I got my novice license in June 78, my general class in November of 78, and my advanced class license in February of 79. I never got the extra class, because I didn’t like Morse Code. I used to talk to people all over the world, till 1994. I got totally burned out on it, and promptly went off the air, and never came back on. I probably should not have let my license expire, but even if I still had it, I wouldn’t get back on the air. I just got burned out.
I can’t believe it; but I learned Morse in 1958 for Boy Scouts. I remember about half of it.
Got my Advanced in 1976, Extra in Dec 1985 and my GROL Commercial in 2000.
Operated a Navy/Marine Corp MARS station out of my home and car from 1976-1995.
Note: licensing is much easier today. No code required for most things. The exams are local now, not driving long distances to set before a FCC examiner.
For a number of years I did not operate much (was caring for many old or ill family members), but a few years back we put together a very good local club. There are a lot of changes, but the technical hams are interesting to be around again. Lots of projects.