View Full Version : How many license classes are there anyway?
kc7jty
03-05-2003, 06:59 AM
I met a ham I never talked to before a few days back. In the conversation I asked what class he was? He told me extra but he quickly explained he was a 20wpm extra (not to be confused with an extra/13 or extra/5wpm).
I figured this was very important...at least to him.
If this rule is applied to all the current classes it gives a total of 9 in all. In correct order they are:
1 Extra/20wpm
2 Extra/13wpm
3 Advanced
4 General/13wpm
5 Extra/5wpm
6 General/5wpm
7 Tech/5wpm
8 Novice
9 Tech
KC7JTY
W1RFI
03-05-2003, 10:50 AM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kc7jty @ Mar. 04 2003,00:59)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I met a ham I never talked to before a few days back. In the conversation I asked what class he was? He told me extra but he quickly explained he was a 20wpm extra (not to be confused with an extra/13 or extra/5wpm).
#I figured this was very important...at least to him.
#If this rule is applied to all the current classes it gives a total of 9 in all. In correct order they are:
# # # # # # # # #1 Extra/20wpm
# # # # # # # # #2 Extra/13wpm
# # # # # # # # #3 Advanced
# # # # # # # # #4 General/13wpm
# # # # # # # # #5 Extra/5wpm
# # # # # # # # #6 General/5wpm
# # # # # # # # #7 Tech/5wpm
# # # # # # # # #8 Novice
# # # # # # # # #9 Tech
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # KC7JTY[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Oh, no, there are more than that!
One can more than double that list by adding whether the applicant took his test before the FCC examiner or through the VE sessions. Also, you have to add the Conditional variant of General.
Also, older exams required the drawing of schematics, while newer ones, even those that were FCC examined, had a multiple-choice question about a schematic or two in the exam, so you need to differentiate between them.
And there are even variants of the 13 and 20 wpm exams. Some applicants were asked to send code by the FCC examiners, while in later years, the FCC stopped doing that. I don't know how to treat that in my case, because in 1964 for my General, the examiner asked me to send for only a few words.
And, of course, there is the code receiving test itself. Older exams required 1 minute of solid copy, while newer ones allow an applicant to pass the code test by answering 7/10 questions about its content correctly. And there are variations on that one, because until recently, some VECs were allowed to construct multiple-choice questions about the sent code, while others went only with fill in the blank.
And even the 5 wpm test folks have to be categorized, because some passed a "real" 5 wpm test, while others got in under the disability waiver system. And even today, there are some who pass their code test under some disability accomodation, so we may need to create a special category for them.
The really sad part about this is that I know hams whose main interest in ham radio appears to be just this sort of categorization so that every ham will know his or her place in the social structure of ham radio. Go to news://rec.radio.amateur.policy to see this in all its infamy.
IMHO, the accomplishments we do within ham radio far outweigh what we did to get started in ham radio. If we must judge and categorize each other, lets do it over something that makes sense. I would rather not, and accept that all of those that have met the requirements in place at the time they were licensed are "real hams" and get back to having fun with ham radio.
73,
Ed Hare, W1RFI
W8FAX
03-05-2003, 11:30 AM
You fergot that some of us had to send some code too. That oughta cout for a class ................
W8FAX
03-05-2003, 11:31 AM
Also you fergot the infamous "conditional class" ticket brought to us by incentive licensing.........
At one time, up to the mid 30s the code requirement was
10 WPM. There are probably some hams still around who were licensed when that requirement was in effect. There also was a time when if you were licensed before a certain date (before the early 20s I think) you could request an upgrade to Extra with no additional testing. Although the odds are long, it is possible that there are still hams alive who took advantage of this.
Add two more license categories http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
73
George
K3UD
ai4ep
03-05-2003, 04:00 PM
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif #Another class NOT mentioned was the " gimme, gimme,gimme --- I don't wanna --- cw is too hard " class for the operators too lazy to get a license for the #H F AMATEUR bands #( they want all the benefits with none of the work ).....HF is sooo much FUN !! #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif #kd4amg
KB9YKY
03-05-2003, 04:31 PM
He also forgot to mention the CBers that just happen to also hold an amateur radio license. What would those screwballs be classified as? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
K9STH
03-05-2003, 04:38 PM
For FAX:
The Conditional Class was actually done away with by incentive licensing, not brought to us by incentive licensing. From 1951 until 1967, under certain circumstances, like living more than 150 miles from an FCC examination point at which at least quarterly examinations were held, you could take the general equivalent by mail administered by another licensed amateur holding at least a General Class license.
The Conditional Class replaced the old Class C license which had the same privileges as the Class B but the examinations were taken by mail.
