Tripple Pass

powerhouse · #1 (**permalink**) 06-20-2009, 12:20 PM

I had for years been wanting to get my Ham ticket and had even bought a "Now your Talking" book back in the early 90's but had never followed up on it.
Recently, a neighbor who had just recently passed his General test, had convinced me to take the tests' and even loaned his book to me.
I began taking the on line tests' and, after studying for about 3-4 weeks, I took and passed all three tests' on June 13.
Now I'm going to try my hand at the GROL test since it is similar to the Extra test.
I've also begun trying to teach my self morse code.
The only down side is how am I going to tell my wife I've got more radio stuff I have to buy?

powerhouse
AB3JP

JeremyB · #2 (**permalink**) 06-21-2009, 11:42 AM

Congrats

Not a lot of people have done it but a lot may not know you can go to one test session and leave as an extra and then others probably haven't studied or even seen some of the material in the general and extra tests. Just studying for the extra gave me headaches with the theories and equations to remember

powerhouse · #3 (**permalink**) 06-21-2009, 11:32 PM

Thanks Jeremy.

I know what you mean about the headaches.
I am a power plant operator and know a little bit,(a very little bit), about capacative and inductive reactances and phase angles and such because I have had to in the past compute power factors for the plant.
My biggest problem was remembering which formula went with which question since math was always my weakest subject in school which was many moons ago.

powerhouse

Budog · #4 (**permalink**) 06-23-2009, 08:44 PM

Congrats! I can relate to telling the "spousal unit" about buying radio gear... Fortunately I am getting my first radio for free. My wife says I am getting too old for skateboarding (48). So I am just trading one addiction for another. Considering my boards run about $200 a pop the costs won't really be a savings. But then again I don't have to worry about falling down and breaking anymore bones!

Budog.

EasyRadio · #5 (**permalink**) 06-24-2009, 08:49 AM

Congratulations on the "Zero to Extra" in one sitting. Now get on the air and enjoy it! Keep up the good work learning the code, too - it's well worth the effort.

Amateur Radio is a great hobby with lots of choices. Hope you have as much fun with it as I have.

wcu02mpa · #6 (**permalink**) 06-24-2009, 09:03 PM

Powerhouse. I have an extra class HAM ticket as well as a GROL license (both held since 1997). The GROL is a bit more involved as well as a lot more expensive. I related it to taking my general, advanced and extra all at the same time. There is a lot more electrical theory on the GROL. One good thing is that it is valid for lifetime. It actually got me a few interviews as well as about 4 or 5 job offers. A Kenwood dealer actualler offered me a job based almost on the fact I was the only applicant that had one. I encourage you to take it, but make sure you are prepped......any questions, feel free to ask. Although it is not required in many jobs, those employers that know what it is will certainly recognize it as you are a serious radio practitioner......especially coupled with an extra class ticket.

Also the Civil Air Patrol will bring you in as a 1st Lt. automatically with a GROL.

Mike

elk2370bruce · #7 (**permalink**) 06-29-2009, 07:20 PM

Great on your triple pass. Beats the hell out of a triple bypass!

powerhouse · #8 (**permalink**) 08-02-2009, 07:50 AM

Just an update.
I was able to take and pass elements 1,3and 8 of the GROL tests last weekend so I guess this another tripple pass.

powerhouse
AB3JP

wcu02mpa · #9 (**permalink**) 08-02-2009, 03:13 PM

Congrats on the GROL. I have to ask.....I was not able to pass the element 8, missed it by 2 questions. That test is no joke, so do you have a strong radio or microwave background??? The radio theory I got, but I was lost on microwave material. I am thinking about taking it again, but am wondering what your studying method was for the element-8.

When I got my license, I was able to send off for a frameable GROL certificate signed by Fred Maia and W5YI
group

Mike

zz0468 · #10 (**permalink**) 08-03-2009, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powerhouse

...The only down side is how am I going to tell my wife I've got more radio stuff I have to buy?

That's easy. You just point at the radio you want and say "Mongo want!"

It's always worked for me.

Ok, old news but congratulations! Have fun... It's a great hobby.

K2QI · #11 (**permalink**) 08-03-2009, 05:29 PM

Congrats OM. Hope to work you one day!

powerhouse · #12 (**permalink**) 08-05-2009, 02:01 AM

Thanks everyone for the congrats.

As to my background and study habbits.
I am a licensed 1st.Grade stationary Engineer/power plant operator in the state of Maryland.
I have worked the night shift for the last 15 years or so and as long as everything is running right and no storms come along and knock us off line, I have plenty of time to study.
I began studying in May for the amateur tests and passed all three at the same time in June only missing two questions out of all three tests.
I then ordered the book and software for the GROL tests from W5YI in June and passed elements 1,3 and 8 in July only missing three questions out all three tests.
I am convinced I could not have passed it without the software.
I have for many years been an avid scanner and shortwave listener and thought the amateur ticket would be the next logical step. Then I saw where the GROL tests were similar to the amateur Extra test so I thought, Why not?
That is pretty much the extent of my radio knowledge.
I hope to catch you guys on the air when accounts payable er....my wife says I can buy some new toys.

Thanks again and 73's
powerhouse
AB3JP