[Elecraft] Dropping the Code Test

[Thomas M.Beaudry]

> There was a time when getting an extra class license in the
> USA required first having years of experience as an Amateur
> Radio licensee, then passing tests significantly harder than
> the those for the other exams, both theory and code.

Two years licensed as a General or Advanced when I sat for the Extra 
with the FCC traveling road show in the UP of MI.  And if you only had 
your General, you had to pass the Advanced before you could try the 
Extra.

> The "Extra" was something one expected only those who had
> done a lot of self-study and work, or someone who had a good
> technical school education would try for.

Or the guys that were grandfathered in because they had 25 years of 
uninterrupted experience and had held the old Class A license.  But 
yes, Extras were looked up to back then and that was the reason I 
started studying for mine as soon as I passed my Novice.

> Times change...

That they do...

-- 
73 de Thomas M. Beaudry	K8LA / YS1ZTM
ARS		# 1566			ARRL Life member
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