Incentive licensing, as it was first administered, "sorta" upgraded these people to General. However, to get any higher class license, they had to retake the General theory as well as the CW examination at 13 (or 20 depending on the license class) as well as the theory for the new class license. They were later given full credit for their examinations when the VEC program took effect. However, unlike those persons who were first licensed before the VEC program (who took their examinations before an FCC engineer) and CANNOT be recalled to retake their examinations under present regulations, those persons CAN be recalled since they did not take their examinations before the FCC. During the early days of incentive licensing a fair number of those with Conditional Class licenses were recalled to retake the examinations and over 50 percent of them failed.
Glen, K9STH
What class wears the shorts, black socks, and sandals to hamfests?
Is there a license class that requires you to wear a ball cap with your callsign?
And what class do you have to attain before you stop using "QSL" to mean "yes" or "I agree?"
I think Technician is not a good entry point for ham, whoops I mean "<span style='color:red'>HAM</span>" radio. It's too hard. Takes too much work. You don't wanna. You don't hafta. Let's let newbies get their feet wet with the following:
1) Kerchunker Class -- VHF only. Can not use voice transmission. Only authorized to kerchunk repeaters.
2) Tuner Upper Class -- HF privileges permitted. Only mode allowed is A-zero (unmodulated carrier), but full legal power limit is authorized. This class encourages experimentation in the field of amplifier tuner and antenna tuner settings. Operation permitted mainly on net and DX pileup frequencies.
3) Heckler Class -- HF privileges included, but no callsign issued. May transmit voice only, but transmission length restricted to 2 seconds or less. May not engage in contests, DX, ragchewing, nets, etc. May only heckle those participating in above activities.
4) Internet "Troll" class -- No on-air operating privileges authorized. May only post annoying and childish messages on amateur radio discussion forums and newsgroups.
Testing for these license classes consists of Element Zero-a through Zero-d, respectively.
Out.
Did somebody forget about the FCC administrative upgrade?
WB2WIK
03-05-2003, 09:50 PM
Regardless what's printed on a license, many hams I've met have no class at all!
W1RFI
03-05-2003, 11:05 PM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (KB9YKY @ Mar. 04 2003,10:31)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">He also forgot to mention the CBers that just happen to also hold an amateur radio license. What would those screwballs be classified as? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I think that would depend on how they conduct themselves on the air, under Part 97 and Part 95. A number of 11-meter operators became hams because they don't like the worst of CB any more than you do.
If these guys don't break the rules under either service, I call them hams.
73,
Ed Hare, W1RFI
W1RFI
03-05-2003, 11:07 PM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (K9STH @ Mar. 04 2003,10:38)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">During the early days of incentive licensing a fair number of those with Conditional Class licenses were recalled to retake the examinations and over 50 percent of them failed.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I wonder what percentage of today's hams could pass the requirements of their license from scratch. An Extra would have to take the Tech through Extra written exams. I bet most of them would get the RF safety questions wrong. :-)
73,
Ed Hare, W1RFI
W1RFI
03-05-2003, 11:09 PM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (WB2WIK @ Mar. 04 2003,15:50)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Regardless what's printed on a license, many hams I've met have no class at all![/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I have met a few hams with no class. That has been more than offset by some of the hams that I have met that have more class than I ever could have imagined.
Most hams are somewhere in the middle, just looking to have a good time with an interesting hobby. I can live with that!
73,
Ed Hare, W1RFI
K9STH
03-06-2003, 01:02 AM
RFI:
As for an Extra having to retake an examination, it would depend on how many of his/her examinations were taken before an FCC engineer versus how many examinations were taken before a VEC.
If the Extra took all examinations before the FCC, then they cannot be called in under present regulations.
If the Extral took all examinations through Advanced before the FCC and then took the Extra before a VEC then only that test could be required to be retaken.
If the Extra took the General examination before the FCC, then the later examinations would have to be retaken.
There were a few Technician examinations given by the FCC during the early to mid 1950s. They would have to take the same examinations as the General who's examinations were taken before the FCC.
If the Extra started as a Technician given by mail pre-VEC days, that person would have to take every examination including the CW portion again if so decreed by the FCC. However, they would only have to pass 5 words per minute and not the 20 words per minute if they had passed the older requirement.
That is definitely an advantage of having taken examinations before the "stern faced" FCC examiners!
Glen, K9STH
ae4fa
03-06-2003, 01:31 AM
The basic premise of the original post seems to be that one should not take pride in one's accomplishments - - - that to do so seems to somehow diminish the accomplishments of another person - - - and is therefore socially unacceptable.
Grow Up!
