A bit late in sending to the list because I sent it to only one person the 
first time.   Enjoy.  73
Paul
Good evening everybody,

I just want to say that listening to code on a regular basis, 15 minutes 2 
or 3 times daily, is the only way that you will pick up on the dit and dahs 
and then one day you won't hear a dit dah as two tones, but the letter A and 
then it starts to make more sense.

I'm not familiar with code testing in Canada, but here in the U.S. we have 
it rather easy since the time they came out with multiple choice testing 
after the 5 minutes of code.

In 1993 I spent 4 months in England not far from where the radio club met, 
which is very near to the site from where Marconi transmitted his signal in 
1901, I think, so I went quite a few times and it was just a social hour 
discussing radio and then dragging out the old rig and firing it up for an 
hour or so.

One week it was mentioned that the following month code test would be 
administered so I made further inquiries as to how a blind person took the 
test.  The same as everybody else.  You listen to a few minutes of code, I 
forgot exactly how many, but for a blind person they would send a sentence 
or a portion and I just had to repeat what I heard and that was that.  No 
mistakes were allowed, it was copy it all perfect or you were out.  Now came 
the transmitting portion of the test.  This was QSO style and you were 
replying back to the receive transmission.  The examiners read to you what 
you had to transmit, a few mistakes were allowed, but you had to correct the 
sending mistake again when you finished your transmission was perfect after 
the few corrections.

This code was sent and received with a straight key at 12 WPM.

The theory test is given only twice per year by the equivalent of the FCC, I 
think, but much different than our exams as they give you the formula and 
you are expected to work out the problem from scratch.

I'm going to say 73 and good luck to all planning to study and take their 
Ham test.

Have a great day,

Paul Bolduc

Amateur Radio Operator: WR1X
Email: [log in to unmask]

Located in the only town named Royalston in North America and maybe even the 
world!
Royalston is located in Massachusetts