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Author Topic: "Real Extra mentality" not cool.  (Read 14073 times)

K2MVR

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"Real Extra mentality" not cool.
« on: October 28, 2004, 07:03:21 AM »

Hello everyone

I was really bothered by a comment that an Extra Class VE made when I was taking my General written test back in June 2004.

I had introduced myself to a few that where present waiting for the session to start and I asked a gentleman , who I later found out was an Extra Class VE ,---Are you here to take the General written test?
 He replied ---
“Oh no I am a VE and  an Extra Class A REAL EXTRA”
He said this with such an attitude that it really made me feel so uncomfortable. This is not the only person I heard those comments from. I have had the "I am a real EXTRA or GENERAL thrown at me a few times.

I got my ticket in April and passed the General written in June. Currently I am studying to take the code test on November 7th 2004.

My point is:

I respect every amateur that took harder tests in the past and take my hat off to all the hard work and experience invested in their hobby. However, it is not the newcomers fault that the rules changed and the test have become easier. This should not be a reason to try to put anyone down because they think that they are “Real Generals or Extras”.

I love the hobby and if the tests were harder I would study just as harder.

My goal is to become an Extra Class before April 2005.
When time passes and the requirements to become an amateur of any class change, AGAIN, I will certainly respect the newcomer’s efforts just as a seasoned operator of any class.



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HEDGEHOG

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"Real Extra mentality" not cool.
« Reply #1 on: October 28, 2004, 10:38:03 AM »

I agree with you, and sorry you ran into that.  Maybe if these guys would put a sign on their chest that said "Real Extra" it would be easier to avoid them.

By the way.  Before my test a few weeks ago, I was talking to the extra VE about how hard the extra exam was.  He confided to me that he didn't even bother studying the few questions using calculations; mostly the ones on impedance.  He had just written them off from the start, accepted the probability that he would get them wrong, and studied harder on the rest.  For me, I made sure that I could do the ones on Q, which were easy, and figured out a mental shorthand on the ones using vector math.  The ones using siemens and a few other really hard ones, I had just accepted that I'd miss them if I had them on my test.

Be sure to download the AA9PW applet.  It got me through the extra after only a couple weeks of study.

Good luck!

Bob - AE6RV - new age extra
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K0AMZ

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"Real Extra mentality" not cool.
« Reply #2 on: October 28, 2004, 10:43:01 AM »

Well, I'm not a "real General",  I first took my Novice in Winter '77 and as soon as my WD6FVS came in I went to Long Beach at the FCC and took my Tech license and was licensed as N5AMZ due to the military transfering me to San Antonio and the licensed finally caught up with me.  I became a "general" after I produced my proof of "old timer" tech with 5 wpm in 2002 and now am operating on the hf bands.  I have many friends who are "Extra lights" and "real Extras"  but the bottom line is they all studied and some of the lights only know plug and play and some of the "real extras" are not much better.  We are all one "large family" of I hate to think a dying hobby. Now if we could all just get along.

73, de Galen
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KR4BD

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"Real Extra mentality" not cool.
« Reply #3 on: October 29, 2004, 08:19:35 AM »

Hey, you all forgot the "Extra Medium" hams.  I was an Advanced Class for Many years with 13 wpm code.  When the rules changed in 2000, I took the Extra Written and became an Extra Medium (I Guess).  I know a few "old-time" Advanced Class hams who have told me they will never upgrade to Extra Class because being an Advanced hams PROVES to the world that they passed 13 wpm code!  They cite all the new "Extra Lites" (with 5 wpm code) to "prove" their points...  Anyway, I agree, we should all respect each other no matter what license anyone has or WHEN they passed it!

Tom, KR4BD
Lexington, KY
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AB0SI

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"Real Extra mentality" not cool.
« Reply #4 on: October 29, 2004, 08:29:56 AM »

I guess I was lucky. When I sat for my exams (hating tests, I took all 4 elements at once), the VEs were supportive of everyone and, while strictly inforcing the rules, they were clearly cheering us all on. Being the only idiot sitting for all 4 elements, I was all by myself at the end. When the test was checked and rechecked and I passed, there were high fives from everyone. Not a word about Extra Lite or any of that nonesense..instead, several of the VEs wanted to know what rig I was getting and did I want a sked. Class act.

On the air, I've met a few who have made wisecracks about Extra Lites, but not many. When it happens, I try to remember that it is THEIR problem, not mine. Remarakbly no one has made wisecaracks about my ugly mrose sending.. and that is something that clearly deserves anything any one wants to say about it. <grin>

Keep the faith and remember, most hams are going to be supportive, most of the remainder simply don't care one way or another and few emotionally reatarded ones will demonstrate their arrested development. Have pity on them.

73

Paul  AB0SI
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N8UZE

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"Real Extra mentality" not cool.
« Reply #5 on: October 29, 2004, 11:44:18 AM »

If the Advanced class licensees think having that license proves they once passed 13wpm, they haven't been keeping up with the rule changes for a very long time.  Waivers for speeds higher than 5wpm became available for people with hearing problems over ten years ago.  There are many General, Advanced and Extra class licensees from before the April 2000 restructuring who got there by using such waivers.
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N1OU

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"Real Extra mentality" not cool.
« Reply #6 on: October 29, 2004, 12:14:30 PM »

Welcome to our hobby!  I'm not a "Real Extra", I'm a ham.  Somebody's class of license and how they got it has nothing whatsoever to do with anything.  Our common bond as amateur radio enthusiasts is a love of the "mystery of the airwaves".  I'm sorry you ran into this jerk and I'm sorry there are others out there who feel superior to some because of something so immaterial.  Enjoy doing your favorite "stuff" within the hobby--there's a lot going on and more to be discovered.  I'm pulling for you to get your Extra ahead of your schedule!  We need more hams with  your attitude.

