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APCO Radio Technician Exam

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KM4MYA

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Sep 18, 2015
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McChord AFB, WA
Has anyone recently taken the APCO Radio Technician exam recently? I'm tracking the recommended reading "FCC Rules and Regulations, ARRL Handbook (various years), and Electronic Communications, 6th Edition, McGraw-Hill, by Robert L. Shrader ". I would just like some first hand insight as what to expect, like if this is going to be a majority electronics formulas and principles or regulations types of exam. Any information would be very much appreciated.


Fred- KM4MYA
 

N2AL

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Joined
Apr 11, 2008
Messages
417
Location
Tennessee
Something interesting I built a few weeks ago was a Raspberry Pi. While browsing around the available software under Communication I found free software titled FCC Exam.

Sure enough it's a free program to help study for the GROL. The software is Linux based so if you run Linux or a variant you can install it and study.

I also purchased an iPad app for study purposes a while back I have been using as well.
 
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FccTestOnline™

I'm using this to get up to speed on the new questions, we have a quote in to teach a GROL test class to some military techs getting ready to leave the service.

I got my GROL in 86, so far I have recognized none of the element 1 questions from the day I passed (on my 3rd attempt).

I've seen the ANSI standards for APCO's cert but no test, need to look for it when I'm done here.

Have you looked at the ETA general communications technician certs? As a disclaimer, I am a coauthor
of the series of books and get a commission on study guides sold.

Accredited Communications Certifications

The GCT series is geared to working techs vs the heavy theory the GROL tests for. Back when I took the test we had to know how to identify Hartley and Colpretts oscillators. I've been working in 2 way since 1983 and have never had a trouble call for a bad Colpretts oscillator.

I am working with another tech training company on creating a series of online videos for techs who don't want to spend $500-$1000 plus travel costs to take the class and test. The test can be taken without attending a class, our goal is to price modules in the $30-$40 range per major item in the competencies with practice tests so users can find their weak spots and concentrate study in just those areas.

When I was studying for the GROL there were no study guides or they weren't in any bookstore I went to, and back then that's how we did things (web surfing sucked on a rotary phone).

I have not looked at the new element 3 questions yet, I'm hoping that won't be too much of a challenge for my tired old brain.
 
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