Hello, Dan

A 1X2 call starting with "W" or "K"? How many of these folks do you think
are around that are *not* in possession of a vanity call? C'mon! Give us a
break! The original holders of 1X2 calls are mostly, if not entirely, sk.
A dear friend of mine, W2ZS (almost the end of the 1X2 calls) has been sk
for decades. Like about 3 decades.

My original call, issued in 1962, was WN2CJV. That would have made me
WB2CJV had I passed the 13 word per minute code test. Unfortunately, it
took me another year to get to 13 and I obtained WB2OSP in 1964.

With the issuance of vanity call signs, most of the 1X3 calls are gone -
mostly vanity call signs. Depending upon the call district, some of the
states were as far as a WD prefix.

Since I doubt many folks would spend money to get a call sign beginning with
WA, WB, etc., those are the folks that you can be certain have been licensed
since the early 60s. I did obtain WA3RJX in 1970, however, when I moved to
Pennsylvania. Still, had I kept that call, it would be 35 years old!
Moving back then might also require a call sign change - along with a
"newbie" type call sign.

When the FCC allowed extra class licensees to choose their own call sign in
the early 70s, I obtained N2JH. At that point, I'm not sure if they would
allow you to grab an old expired call.

Once the gates were opened for vanity call signs, all bets are off as to how
long an amateur has been licensed. My bet would be that the WA and WB type
prefixes would be the only ones that would *almost* guarantee the individual
has been licensed long enough to qualify for the quarter century club. It
won't be long (and may have already happened) that there are some 5 word per
minute folks with a 1X2 call (which means fairly new hams).

I have to ask what the heck you were thinking with your response that a 1X2
or 1X3 call indicates an old timer?

???



73 from Rochester, NY
Jim AA2QA


"Dan/W4NTI" wrote in message
ink.net...

"KC8GXW" wrote in message
...
What makes a person a real ham?
Is it doing more then 5 wpm code?
A "Real Ham" is proficient in all forms and modes of communications. One
of
the primary purposes of Amateur Radio is to provide a pool of qualified
radio operators in the event of emergency. Thus being able to use Morse
Code at anything but training wheel speed is a big plus.


Is it being accepted by certain other hams?

No, not entirely. But being able to assimilate with minimum friction is a
big help. In otherwords don't show up with a "I know it all attitude" and
have a bit of respect for those that have been there before you.

Could it be the date they were first licensed, or maybe the class of
license they hold now?

That does have a bearing on things. Don't come on with the above attitute
holding a Technician ticket for 6 months, and expect to be treating with
respect. Respect is earned me boy.

Can a person climb to Extra with today's test and be considered a real
ham?

No, not really. Must I elaborate on the obvious?

If one does that wonderous dead and then EARNS the respect of those other
hams. A lot of what I said above is bypassed. Respect, Earned those
are
the key words here.

Is yodoc aka K3LT a real ham, or the one to determine who is a real ham?

Don't know the man.

Can somebody who gets into amateur radio today with the "give away
license" ever be considered a real ham?

Sure...see above.

Does getting a vanity license that is an older call such as K8*** or
WD8*** make you a real ham?

A WD8? a joke right? Try W or K ...one by two or three, non vanity of
course. Thats an old timer.

As a matter of fact the FCC once considered the W/K prefix "prefered
calls".
And at one time the FCC required you to change your call if you permanetly
moved to another district. And in deference to the W/K....if you had one
they would issue another from the prefered block.

Which is how I got my present call (W4NTI) because I used to have K8BHH.
Course that all went to crap with the alphabet soup system of today.


I didn't take the free upgrade to general, so would this make me a cb'er
or no coder as the toad says?

No, just a no coder. Unless of course you did pass a 5wpm test. Then
you
would be a Technician. Hi hi.


I'm not being a troll, I would really like to know the answers to this!


Hope that helps a bit.

Dan/W4NTI