Oh and also to get this cool certificate the FCC issued on request.
73
DR
On Wed, Sep 18, 2024 at 10:01 PM sbjohnston--- via CW <cw@mailman.qth.net> wrote:
> I became an Extra so I wouldn't have to worry about the various band segments. I also wanted to pass the 20 WPM test before it went away. I think of myself as just a "ham" not an "Extra".
>
>
> Steve WD8DAS
>
>
>
>
> On Wednesday, September 18, 2024 Charles C. Royall WB5T wrote:
>
> I do not know if I can write a LITTLE article about being
> a novice. I will try.
>
> Thank you for asking and researching the article about
> “The Lifetime Novice, April 1980 QST and then tracking me
> down.
>
> I drove 120 miles round trip to Liberal KN. twice a week
> for ham classes. I lived in the Texas Panhandle on the
> OK/TX State line.
>
> After taking the Novice Test on 9-1-1976 I received my
> license 6 months later on 3-18-1977 as WD5CJI. None of
> that instant licensing stuff back then. While waiting for
> my ticket I bought a used Swan rig in Denver CO. so that I
> could go on the air the same day I got my ticket, that is
> IF I got it.
>
> I did not WANT to use CW. I wanted to key up the big radio
> on SSB with 1500 watts!! In fact I told my gripey neighbor
> that I was “going to suck up all of his electricity from
> his light bulbs.”
>
> I did use CW as there was no other choice. Guess what? I
> found out that I liked it!!
>
> The same year that I was licensed the FCC changed the
> rules about mandatory upgrades after 1 year as a Novice
> and you could remain a Novice forever.
>
> It was my intention to do just that, remain a Novice
> forever. I was doing what I wanted to do and that was CW
> only. There was no need to upgrade, ever.
>
> I was a Novice from 3-18-1977 to 1-30- 1997 (19 years 9
> months.)
>
> Went to Advanced Class: 1-30-1997
> 9 months later
> Went to Extra with code: 10-06-1997
>
> The ONLY reason I upgraded to Extra was:
>
> While engaged in a conversation with 3 Extra Class VE’s
> from my club one of them remarked,” what do you know
> about it Charlie, you are just a Novice!”
>
> That remark made me really angry. “I will show them, I
> thought to myself.”
>
> After passing my Extra from these same 3 VE’s I ask them
> if they would like to continue that conversation now that
> I “KNEW SOMETHING” !!!
>
> Never, never, never judge a persons intelligence by the
> class of license they hold!
>
> I have not enjoyed being an Extra Class Operator nearly as
> much as I did being “JUST A NOVICE”. I am not on the air
> as much as an Extra as I was when I was Just a Novice. The
> thrill is gone. Sure wish I was still “JUST A NOVICE.” I
> really miss it.
>
> Guess perhaps I upgraded for the wrong reasons.
>
> All of the awards that I have achieved I did so as a
> Novice on CW only. I now own a CW straight key made in
> Germany that I paid $800.00 US Dollars for when purchased
> new so I must really like CW.
>
> I am an ARRL Life Member. Also a member of QCWA, INDEXA,
> 10-10, NAQCC and many other organizations. Former ARRL
> West Texas Section Manager with the vanity call of WB5T. I
> resigned as Section Manager after 2 and 1/2 terms due to
> poor health. I am now 71 years old.
>
> Charles C. Royall WB5T
> San Angelo, TX.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> CW mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/cw
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:CW@mailman.qth.net
> CW List ARCHIVES: http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/cw/
> Unsubcribe send email to
> cw-unsubscribe@mailman.qth.net
> Subscribe send email to cw-subscribe@mailman.qth.net
> Support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
> =30=
> ______________________________________________________________
> CW mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/cw
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:CW@mailman.qth.net
> CW List ARCHIVES: http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/cw/
> Unsubcribe send email to
> cw-unsubscribe@mailman.qth.net
> Subscribe send email to cw-subscribe@mailman.qth.net
> Support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
> =30=
