Scott,
I got my Extra when there was still a code test and I made 20 WPM a 
challenge for myself and in the process learned to enjoy Morse code a 
whole lot more than when I was obliged to learn it for my General 
back in the dark ages!!  And the night after I passed I worked France 
at the bottom of the forty meter band.  I honestly thought I had 
misread the station!
the written part was tough; I didn't honestly understand all of the 
heavier technical and mathematics - did some "best guess" on some of 
the questions and passed but not near 100 percent.  Why did I do 
it?  I guess because it was there and besides my wife got her license 
about two years prior to my getting the Extra and was close on my 
heels.  I was damned if she was going to get hers first!!  So I won, 
but not by much!!  She did in two years what it took me nearly thirty to do!!
I still think it is fun to learn new things but the Extra is no small 
task!  So the best to you witchever way you decide to go.
Pat, K9JAUAt 05:27 AM 8/19/2012, you wrote:
>All,
>
>I happen to have a conversation with a friend who like myself is working =
>on upgrading from General to Extra. The conversation turned to whether =
>upgrading from General to Extra would really be of any value. Now I am =
>really interested in your thoughts, but I do not really want to hear a =
>bunch of crap either because I know there are some really strong =
>opinions on expanding knowledge etc. You can learn and expand knowledge =
>without upgrading your ticket obviously, so that is not the issue.
>THe conversation surrounded the question of added privileges in =
>operating in lower parts of the HF band. So, the question is beyond the =
>added band privileges and the fact you can call yourself and Extra:
>(1) Why did you upgrade and
>(2) Does it really make that much of a difference?
>I think one of his issues was learning the technical material such as =
>the math etc. would be a challenge and since he really is not interested =
>in building equipmentt. He obviously appreciates his responsibility for =
>operating his equipment and maintaining his equipment so he operates as =
>a responsible Ham.
>Again, I am not looking to start a hostile thread over appliance =
>operators vs those who want to learn the technical knowledge. So, before =
>you respond, step back and consider the topic before just firing off =
>comments based on your initial reaction because those comments may not =
>be constructive. Hey not everyone feels the need to upgrade and I =
>personally see nothing wrong with that. SOme are more interested in the =
>communications skills aspect of operating than the technical side as has =
>been observed on this list in the not to distant past.
>THanks in advance for your thoughtful consideration and responses.
>
>73
>Scott/N3BYY