[SOC] Its Creepy . . .

[Lee]

I took and passed my Extra in 1976 at the FCC Field Office in Chicago.  
The FCC provided a hand key or you could bring in your own key or bug.  
I was bringing my bug, but on the way to the FCC I had to stop suddenly 
and my bug went flying.  It wound up on the floor boards all miss 
aligned.  So I decided to leave it in the car.  I first had to pass the 
receiving test which I passed with no problem.  Now it was time to send 
20 wpm.  I was now faced with doing this with a hand key rather then 
with my bug.  I sent 5 minutes to the inspector and he said, "give me 
another minute,  I think you were sending at 19 wpm."  So I gave him 
another minute. Again he asked for another minute as he thought I was 
sending at 19 wpm.  This went on for a total of around 10 minutes.  By 
this time my hand was almost in cramps.  He finally said, "OK, you 
pass!"  He never smiled once!  Sure wish I would have taken my Lightning 
Bug into the Field Office.  (I still have that Lightning Bug.)
Lee, w0vt