Just another no code Extra ruining the hobby

 All hobbies have their fair share of jerks. Get used to it. Ham radio is no exception. I licensed as a General four years after the code requirement went away and spent about 2 months as a General before I became an Extra.

As with anything else, most hams were glad to have us. They welcomed new blood into what was essentially a dying hobby. CW was considered obsolete by many. Few people wanted to put the time and effort into learning code when they knew they would never really use it.

Still, as to be expected there were the usual group that resented people that didn't have to take the code test and what they considered worse is that many of us were Extras! 

Every so often I'd hear someone being referred to like "He's just another no code Extra ruining the hobby."

If you've read much of what I have to say, I don't let too much slide. I'd often shoot back with "Yeah. One of those no code Extras that saved the hobby from extinction and having the bands reallocated."

Sometimes a long time ham would butt in and side with me pointing out that the hobby needed new blood to survive. Still, for the first decade or so I'd hear it from time to time.

One time when I was running portable I checked in with the YLs on 14.332. I was in a snowbank somewhere on the PA-WV border and when net control asked me for my QTH I said I didn't know because I didn't know if I was in PA or WV.

"Whaddya mean no QTH? Another no code Extra ruining the hobby!" said some sad sack.

Before net control could intercede I shot back. "You're sitting on you fanny in a heated shack running at least barefoot and probably power and getting fat. I'm sitting in a snowbank running 30 watts and a wire in a tree and don't know if I'm in PA or WV so I can't give a QTH!"

Net control was sharp that day. "Wow! 30 watts and a wire in a tree! You're sure getting out! If you find out where you are please recheck and give me a QTH." By doing this first class piece of diplomacy it was a slight to the jerk and he clammed up.

It appears to have faded with time as the old grouch types have either gotten tired of being told off, died off or just plain dropped out.

Later on for a while I tried my hand at CW and have a couple CW contacts in my log, most notable the Marshall Islands from a Japanese YL on vacation there. 

My first official CW message read, "Just another no code Extra ruining the hobby." 

What was interesting to note that a number of new no code hams learned CW and many of them use it almost exclusively. 

CW is use it or lose it and I'd have to brush up on it again to use it.

Looking back on it, a part of the reason the no code Extra ruining the hobby went away is because we proudly embraced the title. At one point I heard someone calling "CQ CQ CQ XX#XXX looking for no code Extras to help me ruin the hobby."

Needless to say, I worked him. He was my kind of guy.

If you hear any old fuddy duddy say he's never heard of this happening he is either a liar or was QRT for about 20 years. 

While needless to say, most hams welcomed us there were a number that were resentful. It's been almost 20 years since the code requirement dropped and I have not hear "He's another no code extra ruining the hobby." in quite sometime.

Still, much like the post WW2 Japanese holdouts that didn't know the war was over, I'm fairly sure there's still one or two out there. If you ever hear it don't be astonished.