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Author Topic: Extra Class Upgrade.  (Read 909 times)

W2UIS

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Extra Class Upgrade.
« on: September 22, 2020, 01:09:04 PM »

Again I began studying to upgrade to Extra Class. This has been a objective for 20 years.

As before after I started studying I asked myself "Why Upgrade". All the work for such little pay back for the investment.

When I decided to earn a "Ham License" in 1980 my objective was to obtain a Technician Class license to work 2 meter FM.

I had lots of fun on 2 meter repeaters and simplex.

In my opinon then and now the Technician Class license offers the most "Bang for the Buck."

When the FCC reduced the Morse Code speed to 5WPM I became a General Class.

Twenty years later I find working HF General phone isn't that much fun.

I spend most of my on air time now using DStar, having as much fun as I did on 2 meter fm.

To all the Extra Class Hams convince me to upgrade.
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W6MK

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Re: Extra Class Upgrade.
« Reply #1 on: September 22, 2020, 01:37:59 PM »

One reason might be to learn some of the things that the exam touches. Impedance and reactance for instance.

It's certainly not a difficult exam. 10 year olds pass.
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K0RDG

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Re: Extra Class Upgrade.
« Reply #2 on: September 22, 2020, 01:51:03 PM »

 use of the entire 80 m, 40 m, 20 m, and 15 m bands. Portions of those bands are reserved exclusively for Extra Class licensees. Extra Class operators also have exclusive privileges in the CW portions of the 80 m, 40 m, 20 m, and 15 m bands.
Extra Class licensees that are VE's can administer General Class and Extra Class license exams. General Class operators can become Volunteer Examiners but they are only allowed to administer Technician Class exams.
Short vanity callsigns..1X2 or 2X1
I'm taking my extra on Oct. 25, and as W6MK said..I'm having a lot of fun learning things that weren't covered in the general..

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N2EY

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Re: Extra Class Upgrade.
« Reply #3 on: September 22, 2020, 02:13:23 PM »

Because it's there.

And because, if you do it before FCC adds fees, you'll save $50.
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N2EY

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Re: Extra Class Upgrade.
« Reply #4 on: September 22, 2020, 02:15:25 PM »

It's certainly not a difficult exam. 10 year olds pass.

Way back in the 1990s, before the 2000 restructuring, an 8 year old in the third grade earned the Extra. All 5 written exams plus all three code speeds.

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WA9AFM

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Re: Extra Class Upgrade.
« Reply #5 on: September 22, 2020, 02:16:20 PM »

To be able to say, "Yes, I do hold an Amateur Extra Class License now that you mention it."
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W0CKI

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Re: Extra Class Upgrade.
« Reply #6 on: September 22, 2020, 02:29:10 PM »

If you're happy, why bother. So, don't bother.
Gary W0CKI since, 1954
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W7XTV

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Re: Extra Class Upgrade.
« Reply #7 on: September 22, 2020, 03:14:04 PM »

I've held an Advanced ticket for 48 of my 50 years as a ham, and have never seen a real need to upgrade to Extra.  The only differences are getting the bottom 25 kHz for CW on 80, 40, 20, and 15, an extra 100 kHz on 80 plus 25 kHz each on 20 and 15, and a usually-unobtanium 1x2 or 2x1 vanity callsign.

I haven't had a CW QSO in about 30 years, and I don't really miss the Extra phone bands.  Then, getting any kind of vanity Extra call is like wanting a rent-controlled apartment in Manhattan:  You usually have to wait for someone to die. 

I use digital modes for most of my operating, and only run SSB during contests.  No Extra license required.  If I ever change my mind, it'll be because I just want it for the heck of it.  Changing my call from a 2x2 starting with W to another one starting with A is a non-factor.
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He speaks fluent PSK31, in FT8...  One QSO with him earns you 5BDXCC...  His Wouff Hong has two Wouffs... Hiram Percy Maxim called HIM "The Old Man..."  He is... The Most Interesting Ham In The World!

W6MK

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Re: Extra Class Upgrade.
« Reply #8 on: September 22, 2020, 03:16:25 PM »

If you're happy, why bother[?].
This suggests yet another extremely meaninful multiple-choice question to add to the already notably dumbed-down test:

Why are you interested in an Extra Class license?
A. Dunno.
B. Bored.
C. Nothing else to do.
D. Why not?