73

Gordon, N1OU
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K7JBQ

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"Real Extra mentality" not cool.
« Reply #7 on: November 01, 2004, 02:48:31 PM »

MVR,

The guy was a pompous, self-important a$$. There's one in every bar.

And this comes from a non-new age extra.

It's a license class, nothing else.

73,
Bill
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KB1JCY

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"Real Extra mentality" not cool.
« Reply #8 on: November 04, 2004, 05:42:10 AM »

The "player haters" strike again. What I mean by that is people who hate the player but not the game because the rules of the game have changed.

Remember: blame the game not the player. The rules have changed and we are playing the game accordingly. Don't discount our achievements.
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NJ0E

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"Real Extra mentality" not cool.
« Reply #9 on: November 04, 2004, 07:40:26 AM »

i'm very sorry that you encountered this;
particularly from a volunteer examiner.
totally uncalled for.

if you run into this on the air, my simple
suggestion is to try operating cw. i use
cw for more than 95% of my on-the-air
activity, and no one has ever, on any
occasion, asked me what "flavor" extra
i hold.

73
scott nj0e
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AB8RU

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"Real Extra mentality" not cool.
« Reply #10 on: November 13, 2004, 07:47:34 PM »

I had some VE made a remark B4 and when I got my Extra I told him, he didn't say anything.

By the way more PWR 2U when you get your EXTRA, BTW what else is kewl ? a degree in Electronics !  why not?  you know I am nearly 50 and doing that.

Also I have met a someone who is an Extra and has his degree in Engineering will not say who, all I can say hes a real underestimator.

also alot of 1 percenters out there also.
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AB8RU

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"Real Extra mentality" not cool.
« Reply #11 on: November 13, 2004, 07:47:35 PM »

I had some VE made a remark B4 and when I got my Extra I told him, he didn't say anything.

By the way more PWR 2U when you get your EXTRA, BTW what else is kewl ? a degree in Electronics !  why not?  you know I am nearly 50 and doing that.

Also I have met a someone who is an Extra and has his degree in Engineering will not say who, all I can say hes a real underestimator.

also alot of 1 percenters out there also.
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K2MVR

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"Real Extra mentality" not cool.
« Reply #12 on: December 19, 2004, 11:16:27 PM »

Hello all,

Thanks for the support on my original post.

I did it I passed the 5wpm and the element 4 exam.

All four elements in less than a year. I like the fact that I can look at the Amateur Radio Spectrum and see no restrictions to use it completely.

The best to all and I hope to talk to you on HF some day.

73 de Joe K2MVR
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N0TONE

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"Real Extra mentality" not cool.
« Reply #13 on: December 22, 2004, 02:23:18 PM »

I have long supported the notion that a VE could be ousted by other VEs on the basis of several things, including how he treats newcomers.  The behavior that you have experienced, in my opinion, should be grounds for dismissal as a VE.  Period.  VEs should be nothing except welcoming and utmostly gracious to anybody who is going through the daunting process of getting licensed.

I'm from the way back period, had to draw schematics, solve math equations and both send AND receive 20wpm code by hand (no bugs or keyers allowed).

Who do you suppose I define as a "real ham"?  Anybody who has ever passed any licensing test.  If you passed the exams that were in place when you went to test, you're as real a ham as I am.

AM
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YEPSURE

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"Real Extra mentality" not cool.
« Reply #14 on: December 25, 2004, 12:27:44 AM »

I would also agree that ANYONE who has passed the current amateur radio testing requirements is a "REAL HAM", regardless of what *other* people had to do to achieve the same license way back when. I realize some folks are just very proud of their achievement from a time when licensing requirements were more difficult, and there's nothing wrong with being proud of the fact that you definitely had to put more effort into what you were doing to get that license. However, when an individual makes someone else feel bad just because they don't have to go to the same effort they did to get their license, then that's just wrong. It's not the persons fault who's trying to achieve that license. They're merely doing what is required of them by the current rules to obtain their license.

Everyone makes mistakes at times, and I'm sure we all say things we look back on later as not being the smartest thing to say at the time. Hopefully this individual reflected on what he said and recognizes the fact that these people are just doing what is required of them under the current guidelines to obtain their license.

If your a licensed amateur radio operator then your a "real ham" no matter what anyone else says. And if you truly think your *better* than ANYONE else because code requirements were more stringent when you got your license, or because you know or use code and others don't, then that is NOT what being a real ham is all about, and in fact it is those people who are not real hams.

I recognize ALL amateur radio licensees as Amateur Radio Operators, regardless of how many times it took to pass the test, or what class license they have. We're all part of the same big family and we should be helping each other by positively promoting amateur radio rather than trying to tear it down by making innocent licensees feel inferior with rude remarks.
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