Poll: Upgrade to Extra Challenge?

[W1RKW]

Yes.  1st attempt last night and flagged it.  Need to study for the second go around.

[K1JJ]

Yes.  1st attempt last night and flagged it.  Need to study for the second go around.

This is a worthwhile poll.

The other night Gary/INR and I were discussing, "What percentage of active AMers currently have their Extras?"

We figured maybe it's not as high as we thought. We sampled a few on QRZ and found many were Advanced or Generals.  So, this drive for new Extra class candidates appears to be worthwhile.   Maybe this poll will show a trend of what's what.

T

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

I'm one of those dumb Avanced Class who should've taken the gimme-test several years ago but didn't. I'm still trying to remember all that ELI the ICEman stuff from the Advanced test. 

Biggest question from up here in the sticks: where and when are the tests given? There isn't a whole lot of club activity up here, and I haven't belonged for about 15 years, so I'm clueless.

I do agree though, it's a good idea and the challenge is a great opportunity to get more of us upgraded to use the additional spectrum. It'll only work well if everyone, or at least the active folks do it. Otherwise one group will have to slum in the general or advanced section of the AM ghetto to talk with friends.

So I'm game, in the 'thinking about it/need more info' category.

[W1RKW]

Todd,
From what I see the VE exam are located here.  There maybe a more detailed list else where but this is what I've used.

http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/examsearch.phtml

[K1MVP]

I'm one of those dumb Avanced Class who should've taken the gimme-test several years ago but didn't. I'm still trying to remember all that ELI the ICEman stuff from the Advanced test. 

Biggest question from up here in the sticks: where and when are the tests given? There isn't a whole lot of club activity up here, and I haven't belonged for about 15 years, so I'm clueless.

I do agree though, it's a good idea and the challenge is a great opportunity to get more of us upgraded to use the additional spectrum. It'll only work well if everyone, or at least the active folks do it. Otherwise one group will have to slum in the general or advanced section of the AM ghetto to talk with friends.

So I'm game, in the 'thinking about it/need more info' category.

Hi Todd,

If the ARRL was willing to sponsor an automatic upgrade for tech`s up to general,--it would
have made a lot more sense to "promote" the advanced class to extra, IMO, with an automatic upgrade.
Oh well, --I guess that`s just part of the "bureaucracy".

                                            73, From K1MVP/8, in Youngstown Ohio for thanksgiving

        P.S, Happy Thanksgiving Todd, and to all on the am forum.l

[Jim KF2SY]

Busy time of year with the Holidays, I'll guess it'll have to be a New Years Resolution.
for 2007.  Hope to keep hearing activity on the old neighborhood 3885 +/-
 
Jim

[W1RKW]

Just an FYI, there are only 23 days left as of today.

Also would like to add an FYI.  I took a sample of the AMFone member list of members who have call signs as their usernames. 

I sampled 89 call signs on the first 13 pages of the member list.  Out of the 89 there were:

59 Extras
16 Advanced
11 Generals
3 Techs.

Note: The sampling is totally unscientific.

[KB2WIG]

"Hi Todd,

If the ARRL was willing to sponsor an automatic upgrade for tech`s up to general,--it would
have made a lot more sense to "promote" the advanced class to extra, IMO, with an automatic upgrade.
Oh well, --I guess that`s just part of the "bureaucracy".

                                            73, From K1MVP/8, in Youngstown Ohio for thanksgiving

        P.S, Happy Thanksgiving Todd, and to all on the am forum.l  "


In defense of the ARRLs :

Well, suposedly, the technical aspects of the Teeck licence was almost the same as the General, but the code speed was lower.. whereas the technical aspects of the Advanced  license was almost the same as the Extra, but the code speed was lower....  Thats why the ARRL pushed for the Teecks.     klc

[K1JJ]

I sampled 89 call signs on the first 13 pages of the member list.  Out of the 89 there were:

59 Extras
16 Advanced
11 Generals
3 Techs.

Wow!

Maybe we're preaching to the choir!....

So that's about 33% (of this sample) who could upgrade, if they desired. 

66% Extras is a  pretty good start.

T

[Pete, WA2CWA]

If the ARRL was willing to sponsor an automatic upgrade for tech`s up to general,--it would
have made a lot more sense to "promote" the advanced class to extra, IMO, with an automatic upgrade.
Oh well, --I guess that`s just part of the "bureaucracy".

                                            73, From K1MVP/8, in Youngstown Ohio for thanksgiving

        P.S, Happy Thanksgiving Todd, and to all on the am forum.l

This was requested several years ago by the ARRL to the FCC in a RM. NPRM WT Docket 05-235, dated July 19,2005, shot it down.
See:  http://www.qrz.com/FCC-05-143A1.pdf

[n1exi]

Back in late 80's when i wanted to get back into the hobby, went to a VE session in Salem, NH - took the novice, tech, and general in one setting. - without the help of anything else but my previous knowledge, - I wanted to be an extra class operator - A friend of mine wanted to become a ham so I offered to take the ride with him a few months later - I sat down - did that 20 wpm thing - and took the written test - no problemo - If I can pass ( 10-4), anyone can as well. - JUST DO IT! - thats my 2cents on this subject

good luck all

greg

[KF1Z]

Biggest question from up here in the sticks: where and when are the tests given? There isn't a whole lot of club activity up here, and I haven't belonged for about 15 years, so I'm clueless.

Hi Todd....
This is for you, and others in the upper VT sticks....

"The Burlington Area Volunteer Exam Team offers testing for Amateur Radio Licenses. Sessions are held at the Milton Hamfest and following Spring and Fall Ham Radio classes.

Exams are held at other times by appointment. To schedule an exam please call 802-879-6589 or E-mail w1sj@arrl.net. "

[W1RKW]

Although it's early to tell it seems that the poll seems to reflect to some extent the percentage of Extras sampled from the memberlist.

[N8LGU]

Well...I did it. I gave up my Class "A" Advanced for an Extra-lite ticket. Just got back from the VE session. It wasn't difficult, but it cost me $14.00 for the testing and $10 in gasoline- and a Ham there I hardly know said I owed him $20 for a used hard drive I sold him at a hamfest back in the early '90's! I paid him... so it cost me $44.00 overall. Not complaining, though... I'll be able to join you guys in the new 3600+ AM sub-band!!     N8LGU/AE

[K1JJ]

Well...I did it. I gave up my Class "A" Advanced for an Extra-lite ticket. Just got back from the VE session. It wasn't difficult, but it cost me $14.00 for the testing and $10 in gasoline- and a Ham there I hardly know said I owed him $20 for a used hard drive I sold him at a hamfest back in the early '90's! I paid him... so it cost me $44.00 overall. Not complaining, though... I'll be able to join you guys in the new 3600+ AM sub-band!!     N8LGU/AE

Congrats, Dave!

You're set for life now.

T