Page 3                                         <---Last---| |---Next--->           Feed-Point, February, 2000
"LIGHT EXTRA"

   At  the testing session on April 1,  light hearted teasing produced the term "Light Extra" for the extras getting licenses after April 15, 2000. 

   I thought everyone might appreciate a few highlights from the March 2000 QST editorial, by K1ZZ.

   In 1965 the extra exam had 100 questions, including 10 that required the drawing of diagrams. They also had to send and receive  one minute of perfect copy at 20 wpm CW. But they did not know anything about packet, slow scan TV, satellites, RF exposure, repeaters, semiconductors, nor solid state.

   However, today's Advanced Exam is at least as challenging as the old Extra Exam, and more difficult than today's Extra. The new Extra test will combine questions from the Advanced/Extra pool and will cover a broader field than any previous FCC amateur exam.

   Back in the good old days, as now, passing a challenging test is not the end of learning. We should continue to learn, to keep up with new technology, extending our education beyond the requirements of licensing. 

    The ARRL has established an ARRL Certification Program. A Web message board  will be established where people can discuss what should be included. 

   "Earning a license is not the end of the road. It's just the beginning. The measure of a ham is what one does  with the license".

1999 Nets

   There were 53 nets with 365 check ins.  The fewest number of check ins was 2. The greatest number was 15. The average was 6.8 per net! 

   There were also several weather nets held at the request of the National Weather Service.

   Next time there will be a list of who checked in how many times.

Iridium Flares to be Quenched

   I don't know if any of you have heard this, but Iridium, LLC is bankrupt! Weren't they the guys that wanted to grab some of our frequencies?  they are de-orbiting their satellites.  Browse to: 
http://www.heavens-above.com/

   They also have complete information on ham radio satellite passes. (73 de N8VJM)

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