Ed,

EV>One time I did put the J-38 Straight Key on the floor and used my Left
EV>Foot to carry on a QSO (conversation).

EV>QLF anyone?
EV>QLF is a made up Q-Code meaning "Are You sending with Your Left
Foot?".

  I have heard of that actually occurring.

EV>Wasn't (Isn't) there a Section in the Rules and Regulations where the
EV>F.C.C. will accommodate Handicapped people who are taking a test to
EV>become a Amateur Radio Operator?
EV>It seems like I remember reading something like that long ago.

  There still is. The Volunteer Examiner (VE) Team can give
"accomodations" to "disabled" or "special
needs" examinees...but the
examinees need to notify the VE Team BEFORE the session, so proper
arrangements can be made. These include:

1) Giving an exam without graphics or schematics.

2) Reading the questions and available answers, and marking the answer
the examinee tells us to mark on the answer sheet (no vocal inflections,
coaching, etc. is allowed).

3) Going to where the examinee is, such as a hospital, or even at their
home.

  All the proper ID and license verification procedures still have to be
followed, and the examinee still has to pay the proper fee. Some of the
Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (VEC's) charge little to nothing, but
most (such as ARRL/VEC) charge a $15 fee for each element taken.

  Now, as long as they pass an exam, they can take the next one in line
for FREE. That also means they can walk into an exam session, and pass
all 3 exams (Technician, General, and Amateur Extra) the first time, and
only have to pay $15 total (I've seen that happen at least twice). While
the Morse Code test is long gone, still going from Zero To Extra in one
session is still quite a feat.

  Along that line, Kristina, KT1NA, XYL of W1AI, Jim Cunningham,
creator of Ham Test Online, did just that. Her story is on their
website, and it's an inspiring one.

EV>I was in the room with my wife when a Doctor gave her some test to see
EV>how her nerves in her arm were.
EV>I remember seeing Needles poked lightly in her arm but don't remember
EV>her experiencing any pain during the test.

EV>Hopefully that was a EMG test back then, don't know.

  I've talked to several people and comments range from "it's not bad"
to "severe acupuncture and torturous pain". I originally was going to
have the EMG and an MRI of my neck on the same day, but winter weather
has delayed both several times. I'm supposed to get the MRI next
Thursday, but one of the weather models is calling for 6 inches of snow
here next Wednesday. I hope that it is WRONG...as it'll mean not only
will I have to reschedule the MRI...but have to miss one of the better
hamfests in Arkansas on March 7, in Russellville.

  My main goals at a hamfest are not necessarily to buy things (due to
antenna prohibitons where I live, as I've discussed earlier)...although
buying prize tickets to win something that I can possibly sell or give
as a gift is an option. But, the main reasons are to help with license
exam sessions (if needed), then the "eyeball QSO's" (and the exchanging
of QSL cards, and chewing the rag in person), and last but not least,
feeding my face at the food trough (hi hi).

EV>Look it up on mayoclinic.com or Doctor Web.
EV>When I want to know something medical I do a Search on the Mayo Clinic
EV>web site to see what I can find out about the subject of my search.

  I never thought about those sites...I had previously gotten stuff from
WebMD. The neurologist said the EMG "wasn't that bad", but I think he
was lying, to not scare me off. But, if I can avoid neck surgery and
paralysis (or something else), the torture of the EMG will be a small
price to pay.

(Continued to next message)
---
 þ OLX 1.53 þ So easy, a child could do it. Child sold separately.
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                          
--- Virtual Advanced Ver 2 for DOS