Interested in/ Starting out with Ham Radios...?

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Great site - I've been stuck on it for the past 1/2 hour and can't get enough (my test is this weekend).

Thanks!

OK, three bloody hours and I still can't get enough (but consistently scoring in the mid-90s with no prior studying).

I guess I'll call it a night and get back to work.
 
I am taking my Technician test on 8/10. I regularly am scoring in the 90% range on HAM TEST ONLINE. Do you guys feel the questions on the website are representative of the actual test? Should I feel confident that if I am scoring in the 90% range on the practice test that I will pass the exam?

Thanks

Dynosoar:zilla: Hopefully soon to be a:pig:
 
Dynosoar: I don't know that exact site (I used the www.qrz.com practice tests b/c they are free). However, any questions should be the EXACT questions on the test b/c all the possible questions are published - there are no suprise secrets.

So all of the 35 questions you see on your Tech exam will come from the 200 possible questions that are public knowledge.

Good luck!
 
I think the question pool is 393 questions? Ham Test online has a free component as well. I will try the test at QRZ and see how I do.

Thanks


I just took two tests at qrz 1st 94% and 2nd 97% :) I may be ready to pass by 8/10!
 
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Dynosoar - pool is 392 and the free tests on QRZ are from the pool word for word. If you are scoring 90% plus on those, believe me you are good to go. I took the first 10 and was scoring like you are. You can miss every 'memorization' question and every math related question from those pools and still pass the test.

I passes w/o missing a question last Sunday and the wait has begun for the listing on the ULS. If you've got Gordon West's book, hightlight the question and just the correct answer from pages 31 to 170 (god I know the pages by heart!). Skim those concentrating on the ones with numbers or memorization like the 4 letters all call signs begin with, etc. The rest are really common sense for the most part. Look for odd things like the question on the formula for computing the length of an antenna if you know the frequency. The correct answer lists the '300' which is part of the formula FIRST in the correct answer and last in the three wrong answers. On the electrical math ones, I remembered that the symbol for voltage was E and voltage ends with E. Then all you have to remember is E=IxR and P=IxE (pie). Simple algebra, knowing voltage is E you can solve any of those problems with the rest that's given. Silly relational stuff like that or whatever works for you.

Most importantly, if you're passing those QRZ practice exams as you say you are, YOU ARE READY! Good luck!!!
 
Yep, looks like 392 according to the FCC site here:

http://www.ncvec.org/downloads/2006tech.pdf

I don't know where the heck I got 200, but I was counting on that when I took the test so maybe I just lied to myself to feel better :)

You might also consider taking the general exam - it doesn't cost any more and you just might pass - which will open up the HF bands for phone/voice.

Good luck (though it sounds like you won't need it).
 
General exam to get that also takes CW at 5wpm. You can take and pass the exam and then you've got 365 days to pass the CW.
 
General exam to get that also takes CW at 5wpm. You can take and pass the exam and then you've got 365 days to pass the CW.

The Morse requirement for General was dropped last year. When I did the General exam just before Surf and Turf last year, there was no CW (=Morse).
 
Thanks Guys. I feel more confident now. I will let you know how it goes on the 10th. Maybe I will start to study for the general since I have a couple of weeks still.

Dynosoar
 
The Morse requirement for General was dropped last year. When I did the General exam just before Surf and Turf last year, there was no CW (=Morse).

Not was I was told this weekend, but I'll look into it. Thanks Andy!
 
I took the tech and general on June 8th and passed both. I'm listed on the FCC site as general class and I have my license in-hand. definitely no morse code. not even required for Extra!

Check the FCC site if you have doubts - no morse code anymore.
 
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I checked ARRL. Great news!

How 'difficult' was the general class with a pool of 494 questions? Given that all the technician stuff is very fresh in my memory, I'd think taking the general sooner rather than later may be to my advantage. Thoughts?
 
The General info is much more technical, and less about common sense rules. You need to learn seeral types of power calculations, tech antenna stuff and basic electronics. It's actually a better "radio" test. I enjoyed studying for it, and did not think the test was as hard as I had prepared for.

I'm a believer in the hamtestonline study method. It was really great and a good learning tool. If I ever take the next exam, it will be with the hamtestonline study materials.
 
The General info is much more technical, and less about common sense rules. You need to learn seeral types of power calculations, tech antenna stuff and basic electronics. It's actually a better "radio" test. I enjoyed studying for it, and did not think the test was as hard as I had prepared for.

I'm a believer in the hamtestonline study method. It was really great and a good learning tool. If I ever take the next exam, it will be with the hamtestonline study materials.


Thanks - after rereading Gordon West's book, using that isn't bad either. If you need to understand the theory you can dive into it if you want to. I really got confident after taking all the practice exams on QRZ.com. They've got them for general and extra as well!
 
I really didn't think the General was too bad, and I have no background in any of this stuff - just enough interest to concentrate. My only prep was 3 hours on QRZ for the tech exam and then half-listening to a review given by the local ham club just prior to the test (administered by the club). For the general, I read through the question pool once while listening to the tech review by the club (mentioned above).

I was able to grasp the electronic theory quickly, as well as all of the rules (much of which are the same or similiar to those on the tech). I am really weak on the antenna theory stuff, but I got lucky I suppose and guessed correctly.

I still enjoy reviewing the study materials as a way to better understand the antenna theory, and I've since picked up two books on antenna theory.

I say go for it!
 
The Morse requirement for General was dropped last year. When I did the General exam just before Surf and Turf last year, there was no CW (=Morse).

Darnn in the years of my youth that was a 13wpm requirement, :censor:had to work like the dickens to get to that speed for a General,:bang: and now it's just gone. Wow. might get back in if I don't have to refresh on Morse. :cheers:
 
I passed the Tech exam today should have call sign by Wed.

Dynosoar:zilla:
 

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