This would be a nice "gimme" question to give more opportunity for passing to the six-year olds (chronological or mental age).
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W7XTV

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Re: Extra Class Upgrade.
« Reply #9 on: September 22, 2020, 03:16:52 PM »

One reason might be to learn some of the things that the exam touches. Impedance and reactance for instance.

IIRC, impedance and reactance were part of my General exam in 1971.

Quote
It's certainly not a difficult exam. 10 year olds pass.

The times that I took sample Extra tests online, they reminded me a lot of the Advanced exam I took in '72.  I don't think I'd have much trouble passing it, but I just don't see the need other to satisfy my ego.
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He speaks fluent PSK31, in FT8...  One QSO with him earns you 5BDXCC...  His Wouff Hong has two Wouffs... Hiram Percy Maxim called HIM "The Old Man..."  He is... The Most Interesting Ham In The World!

W9IQ

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Re: Extra Class Upgrade.
« Reply #10 on: September 22, 2020, 04:22:27 PM »

As I have stayed previously, my experience is that if I am allowed to ask an Extra class licensee any two questions from the exam and they are required to pass both questions without preparation or multiple choice, the far, far majority would fail.

So get off your high horse.

- Glenn W9IQ
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- Glenn W9IQ

God runs electromagnetics on Monday, Wednesday and Friday by the wave theory and the devil runs it on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday by the Quantum theory.

AJ6KC

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Re: Extra Class Upgrade.
« Reply #11 on: September 22, 2020, 04:38:26 PM »

As I have stayed previously, my experience is that if I am allowed to ask an Extra class licensee any two questions from the exam and they are required to pass both questions without preparation or multiple choice, the far, far majority would fail.

So get off your high horse.

- Glenn W9IQ

I’m willing to bet your opinion about amateur extras is also true for all license classes to include the day after passing or failing an exam. Same for drivers test! That’s just the way it is, no high horse required...
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KA1CNK

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Re: Extra Class Upgrade.
« Reply #12 on: September 22, 2020, 04:55:04 PM »

I don't know how much the new extra class question pool has changed, but I didn't think it took all that much study time.   I bought a book, watched some videos and took practices tests until I was confident in passing.  You have to make your own decision whether or not it's worth it.  You get a bit more spectrum on HF and can become a VE.  I thought at one time being a control operator for space communications required an extra class.  Don't think that's true any longer.
« Last Edit: September 22, 2020, 05:00:26 PM by KA1CNK »
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W9IQ

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Re: Extra Class Upgrade.
« Reply #13 on: September 22, 2020, 05:02:42 PM »

The 'high horse' is premised with perspectives such as "in my day", "before restructuring", "the demise of amateur radio", "real extra", "the extra was an EE degree", etc.

And don't bet on my opinion - you will likely lose on the average.

- Glenn W9IQ
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- Glenn W9IQ

God runs electromagnetics on Monday, Wednesday and Friday by the wave theory and the devil runs it on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday by the Quantum theory.

N8AUC

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Re: Extra Class Upgrade.
« Reply #14 on: September 22, 2020, 05:08:20 PM »

I've had my Extra now for almost 30 years.
I did it when you had to pass a code test at 20 WPM.
But the rules have changed, and that was then, this is now.

Was it worth it? I think it was. You may think differently.

Why do I think it was worth it?
1) Never have to take another exam again in ham radio. (thinking about getting commercial licenses for something to do)
2) If they restructure the license classes again, you'll probably get grandfathered to the top of the heap.
3) No privilege restrictions. Extras get it ALL, and some of it is exclusive to Extras only, at least for now.

You may not see the value in it at the moment. But who knows what may spark your interest in the future?
If you've already got your Extra, you're ready for whatever piques your interest down the road.

Then there is the pride and satisfaction of having actually done it.

I'd say go for it. It's highly likely you won't be sorry you did.

73 de N8AUC
Eric

PS - Already have the EE degree (BSEE). And I had that well before I bothered with the Extra.
The material for the Extra class license isn't any more advanced than the sophomore level of an EE degree.
Been there, done that.

« Last Edit: September 22, 2020, 05:13:27 PM by N8AUC »
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