Yes, I hold an Extra; yes, I passed the 20wpm code test; yes, I take certain pride in that!
Yes, I can tomorrow take an pass every test - under the old system, or the new system - to requalify for my license.
Do I use it as a club, NO! Do I view myself as more of an amateur radio operator, or better than someone who holds a Tech license, NO!
I have friends who are Techs that have vastly more experience in some areas, and I am not ashamed to go to them with questions.
Conversely, if I can help another in an area that I have some experience with, I'm glad to do it - right up until and unless they start with the license class whining - - - after that, they're on their own.
I get the feeling that sometimes folks stir up this crap because of what we used to call "short man syndrome" - a guy with a negative self-image who constantly looks for fights.
Resolved: You take pride in your accomplishments, I'll take pride in mine, and we'll help each other along the journey.
What the hell is wrong with that?
Bob:
Your discussion of pride reminded me of something that happened to me many years ago.
I was the Senior Field Engineer for a major SatCom project for the Military. In those years I made some observations and I managed to piss some people off because they didn't understand my management style.
I observered that there are two types of managers:
1. Those managers who lord it over their people, talk stink about them in management meetings, and generally make their lives miserable in an attempt to make themselves look better. Basically they stepped on their people to keep themselves on top of the heap. In otherwords they made it so they could always turn around and say "My team is screwed up, and our product is screwed up because I have incompetent people working for me." There are MANY of these types out there.
2. Those managers who assisted their people, taught their people correct procedures and helped their people get promotions because their people were well educated in the reasons behind their jobs and how they fit into the overall scheme of things. These managers pushed their people up into more responsibility, better paying positions and in so doing made holes above themselves that these folks could pull the manager into. There are far fewer managers of this type.
I was a type 2 manager. My people looked forward to coming in to work and doing the very best work they knew how to because they understood the importance of the job each of them was doing and how it tied to the whole. They took pride in their accomplishments and their advancements and their skills.
How, you may ask, does this relate to Ham Radio?
I thought you'd never ask.
We, who have been in Ham Radio a very long time, are the managers. It is up to us to guide those who are less informed by example and by teaching, as best we know how, and by having respect for those who are trying to lean. Along with this it is important for us to try and convince the jerks that that is unacceptable behavior by ignoring the behavior and not responding to it.
It is also important, IMHO, to keep in mind that our goal is to have everybody (who wants to and is capable) be an extra class Ham. But more than that to also make the honor of being an Extra mean something. That something has to do with pride of accomplishment, pride of our own self worth (at least where it connects to Ham Radio), and pride in the service itself.
This is going to be a long, hard row to hoe. In todays society we seem to have slipped into a phase wherein a portion of the younger group, and to a large extent some of the older group, seem to think that the have rights to everything, everywhere, and at anytime. They seem to feel the world owes them whatever they want, and they have not figured out the difference between want, need and earned.
The type 1 managers among us are not helping. Rather than try to elevate these other folks through earned priveleges, they are stepping on them in order to keep them 'in their place' so that the manager will look better than s/he truely is and so that the manager will not have to grow to keep up with the 'charges.'
Did you ever notice how the word 'learned' is largely made up of the word 'earned'. I have always thought there was a significance to that because what we have learned, we HAVE earned.
I've rambled far too long but I hope I have conveyed my message to those patient enough to wade through it.
In short, help those around you and they will raise YOU. It is easily done and painless if you don't think that keeping other down is the way to be a 'big shot'.
ae4fa
03-06-2003, 03:01 AM
Dead on, Harry.
And, those who think this is just bull really need to take a look at what Harry is doing via the Q&A board (the N0PU Big Quiz), his offering of a most comprehensive electronics course via PDF files on his website, and his preparing and offering a self-paced HTML electronics course (also on his website).
And, it is all FREE!
After looking, participate. #You'll find Harry will bend over backwards to help anyone who is trying to learn! #I know it to be true from personal experience.
Yeah, I'm an Extra. #Yeah, I've been a ham a long time. #No, I don't know it all - - - I'm coming to find out just how little I do know! #And, yeah, I'm taking Harry's most generous offer of help and using it to increase my knowlege.
The proof is in the pudding, as Grandma used to say.
Now, the only question is what do you want?
Forgive me an unatributed quote, but:
"You will do what you want. #All the rest is just talk."
K9STH
03-06-2003, 03:36 AM
LQZ:
Cool it with the personal attacks!
