why are Aussie hams going with USA licenses?

[VK4ADC]

Yeah, I would be added to the list as "one of those" with a US call.
    
The "why" for me is easy.  I found out about an exam to be held at the Sunshine Coast mid-2019 about a month beforehand so I set myself the task of "having a go".  Did I know enough so many years on since my last exam to pass this ?

I downloaded the USA regs, studied them. I did the same for the ARRL question banks. Did some "swotting" (old meaning that means a quick revision study process), ending up writing some code that asked the questions randomly. (and is still available from my website)

Exam day had me paying $AUD23 to attempt the Tech, then the General, then the Extra Class all in one morning - with the $23 covering the lot. The most pleasing bit was the results, 100% in each exam, not bad for an old fella well and truly past his prime.  So maybe I do know something about this "wireless" stuff.
 
The other outcome was the 'Extra Class' call KX4SX which I probably will never get to use on-air. Do I care ? Nope.  Does it give me (Advanced call VK4ADC since 1976, Limited call VK4ZDC from 1967 to 76) any advantages ?  Nope.   Do I need it to get any other qualification/licence ? Nope.  Am I likely to go overseas and need it then ? Unlikely at this stage.

So it is a bit of wallpaper on the wall in the shack, along with a few other certificates.  Mostly forgotten, but it was nice to know I could do it and the brain wasn't too befuddled ..... No other reason..


Doug VK4ADC/KX4SX/no spring chicken...