Strange people taking the tests

[kc2elo]

I went to take the tests to upgrade today and there was only 4 of us taking the tests.

I took elements 1,3,and 4.
There were 2 others who took their element 2 tests to get a license. and then....
There was one guy who took elements 1 and 2. He passed the code with perfect copy for the whole 5 minutes and scored a 96 on the tech written.

The VE's tried to convince the guy that passed elements 1 and 2 to try and pass element 3 for general. He refused because "he hadn't studied that yet"?!?!?!?!?!?

Why wouldn't someone want to at least TRY the general written test while you're there when it's already paid for. As well as the guy did with the tech test he probably could have passed element 3 and would have had much more access. He's already passed what many people would consider the "harder part" by passing the code.

Personally I wasn't very sure of myself with the element 4 test because I hadn't studied it very much and wasn't sure about some of the electronic theory type questions. The main reason I even tried it was because I was already there taking the other tests and had to pay the fee anyway. I figured even if I failed it didn't hurt anything to try. Luckily I happened to get a version of the test with questions I felt were easier than many of the practice tests I had taken while studying and passed with an 84.

The VE's seemed surprised that I wanted to take all 3 tests. They were even more surprised when I and the 3 others testing actually passed all elements given. Needless to say everyone there was happy when we all left. It was a good day for ham radio!

[w5alt]

Well, I can't speak for that person, but I can tell you that I did a similar thing - twice - and kicked myself for it all the way home.

I went to the FCC office in New Orleans to take my Technician exam. I had just re-received my Novice ticket, the first Novice ticket having expired when I couldn't send (hand problem) to pass the CW sending exam. Having been off the air a while, and recently getting back on, I figured my CW speed wasn't up to 13 WPM any more, so I went to the office and asked to take the Technician exam, which was the same as General theory back then.

While I was waiting they gave the 13 WPM and 20 WPM CW tests and I copied both error free in my head. Afterward I asked them to give the test again so I could take it and they politely told me I'd have to come back later. I took and passed the General written for the Technician ticket and had to go back in 2 weeks to take the CW exam, so I had my Technician ticket for a total of 2 weeks.

To put the icing on the cake, about a month later I read through the Advanced manual and decided I should have taken that one, too. So back to the FCC again. I actually had passed the Advanced before my Technician license came in the mail.

Of course they didn't charge for the tests then and the FCC office was only 2 blocks from where I worked, so it wasn't all that much of a pain. Mostly just stupid lack of confidence on my part.

73,

[ae4fa]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">The VE's tried to convince the guy that passed elements 1 and 2 to try and pass element 3 for general. He refused because &quot;he hadn't studied that yet&quot;?!?!?!?!?!?[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

Given the current state of things, we could probably learn a thing or two from that guy. I doubt confidence was the problem. Instead, he probably wanted to put in the study time to make sure he had a good grasp of the material. Sounds like he's got a pretty good personal QC standard.

[ai4ep]

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif IMPORTANT NEWS UPDATE http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif Are you aware that the FCC has a &quot; no - code / no written test &quot; band on H F ? The frequency range is from 26.965 to 27.405 am and ssb modes are available. This band is commonly known as the &quot; Citizens Band &quot;. Radios are available through several outlets, and at pawn shops, truck stops, yard sales, or you can buy them NEW at other outlets. along with antennas, etc. Tell all your friends about this HF band that requires no written test or no knowledge of the morse code. Do it today before you are too late. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[kc2elo]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (ae4fa @ Aug. 10 2003,18:55)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Given the current state of things, we could probably learn a thing or two from that guy. I doubt confidence was the problem. Instead, he probably wanted to put in the study time to make sure he had a good grasp of the material. Sounds like he's got a pretty good personal QC standard. [/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

Maybe, but it just seems silly to not even try just to see how much you DO know.

From what I heard him saying though was at the moment all he had was a QRP CW kit he made several years ago so he'll probably be bangin' away plenty. I dunno...maybe he'll decide to take the test if/when he get's a radio with more bands.

[K5CEY]

I can understand why the guy was reluctant to take an exam for which he had not prepared .
# It's a matter of personal pride. Sure, if I took an advanced level exam on the spot, I might luck out and pass. But I might have failed.
# It's just not in my genes. My father took his Amateur exam in 1929 and passed the 1st time. He took the 1st 'Phone and 2nd class Radio Telegraph in 1934 and passed the 1st go round.
# I took the Novice in 1955 and General in 1956 and passed. My little brother took his Master Electricians exam in 1965 and passed the 1st time. My #little baby brother was a fully qualified ASE certified Master Mechanic who passed all exams the 1st time.
# I remember in times past, some guys took the General 8 or 10 times, and they actually seemed pleased when they finally passed.
# I just couldn't live with that.
When I put my mind to something, I'm gonna do it. If I don't do it right, it would hang over my head forever.
# Still upset over the Extra I took last month. But that's a subject for another time.
# # # # # #John # K5CEY

# # # # # # # # # # # # #

[WA2ZDY]

Like I always say, one of the nice things about ham radio is &quot;there's something here for everyone.&quot; Even for those whom we think should have taken another exam.

