Passed the Technician exam today

KJ6CFU · #1 (**permalink**) 09-19-2009, 05:43 PM

I aced the Technician exam this morning and am pretty stoked about it. The guys were really cool. The advice that I got from this forum was very helpful in passing the test. Hopefully my name will appear in the ULS sometime in the next week or so, so I can get on the air! My uncle and some of his friends in Utah are hams, so we've been talking about equipment. Seems like most of them are Yaesu fans.

Any recommendations on a good beginner mobile radio and regulated power supply so I can run it in the house?

Thanks for any suggestions! I appreciate it.

n4yek · #2 (**permalink**) 09-19-2009, 06:14 PM

Congrats to you and welcome to Ham radio.
These are all good starters:
Kenwood TM-271A (my preference) Currently $139 at Amateur Electronic Supply
Icom IC2200H
Yaesu FT-1802M
Alinco DR-135TMKIII

Power Supply: Astron RS-10A (also available at Amateur Electronic Supply for $79.99)

gewecke · #3 (**permalink**) 09-19-2009, 08:40 PM

Congrats on your ticket! Welcome to the world of amateur radio!
N9ZAS

K9JRF · #4 (**permalink**) 09-19-2009, 10:09 PM

Congrads !!!

KJ6CFU · #5 (**permalink**) 09-19-2009, 11:22 PM

Thanks everyone! And thanks for the tip, N4YEK. I can't wait to get on the air!

elk2370bruce · #6 (**permalink**) 09-20-2009, 05:17 PM

Welcome to our extended family - the amateur radio fraternity. Now get on the air and have fun. If you have access to a repeater with IRLP capability, give me a call at node 4777. Now pick up the General Exam book and keep the success going!

KJ6CFU · #7 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 12:00 AM

thanks elk!

Net-5 · #8 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 12:11 AM

Congrats, bighammer!

I'll be taking the test myself in about another month or so. And I have the ARRL manual on order. Do you have any tips or suggestions that you would like to share, regarding the test? I've used radios for almost my whole adult life while working, but I am only now getting into Ham and learning a little how all this stuff works. I should have done this years ago.

N6RDC · #9 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 08:24 AM

Congrats bighammer,
All of the big 3 (Kenwood, Icom, Yaesu) make good equipment that will do the job for you.
There are some great deals here on this site for used equipment and also on Eham.
And HRO & AES have plenty of new stuff.
I'm also in the Inland Empire...I've got a pretty good list of 2M & 440 repeater frequencies,
pm me if you want me to send it to you.
Maybe we can get on the air if you're not too far off...
73's
N6RDC

KJ6CFU · #10 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Net-5

Congrats, bighammer!

I'll be taking the test myself in about another month or so. And I have the ARRL manual on order. Do you have any tips or suggestions that you would like to share, regarding the test? I've used radios for almost my whole adult life while working, but I am only now getting into Ham and learning a little how all this stuff works. I should have done this years ago.

Net-5,

The ARRL book is very good. I read it and it did help me understand a lot of the fundamentals. Everyone's approach is different, but here's my advice and some insight on the testing process:

The manual is rather long and it's easy to forget all the "little" details. After I read the book (OK, I read most of it, not all of it. But, I think it will be good reference for later as well), I started studying some exam notes I found on this website: HA Info

When you go to the AH0A website above, download the Technician Study Notes. This give you a summary of everything you need to know for the exam, in a mere 18 pages. It is awesome! The notes will help you remember the key concepts from the book. If you can remember everything in those 18 pages, you will pass for sure - easily.

After I studied the notes, I started taking the practice exams on QRZ Ham Radio
Click on the Technician test. I will ask you which test number you want to take. Basically, they have 35 "tests" you can take; each test has questions from the different categories. Enter a number from 1 to 35 and start practicing. Read the question and the possible answers completely. If you miss a question, see if you can figure out why you missed the answer. Did you just answer it too quickly or did you make a guess? then, go back, and figure out what the correct answer is. Do the practice tests until you can consistently pass with a good score. If you're barely passing, you probably need to review the notes some more.

The questions at the back of the ARRL book are the ONLY questions in the question pool. They will not ask you anything other than those questions. When you take the test, you will get 35 random questions. They will be taken directly from the questions at the end of that book. The only difference is the order of the answers (A, B, C and D) may be different in the actual exam than in the back.

When you're ready, go here ARRLWeb: Exam Session Search
to find a test date that works for you. That same site will tell you what you need to bring ($15, photo ID, #2 pencils, etc.)

I think you'll find that the VECs giving the test are really cool and may even bust your chops (they busted mine before, during and after the test. LOL).

Just remember that if you're consistently doing well on the practice tests, you'll do well during the real thing. they're the same questions! the only difference is the answers may be in a different order.

Good luck! I'm not an expert by any stretch of the imagination, but will be glad to help you if you have any questions.

KJ6CFU · #11 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 89gta

Congrats bighammer,
All of the big 3 (Kenwood, Icom, Yaesu) make good equipment that will do the job for you.
There are some great deals here on this site for used equipment and also on Eham.
And HRO & AES have plenty of new stuff.
I'm also in the Inland Empire...I've got a pretty good list of 2M & 440 repeater frequencies,
pm me if you want me to send it to you.
Maybe we can get on the air if you're not too far off...
73's
N6RDC

Thanks! Sending PM now....LOL

KF5DCI · #12 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 10:09 AM

Congrats. I passed mine last weekend. Passed the test Saturday and my license was in the database by Wednesday.

KJ6CFU · #13 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 10:18 AM

KF5DCI, that's awesome. Congrats! I'm hoping mine appears that fast. LOL. I registered for the FRN ahead of time and used that on my paperwork. Not sure if that really affects the processing time or not, but I guess we'll see.

KF5DCI · #14 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bighammer

KF5DCI, that's awesome. Congrats! I'm hoping mine appears that fast. LOL. I registered for the FRN ahead of time and used that on my paperwork. Not sure if that really affects the processing time or not, but I guess we'll see.

I already had my FRN too, but I still put my social on the Form 605. I didn't want to chance it with the gubbermant, they screw everything up even when you do it right, no need in helping them screw up.

Once you get up and running and find an IRLP node in your area dial into 9455 and hit me up. I am frequently on that system as that is the major linked repeater system in our area (Saltgrass Link).

reedeb · #15 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 01:24 PM

Congtrats to ALL our new hams out here.. Yup you're in for some fun times now!

Net-5 · #16 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 09:48 PM

Thanks much for the great advice, bighammer. I appreciate it.

N1SQB · #17 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009, 08:09 AM

Here is another great radio to start with and not too expensive either. You dont have to go with THIS dealer but they do provide a lot of info about the radio which is why I selected it.

Yaesu FT-7900R, Yaesu FT7900 Amateur Transceiver

Manny

elk2370bruce · #18 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N1SQB

Here is another great radio to start with and not too expensive either. You dont have to go with THIS dealer but they do provide a lot of info about the radio which is why I selected it.

Yaesu FT-7900R, Yaesu FT7900 Amateur Transceiver

Manny

The 7900 is a slightly upgraded (largely ergonomic) version of the 7800. You may find a good used (but not abused) one through a local club. Still, it is hellova great readio for around two and half.

CLynch7 · #19 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009, 04:54 PM

Congrats! Don't overlook used equipment.

mikepdx · #20 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009, 08:33 PM

Welcome to Amateur Radio!

Hang out with other hams that hoard radios and other equipment.
There are a lot of those folks around.

We do a great deal of horse trading around here.
I recently traded a power tool that I rarely used for a nice 2m mobile.
I knew who it came from and knew that it was never abused.

I have also traded labor - fixed the well weathered wooden outdoor deck
of an elderly ham for some nice equipment and antennas.

Saved me a lot of cash, and saved the retiree a big bite out of his fixed income.

Much luck finding a dependable rig.