Thanks to all who have contributed their thoughts to this thread and to those who will at some point. I plan to continue studying for my Extra, although I have some other demands on my time which has kept me off the air more than I would like. However, I do believe there is value in upgrading, but I also can respect those who elect not to upgrade for whatever reason. I just thought I would bring the issue up with the group since my conversation with a friend and see what others thought.
73
Scott/N3BYY
On Aug 19, 2012, at 9:28 AM, Albert Sanchez <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Scott
> I have been following this thread with considerable interest and have
> decided to add my two cents worth.
>
> I got my ticket back in 1966 as a "Conditional" class licensee. Back then if
> you lived 75 or more miles away from the closest FCC office the General
> class exam could be administered by another local ham. I passed both the
> written and the 13 WPM CW exam. Later, sometime in the early 1970's, the FCC
> grandfathered all Conditional class licensees up to General class. I was
> happy to stay within the band limits for my class of license until earlier
> this spring, something like 46 years. Then, something happened. My wife had
> gotten her General class ticket 4 years ago and decided to try for the Extra
> class before the question pool changed in July of this year, well, she
> passed. As a result, I decided that "If she can then I should"! I studied
> the material, including the math, and was successful.
> I do like the extra band priviledges particularly on the CW bands, but,
> mostly I became an Extra class licensee because it was there, and, now I can
> go anywhere. Good luck
> Best 73's,
> Albert, WA7FXB
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Scott Howell" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Sunday, August 19, 2012 6:27 AM
> Subject: To upgrade or not
>
>
>> 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
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