Finally decided to go for my Technician License

[Aviation_Scanner]

Been a while since I last posted on these fine forums. Something called real life & my photography hobby has kept me busy, especially since I got a new mirrorless camera
Anyway, before I get too carried away, let me get to the topic at hand.

After having my GMRS license for nearly two years (October 2024 is when I got my GMRS license) & doing quite a bit of thinking, I have decided to reverse my previous stance and take the next step and go for my amateur radio technician license.
I will be using HamRadio Prep to help me study, as I found this was the best option for me.
I tried to use Hamstudy.org, but I found their website to be a bit more convoluted to use in comparison to HamRadio Prep (Not knocking hamstudy at all them at all, just what I found based on my personal experience).

If anyone has any advice on how to further improve my chances of passing the exam on the first try, I am more than open to receiving them.

 

[D31245]

Besides on-line resources for practice testing, I found the Gordon West book(s) to be beneficial.

Good luck.

 

[K4EET]

Hi @Aviation_Scanner and that’s awesome that you have decided to get your Technician license in the Amateur Radio service! I’ll give a second shoutout to the Gordon West series. Keep us posted and let us know if you have any questions. 73, Dave

 

[Aviation_Scanner]

Hi @Aviation_Scanner and that’s awesome that you have decided to get your Technician license in the Amateur Radio service! I’ll give a second shoutout to the Gordon West series. Keep us posted and let us know if you have any questions. 73, Dave

Unfortunately, book study and my brain don't get along
HamRadio Prep breaks things down to the point I can grasp the concepts being presented and if I have further questions, google USUALLY has the answers (emphasis mine).

I am sure I'll be reaching out here if I have any questions along the way.

 

[D31245]

Some good advice in your previous threads:

Amateur radio license study plan...

So here is my plan of attack in order to get my amateur radio license (technician): 1. Take the practice test without studying to get a base line on what I need to study (I took one a couple of weeks ago and scored a 45%, so was close to the passing minimum) 2. Study the areas I am weak in 3...

forums.radioreference.com

Unfortunate news to share about my future in Amateur radio...

It's been a while since I last posted on these hallowed forums. With that being said, I have some unfortunate news to share. I have lost interest in getting my amateur radio license. I studied the guide I bought and even got the ham study app on my phone. After a month and a half of studying...

forums.radioreference.com

Getting Amateur Radio License Revisited...

Once again, its been a while since I last posted on these forums. Lately, my interest in getting my Amateur radio license has increased, but the problem remains, as described in this thread. In a nutshell, I do not learn well by studying and taking test(s) on my own, I am more of a hands...

forums.radioreference.com

 

[Aviation_Scanner]

Whoops, forgot about those, like I said been a while since I last posted.
Thanks for the reminder.

 

[ladn]

f anyone has any advice on how to further improve my chances of passing the exam on the first try, I am more than open to receiving them.

Congratulations! You're on the right track.
Assuming you're active in the GMRS world, that experience will help you grasp some basic ham radio concepts.

We all learn differently and you seem to have found a mode that works for you. Try to learn not only the questions and answers, but the reasoning and science behind the concepts covered in the questions.

When you've covered most of the material, start taking the online practice tests. When you're regularly scoring in the 90% range, you'll be ready for the real thing. You may also want to check around as to what groups offer testing and how their tests are administered. In the testing sessions I've encountered, you'll get a question packet (usually a couple of printed sheets stapled together) and then answer by filling in the multiple-choice bubbles on another sheet. Some groups may use "Scantron" answer forms which are designed for machine scoring.

When you pass your Technician test, the testers will usually give you the opportunity to then take the General test at no additional charge. You should avail yourself of this opportunity as the General question pool isn't that much different than the Technician and you have absolutely nothing to loose by trying and a General license will open up even more ham radio horizons.

Good luck!

73

 

[Aviation_Scanner]

Congratulations! You're on the right track.
Assuming you're active in the GMRS world, that experience will help you grasp some basic ham radio concepts.

I try to be.
I was also a volunteer firefighter before I even got my GMRS license and have a very basic and rudimentary understanding of how repeaters and simplex channel works, so not sure if that knowledge will transfer to the technician or general exams.

Try to learn not only the questions and answers, but the reasoning and science behind the concepts covered in the questions.

That's what I have gemini for (Google's AI), although if I am still not sure, I will verify the info here on these forums.

When you pass your Technician test, the testers will usually give you the opportunity to then take the General test at no additional charge. You should avail yourself of this opportunity as the General question pool isn't that much different than the Technician and you have absolutely nothing to loose by trying and a General license will open up even more ham radio horizons.
Good luck!

73

I am going to stick with technician for now, as I get too overwhelmed if I am taking more than one test and if I am presented with too much information.

 

[Aviation_Scanner]

Try to learn not only the questions and answers, but the reasoning and science behind the concepts covered in the questions.

I take it by that statement, most who study for their amateur radio license just study the questions and answers and not the science & concepts behind them?

 

[K9KLC]

I take it by that statement, most who study for their amateur radio license just study the questions and answers and not the science & concepts behind them?

Yep.

 

[ladn]

I take it by that statement, most who study for their amateur radio license just study the questions and answers and not the science & concepts behind them?

