Found this in my mailbox. I must have ordered it. Yeah, I think I did. Getting old...
Ha! Just kidding. I am only as old as I want to believe.
I was thinking of an aniversary coming up next year. Fifty years as an amateur radio operator and station owner. It about time I do something Extra. To me that means qualify for the Extra Class amateur radio ticket. It's only a 50 question exam these days.
Advanced has suited me just fine for what I like in amateur radio. When I qualified for that ticket class 47 years ago, the Extra Class was not an available upgrade from Novice. I don't know why, and I think it was later permitted. I wasn't looking for a 1x2 call so I had no real incentive in the last 47 years to upgrade.
Now it seems like, "Why not?" I have perused some random questions in this guide and I am plesantly surprised that I know most of the answers. Probably enough to pass. But a good read, with the right answers available will be a great review of what I have probably forgotten, as I have aluded in the first line. I will certainly find new information of things I know nothing about. All in all, I think a good use of my time.
I have a friend, KW5CW who will probably push me a bit. There are also a few more hams in the area I have mentored into becoming amateur radio operators. I'll have to have a party when I pass this chalange!