If you like to chase rare DX,  it is often found in the Extra portion of 
the band.   The ability to move anywhere in the band is also nice, but 
if none of this stuff is important to you, stay where you are and make 
full use of the privileges you have.


What prompted me to upgrade in 1993 was the fact that I still  had  a 
small  amount of usable vision in one eye, and  figured I would rather 
take the test and get it over with  using  a magnifier, rather then wait 
until I was total.

To each his own.

73, Steve KW3A

On 8/19/2012 6:27 AM, Scott Howell 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
>
>
>