Glen, K9STH
One of the QRZ.com moderators
W8FAX
03-06-2003, 11:15 AM
Glen....Yer right. I had forgotten which nightmare came first. I think the mileage limit was 100 miles also but not sure. Getting to be the "dim old days".........AL
W1RFI
03-06-2003, 01:35 PM
Now, if we go far enough back, the first Morse code tests used for amateur radio were done at 5 wpm, so perhaps we have come full circle. :-)
With all of these variants on license "class," how are we to possibly know which of us is a "real ham?" I feel inadequate because I didn't have to draw schematics and explain how the circuit worked. Has amateur radio REALLY been ruined since 1964?
:-)
73,
Ed Hare, W1RFI
Yeppers... I've always said it's what you do AFTER you get the license that really counts.
Nobody has observed yet that the OM who started this thread was the one who asked THE OTHER GUY what class he was. He should not have been so surprised by the answer.
I'm somewhat proud (in a nostalgic kinda way) that I passed General thru Extra at the FCC office, did 20 wpm solid copy, took a sending test, yadda yadda yadda... And if you ask me how I got my ticket, I'll tell ya that. But I don't feel all snotty about it or anything. I don't care if you got your ticket at the FCC, the VEC, or by sending in two boxtops and 25 cents -- If you are a good ham, and if you are into improving yourself and your station, and if you willingly lend a hand to others, you're A-OK in my book, for what little that is worth. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
The moral of the story is: Don't bust somebody's butt just because they mention, in passing, that they passed their tests at the FCC. If they use that to tell you that YOUR license is worthless, yeah, then they are out of line. Otherwise just let it go. Chill out. Have a beer.
Out.
WA2ZDY
03-06-2003, 09:01 PM
Hey Steve, let's meet about half way from where you are to where I am (wherever that is, as I'm not always sure where I am at any given time) and I'll buy you that beer. I agree, that's the best idea.
And I promise I won't brag about getting MY Extra at the FCC office too. heh heh heh
N3BIF
03-06-2003, 10:36 PM
Funny, This whole thing started with a ham asking another what class he was, the query itself is rather pejorative. Is it not sufficient that we are all "Amateur Radio Operators". It is somewhat "Orwellian"to think that one Ham is more of a Ham than another Ham by virtue of the amount of broken glass he had to crawl over to get his ticket. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
W1RFI
03-06-2003, 11:19 PM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (davn3bif @ Mar. 05 2003,16:36)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Funny, # This whole thing started with a ham asking another what class he was, the query itself is rather pejorative. #Is it not sufficient that we are all "Amateur Radio Operators". #It is somewhat "Orwellian"to think that one Ham is more of a Ham than another Ham by virtue of the amount of broken glass he had to crawl over to get his ticket. #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
What broken glass? When I was licensed as a Novice in 1963, the ARRL study guide for the Novice license was three and a half pages long. For my General, I got all amateur privileges and at 14 I studied the 16-page General study guide until I had it -- gasp -- memorized. I had no clue what a parasitic oscillation or a logarithm was, but guessed my way good enough on the test to pass.
Those five miles of broken glass were not near as bad as I remember them!
73,
Ed Hare, W1RFI
K6UEY
03-07-2003, 12:21 AM
You should never ask another Ham what class he is, you might find he has advanced his skills and knowledge and experience as most Hams will and should, that could lead you to thinking your are inferior and lazy and spend all your time crying and whining that "I can't and I don't wanna " "I'll wait for them to reduce the qualifications". When the Whole of Amateur Radio is reduced to the lowest common denominator then you can boost your pride that now you are just as much a HAM as all the others who have earned their status.It surely must be a viable system to live by it kept Karl Marx going for many years.
ENJOY!!! It is far later than you think ..... # #73, # ORV
kc7jty
03-07-2003, 07:13 AM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (w3sy @ Mar. 06 2003,10:17)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Nobody has observed yet that the OM who started this thread was the one who asked THE OTHER GUY what class he was. He should not have been so surprised by the answer.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
w3sy:
The event took place on the CB. There was a time when I was somewhat surprised to have an extra or advanced class ham join our group in conversation, but that was years ago. Its neither uncommon nor surprising now.
Once I find a newcomer to be a ham I am just curious as to his class.
KC7JTY
kc7jty
03-07-2003, 07:22 AM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (w3sy @ Mar. 06 2003,10:17)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Yeppers... I've always said it's what you do AFTER you get the license that really counts.
I'm somewhat proud (in a nostalgic kinda way) that I passed General thru Extra at the FCC office, did 20 wpm solid copy, took a sending test, yadda yadda yadda... And if you ask me how I got my ticket, I'll tell ya that. But I don't feel all snotty about it or anything. I don't care if you got your ticket at the FCC, the VEC, or by sending in two boxtops and 25 cents -- If you are a good ham, and if you are into improving yourself and your station, and if you willingly lend a hand to others, you're A-OK in my book, for what little that is worth. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Its good to know that if the 5wpm requirement is ever dropped you will welcome the no code extras.
