TZUTC: -0500   
   MSGID: 28.fidonet-ham@1:19/33 239f53db   
   REPLY: 1:18/200.0 5f383930   
   PID: Synchronet 3.18a-Win32  Aug 14 2020 MSC 1925   
   TID: SBBSecho 3.11-Win32 r3.176 Aug 14 2020 MSC 1925   
   CHRS: ASCII 1   
   Sean,   
      
    SD> You forgot to mention the much larger availablity of DX stations from   
    SD> other regions that only Extras in Region 2 have access to.   
      
     Well, considering the last time I operated HF was nearly 10 years ago,   
   what did you expect??   
      
    DS> 2) The shorter 2x1 or 1x2 callsigns...*IF* you're lucky enough to   
    DS> get one.   
      
    SD> Good luck.  There's nothing in region 4 but honestly, that's really   
    SD> overrated to me.   
      
     I liked the 2x2 one better.   
      
    DS> 3) If traveling overseas, you can get Extra Class privileges with   
    DS> the CEPT license.   
      
    SD> That's something I didn't think about.   
      
     But, with COVID-19, traveling overseas is a bust. At least we don't   
   have to do social distancing in the shack.   
      
    DS> 4) As a Volunteer Examiner, you can give and grade ALL the exams.   
      
    SD> That too.   
      
     The last year they did a hamfest in Little Rock, one ham passed the   
   brand new Extra...with all 12 graphics. He not only passed it, but he   
   ACED it!! One VE growled "I want to take him outside, and beat the   
   [crap] out of him!!    
      
    DS> 5) Snob appeal (hi hi).   
      
    SD> Oh, I've seen Technicians with plenty of snob appeal.  When I first got   
    SD> my license in 1997, I was berated for being an "appliance operator"   
    SD> because I didn't know CW.  There's still that attitude today...   
      
     That is true.   
      
    SD> I still catch hell from these crusty "CW since 1950" operators that   
    SD> tell me that if you don't use CW, you're not a true amateur radio   
    SD> operator.   
      
     As far as the FCC is concerned, if you have a valid ham radio license,   
   you're a ham radio operator.   
      
   Daryl, WX4QZ   
      
   ... If your head's in the sand, your butt's a prime target!!   
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