Ed,
I resemble that remark, sir!! <G>
I meant it as a comment about Myself, don't take it personally, but at least We have something in common besides earning an Amateur Radio License. I gave up on trying to pass the Amateur Extra Class exam and settled for being a notch below Your Class with the Avanced Operators level while the F.C.C. still was offering that License.
Well, whenever you see the "<G>" or "<BG>", it's usually meant to be
dripping with sarcasm...as thick as pancake syrup. Darn...now, I'm
getting hungry...another dilemma...what to eat. H.A.M. does stand for
"Have Another Meal", and you don't call us "Late For Dinner". <G> That
reminds me...I have to run "The Food Net" tonight on the QuadNet Array.
Due to scheduling issues, I just do that net once a month, on the 3rd Saturday...I figured it was best to do it once a month, rather than not
at all.
I have spreadsheets in the 4 main US Time Zones (Eastern, Central,
Mountain, and Pacific) of selected D-Star, D-Rats, and Echolink Nets.
Usually, the only time I'm on the air is for nets that I am running.
It has gotten to be such a mad rush (never mind a "rhubarb" <G>) when
it comes to checking in for a net. So many are "net hoppers", and it
drives me nuts..."Net Control, please checkin [callsign], [name],
[location], short time, no traffic"...and not a minute later, they
are doing likewise on another net. Some days, there are several nets,
and several meet at the same time. A fellow ham radio operator in the
Memphis, Tennessee area, wondered "do they even have a life outside
of ham radio??".
I passed the Amateur Extra Morse Code part but failed to pass the
Written Part.
With my nervous system damage from the 2 lightning strikes and the
severe concussion years ago, I couldn't pass the CW exam...but I did
try a 5 WPM CW test before the FCC eliminated it. The thing is, there
are only 500 kilohertz of spectrum in the Advanced and Extra Class
spectrum that General class licensees can't use. Then, there's 250
kilohertz of spectrum in the Extra Class spectrum that Advanced Class
licensees can't use.
To me, there are only 5 reasons to become an Amateur Extra Class
amateur radio operator.
1) Full amateur privileges, although on HF, you have to stay at least
three kilohertz away from the band edge, to avoid going out of band.
2) If traveling overseas, with a CEPT license, you have the Extra
Class (full) privileges. Obviously, with COVID-19, the overseas
travel isn't much of an option now.
3) Access to the 2x1 or 1x2 (AE5H, N5EL, etc.) callsigns...if you
are lucky enough to get them.
4) As a Volunteer Examiner (VE), you can give and grade ALL of the
license exams (Technician, General, and Amateur Extra)...even though
there are no more Morse Code exams.
5) Snob appeal (hi hi).
To non-ham radio operators, "hi hi" is known as "the telegraphers
laugh". And, I find myself saying that instead of using "ha ha",
before I got licensed nearly 30 years ago. Yet, before starting
BBSing in 1985, I didn't know what "<G>", or the emoticons were. ;)
I believe I have a Tagline that has words close to that phrase.
If not, you do now. <G>
Well Sir, We do have that in common, except I can't remember if Joe
paid for His own meal at Mister Gatti's Pizza when We were there.
After Joe got lost navigating around the area, it was the least I
could do for him. <G>
Daryl
... What makes cheese so confidential, that we need shredded cheese??
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