KC7JTY
W1RFI
03-07-2003, 11:12 AM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kc7jty @ Mar. 06 2003,01:22)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Its good to know that if the 5wpm requirement is ever dropped you will welcome the no code extras.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
What would be gained for the Amateur Radio Service by not doing so? What is gained with some of the "class warfare" that goes on right now?
People who have gotten licensed or upgraded under the present rules have done no more wrong than to do what the rules require to get a license -- just like I did when I was licensed. Only my tests were a lot easier than the tests of today.
73,
Ed Hare, W1RFI
OM KC7JTY sez: <span style='color:blue'>Its good to know that if the 5wpm requirement is ever dropped you will welcome the no code extras.</span>
While it would not be my choice to drop the code requirement, if and when that decision is made, we'll all just have to accept it. (I probably won't be consulted anyway.)
In any case, I'll stand by what I already said -- If they are good hams, there's no issue. But if I hear 'em "jaw jackin'" on the repeater, using dumb Chicken Band lingo, being obnoxious, being a LID, I'd have the same problem with them regardless of license class.
Remember that we do not control the circumstances under which we obtain our licenses. If Uncle Sam says you don't have to draw diagrams, or show up at the FCC office, or take a code test, you are under no obligation to ask to DO so in order to "prove" your worth as a ham. Again, your worthiness as a radio amateur is established AFTER that envelope arrives.
The one thing I would encourage of any ham is to shoot for the highest license available. I can't say I've ever been impressed with anyone who has said, "I just don't wanna upgrade." But as far as the requirements for that top license go, hey, that's outta MY hands.
Chris, I'll take you up on that brewski sometime, OM!
Gentlemen, this briefing is over. heh...
W1RFI
03-08-2003, 11:41 AM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (w3sy @ Mar. 06 2003,11:38)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">While it would not be my choice to drop the code requirement, if and when that decision is made, we'll all just have to accept it. (I probably won't be consulted anyway.)[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Actually, you will be consulted, or at least given the opportunity to be consulted. When the FCC puts this out as a rulemaking, there will be the usual comment and reply comment period. I think that every amateur should take advantage of that in every rulemaking proceeding that affects amateur radio. While it is certain that ARRL and No Code International will have something to say, hams should not rely on their organizations to speak for them. Make your own views known to your government in matters that affect you.
You will actually have an opportunity to be consulted more than once, because you can and should also try to shape the organizational response of organizations to which you belong. As this comes to the plate, let your ARRL Division Director know what you believe ARRL's position should be. Ditto for other organizations, and encourage them to file comments.
If this is to be decided, let it be decided with all the cards on the table. That way, we can live with the outcome and get on with ham radio.
73,
Ed Hare, W1RFI
KC9CEW
03-08-2003, 03:43 PM
Just my observation after reading so many negative post's.
Seems to me a lot of ham ops are angry,and with the i'm so superior attitude.
Do you guy's want this hobby to die with you,arent you suppose to spread good will,and try and build this hobby,via new ops?
It saddens me that so many of you guy's cant get along,why?
W1RFI
03-08-2003, 03:59 PM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (KC9CEW @ Mar. 07 2003,09:43)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Just my observation after reading so many negative post's.
Seems to me a lot of ham ops are angry,and with the i'm so superior attitude.
Do you guy's want this hobby to die with you,arent you suppose to spread good will,and try and build this hobby,via new ops?
It saddens me that so many of you guy's cant get along,why?[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
It seems to me that the majority of the posters said that they felt good about their accomplishments in passing their tests, but that they didn't feel that doing so made them superior to others who took different tests. The consensus seemed to be that what one does after getting licensed is more important.
Most of those that might want to see a code test retained also said that they wouldn't hold its removal against those that followed the rules.
73,
Ed Hare, W1RFI
KC9CEW
03-08-2003, 04:20 PM
Hello Ed,I was generalizing on alot of the post's on this forum not just this thread.
I love this hobby and would just like to see a little less negative and alot more posative.
Since we all have radio in common,you would think that would'nt be to much to ask..73 ken
ke4pjw
03-08-2003, 08:37 PM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (w3sy @ Mar. 04 2003,11:17)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">What class wears the shorts, black socks, and sandals to hamfests?
Is there a license class that requires you to wear a ball cap with your callsign?[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
The hamfest classes are as follows
Beanpoles
Lightbulbs
Furry people
Little people
Handi people
You can describe any hamfest attendee by combining the above classes :)
(For the humor impaired, the above was meant to be funny, not mean.)