Laws

[KCIRREDZ]

What is involved in getting your techs license is it just the 35 question test?

 

[mmckenna]

What is involved in getting your techs license is it just the 35 question test?

Yes. 35 question multiple choice test with at least a 70% passing grade.

 

[GlobalNorth]

The Tech license exam was easier than I expected. Just being into SWL/scanners and reading about amateur radio gave me most of the info.

All the FCC exam questions are posted and simply reviewing them several times told me what to expect. It was worth the effort.

 

[nd5y]

What is involved in getting your techs license is it just the 35 question test?

In addition to passing the test you need to fill out the license application form 605 and apply for a FRN on the FCC web site and pay for it.
Read everything at

Amateur Radio Service

AboutRule Part47 C.F.R, Part 97Radio Service Code(s)HA - AmateurHV - Amateur Vanity

www.fcc.gov

 

[ladn]

What is involved in getting your techs license is it just the 35 question test?

It's 35 questions, out of a pool of about 350 questions. All are multiple choice.
The questions deal with FCC rules, basic electronic theory and antennas, and operating practices.

All of the questions and answers are publicly available and the test uses the questions and answers verbatim from the question pool, but the order of answers can be shuffled. Each question is unique, but there's sometimes multiple questions covering the same concept.

One should endeavor to actually learn the theory behind the questions rather than just the correct answer. Granted, there are some questions that are so poorly worded that they make no sense, and all one can do is learn to recognize these questions and the correct answer and just move on.

 

[GlobalNorth]

..One should endeavor to actually learn the theory behind the questions rather than just the correct answer. Granted, there are some questions that are so poorly worded that they make no sense, and all one can do is learn to recognize these questions and the correct answer and just move on.

Oh, I agree. Some people are 'test-phobic' and expect Maxwell's Equations and wave propagation on a Technician exam. Seeing what's on the exam puts them at rest, even if a couple of questions are rather wonky.

 

[ladn]

Seeing what's on the exam puts them at rest, even if a couple of questions are rather wonky.

The group that oversees the question pools really should establish some standards for the way the questions are phrased, and have the final question pool reviewed for compliance as well as readability.

These tests are supposed to test amateur radio knowledge, not the applicant's ability to decipher convoluted grammar and syntax.

 

[AK9R]

The group that oversees the question pools really should establish some standards for the way the questions are phrased, and have the final question pool reviewed for compliance as well as readability.

Listed here are the current members of the NCVEC Question Pool Committee. Maybe you could volunteer to review the pools.

 

[ladn]

Listed here are the current members of the NCVEC Question Pool Committee. Maybe you could volunteer to review the pools.

While my degree is in journalism, my expertise is in photography and graphic design.
What's really needed is a traditional copy editor or maybe a high school English teacher.

 

[GlobalNorth]

The NCVEC Question Pool Committee could take three VECs and query a number of recent applicants to see what questions were strangely worded, odd, or convoluted and have examples and suggested rephrased questions to the FCC within three months.

It doesn't have to be complicated.

 

[k6cpo]

The NCVEC Question Pool Committee could take three VECs and query a number of recent applicants to see what questions were strangely worded, odd, or convoluted and have examples and suggested rephrased questions to the FCC within three months.

It doesn't have to be complicated.

The FCC has nothing to do with the exam question pools. That's all in the hands of the NCVEC and the individual VECs themselves. The FCC takes it on faith that the individual has passed the exam(s) the VEC says they have and issues the license accordingly (after the proper fees have been paid.)

 

[AK9R]

The FCC has nothing to do with the exam question pools. That's all in the hands of the NCVEC and the individual VECs themselves.

A lot of hams don't get this. There are 14 VECs and they are all part of the National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators. The questions are developed, vetted, and published by the NCVEC Question Pool Committee which consists of VECs. If there's a problem with a question, it needs to be communicated to the QPC. Complaining about the questions on social media, as is so often the case, doesn't address the problem.

 

[k6cpo]

A lot of hams don't get this. There are 14 VECs and they are all part of the National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators. The questions are developed, vetted, and published by the NCVEC Question Pool Committee which consists of VECs. If there's a problem with a question, it needs to be communicated to the QPC. Complaining about the questions on social media, as is so often the case, doesn't address the problem.

A lot also don't understand that the ARRL isn't the only organization doing testing and also don't understand that the ARRL and FCC are two complete separate organizations with different purposes. It's almost like saying the NRA and ATF are the same.

 

[HamImports]

It could be argued that you have an inherent right to use the radio spectrum, regardless of licensing. At least if you reside within a nation state that is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Article 19 states:

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Perhaps your chosen "media" might happen to be 2m FM.