Matt...

MK>Why does General and Extra Class license people think they are better then
  >a Non Code Tech? Just becasue you have a xtra bands that you can work doesn'
  >make you any better then anyone.  Just be glad that we are in Ham Radio.

  I feel the same way. Even though I'm an Amateur Extra Class licensee
(I upgraded because of a shortage of Volunteer Examiners (VE's) to give
the ham radio license exams in central Arkansas), most of my work in the
hobby is what a Technician Class licensee can enjoy...packet (via telnet
into the N0KFQ BBS in Branson, Missouri), Echolink, and severe weather
operations on the W5DI wide area coverage repeater system in central
Arkansas via "The Weather Watch Net".

  Even though I have an HF setup, I haven't had a chance to use it,
because of work on the BBS, and other things outside ham radio.

  I don't care if someone did a 5, 13, or 20 wpm code test, or not one
at all...or if they're a Novice, Technician, General, Advanced, or
Amateur Extra. As long as they're licensed, I'm content with that. Folks
need to realize that "ham radio is a hobby"...although some do consider
it an obsession. But, one should not neglect his family, job, church,
personal life, etc. because of ham radio.

  Shortly after I got my Technician license in 1991 (I had to pass the
Novice and Technician written exams for the No-Code Technician license),
I had people "admonishing" me to upgrade...and I told them "I was
content where I was at, thank you very much".

  The idea to upgrade was because at a central Arkansas hamfest several
years ago, they were literally begging and pleading for VE's. So, 5
months after the FCC dropped the Morse Code requirement in 2007, and 3
months after my XYL died, I decided "just for grins" to try and upgrade.
I could handle the rules, regulations, frequencies, propagation, and RF
safety material...but was "screwed" when it came to electronic theory in
ANY form. Personally, I didn't think I had a chance to pass the tests!!

  I signed up with Ham Test Online on July 15, 2007, and studied for 2
hours a day for the next 2 weeks. On July 29, 2007, I took, and passed
my General exam, and resolved "I want it all, to be a VE"...but didn't
even attempt the Amateur Extra exam that day. So, it was back to Ham
Test Online for the next 13 days...at which time, I passed my Amateur
Extra Class exam...barely, but it was still a pass. It was the best $50
I ever spent in ham radio.

  As a side note, one of my other hobbies, square dancing, has five
levels...Basic, Mainstream, Plus, Advanced, and Challenge. While I've
danced some of all 5 levels, Challenge is the one I've had the least
experience with. One fellow dancer, when finding out I danced
"Advanced", lamented "I was too good to dance with
her"...to which I
replied "Not at all...it means I have more moves to mess up on"...it did
make me a better "Plus" level dancer, however. And, there are quite a
few "dancing hams"...we'd meet at the National Square Dance Convention
(R), pick a simplex frequency to find out where to dance, eat, etc. At
one of those conventions (it usually occurs on Field Day Weekend, and on
the 3 days before it), there was a Field Day site set up at an armory
across the street from my hotel.

  Club wise, the politics is so thick in central Arkansas, you think
you'd drown in it!! As a result, I've greatly reduced my involvement in
area clubs. When I took Amtrak up to Ohio last month, to visit the
Portage County Amateur Radio Service (PCARS) Club, it was truly a breath
of fresh air in ham radio. Their club callsign is K8BF...for K8 "Big
Fun"...and they have it. I didn't see any of the politics, bickering,
etc. at their meeting in July at the On Tap Grill in Stowe (good
eatings, there )...and I'm also part of their web design team. They
have at least 210 members, and 80 were at the meeting...filling up the
banquet room at the restaurant. Central Arkansas clubs are LUCKY to get
a dozen at a meeting...eating or otherwise, anymore.

Daryl, AE5WX

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