short notice local hamfair... cram for test...

mparker · #1 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 02:27 PM

ive been thinking about trying for a license for some time now, and i was at my local radio shop and picked up a flier for a hamfair close by with testing...

anyhow i have yet to start studying ill be going to a library this week to get a book. is it safe to say in a month i can be ready for a tech or general class test? i have a little bit of engineering background, so i am defiantly one of the sharper crayons in the box..lol the description of the tech class almost sounds as if you can walk in with no studying and pass it... am i wrong?

K8PBX · #2 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 02:41 PM

With an engineering background, you should be able to pass the Technician test with ease. Try taking the practice test here QRZ.COM QRZ Ham Radio Practice Tests and see how you do. Good luck!

mparker · #3 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 02:44 PM

what score is needed to pass? i am taking a practice test at hamtestonline.com now and of 25 Qs ive got a 72%

K8PBX · #4 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mparker

what score is needed to pass? i am taking a practice test at hamtestonline.com now and of 25 Qs ive got a 72%

There are 35 questions on the Technician test. A passing score requires that 70% of the questions (26) be answered correctly.

More info here: http://www.wikihow.com/Become-an-Ama...or)-in-the-USA

mparker · #5 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 02:57 PM

thats pretty good odds... lol... i think i might study alittle then take a stab at the tech class...

how do i know what license i need? i guess i am unsure what i can do with a HAM... i do know i would like to talk to the ISS when your allowed to do so...

K8PBX · #6 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mparker

...how do i know what license i need? i guess i am unsure what i can do with a HAM... i do know i would like to talk to the ISS when your allowed to do so...

I'd suggest starting with the Technician class license, get your feet wet, and take it from there.

canav844 · #7 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K8PBX

I'd suggest starting with the Technician class license, get your feet wet, and take it from there.

+1 A technician will get you well enough for most of the popular applications. You can take the General the same day with no extra cost (at least with the club I tested with), so since you've got a month I'd study for that and gain the little extra functionality. With your background I doubt you'll have an issue I've got some engineering background and it only too me a week to study more of the rules associated with it than it was to understand the physics and math associated. With the time you have I'd study enough so you know you'll have the tech and will have a shot at the general.

Also if you know somebody that's already got their ticket most of them are just as helpful as the folks here and can help you in person so you'll have that much more confidence going into it

JeremyB · #8 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mparker

i the description of the tech class almost sounds as if you can walk in with no studying and pass it... am i wrong?

I was passing 3 out of 5 practice tests on qrz.com before I even started studying the technician book and with an engineering background you shouldn't have much trouble with the test for general class

Paulsan · #9 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 08:42 PM

It's not tough. Get the books from Amazon and read them. They will answer every question you've asked so far.

We had a seven year old pass the Tech test about a month ago after a eight hour class on a Saturday. General is going to be tougher and Extra has the potential to make your eyes bleed.

Budog · #10 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 05:34 PM

I haven't used Ohm's Law or anything since High School, I am now 48 years old. I took the practice exams and passed before even cracking a book. My math skills are only marginal at best. I have read the Gordon West Tech Class License book through once and now average 33 or 34 out of a possible 35 questions each time I take the practice exam. So with your background you should breeze right through the exam.

Budog.

mparker · #11 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Budog

I have read the Gordon West Tech Class License book

any more info about this book, i looked at my local library but couldnt find anything....

Paulsan · #12 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 08:28 PM

Check Amazon. The ARRL Tech book is $20. West's book is $19.

Budog · #13 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 08:34 PM

You can buy Gordon West's book and other stuff at:

W5YI : Resources for Amateur & Commercial Radio

or 1-800-669-9594

Budog.

KD0HMI · #14 (**permalink**) 06-17-2009, 10:32 PM

I used among other things this -- TEARA VE Technician Study Guide. It helped me quite a bit. I also had a Now Your Talking (I got it years ago at Radio Shack).

Here is a hint that I did. Take a couple of index cards, and make flash cards. I did things that are a little harder to remember, like OMS Law, frequencies, symbols, formals for the di-poles, etc. I was studying with my flash cards right up to the end.

I took my first practice test cold blind (never even have studied anything) and passed it. When I took my test I ACED it, only almost missing a part 15 question. One thing is to read the question and answer very carefully. The only question I had trouble on, and caught myself was T5D09. I paid attention and got it right. One thing is just take your time.

As for in our Club -- we have a 19 year old girl, who has had her EXTRA, since she was 9.

CLynch7 · #15 (**permalink**) 06-20-2009, 10:13 PM

I studied out of an older copy of the ARRL 'Now You're Talking!' book that covered the Technician and Novice tickets. The novice material was very relevant to the current General tests. I also used AH0A.org. Their Ham Academy is free, you can take practice tests and the also have a PDF study notes/cram guide for each license that is very helpful. Good luck!

TxSharpShooter · #16 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 10:10 PM

I studied on QRZ.com for the Tech license for a few days and made a 100 on the exam. But I didn't study for the General and after I passed the Tech, they let me take the General for free. I failed it big time. The tech to me was easy and it seemed to me that the general test is a big difference. But you should be fine for the general if you study for it. I have an electronics background but still failed the general because didn't know anything about the specifics and regulations that are in the general test.

mparker · #17 (**permalink**) 07-26-2009, 08:31 PM

welp, my plan did work out like i had hoped... i had a general and a tech arrl study book for close to a month but school started back up and i couldn't really find the time to study...

anyhow i cracked open the tech book yesterday and read it completely and did the suggested questions at the end of each chapter and tested today and PASSED (woo hoo) i found it to be really easy, i was offered to try the general so i did... that one was a little harder... i missed 14

now time for radio shopping... cant decide on a mobile or handheld...