[AG3Y]

I don't think I have ever told this story before, and this is a perfect place to do it. So here goes.

I was teaching code to a bunch of Novice Wannabees, and everyone was doing fairly well except for one lady who just &quot;couldn't get it !&quot;

This was in the days of answering the multiple choice questions, so I looked over her scratch paper. She had written things down like &quot;QTH is Hou-ton , TX &quot;
&quot;Name is B-ll&quot;
&quot;Weather is Ho- and Hu-id&quot;
ETC.

Honestly, she could have answered any one of those questions, and gotten on the air any time, but she was so frustrated by not getting that 100% copy that she refused to sit for the examination.

It is just a pity how many people are &quot;that close&quot; to getting on the air, and let a bit of poor self-confidence stand in the way!

Keep at it, and don't let something stand in your way, such as &quot;not getting it&quot; stood in the way of that poor lady.

She finally saw the light and went on to get her license, but she just didn't realize HOW CLOSE she had been all along!

73 from Jim AG3Y

[N8CPA]

I can more or less understand why the guy did what he did. #He's trying to do what I wanted to do, go from bottom to top with 0 failures. # #

I passed both Novice and General in 1979 including code elements (General, under FCC monitor). #When I went for Advanced 12 years later, I passed the 20WPM, and took the Advanced written. #My plan was if I passed Advanced, I'd take the Extra, though I hadn't studied for it.

When I finished the Advanced element, I went out for a smoke while it was graded. #I told the VE to leave a &quot;pink&quot; one on my desk if I passed. #I was surprized enough to re-enter the room and see the pink one on my desk. #I considered even the Advanced a major accomplishment.

To this day, I'm sorry I took the Extra that day. #It was my first and only failure in the entire structure. #It meant that I'd never again be able to say, &quot;I passed every test the first time.&quot; #BTW, I retook and passed one month later.

So, if he has sense enough to know his knowledge limitations, that's as important a personality trait as any. #I hope he'll be able to say &quot;I got'em all the first time!&quot;

The strangest request I ever heard was at a session I VEd. #We got a call that someone would need us to read the exam. #Turned out it was a couple who wanted us to tell them which answer was correct to each question as well!

&quot;It doesn't take all kinds to make a world--make a world and you'll get all kinds.&quot; #[source forgotten]

Steve

I don't care how carefully I proof read my posts, as soon as I post, I find another random keystroke http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[W8FAX]

On the other hand....we have a feller here who studied and passed all the requirements for Extra except code. This was the 20 wpm test. He hunted out all the W5YI testing locations/times in the area for the multiple guess tests. Then he took the test and over and over and over until he finally managed to get by. Could HE copy 20 wpm??? No, and still can't today. But he uses CW quite often and enjoys it. So, what's the moral of this story?? Danged if I know..........

[N8CPA]

JUST the W5YI sessions? HMMMMM--that's curious!

Steve

[N5CTI]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (N8CPA @ Aug. 11 2003,15:13)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">&quot;It doesn't take all kinds to make a world--make a world and you'll get all kinds.&quot; [source forgotten][/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>I agree completely, which is not to say I necessarily think this fellow was weird, just different from me.

While many Hams focus with pride on their high or perfect scores on the various Elements, I don't even know what I scored on any of my written exams. And to be honest about it, I don't really care. My license just says &quot;Amateur Extra,&quot; without any reference to test scores, code speed, or anything else, and that's just fine with me.

Folks are just different. This fellow who refused Element 3 was either doing exactly what he wanted to do, or he made a decision which he regrets. Fine with me, either way.

[N8CPA]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (AG3Y @ Aug. 11 2003,10:42)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">This was in the days of answering the multiple choice questions, so I looked over her scratch paper. #She had written things down like &quot;QTH is Hou-ton , TX &quot;
&quot;Name is B-ll&quot;
&quot;Weather is Ho- and Hu-id&quot;
ETC.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Some exam sites might have allowed her to &quot;buy&quot; a vowel, like on Wheel of Fortune. #

I won't mention which ones specifically. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

At one of my VE sessions, just as we were closing--our time limit in the exam room had expired--a skinny, homeless looking guy in sweat pants came in, asking to
take the test. He had no ID of any kind, no wallet, no pockets, nothing. I think all of our instincts were on alarm about that one. He did not want to leave the room until he took the test, but finally listened to reason. That one was scary!

Steve

[ka1kjz]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (N8CPA @ Aug. 13 2003,03:17)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">At one of my VE sessions, just as we were closing--our time limit in the exam room had expired--a skinny, homeless looking guy in sweat pants came in, asking to
take the test. #He had no ID of any kind, no wallet, no pockets, nothing. #I think all of our instincts were on alarm about that one. #He did not want to leave the room until he took the test, but finally listened to reason. #That one was scary![/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
You've evidently never been to a hamfest or a club meeting http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Thats the typical ham these days.

