[Elecraft] Re: Passed Extra (and other morphed subjects)

[Fred Jensen]

First off, congratulations Lynn!

Alexandra Carter wrote:
 > I hear you can get an FCC 2nd class radiotelegraph  license
 > and get credit for the code part if you're a 20WPM Extra.

Hmmm ... that might be backwards?  I haven't kept up with the rules, but 
due to a scheduling error on my part, my Mom (the driver) and I arrived 
at the FCC in Los Angeles about 3 hrs early (I was almost 16) for the 
Extra exam.  The examiner told me to fill out the app and take the 25 
WPM 2nd telegraph code test.  If I passed, I'd get credit for the 20 WPM 
Extra.  I did pass (my teen friends and I were in a contest for top code 
speed and we were all: 1) The Nerds at school; and 2) at a bit over 30 
WPM).  I sat for the written, nothing to lose, and passed ... exactly.

My Elmer got me a job as a relief op at a coastal marine station during 
my senior year in HS, which was maybe the most fun job I've ever had 
despite the fact that the OT's on my crew knocked the 16 yr old kid 
around a lot.  My 2nd telegraph finally lapsed as I was finishing 
college.  Maybe they've changed the morse requirements since then.

The Marine Radio Historical Society in San Francisco 
<www.radiomarine.org> has restored the old KPH site at Point Reyes and 
Bolinas CA.  They recently applied for and received the license KSM, 
probably the first such license granted in maybe 20 years.  On 
Saturdays, from about noon to 1600 pacific time, they run their traffic 
wheel on 6474 Kcs and handle a little traffic with mainly other 
historical ships.  They'll sometimes activate KPH on 425 KCs during this 
time (and on Marconi Day), and often send press at about 20 WPM.  MRHS 
also holds the call K6KPH, and when they're operating, they guard 7050 
KCs and 14050 Kcs for calls and handle traffic for station visitors. 
They appreciate reception reports and will QSL on authentic Maritime 
Radio Telegram forms.

Connection to Elecraft:  I copy KSM on 6474 Kcs pretty well with my K2, 
and use the K2 as the 80m IF for my Palomar LF/VLF converter when 
listening on 425 and 500 Kcs.

73,

Fred K6DGW
Auburn CA CM98lw