Unfortunately, yes!
There will be some questions that may make absolutely no sense, and for those, just memorize the answer and move on. Bust most questions, especially on the Technician test, are worth the effort to understand the concepts behind them.

 

[AK9R]

Everybody learns differently.

I came into amateur radio with a technical background, but no formal training in electronics or radio. I bought the "Now You're Talking" study book which has now been replaced by "ARRL Ham Radio License Manual". I went through the entire question pool in the back of the book and answered each question without prior study. Then, I "graded" my test using the provided answer key. For each question that I got wrong, I dug into the book and read the applicable section of the book to understand the correct answer. With that level of studying, I passed the test. That method worked for me, but I'm not saying it would work for you or anyone else.

Keep in mind that there will be 35 questions on the Technician test taken from the hundreds of questions in the question pool. You only have to answer 26 questions correctly to pass the test. I know that some people use the online study tools and get hung up about not getting a perfect score on the practice tests. Don't let that deter you.

However, I'm going to be blunt. Given the number of comments you've made about getting your amateur radio license, I think it's time to just do it. Stop trying to find the perfect study method or coming up with reasons to not go take the test. Fish or cut bait. Cook or get out of the kitchen. Take the test.

 

[Aviation_Scanner]

However, I'm going to be blunt. Given the number of comments you've made about getting your amateur radio license, I think it's time to just do it. Stop trying to find the perfect study method or coming up with reasons to not go take the test. Fish or cut bait. Cook or get out of the kitchen. Take the test.

The main reason I was going back and forth, which I have never mentioned until now, I suffer from Autism Spectrum Disorder level 1 (Which used to be call high functioning autism).
Sometimes, I think to myself learning something new is too difficult when in reality, I just needed to just buckle down and study/learn.

The above is exactly what happened to me & I now realize, I just need to get on with it instead of imposing self doubt on myself.

 

[K9KLC]

The main reason I was going back and forth, which I have never mentioned until now, I suffer from Autism Spectrum Disorder level 1 (Which used to be call high functioning autism).
Sometimes, I think to myself learning something new is too difficult when in reality, I just needed to just buckle down and study/learn.

The above is exactly what happened to me & I now realize, I just need to get on with it instead of imposing self doubt on myself.

Go for it. You can do it. I know several people in your situation and they're actually having a blast on the radio.

 

[Aviation_Scanner]

Go for it. You can do it. I know several people in your situation and they're actually having a blast on the radio.

Exactly what I told myself, just go for it and don't look back.

 

[eagle2046]

I wish all you guys luck on the exam. I had a tech license when I was 11 years old, had to do morse code but I passed. I am 72 years old now and I don't remember anything about radios. I went to school and earned my B.S. in Electrical Engineering so that may be a help, but I also don't remember any of that. Good Luck guys !

 

[CollinsURG]

Besides on-line resources for practice testing, I found the Gordon West book(s) to be beneficial.

Good luck.

The Gordon West books are the best if you wish to learn the theory in the questions. They are also a good technical reference. Other sources explain theory, but not as well.

 

[KB2GOM]

Besides on-line resources for practice testing, I found the Gordon West book(s) to be beneficial.

Good luck.

I used Gordon West's materials and passed the first time.

 

[ecps92]

Been a while since I last posted on these fine forums. Something called real life & my photography hobby has kept me busy, especially since I got a new mirrorless camera
Anyway, before I get too carried away, let me get to the topic at hand.

After having my GMRS license for nearly two years (October 2024 is when I got my GMRS license) & doing quite a bit of thinking, I have decided to reverse my previous stance and take the next step and go for my amateur radio technician license.
I will be using HamRadio Prep to help me study, as I found this was the best option for me.
I tried to use Hamstudy.org, but I found their website to be a bit more convoluted to use in comparison to HamRadio Prep (Not knocking hamstudy at all them at all, just what I found based on my personal experience).

If anyone has any advice on how to further improve my chances of passing the exam on the first try, I am more than open to receiving them.

in addition to the many study guides/manuals, maybe reach out to your local club as they maybe running in-person or on-line classes.

I know of this one that is open

A free, weekly, live, Amateur Radio Technician Class Licensing course on Zoom will begin on Thursday, Sept 3,
and will run through Thursday, October 15 (7 sessions).

The three-hour sessions will start at 6:30 PM Eastern Time.

These are the classes that we have been holding for years sponsored by the National Electronics Museum.
. Those wishing to sign up should
email roland.anders@comcast.net.

Rol Anders, K3RA roland.anders@comcast.net

 

[Racklefratz]

If anyone has any advice on how to further improve my chances of passing the exam on the first try, I am more than open to receiving them.

I just was reading posts on the QRZ forum today about 8 year-olds passing the Technician test and becoming licensed hams.

What does that tell you? What it says is, just get pretty much ANY test prep guide, and there are many out there, read it, and take the test.

I've been licensed 66 years, and in those days, passing amateur licensing tests took serious dedication and effort; it was an achievement to be proud of. Now, FCC has dumbed down the tests trying to prop up the hobby, and anyone can effortly pass them. A ham license doesn't carry nearly the prestige it used to.