Ham wannabe

nilpoc · 02-27-08, 08:15 AM

I'm shooting for getting my technician license on April 26. I've got the ARRL Ham Radio License Manual on hold at the library. I'm assuming 8 weeks is plenty of time to be ready. Anything else I need to prepare?

Any input would be appreciated.

PKP80 · 02-27-08, 11:08 AM

you need 8 days not 8 weeks. You have plenty of time. best of luck

FJ40_owner · 02-27-08, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nilpoc

I'm shooting for getting my technician license on April 26. I've got the ARRL Ham Radio License Manual on hold at the library. I'm assuming 8 weeks is plenty of time to be ready. Anything else I need to prepare?

Any input would be appreciated.

There are ten year old girls passing the test in my area. You will not have any problems.

Good luck

JB
N6KML

nilpoc · 02-27-08, 02:58 PM

Dunno why I assumed it might be difficult. Good to know.

As for a radio, what would be a good place to start? I'm thinking HT, less than $200.

e9999 · 02-27-08, 06:43 PM

has been several threads here on preparing and taking the test

good luck!

KLF · 02-27-08, 07:48 PM

8 weeks???

Dude... it costs $15 to take the test. Go find a local exam and take it next week. You'll probably pass without even studying. Or read thru the questions on-line, try a few sample tests. You'll be amazed how easy it is. I was.

pappy · 02-29-08, 01:42 PM

I would just get the Q&A book, not the manual. While I found the manual useful, I passed the test thanks to the Q&A.

You can get a good mobile 2M radio with antenna for about $200. Tons of threads on the subject.

george_tlc · 02-29-08, 02:14 PM

The test is pretty damn easy for an adult. My kids passed first go last year (7yr old and 9yr old at the time). The 9yr old studied for a few nights and got something in the 85% area. My 7yr old studied harder (had a few weeks) and got 100%. Even my wife passed 100%.

This summer break they will go for their general - just to get the HF access.

cheers,
george.

PabloVTA · 03-01-08, 12:30 PM

i used the online free tests at and got a bro deal for the HamTestOnline™ tests

a few hours of each and I was solid. only missed one question.

took three weeks to get my call though....weak.

but since you have so long till you take it, study up for the general and extra even. Since it's 14 bucks to take the tests, they will let you knock out all three at one time. (saves you the 28 bucks if you go back twice)

e9999 · 03-01-08, 04:40 PM

the general is considerably more difficult, with much more memorization needed. But I did try it out anyway without serious studying (just a few sample tests) and I almost passed, was just one or 2 questions off.

KLF · 03-03-08, 08:24 AM

Ya, I took the General test at the same time I took my Tech exam, since it didn't cost any more. I hadn't studied one bit, I just figured I'd give it a try. Didn't quite make it.

EricG · 03-03-08, 04:40 PM

I took the tech test last week & passed despite very little studying - just haven't had time lately. Tried the general and missed by 3.

02-27-08, 08:15 AM	#1
nilpoc IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NE Louisiana TLCA# 18258 Posts: 68	Ham wannabe I'm shooting for getting my technician license on April 26. I've got the ARRL Ham Radio License Manual on hold at the library. I'm assuming 8 weeks is plenty of time to be ready. Anything else I need to prepare? Any input would be appreciated. __________________ '84 FJ60 poor-man's Tuffy, busted leaf spring, AM/FM Cassette "If it ain't broke, then it ain't mine"

02-27-08, 11:08 AM	#2
PKP80 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA TLCA# 14900 Posts: 1,766	you need 8 days not 8 weeks. You have plenty of time. best of luck __________________ Sam Shaya 96' FZJ80 convertable 4x4 Labs Rear end, Bengels Offroad front bumper, roll cage, etc. other goodies, but you get the idea. Call Sign KI6KNB "Team Pull-OUT" Phi Kappa Psi

02-27-08, 02:58 PM	#4
nilpoc IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NE Louisiana TLCA# 18258 Posts: 68	Dunno why I assumed it might be difficult. Good to know. As for a radio, what would be a good place to start? I'm thinking HT, less than $200. __________________ '84 FJ60 poor-man's Tuffy, busted leaf spring, AM/FM Cassette "If it ain't broke, then it ain't mine"

02-27-08, 06:43 PM	#5
e9999 You want to do what...? Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: PRK Posts: 10,338	has been several threads here on preparing and taking the test good luck! __________________ '97: 88K, 3xlock, Custom HD roo bar for sale, 285 MT/Rs on steelies, Hanna sliders, 851+1.5"/863/N73/N74E/SD24, ARB bull with M12, Kaymar with duals, Kaymar rack, Slee TC skid, 2m/440, more stuff, loose nut behind the wheel!) '03: 99K, the better half's... DD Accord souped up DR650

02-27-08, 07:48 PM	#6
KLF IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Barrington, NH Posts: 1,879	8 weeks??? Dude... it costs $15 to take the test. Go find a local exam and take it next week. You'll probably pass without even studying. Or read thru the questions on-line, try a few sample tests. You'll be amazed how easy it is. I was. __________________ KB1OSF '87 Toyota xcab SR5 - SAS'd, stuff '98 Lexus ES300 '04 Toyota Highlander

02-29-08, 01:42 PM	#7
pappy In debt to the Shaman Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Back in Reality TLCA# 10004 Posts: 3,013	I would just get the Q&A book, not the manual. While I found the manual useful, I passed the test thanks to the Q&A. You can get a good mobile 2M radio with antenna for about $200. Tons of threads on the subject. __________________ aka Bushrat 1969 FJ40 Project TEROTE: Tim@DOA 3FE stroker (aka 2FE), H55F, SOA/SR, 35" MT/R, 3:1TC ... assembly in process 1985 4Runner: lifted, locked, Tim@DOA 22RE, 4.7 tc, with 33" training wheels. R151F with dual 23-spline TCs in the garage.

02-29-08, 02:14 PM	#8
george_tlc IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Sunnyvale, CA TLCA# 8068 Posts: 231	The test is pretty damn easy for an adult. My kids passed first go last year (7yr old and 9yr old at the time). The 9yr old studied for a few nights and got something in the 85% area. My 7yr old studied harder (had a few weeks) and got 100%. Even my wife passed 100%. This summer break they will go for their general - just to get the HF access. cheers, george. __________________ where ever you go, there you are.... '97 S/C White CE, locked^3, sliders,arb,kaymar, m12000,dual batteries, LEDs, etc..... ki6ibx http://www.george4wd.taskled.com

03-01-08, 12:30 PM	#9
PabloVTA beside La Caja China Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Ventura Ca. USA TLCA# 15996 Posts: 1,029	i used the online free tests at and got a bro deal for the HamTestOnline™ tests a few hours of each and I was solid. only missed one question. took three weeks to get my call though....weak. but since you have so long till you take it, study up for the general and extra even. Since it's 14 bucks to take the tests, they will let you knock out all three at one time. (saves you the 28 bucks if you go back twice) __________________ Pablo '94 FZJ80 215K 6M1, Optima Red Top, Bilstien'd, Mobil 1, DBA DnS front Rotors, 285/75 Revos, George's LED's, MetalTech Sliders, Slee Short Bus Front Bumper, OME 850/863

03-01-08, 04:40 PM	#10
e9999 You want to do what...? Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: PRK Posts: 10,338	the general is considerably more difficult, with much more memorization needed. But I did try it out anyway without serious studying (just a few sample tests) and I almost passed, was just one or 2 questions off. __________________ '97: 88K, 3xlock, Custom HD roo bar for sale, 285 MT/Rs on steelies, Hanna sliders, 851+1.5"/863/N73/N74E/SD24, ARB bull with M12, Kaymar with duals, Kaymar rack, Slee TC skid, 2m/440, more stuff, loose nut behind the wheel!) '03: 99K, the better half's... DD Accord souped up DR650

03-03-08, 08:24 AM	#11
KLF IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Barrington, NH Posts: 1,879	Ya, I took the General test at the same time I took my Tech exam, since it didn't cost any more. I hadn't studied one bit, I just figured I'd give it a try. Didn't quite make it. __________________ KB1OSF '87 Toyota xcab SR5 - SAS'd, stuff '98 Lexus ES300 '04 Toyota Highlander

03-03-08, 04:40 PM	#12
EricG IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 605	I took the tech test last week & passed despite very little studying - just haven't had time lately. Tried the general and missed by 3. __________________ It is neither necessary or possible to educate someone who never questions anything. - Josephe Heller, Catch 22 93 FZJ80 - Locked & Lifted - still waiting on Loaded (CDL, 7pin, Axle transplant from Jenny Cruiser, 2" OME lift)

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