Ed,   
      
   EV>One time I did put the J-38 Straight Key on the floor and used my Left   
   EV>Foot to carry on a QSO (conversation).   
      
   EV>QLF anyone?   
   EV>QLF is a made up Q-Code meaning "Are You sending with Your Left Foot?".   
      
     I have heard of that actually occurring.   
      
   EV>Wasn't (Isn't) there a Section in the Rules and Regulations where the   
   EV>F.C.C. will accommodate Handicapped people who are taking a test to   
   EV>become a Amateur Radio Operator?   
   EV>It seems like I remember reading something like that long ago.   
      
     There still is. The Volunteer Examiner (VE) Team can give   
   "accomodations" to "disabled" or "special needs" examinees...but the   
   examinees need to notify the VE Team BEFORE the session, so proper   
   arrangements can be made. These include:   
      
   1) Giving an exam without graphics or schematics.   
      
   2) Reading the questions and available answers, and marking the answer   
   the examinee tells us to mark on the answer sheet (no vocal inflections,   
   coaching, etc. is allowed).   
      
   3) Going to where the examinee is, such as a hospital, or even at their   
   home.   
      
     All the proper ID and license verification procedures still have to be   
   followed, and the examinee still has to pay the proper fee. Some of the   
   Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (VEC's) charge little to nothing, but   
   most (such as ARRL/VEC) charge a $15 fee for each element taken.   
      
     Now, as long as they pass an exam, they can take the next one in line   
   for FREE. That also means they can walk into an exam session, and pass   
   all 3 exams (Technician, General, and Amateur Extra) the first time, and   
   only have to pay $15 total (I've seen that happen at least twice). While   
   the Morse Code test is long gone, still going from Zero To Extra in one   
   session is still quite a feat.   
      
     Along that line, Kristina, KT1NA, XYL of W1AI, Jim Cunningham,   
   creator of Ham Test Online, did just that. Her story is on their   
   website, and it's an inspiring one.   
      
   EV>I was in the room with my wife when a Doctor gave her some test to see   
   EV>how her nerves in her arm were.   
   EV>I remember seeing Needles poked lightly in her arm but don't remember   
   EV>her experiencing any pain during the test.   
      
   EV>Hopefully that was a EMG test back then, don't know.   
      
     I've talked to several people and comments range from "it's not bad"   
   to "severe acupuncture and torturous pain". I originally was going to   
   have the EMG and an MRI of my neck on the same day, but winter weather   
   has delayed both several times. I'm supposed to get the MRI next   
   Thursday, but one of the weather models is calling for 6 inches of snow   
   here next Wednesday. I hope that it is WRONG...as it'll mean not only   
   will I have to reschedule the MRI...but have to miss one of the better   
   hamfests in Arkansas on March 7, in Russellville.   
      
     My main goals at a hamfest are not necessarily to buy things (due to   
   antenna prohibitons where I live, as I've discussed earlier)...although   
   buying prize tickets to win something that I can possibly sell or give   
   as a gift is an option. But, the main reasons are to help with license   
   exam sessions (if needed), then the "eyeball QSO's" (and the exchanging   
   of QSL cards, and chewing the rag in person), and last but not least,   
   feeding my face at the food trough (hi hi).   
      
   EV>Look it up on mayoclinic.com or Doctor Web.   
   EV>When I want to know something medical I do a Search on the Mayo Clinic   
   EV>web site to see what I can find out about the subject of my search.   
      
     I never thought about those sites...I had previously gotten stuff from   
   WebMD. The neurologist said the EMG "wasn't that bad", but I think he   
   was lying, to not scare me off. But, if I can avoid neck surgery and   
   paralysis (or something else), the torture of the EMG will be a small   
   price to pay.   
      
   (Continued to next message)   
   ---   
    þ OLX 1.53 þ So easy, a child could do it. Child sold separately.   
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
                                                                                     
   --- Virtual Advanced Ver 2 for DOS    
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS (1:19/33)