How easy is the Ham license test...?

[e9999]

well, I had read here that it was pretty easy

So I thought I'll do a test on the test for fun: I'll take it without any study at all just to see.

So, did a practice test online.

Well, I passed! Of course, must have missed some acronyms stuff and regs, but still...

so to see if this was a fluke, I tried again. Only one same question but didn't matter cuz I didn't check to see the correct answers the first time. Well, I passed again...





they're not trying very hard to keep the riff-raff away, are they?



that was just for fun. I'll study anyways cuz I want to do it right, but good to know, eh...?

 

[Bat Masterson]

The FCC publishes the entire question pool. Of course you should study all of the material to be familiar with it vs studying the exam questions.

I just took it on Saturday and passed...they do not tell you your score, just P/F.

They also uploaded it immediately and my new call sign appeared this morning by 11:30am EST- KI4VZB!!!

I took it in Laurel, Maryland.

I only studied 2 nights before taking it...I do have an electronics background but the math is not hard...just basic OHMs law stuff.

Good luck!

Dave

 

[bj70_guy]

It's definitely a lot easier in the States than it is in Canada. I messed around with the US online test and was passing it in no time. The Canadian test is 100 questions (35? for the States) out of a pool of 1100 (2 or 300 for the US).

Took me 3.5 weeks of actual study to feel confident of doing well on the test.

 

[e9999]

do you still have Morse up in Canada?

 

[bj70_guy]

do you still have Morse up in Canada?

nope. 70% on the test gives you Basic - gives you above 30 MHZ. 80% gives you Basic +, gives you additional access to HF, and then there's Advanced.

BTW, it took me 3.5 weeks to feel prepared because my electrical knowledge was pitiful - I really started from scratch. I learned a lot!

 

[e9999]

Despite the correct earlier assessments in this forum, I'm still surprised that it was that easy to pass, and I'm no electronics whiz. Pretty much the only thing I know about ham is what I read here and a quick perusal of a couple of vendor sites. For many questions, you could eliminate right away one or 2 really silly answers. It's vaguely disturbing, I think. An overly easy exam is not necessarily a good thing since you'd want folks to be reasonably familiar with the material and procedures before they start using the radio, I would hope.
Then again, maybe they're counting on either the fear factor or righteousness for people to study the material hard anyway before taking the test? Or they just simply want to open the field up to as many non-technically-minded people as possible?
A bit odd...




(added: hmmm... rereading this, I hope this thread is not coming off as gloating... I just wondered about difficult the test was and thought I'd add an additional datum for people who might hesitate taking it....)

 

[Bat Masterson]

I had a 12 year old in class with me--he did'nt pass the 1st time so they sent him back in for another shot--apparently he missed it by just a few on the first round.

I have heard that they do want to offer more people the opportunity to get their license due to the dwindling numbers of license renewals and new licenses.

If you study, consistently pass the practice exams, and take your time--you should pass.

Good luck.

Dave

 

[e9999]

I did go to the local ham club meeting this last week.

Out of 20 or so folks, there were only a couple young ones (as in 30 or less ).

OTOH, there were quite a few in their seventies and a couple in their 80s and sharp too. (Interesting stories they told about the old days but sharp on tech too.) So ham must keep people spry...

 

[pismojim]

Despite the correct earlier assessments in this forum, I'm still surprised that it was that easy to pass, and I'm no electronics whiz.

Don't underestimate yourself Eric. (It's not gloating, let's face it you're a wealth of information. I wouldn't want to go head to head with you in Land Cruiser trivia.)

The fact is, the test is rigged so anyone with with over 7,000 post on 'Mud is guaranteed to pass --- provided, as you noticed, you're old enough (yes) and spry enough (yes).

So take the test for real, get the license and start asking questions to school us on the nuances of Ham Radio. I'm thinking your post count could easily exceed 20,000!

 

[Beowulf]

So take the test for real, get the license and start asking questions to school us on the nuances of Ham Radio. I'm thinking your post count could easily exceed 20,000!

I can see a poll or 30 coming.

-B-

 

[e9999]

I can see a poll or 30 coming.

-B-

Dang, I had forgotten about polls, it's been so long since I did one...

Good that you reminded me, thanks! I can probably think of something...

 

[alvarorb]

Eric,

You are a smart dude. It should only take you a couple of hours of reading and then you're done.
Sign up to http://hamtestonline.com, use their study guide, you'll be ready in no time.

Regards

Alvaro

 

[e9999]

Eric,

You are a smart dude. It should only take you a couple of hours of reading and then you're done.
Sign up to http://hamtestonline.com, use their study guide, you'll be ready in no time.

Regards

Alvaro

thanks, Alvaro.
but I don't quite understand why you are so enthusiastic about that site. It's $50 IIUC. And you can find both all the questions and answers, automated tests, and study material all for free on the web. Plus, as this thread may suggest, one doesn't really need much study at all for the exam proper in any case. What's $50 extra worth to be found or done on the site (mmm.... $50, a nice tree strap, a highlift gadget... ) ? Not criticizing..., just wondering....

 

[alvarorb]

Eric,

Yes, it's $50. But it's a study guide. It takes you through the motions of each area of the test. It will ask you questions at random and emphasise on your weak areas. Once you are proficient on each area, you move to the next.

Can you study and pass the exam without it? Certainly. However, this makes learning a lot easier.

Regards

Alvaro

thanks, Alvaro.
but I don't quite understand why you are so enthusiastic about that site. It's $50 IIUC. And you can find both all the questions and answers, automated tests, and study material all for free on the web. Plus, as this thread may suggest, one doesn't really need much study at all for the exam proper in any case. What's $50 extra worth to be found or done on the site (mmm.... $50, a nice tree strap, a highlift gadget... ) ? Not criticizing..., just wondering....

 

[Brentbba]

Eric,

Here:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=115524

It's FREE

 

[nakman]

www.qrz.com is free, and worked for me!

 

[nuclearlemon]

just spent a little time on hamquick.com and remembered why i never persued a license 20 years ago. i was breezin' right along until i hit all the technical ohm/volt/watt/ampere crap....

 

[Bat Masterson]

Electronics Formulas

I used to teach electronics in the Navy and have 2 VERY easy 'thumb' charts you can use to tackle all of the OHM's law stuff:
-First you draw P over I/E. I would draw a 1 inch circle, divide it in half with a horizontal line. Above the line I would insert 'P' and then below the line, draw in a vertical line seperating the lower semi-circle and add the 'I' on the left and 'E' on the right. Whatever solution you are looking for you cover that letter and the remaining letters will provide you the formula you need.

-The second thumb chart is the same as above but you replace the letters with E on the top, I on the bottom left, and R on the bottom right.

What does this all mean? The charts are a little shortcut you can memorize that provide the following formulas:

P=Power (Watts)
I=Current(Amps)
E=Voltage(Volts)
R=Resistance(Ohms)

You have to read the question to determine what variable are provided and then you go back to the chart.

-If you need to figure out wattage or power and they provide you current and voltage, you multiply those 2 to get your answer.

-If you need to figure out voltage and they provide you wattage and current, you divide watts by current to get your answer.

**Remember...left to right or right to left is multiply, top to bottom is divide.

**Or..cover the letter that you need in the thumb chart to get the formula.

Try it out on the practice tests....works every time!!!

Hope that made sense.

Dave

 

[CDN_Cruiser]

It's definitely a lot easier in the States than it is in Canada. I messed around with the US online test and was passing it in no time. The Canadian test is 100 questions (35? for the States) out of a pool of 1100 (2 or 300 for the US).

Took me 3.5 weeks of actual study to feel confident of doing well on the test.

I think this is an important distinction for those that are considering this in other locations outside the US. As BJ70 noted, unless you have some relevant background, don't expect to be able to just go in an write the test and pass (or pass with a mark that enables you to use HF).

The test is longer, the pool of questions is bigger and, I believe, it covers a wider range of topics. Many local clubs will offer basically free training over a number of weeks and then administer the test. I read the study guide and then did a weekend "cram" course and was able to pass without problem. For whatever reason, I really wanted to learn Morse code, so I wrote that as well the next year (also not that hard with the new computer programs that are floating around).

So, it's still not overly complex, but it's not easy either.

I think it will be some time before the test is rejigged to better match usage (eg I believe there should be a "simple" test to get access to VHF/UHF based a bit on theory and a lot on "how to operate". Then, have a second, longer and more complex test to cover a bit more theory etc for HF, where it matters a lot more, more power, etc).

The old (current) Canadian test seemingly was designed to account for the fact that this was the last "written" test you would take before using HF (ie you had to get Morse requirement only for HF), so it had to test things that applied to both VHF/USF and, more importantly, HF.

Cheers, Hugh

 

[K7640A]

Have to admit that the test was quite easy to pass. I had some electronic background and basic ops procedures. I didnt study at all just pushing for luck. I didnt even understand english too well then (still dont now ). And passed the test. Didnt bother with CW, went for the no code tech.