On Sun, 5 Oct 2014 09:40:05 EDT, Jeff Liebermann
wrote:

Also, extra class licensees can get call signs in the form of 1x2
(N6AA), 2x1 (NA6A) and 2x2 (AA6AA). Advanced class can get only 2x2.
When I upgraded from Tech to Extra, I took advantage of this to trade
in my old call sign for an improved version.

As did I in 1978. 20 years later I paid the "tribute" (i.e. "vanity
fee") to get my original 1x3 call sign back before someone else got
it.

73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane

From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest
Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon

On 10/5/2014 5:31 PM, Howard Lester wrote:
"Foxs Mercantile" wrote

And thanks for bringing to *my* attention that there *were*
extra privileges at one time for Extras.

There still are.
http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Regulatory/Band%20Chart/Hambands_color.pdf


I didn't think I had to explain myself so explicitly.... I *know* there
still are; I *am* one. I meant that I didn't know there were additional
privileges for the Amateur Extra Class in the era before the portions of
the 1950's and 1960's when there *weren't* any additional privileges.

There may also be some confusion about terminology. Jeff pointed out
that in 1923 they created an "Amateur Extra First Class" license, but
also, in 1933, they went to A, B, and C, dropping the "extra" name. So
then there was no "Extra" by name, until the 1951 reforms which also btw
created the Novice and Tech. That "Amateur Extra Class" had no on-air
privs. Incentive licensing in 1967 then reserved some bands for Extras,
other for the revived Advanced (including old grandfathered ones), that
had been General bands.

Extras also were eligible for 1x2 call signs, which IIRC were sort of
randomly assigned at first, then the "pick your own" program started.
That's how I got k1io -- First they gave PYO to people who had been
Extras for a while, then to less-of-a-while Extras, and finally to
anyone with an Extra. That's when I took the Extra test and got my
first choice. Since district 1 is relatively unpopulated, I don't think
anyone had held the call previously -- the K2xx series had been given
out back in the 1940s, but 1-land moved more slowly.

On Sun, 5 Oct 2014 23:02:29 EDT, Phil Kane wrote:

On Sun, 5 Oct 2014 09:40:05 EDT, Jeff Liebermann
wrote:

Also, extra class licensees can get call signs in the form of 1x2
(N6AA), 2x1 (NA6A) and 2x2 (AA6AA). Advanced class can get only 2x2.
When I upgraded from Tech to Extra, I took advantage of this to trade
in my old call sign for an improved version.

As did I in 1978. 20 years later I paid the "tribute" (i.e. "vanity
fee") to get my original 1x3 call sign back before someone else got
it.
73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane

You might be amused at how I obtained my extra class ticket.

I had been a tech since the 1960's and saw no reason to learn Morse
code in order to talk on HF. I was working for various 2way and
marine radio companies. The last thing I wanted to do when I left
work was see another radio. I almost let my tech license lapse, but a
friend shoved the 610 form in my face and demanded that I renew.

When the code requirement was finally dropped for general class I
decided it was time to upgrade. Having passed the tech exam in the
dark ages (tubes, dynamotors, and Marconi antennas) was deemed
sufficient to demonstrate my technical competence. Therefore, I was
not required to repeat the exam.

The procedure required that I find all my old FCC licenses, which
amazingly were exactly where I buried them. When I appeared at the
scheduled VEC exam, I was informed that for the same price ($10), I
could take the extra exam. If I failed, then they would grant me a
general class license as a consolation prize. Just one problem. I
hadn't studied at all for the extra exam.

I sat down with a borrowed calculator and began to sweat my way
through the questions. The technical questions were easy. The
questions on HF operating protocol, band limits, and procedures were
unfathomable, so I resorted to guessing. I'm fairly sure that I got
all the technical questions right, and missed most of the operational
questions. I was later informed that I had passed by one question.
Whew.

Unfortunately, one of my friends surpassed my feat. He became tired
of using his foreign call sign and decided to get a US ham license. He
passed all 4 elements in one sitting, without missing a single
question, and possibly without studying. I was crushed but still
offered my congratulations.

I don't recommend attempting the extra class exam totally unprepared.
However, if anyone asks, it can be passed without studying.


--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

Jeff Liebermann wrote:

snip

I don't recommend attempting the extra class exam totally unprepared.
However, if anyone asks, it can be passed without studying.

Before I took the extra exam I looked at some of the "practice tests"
available.

As a BSEE that worked his way through school working as an avionics
technician, like you I found the theory part to be trivial and the
regulatory part to require some before hand study.

This is as it is to be expected as electronics is electronics but
regulations are always unique.


--
Jim Pennino

On Monday, October 6, 2014 12:27:25 PM UTC-4, Jeff Liebermann wrote:

I don't recommend attempting the extra class exam totally unprepared.
However, if anyone asks, it can be passed without studying.

Of course - if you already know enough to pass it. I studied
for about a week for the test. My issue was that although I was
experienced in electronic matters, my experience was almost
entirely on the computing end, in fact, it was one of the
reasons I got into Ham Radio - I wanted to understand RF.

By the time I was ready for the Extra, I could have barely passed
without studying. I wanted to ace it though.

I think what happens in the testing discussions is some of the
people who have passed end up thinking that everyone
needs to know what they dolready do. It's like my wife
thinks that all hams do all the stuff I do and know, so
she doesn't want to test even at Tech level.

But th eguys I talk to who talk about "They might as
well give the licenses away" might be guilty of it
in the other direction.

On Mon, 6 Oct 2014 14:47:03 EDT, wrote:

Before I took the extra exam I looked at some of the "practice tests"
available.

As a BSEE that worked his way through school working as an avionics
technician, like you I found the theory part to be trivial and the
regulatory part to require some before hand study.

A very close friend of mine decided after 50+ years on the sidelines
to get her ham license. She did the sample exams and aced all three
in one sitting. When I remarked that she had a BSEE and MSEE from
her earlier career in the electronics industry (she's been a forensic
odontologist for 30+ years now) she replied that there was almost
nothing on the exam that dealt with what she learned in school 50
years ago. I can understand that.

73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane

From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest
Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon