THINKING about joining

[mainetrunk]

Well, after 1,000 sidenotes and 3,000 head scratches, I found the no nonsense study book. I read it in 2 days. If you ask me- it is 1/2 common sense and 1/2 knowledge. And the elctric part, wow.
R=E x R
E=I x R = 0.5A x 2ohm's = 1 volt
Stuff like that was so foreign to me. I mean I wouldn't look at it twice to save my butt. NOW, well- to tell you the truth, I did want to think about it someday.. Now's the time. I talked to a friend earlier with mucho electric experience, and we had 1,000 laughs making jokes about all terms.We were wondering-- who made the letter I the character for -current?-... A-amp, E-energy, R-resistance, But I=current? OK. The regs are ( I wanna say easy ) not hard, just watch your tounge. Oh yeah, no making money on it. I also do not see myself in international waters with a station, nore leaving the country, but it's good to know the foriegn policies. Heres what I am studying
http://www.kb6nu.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010_Tech_Study_Guide.pdf

 

[mainetrunk]

antenna length to wires

I understand to keep wires far from your antenna; but if the antenna somehow falls onto roof, the tip should be at least 10 feet away? So, if I got a 30 foot vhf antenna, I would have to take it somewhere else instead of intended place. Chimney. Wires to house are 20 feet away, and down 15 feet. The 2 I have up there now, for scanners, I'd like to use 1 to transmit. The tallest 1 ( ferret ) is up there, 15 feet. I realize accidents happen, but to redesign my set up would s&^%.. The discone is safe. It would have to jump the chimney just to get to the starting polnt. Even if it did, still 12 feet from edge of roof, then down 15 feet to wires.

 

[KC0KM]

Understanding the electronic principals can be daunting. When I first started to study (back in the early 2000's) when I got to that part, I got frustrated and gave up, as I too could not understand it. I ended up going to a class, along with my book (I would also recommend the ARRL Technicians Study Manual, as it goes more in depth). Also, as I briefly looked through you study guide, please keep in mind that the question pool has changed, so the reference numbers for the test questions may or may not be correct. If you are studying questions, make sure you are using the correct test pool. (Although the questions will be similar, they do change the order of the answer.)

As for a antenna, the key point is to keep in mind if it should fall, it should fall away from overhead power lines, and should not be close to them. In my case, my antenna is on the north side of the house, and the power line comes in the back of the house, on the opposite end.

 

[Zhaldorian]

Ohms Law

I believe that the E stands for Electromotive Force and the I stands for Intensité (french for intensity/pressure), and obviously the R is Resistance.

 

[cmdrwill]

I believe that the E stands for Electromotive Force and the I stands for Intensité (french for intensity/pressure), and obviously the R is Resistance.

That IS correct....

 

[AC9KH]

And the elctric part, wow.
R=E x R
E=I x R = 0.5A x 2ohm's = 1 volt
Stuff like that was so foreign to me.

While you can pretty much memorize the answers to the Technician test and pass it, it doesn't hurt to understand Ohm's Law and have a basic understanding of the other elements instead of just memorizing it. The online tests, IMO, promote memorizing the answers instead of understanding the theory.

There are excellent books available from the ARRL that teach the theory. Having a basic understanding of Ohm's law will come in handy when you upgrade to your General and then have to understand the difference between DC and AC power and circuits, and learn about reactance, inductance, capacitance and impedance. And do basic power calculations for AC circuits.

It might seem to be something you don't need to know just to operate a radio. But part of the hobby has long been experimenting and building. Without a basic understanding of the electrical theory you will be totally lost when it comes to something as simple as designing and building an antenna and impedance matching it using various methods.

Please - don't just use the online tests or those so-called "study guides" that just provide a basic narrative of the all the questions and answers in the test. Buy the books from ARRL (or another source) and study them and actually learn what you are being tested on. Most of the fun of amateur radio is not getting a ticket so you can grab a mic and immediately broadcast your status as a lid. The fun is in learning. And someday when you reach the top, being an Elmer for a new guy that's learning.