My experiences were just the reverse, in the San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego FCC offices. The staff was extremely helpful and friendly while taking all three Amateur and five Commercial license tests over a period of years. My last test was taken in San Francisco the early 1990's after I had let my Commercial Radiotelegraph license lapse too long and had to re-sit the exam. I was told that was the last test administered by the FCC in San Francisco.
Later I went to a private testing company for my GMDSS Operator's and Maintainer's licenses. All of the tests were handled well with no issues, both in the written and CW receiving and sending, which involved a judgment call by the examiner. (Applicants for both commercial and Ham licenses had to demonstrate their ability to send on a straight key to the satisfaction of the FCC Examiner as well as receive CW at the required speed.) Of course, I was there and ready before the start time too. 73, Ron AC7AC -----Original Message----- I have heard such statements as that about the FCC testing and the way it was done. I have also heard how easy it was to get a license back then not like today where you have to have photo proof (3) pieces in hand to even take the test. Not like when the FCC gave them a DL and old license was given to someone to take the tests for them friends, brother-in-law or a paid for the task. It was a common event because on a lack of identification that we have in testing now. Just another good reason that it's been done away with to have stopped that abuse. 73, Fred/N0AZZ ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html