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he's an old ham and is an extra. Even he agrees that the code requirement is out of date and isn't useful. He was also telling me that most Extras, think that being an extra is just a status symbol. He said it isn't even worth having it anymore.
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As Ive mentioned before, Ive been a Ham for 25 years and for 25 years mostly a CW operator. It use to mean something to be an Extra. Took alot of work when the old test requirements were in effect (20WPM CW test and Extra Theory) the theory was pretty hard and you didnt have the actual tests and answers to use for study.
Being an ex-president for the So Cal DX Club, which is a highly regarded club with several world known members, im one of the outcasts that thinks the CW requirement should be eliminated. I believe at this point, it just becomes another "Mode" of operation. If you want to operate CW, you will learn it. Also, it really doesnt mean much to be an Extra anymore. Since the changes in the testing over several years. Still feels good having it and it your serious about CW DX, you have to have it. For SSB DX, the Advanced, or whatever its called today is all thats required. You need the Extra to get the bottom 25KC's of the CW bands where all the DX and DXPeditions hide out. /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif