I'm probably not qualified to answer, but here is my experience now that I am probably about 50% through the study process. Last month I started studying on my own for the Technician license. I was partially motivated by some of the discussion on this board concerning our Martinez Cabin run in April. Although there wasn't really a consensus on whether more ham radios would have solved our communication issues in the canyon, it seems like a good skill to have and it's an interesting subject. Plus, 12/12/12 is coming up. Once you pass you are good for life, just have to renew every 10 years.
To answer NateZ's question - the first thing I did was download this app for Android:
http://www.appszoom.com/android_applications/books_and_reference/ham-radio-study_ezfc.html
It has all 395 or so questions that they can ask on the test (you'll only see 35 on the actual exam, 26 of which must be answered correctly ). Keep in mind that I have no experience with amateur radio, but I was surprised how straightforward some of the questions are. A lot translates from CB, so if you were dorking out like me and measuring your SWR on your Friday nights, you probably already have a good knowledge base. I'd bet that most of us on this forum could get at least a third of them correct right off the bat. A lot are based on basic electrical theory and safety, radio etiquette, etc.
Don't get me wrong - there is still a lot for me to learn, but the app is nice to study from AND it lends a little bit of inspiration.
That's great that somebody is willing to do a private exam session. I'm in Tucson so it would be hard to take advantage, but may be interested in study sesh/exams depending on the date.
, hope I can make a schedule...
