[Elecraft] OT: The Colpitts mystery

[Bob McGraw K4TAX]

As a 17 year old, I rode the train {pulled by a coal fired locomotive} 
from Fulton, KY to Memphis, TN.  I had to walk about 8 blocks to the 
Post Office building where the FCC administered the tests.  I took the 4 
elements and passed all 4 of them earning me a First Class Radio 
Telephone license on the first try.  I recall many much older folks 
seemingly to be struggling to take the tests.  Some commented "what's 
this kid doing in here?"  Seems some had taken it several times without 
success.     I spent the night with an old maid school teacher and 
relative in Memphis.  I took my General class license test the next 
morning in the same place.     The CW receiving portion, in the concrete 
basement with metal desks and metal chairs, sounded like marbles being 
dropped into a galvanized wash tub.   So was that a T followed by an E 
or was that and H?  Passed that one too.  Then I rode the bus from 
Memphis back to my home in Martin TN.  Yes there were several circuits 
to identify, and some to draw, as I recall.   That was 60 years ago.  
Glad I had the experiences.

73

Bob, K4TAX