Studying for Tech License

a727469

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Excellent…, go for it! As I said, I have the utmost respect for those who have gone for higher class licenses!
A goal is always a good thing. Just be sure you do not get frustrated, since the ultimate goal is to be happy with our choices and have fun! And if frustration takes over, re-assess.
 

KF0SET

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That's decent progress--keep at it. When you're routinely hitting around 95% on the practice tests, you'll be ready for the real thing.
If you haven't already done so, get your FRN account set up with the FCC.

Ohm's law is pretty easy. The basic formula is V = I x R.
  • E is voltage, in Volts, flowing across a conductor
  • I is the current, in Amperes, flowing through the conductor
  • R is the resistance, in Ohms, provided by the conductor
You can use simple math to adjust the formula to calculate any of the values:
  • R = V / I
  • I = V / R
One of the problems I always get hung up on is, if "E is voltage", then why is "V" always used in all of the equations?
 

robertwbob

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all good help above. now a days no code needed to pass techi used seems like eham. first time it was much harder. screwed around let license run out and several years later i was looking at radios on the shelf n was wonder if they still work? yes. get online n studied hard .when i got 95% regularly via e ham i went and took the test at local hamfest.
study but dont do it to where it gets boring. we are all hoping you pass test too
 

Grounded

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Why settle for a Technician license? Download the ARRL Test Pool Q&A and take the EXTRA. With the Q&A you are guaranteed to pass the first time. That is why the ARRL published the Test Pool Q&A; take advantage of it.
 

SuperFlyEDSguy

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Sorry for the delayed response everyone. So I am taking the Ham radio prep course online, it's okay but the Ohm's law and calculating power part really threw me off. Am I overthinking it, yes I took some practice exams and was getting 72 to 80% mostly.

Am I overthinking the power questions ? Are there a ton on the exam?
OP, the stuff on the tech exam is going to be very basic, so I would suggest looking at electronics from the ground up to really appreciate and understand what the basic components do instead of simply memorizing equations. I must say that those who introduced you to Ohm’s Law in the previous comments did a fine job, but you still need to know why it works the way it does. It will eventually become second nature and perhaps even fun! Seriously!

In addition to the V=IR, you should understand that DC power is measured in Watts and is simply Volts multiplied by Current, so:

P=IV

That‘s seriously all there is to DC power, most of the questions will be on Ohm’s Law though. Additionally, the question pool is open and even free to look at, but you must understand instead of memorize! The question pools are available here:


Next, you should lookup Kirchhoff’s Circuit Laws, however all you will need to remember at this point is the difference between how current and voltage operate according to these two laws. I don‘t specifically remember if this will be directly asked, but you absolutely need to know it to understand basic electronics.

(Note: Please DON’T try to understand Kirchhoff’s Circuit Laws by using the Wikipedia page as it will make it way too complicated for a beginner looking for a simple explanation!)

After that, you just need to understand how basic components work, e.g. resistors, capacitors, etc. Again, there’s not much to it, but knowing how they work will make calculations a breeze because it will not be foreign to you!

Finally, I seriously recommend the ARRL License Manual and their Tech Q&A! You may want to get the license manual in electronic format, but get the questions on paper! It will be far easier to study. Of course there are various other tools out there, but my advice on electronics will get you down the right path there and the ARRL books will help you identify other weak areas, but also help teach them to you. Here’s a link with some information and you could purchase both guides on Amazon as I did:


And a couple websites, both free and paid that I have used include:



Good luck!

~73
 

thomasbillman1

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Hi @1268,

Have you taken any practice exams yet? If you have, what is your average score and specifically, what “electrical stuff” are you getting wrong? If you have not taken a practice exam, you should so that you can answer my second question.

The Technician Class exam is the easiest of the three exams for Amateur Radio License classes. What would really help us to help you is having a baseline to start from.

73, Dave K4EET
I want to use the radio not build a radio, most of the questions to to be more about building a radio.
 

llzel

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so I just took a 35 question practice test and got 17/35 correct. Never studied, never even seen a test so I'm confident that with a little studying I can get my technicians license
 

ladn

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Never studied, never even seen a test so I'm confident that with a little studying I can get my technicians license
A lot of the questions are common sense. I recommend learn (as opposed to memorize) as much of the material as possible. You'll be a better operator for it.

When you pass the Technician test, you'll be offered the opportunity to take the General test (at no additional fee) at the same session. You should avail yourself of this opportunity as the General test is very similar to the Technician test and you have nothing to loose by trying.
 

rf_patriot200

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Feb 9, 2024
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Freeport, Illinois
I've been around public safety radio and scanners for 35 years and never bothered with a ham license. I keep getting bogged down in all the electrical stuff in the study material. Any advice on how to conquer this exam? It's something I would love to acquire and get into.
SO ... Did you take your tech exam yet ?? Inquiring minds ya know ...
 

robertwbob

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Nov 17, 2015
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Northeast jasper county,missouri
and when you get your license USE THE RADIO LOTS . i sat here yesterday listening to a 57 repeater moniter plus 22 simplex slots not a soul broke the silence all day. i did hit every repeater with callsign and cq nobody. sad the equipment set up to use and nobody using it..
im stuck beside my radios for few days via dr orders .gettin itchy fingers to get out n do stuff.
 
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