[Elecraft] K-1 4-bander suggestions?

[Fred Jensen]

On 8/28/2012 2:03 PM, Bob Nielsen wrote:
> Fred, you forgot the step between passing the received code test and
> the written test: a sending test.  When I upgraded from Novice to
> General in 1953 at that same office, one of the applicants passed on
> receiving but failed at sending.  He was so nervous that his fist was
> just too shaky to control the hand key.

Indeed, I did.  I knew I could copy reliably at around 10 WPM with my 
Elmer sending, but that "mechanical monster" right next to me seriously 
increased my stress.  When I found out I passed, and that "thing" was 
turned off, the sending test on the FCC's J-38 wasn't a problem.  I used 
it for the General about six months later too.  When I went for the 
Extra after the 2 years service was up, I took my Lionel J-36 bug.  I 
ended up sending at 25 WPM for the 2T [accidentally, long story], but 
got 20 WPM credit for the Extra that afternoon.

The nostalgia is fun [for a few minutes], but I think we in the US have 
evolved very well in the examination process.  We're a volunteer, 
hobby-oriented service ... far better we should have a volunteer 
examination force rather than paying government employees with green 
eyeshades and machines from hell to terrorize 13 yr olds. :-)

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2012 Cal QSO Party 6-7 Oct 2012
- www.cqp.org