Really interested in obtaining a Ham License

[TravelnLight]

Have been reading some of the posts in this section and decided I wish to become an Amateur Radio Operator. Have no special skills except computer building and some real limited and basic electronics training.

Unfortunately there are no classroom sessions in my area; but there are three exams scheduled for this month Sept/2011.

Visited the ARRL site and looked at the AARL Ham Radio License Manual Revised 2nd Edition Book and CD-ROM. All you need to become an Amateur Radio Operator!

Will this book and practice exams really prepare me for the basic Amateur Radio operators exam? What are my chances of passing this? Any and all input from you gentlemen will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
John

[dons2346]

I would say that your chances of passing the test with a 90 or above is 97%. The tech test isn't hard, it just that there are some terms that you might not be familiar with.

I suggest a book called "Now You are Talking" for some study material. Then for practice tests go here AA9PW FCC Exam Practice

You will find the questions are common sense type so it is piece of cake.

[W4RLR]

Check out Ham Test Online. The service outlines the questions, drills you on the questions, and guarantees that you will pass or your subscription fee is cheerfully refunded.

Another bit of advice is study for the General level exam. Take the Technician test, and if you pass it (the volunteer examiner will let you know right after you turn in your test) you can take the General exam for no additional charge. Pass that exam and you gain privileges on the ham bands that are used for worldwide communications.

Join a local amateur radio club for fellowship with like minded individuals.

When you pass your exam and get your call sign, post back here and let us know.

[TravelnLight]

Thank you both for the quick reply to my query. I'm going to get busy on this right away. As usual (for me) the math is going to take some getting used to. I'm an RN retired after 25 + years of pounding the floors and used to medication dosage and IV flow rate calculations and formulas...these electronic calculations are completely foreign to me; but I'll memorize the formulas. Maybe they'll let me use a calculator.... Thanks again so much for the help and I'll post back to this thread.
John

[N1VWD]

Hi John,
Yes you can use a calculator as long as there are no formulas stored in memory. I used the ARRL books and study course/videos and tests for all of my exams. If you study and use the practice exams you should pass with no problems. Get both study courses for Tech and General and when you pass Tech go for General!!
Good luck. Let us know how you do.

[TravelnLight]

Quote:

Originally Posted by N1VWD Hi John, Yes you can use a calculator as long as there are no formulas stored in memory. I used the ARRL books and study course/videos and tests for all of my exams. If you study and use the practice exams you should pass with no problems. Get both study courses for Tech and General and when you pass Tech go for General!! Good luck. Let us know how you do.

Thank you for that....my calculator is really basic. No memory storage at all.

[Wayne M]

John,
When I took the test back in 1974 it was "with Morse code." The military had taught me that portion, and i was able to copy and send 30 wpm. However, I was concerned about the theory. I picked up the ARRL License guide and started reading from front to cover, then reading again from front to cover, then reading again from front to cover, and along the way of the readings I would answer and then check my answers to any questions along the way. I mean, I devoted myself to reading and reading and reading. A few weeks later I went down and took the General test. I don't remember what my percentile was, but I passed.

Hey, that was easy. About one year later I decided to take the Advanced class test. So back to reading and a few weeks later I went down and passed the Advanced class test. Now granted, in my military studies of the Morse language I had some antenna theory, and along the way from 1961 to 1974 I picked up some more radio theory.

Go for it. When you think you are ready go take the test. If you fail, you can schedule to retake it again and now you will have some knowledge of what you may be weak in and can study that again.

It used to be that most HAMS were afraid of failing the Morse code portion of the test.

Go for it. Good luck.

[TravelnLight]

Thanks Wayne...sure glad I don't have to mess with morse code right now. I'd be about 90 before I digested that part.

[W4RLR]

Of course even though Morse is no longer a REQUIREMENT, you can always use Morse just because you want to.

I'm a digital nut myself, I've talked to the world using PSK31.

[Wayne M]

Used to talk to Europe on 5 watts or less RTTY back in the days.

[wa8yxm]

I will give you my expierence.

First I picked up a Gorden West book in Quartsite for a fraction of the cover price... Was not happy with it. Like running into a stone wall

Then I signed up for a class. the class used the ARRL book so I ordered (And received) it nd started using it to pre-study.. The wall crumbled.

The teacher ground up the debris mixed in a bit of gypsum and water and poured out nice smooth road. I got all but 2 right it seems and I did NOT complete the class due to a prior scheduled "Get out of town"

If you can not find a class near you find a club and someone to "Elmer" you. I suspect I'd have passed without the class.. (Just the ARRL book) but.. Well,, I like an "A" (96%) better than a "D" even if D is passing.

[TXiceman]

PSK 31 will get through when not much else will...except for CW and on a lower power.

Ken

[TravelnLight]

Hi Guys,
Well I have all my study materials and am on my way. Going to try the Technicians exam on the 21st of September and will let you know how I make out.

I was going through my ARRL book and my wife said, my brother has a HAM license and you know he designs antennas; but what you don't know is, I held a Novice license 50 years ago! I was shocked . She promptly started talking in jargon and telling me things I know absolutely nothing about. She is absolutely thrilled I'm doing this and full of encouragement.

Wife emailed my brother-in-law and he was so happy he is sending me one of his radios that he no longer uses to get started after I get my license. This one Yaesu FRG-7700 Product Reviews
Thanks to you all for your advice and encouragement.
John

[wa8yxm]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman PSK 31 will get through when not much else will...except for CW and on a lower power. Ken

You got that right Ken.. I've had my computer decode at a solid "Q-5" level a PSK signal I could not even hear, and I have some skill at hearing as it were.

Using 100 watts into 100' of wire on SSB I have worked most of the US, (Around 1/2-3/4) mostly on 80 meters but other bands as well.

Running PSK-31 I"ve worked half way around the world.. Running 25-45 watts normally. Less than half the power. Same radio and antenna.. Just less drive.

To the orignal poster:

Calculators.. When I took my extra I had a dollar store calculator still in it's original "Bubble Wrap" package... I never took it out of the plastic wrap.. I did use it (one or two questions) but I never broke the seal on the card.

Test turned out to be easy.

(Defination of easy test: One to which you know the answers)