TZUTC: -0600   
   MSGID: 175.fidonet_ham@1:19/33 2d752ccf   
   REPLY: 1:226/44 d4e89d7f   
   PID: Synchronet 3.21a-Win32 master/aef7f70a7 Oct 26 2025 MSC 1944   
   TID: SBBSecho 3.30-Win32 master/aef7f70a7 Oct 26 2025 MSC 1944   
   BBSID: TBOLTBBS   
   CHRS: CP437 2   
   FORMAT: flowed   
   Randall,   
      
    RS> I'm relatively new -- just got my ticket 3 years ago while I   
    RS> was off work for an extended stretch due to surgery -- and this   
    RS> seems to be the norm. It's a "win" to pass all three exams in   
    RS> one sitting, or something.   
      
     One local ham did just that several years ago...passed his Tech,   
   General, and Extra in one sitting. The VE Team leader asked the "zero   
   to Extra licensee" what he did for a living. When the examinee replied   
   "I'm currently unemployed", the liaison growled "You have too much time   
   on your hands!!" (hi hi).   
      
    RS> I did Tech and General to get started, then got my feet wet for   
    RS> a few months before upgrading to Extra. Even now, I'm still   
    RS> learning A LOT. Massive credit to the welcoming guys in the   
    RS> local club who keep us actively learning and honing skills.   
      
     Being an Elmer is the highest compliment a ham can receive. We did   
   quite a bit of that at a local exam session this morning...2 new Techs,   
   and 1 upgrade to General...so, everyone walked out with a CSCE.   
      
     Unfortunately, with the "government shutdown" (there's a redundancy   
   in terms if there ever was one), the new Techs have to wait until the   
   government and FCC re-open to process their info. All the VEC's are   
   holding the data in a batch queue, and it might crash the ULS when the   
   floodgates are opened!! At least those with a callsign and license can   
   operate immediately with the special suffix identifiers.   
      
    RS> Okay, this one made me giggle. :)   
      
     If you want more ham radio humor, go to the hyperlink on my QRZ bio,   
   and click on Selected Ham Radio Humor. It has nearly 125 pages of memes   
   and text...several lately from the Amateur Radio Funnies Group on   
   Facebook.   
      
    SD> Right now, my living situation does not allow wire antennas but I have a   
    SD> 40-foot long aluminum access ramp for my mobility scooter I use to mount   
    SD> antennas.   
      
     Right now, I don't have RF gear, due to cost, and because I'm a heart   
   patient. But, at least my license "isn't just a sheet of paper". There is   
   a link on the ARRL website, affectionately known as "Free The Antenna". You   
   go in there, enter your callsign, and the data is populated. Clicking SUBMIT   
   will create and send a letter to your senator and/or representative, to try   
   to loosen the restrictions of HOA's for the hams that live within them.   
      
    RS> I picked up a new 3D printer recently (only $200 or so), and   
    RS> that's really opened up a whole new world. Printing little bits   
    RS> and connectors and mounts and housings and what not.   
      
     I've known several hams who have 3D printers. John, WA8YXM, in Davison,   
   Michigan, created "Christmas ornaments" with a phrase he heard me use (I   
   saw it in a meme). There was a little kitten, typing a letter to Santa at   
   the keyboard...and it said simply "Dear Santa...Define Naughty" (hi hi).   
   He said those things disappeared as if they were dollar bills!!   
      
    RS> 73!   
    RS> Randall   
    RS> WZ8Q   
      
     73 from Daryl, N5VLZ.   
      
   ... I just bought a cured ham...wonder what it had...   
   === MultiMail/Win v0.52   
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