Probably a stink that would curl your nose hair too.

[KD5VHF]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (ka1kjz @ Aug. 13 2003,07:04)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (N8CPA @ Aug. 13 2003,03:17)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">At one of my VE sessions, just as we were closing--our time limit in the exam room had expired--a skinny, homeless looking guy in sweat pants came in, asking to
take the test. #He had no ID of any kind, no wallet, no pockets, nothing. #I think all of our instincts were on alarm about that one. #He did not want to leave the room until he took the test, but finally listened to reason. #That one was scary![/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I guess if Mr Albert Einstein were to some how come back (Alive,not dead and stinky:p)and walk in you would do your best to run him off also because of his appearance ? Just because he dosen't look like the &quot;Jones's&quot; dosen't make him a &quot;bad&quot; guy. &quot;Don't judge a book by it's cover&quot; I'm sure glad all VE's aren't like you. When I talked to one of mine on the phone, He went out of his way to set up a test session for me on my day off of work instead of the regular scheduled time and place. He didn't ask if I owned a home or drove a Bently or request any special attire for the test. Now THAT&quot;S a big part of Amateur radio in my opinion, doing what you can to help someone get into the hobby. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[N8CPA]

I've been to enough hamfests and VE sessions to know what a mass of humanity is represented among amateurs--Dayton is a short drive from here. That's the way it's supposed to be. &quot;make a world; you get all kinds.&quot;

It wasn't just the guy's looks or aroma, it was the summary of his behavior. The FCC requires VEs to verify license candidates' identification. We would be liable under that policy if a person other than an individual who had taken and passed the examination should be issued a license. For us, it was strictly CYA.

Every legitimate license candidate understands that we require Id docs. That's why they bring identification. We could not administer the exam just under that provision. Rather than accept that at face value, he chose to argue the issue--a possible violation of Part 97.511. Even if at that point we'd had a room full of people, we'd have to stop the examination under provisions of Part 97.509&copy;. It was a judgement call, in full compliance with the law.

We require the same of all candidates, no exceptions, no deviations. No preferential treatment, no discrimination. It's called examination integrity.

Steve N8CPA! (...-.)

[KD4UCB]

I think for some of us, it's a matter of dignity. #I will not go to an exam session unless I am reasonably sure that I can pass the exam. #When I went recently to take Element 3, I knew that I was not ready at all for Element 4, and even if I had passed by dumb luck, I would feel guilty using those privileges.

So, instead, I will by the ARRL Extra Class study manual (once I feel comfortable with my new privileges as General), study it until I am ready, and #go take the test.

One thing I do hope though - it took me 11 years to get the umph to upgrade to General - I hope it doesn't take so long for Extra!!!

73
Rickey/KD4UCB

[ky5u]

I have always wanted to be a HAM but got involved in commercial communications early on and forgot about my youthful dream. I held a 1st Class and took the 2nd class one day and the 1st the next.

I had shoulder surgery in December and while recovering in January decided to get my ticket. No-code Tech book and realized with the test a month away, I had ALOT of time to go farther.

Started studying code and that went well so got General books from ARRL. That took two weeks (Code and General) and with 2 weeks left to study, I went ahead and got the Extra books.

Started studying 1/14/03 and took the tests a month later. I took all elements back to back on the same night and passed them all. Took less than 2 hours.

Having lots of fun with (hissss booooo) CW too and never thought I would even use it. Luckily, I had not talked myself into a corner by saying how much I hated it and how useless it was to other Hams.

Moral of the story is to not be afraid to succeed and never be afraid to fail. Keep your mouth shut and your options open. And above all else, enjoy this great hobby.

[k4uug]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kc2elo @ Aug. 10 2003,15:05)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I went to take the tests to upgrade today and there was only 4 of us taking the tests.

I took elements 1,3,and 4. #
There were 2 others who took their element 2 tests to get a license. and then....
There was one guy who took elements 1 and 2. #He passed the code with perfect copy for the whole 5 minutes and scored a 96 on the tech written.

The VE's tried to convince the guy that passed elements 1 and 2 to try and pass element 3 for general. #He refused because &quot;he hadn't studied that yet&quot;?!?!?!?!?!? #

Why wouldn't someone want to at least TRY the general written test while you're there when it's already paid for. #As well as the guy did with the tech test he probably could have passed element 3 and would have had much more access. #He's already passed what many people would consider the &quot;harder part&quot; by passing the code.

Personally I wasn't very sure of myself with the element 4 test because I hadn't studied it very much and wasn't sure about some of the electronic theory type questions. #The main reason I even tried it was because I was already there taking the other tests and had to pay the fee anyway. #I figured even if I failed it didn't hurt anything to try. #Luckily I happened to get a version of the test with questions I felt were easier than many of the practice tests I had taken while studying and passed with an 84.

The VE's seemed surprised that I wanted to take all 3 tests. #They were even more surprised when I and the 3 others testing actually passed all elements given. #Needless to say everyone there was happy when we all left. #It was a good day for ham radio![/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif So that makes them strange?