"KC8GXW" wrote

Thanks Hans, I knew that part. I was wondering what people here think a real
ham is. In the past 10 years I've heard so much belittling about lower class
licenses, I was just curious what others thought was on this subject? I
understand that there is no real answer and most of it is just an opinion.

I think that there IS a real answer. If you have any class of drivers
license you're a "real" licensed driver. The same holds true for hams.

The opinion of those who "belittle" others who haven't attained some arbitrary
class of license or demonstrated an ability to beep at some arbitrary speed is,
in my opinion, really nothing more than a mask for their own insecurity.

The "hands-down-best-ham-I-ever-knew" is Gene Schwarz, W0VDI. Gene was an
original 1953 Technician, and the last beep he ever copied was at his 5WPM
examination session 52 years ago. A great Elmer, club "sparkplug"/volunteer,
tinkerer-cum-laude (several RF-related patents in his name --- never went to
engineering school), expert public service traffic handler, and
all-around-good-guy. Sadly, Gene is now SK (victim of the "Big C"). Based on
the class of his license, he'd not be "real" in some opinions around here, so
you can guess how much weight I think "opinion" carries.

I hold little regard for, and give no credence to the opinion of any ham who
judges other hams based on the class of their license.

73, de Hans, K0HB