade class was 
such a success that it's scheduled additional sessions for later 
this spring. LIMARC recently attracted two dozen students to its 
first Extra class license study short course, and nearly all who 
attended walked away with their Extra tickets.

"....the session involves seven hours of
intensive study. Five instructors taught the nine Extra examination
subelements, which include FCC rules, operating procedures, radio
propagation, Amateur Radio practices, electrical principles, circuit
components, practical circuits and antennas and feedlines.

When the session ended, 20 of the 24 applicants had passed 
Element 4. "

All in  a "one-day"  short course.

Wow,  I am impressed.  Took me an entire semester in engineering
school to learn how to solve all those impedance,  complex
plane,   problems.  And 20 of these guys learned how
to do those,  along with all that other stuff,  and STILL the same
day took and passed the Extra license exam????

Maybe what  those five instructors "taught" was the answers
to the questions on the test to be given that day???  At least
one enquiring mind would like to know!  I believe what is
being reported is not possible and still be legitimate,  unless
those 20 guys had way above genius IQ's.  Or maybe,  they
all have "perfect recall" memories.

Guess I was a real slow learning;  I was years getting the education,
experience and UNDERSTANDING under my belt before I went
for the Extra.  Oh yes,  also had to pass the 20 wpm CW test
that same day,  but that isn't needed anymore.  Maybe it was
getting to 20 wpm CW that took me all that time,  no,  don't
think so.  Just took me awhile to learn/understand what the
meaning of the stuff on the Extra Class license was all about.

Yes,  what does the Extra Class license mean anymore??

Just a bit disappointed,

73,  Jim KH7M



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