Study materials for amateur radio (tech class) test

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SoCal_80

SoCal_80

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I have about 2 weeks between MBA classes (which really suck up my time) and i was thinking i can squeeze in studying and taking the test for my amateur radio license (tech class). I have seen some good study resources on the net and was hoping someone could point to what worked well for them and or suggest some books that will work. Also, does anyone know where i can find out where the next test might take place.

Thanks in advance...
Sean
 
ARRL website for test locations. ARRLWeb: Exam Session Search You can try and find a local ham club and they usually have testing occasionally. CLARA is a big one in OC. SOARA is smaller, but does testing too.

QRZ.com has practice tests QRZ.COM QRZ Ham Radio Practice Tests Once you are scoring in the 80+ range consitently, you'll be fine on the exam!

If you're a quick read, Gordon West's book is an excellent way to study for the test IMHO. Read once thoroughly for info, then just the questions and answers and highlight the correct answer. Skim before the test and you'll have no problems. The questions and answers from the 395 question pool are all there. Tech license is mostly common sense info and rules. You can miss every question that is about electrical formula or antenna wave data and still pass!

Search in the Electronic Toys section of Mud too. Electronic Toys - IH8MUD Forums Lots of useful info there on taking the technicians test. You can pay for places like hamtestsonline too. Some find that easier than the book. Depends on how you learn best.

Where are you in SoCal Sean - I can loan you my Tech book from Gordo.
 
Sean,

Just use hamtestonline.com and keep taking the practice tests. I read the ARRL handbook, which was helpfull, but the online practice exams are the way to go.

If you spend 10 minutes a day on it, you should be good to go. The test was super easy, and the online sample test questions are identical to the ones in the actual exam.
 
SOCALFJ said:
I read the book once and took the online tests like 5000 times. Once at the test place i smoked it like a robot LOL I was done in no time and passed with flying colors.
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LOL! Agreed - 35 questions took me about 5 minutes. I knew the answer before I finished reading the questions!

Sean - I'm headed out to the San Gabrial mountains this weekend (Azuza - Bridge to Nowhere), so if you're anywhere along that route from South OC, we could meet. Book is about $20 at Ham Radio Outlet (HRO) which will become your new toy store when you pass the exam!
 
hntashdjian said:
Sean,

Just use hamtestonline.com and keep taking the practice tests. I read the ARRL handbook, which was helpfull, but the online practice exams are the way to go.

If you spend 10 minutes a day on it, you should be good to go. The test was super easy, and the online sample test questions are identical to the ones in the actual exam.
Click to expand...

Thank you again for hooking me up with the account to the online tests! I hope to study for a week or so off and on and go take the test (finally).
 
No problemo. I got it so that I can study for the General, but ive been lazy.
 
hntashdjian said:
No problemo. I got it so that I can study for the General, but ive been lazy.
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x2 - had Gordo's General book for a couple of months now - haven't even opened it yet. Lots of down time at summer camp first week of July. Plan on reading it there and hopefully find a test site not to long after camp!

Good luck Sean!
 
mkfour said:
Sean, these mp3 podcasts are helpful. You can listen to them on long drives or on your commute. You can download them.

Home of the Ham Radio Podclass - Get your first ham
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Thanks man...Ya, i have been taking the online tests and progressively doing better (really memorizing more than anything). I found there is local amateur radio club here in the Long Beach that tests twice a month, so should be good to go soon.
 
SoCal_80 said:
Thanks man...Ya, i have been taking the online tests and progressively doing better (really memorizing more than anything). I found there is local amateur radio club here in the Long Beach that tests twice a month, so should be good to go soon.
Click to expand...

ARALB has a field day next weekend. If I'm back by then, I'll stop by and check it out. They'll also do testing and have a BBQ.

ARALB FIELD WAS HELD AT EL DORADO PARK LONG BEACH CA
 
I bought Gordo's class on CD from Fry's, listened to it on the drive to work and back for a month or so, and then peppered the practice tests online for a week.
Nailed the test, then waited about 5 weeks to get my callsign even though they told me it'd be a week or so.
 
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