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Post by M4Madness on Jan 16, 2021 16:25:55 GMT -5
I read a thread on another site 8 days ago about amateur radio, and it got me thinking about back-up communications in the event that cell phone coverage is unavailable (like the Nashville incident.)
I decided to start studying for the technician class license then decided to go ahead and study for general class license as well. You can't skip class levels -- you have to start at the bottom and work your way up.
I put 212 miles on my truck today driving to Noblesville and back for the license testing. I passed the technician test first, then took the general test a few minutes later and passed it as well. That was the reward for a MASSIVE amount of studying for 7 days! Memorizing a pool of 830 questions/answers from which 35 random questions were pulled for each test.
I don't even own a radio yet, nor even know how to turn one on. LOL!
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Post by firstwd on Jan 16, 2021 19:01:03 GMT -5
Sweet. Congratulations
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Post by esshup on Jan 16, 2021 20:28:07 GMT -5
Congrats!! My college roommate is a Ham operator.
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Post by greghopper on Jan 16, 2021 21:09:57 GMT -5
Your have to make some QSL cards now... ha!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2021 0:02:46 GMT -5
I read a thread on another site 8 days ago about amateur radio, and it got me thinking about back-up communications in the event that cell phone coverage is unavailable (like the Nashville incident.) I decided to start studying for the technician class license then decided to go ahead and study for general class license as well. You can't skip class levels -- you have to start at the bottom and work your way up. I put 212 miles on my truck today driving to Noblesville and back for the license testing. I passed the technician test first, then took the general test a few minutes later and passed it as well. That was the reward for a MASSIVE amount of studying for 7 days! Memorizing a pool of 830 questions/answers from which 35 random questions were pulled for each test. I don't even own a radio yet, nor even know how to turn one on. LOL! I've thought about getting it for the exact same reason. How technical is the test? Mostly general knowledge or does it get into a bunch of math? I am NOT good at math haha. |
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Post by raydon on Jan 17, 2021 10:14:00 GMT -5
Congratulations on your dedication and accomplishment's.
I purchased a couple small handheld radios about a year ago, studied for the Technicians test, tried to schedule but all of the testing sites were closed due to c-19. And now thanks to you I may once again pursue this.
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Post by M4Madness on Jan 17, 2021 14:40:36 GMT -5
How technical is the test? Mostly general knowledge or does it get into a bunch of math? I am NOT good at math haha. Other than the electrical aspect, it is mostly oriented towards radio specific stuff. It's like a lot of stuff you did in school -- learn it then never use it again. I've seen lots of guys say, "I want to talk on the radio, not build my own." LOL! The key is to pass the test first, then learn everything.Instead of trying to understand it all, all the study sites say to simply memorize the test. THE ENTIRE TEST IS PROVIDED -- THE EXACT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. I used www.hamstudy.org. Click the "technician" tab, then the "read questions" tab. Start with sub element T1 (use the three-bar icon to choose each page of that sub element), then go to T2, T3, etc. Each question is multiple choice, with one right answer and three distractors. After studying a while, switch to "study mode" and start trying to answer questions. Don't worry if you get the wrong answers, just keep going through them until memory finally takes over. Once you get fairly good at answering them correctly, take a practice test. Keep using the flash cards until you can consistently pass the practice test 10 or more times, then find either an in-person testing site or arrange to take the test online: www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-sessionGood luck, guys! |
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Post by duff on Jan 17, 2021 15:15:54 GMT -5
My uncle and cousin were big into it 20 yrs ago. I never understood it and would have never guessed they needed to take a test. The only reason I remember is I helped string his antenna by shooting fishing line into a tree top to tie into a rope then wire.
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Post by M4Madness on Jan 17, 2021 15:37:04 GMT -5
The only reason I remember is I helped string his antenna by shooting fishing line into a tree top to tie into a rope then wire. I saw a photo of the very same thing yesterday. LOL!  |
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Post by duff on Jan 17, 2021 18:22:18 GMT -5
The only reason I remember is I helped string his antenna by shooting fishing line into a tree top to tie into a rope then wire. I saw a photo of the very same thing yesterday. LOL! That is exactly how we did it. Funny! |
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Post by M4Madness on Jan 17, 2021 18:52:23 GMT -5
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Post by jajwrigh on Jan 19, 2021 1:11:56 GMT -5
Ironically, I just bought a study guide last week for the technician license. I will be joining you soon!
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Post by jajwrigh on Jan 19, 2021 1:12:07 GMT -5
Ironically, I just bought a study guide last week for the technician license. I will be joining you soon!
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Post by M4Madness on Jan 19, 2021 6:02:01 GMT -5
Ironically, I just bought a study guide last week for the technician license. I will be joining you soon! Good luck! |
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Post by indianajoe on Jan 19, 2021 22:14:22 GMT -5
I took the technician test and passed in December. Great to have. I am now studying for general.i got a cheap 8 watt radio and extended antenna. I also made an external antenna and can talk to repeaters 20 miles away with it.
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Post by indianajoe on Jan 19, 2021 22:14:51 GMT -5
I took the technician test and passed in December. Great to have. I am now studying for general.i got a cheap 8 watt radio and extended antenna. I also made an external antenna and can talk to repeaters 20 miles away with it. Kd9rgf
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Post by M4Madness on Jan 20, 2021 6:24:09 GMT -5
I took the technician test and passed in December. Great to have. I am now studying for general.i got a cheap 8 watt radio and extended antenna. I also made an external antenna and can talk to repeaters 20 miles away with it. Awesome! I'm not on the air yet -- haven't been assigned a callsign yet. I bought a handheld to get me started (it is being delivered today.) I'll use it to learn on and carry it hiking. |
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Post by indianajoe on Jan 20, 2021 17:37:26 GMT -5
I made a ground plane antenna out of tig welding rod, a piece of aluminum and an old cb antenna part.cost me $0, but got me out farther. I made it before I was issued a call sign. When I got my call sign I was immediately ready to go
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Post by M4Madness on Feb 6, 2021 18:34:34 GMT -5
Drove to Ferdinand today and passed the Amateur Extra license test.
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Post by greghopper on Feb 6, 2021 19:00:57 GMT -5
Drove to Ferdinand today and passed the Amateur Extra license test. Still waiting on the QSL cards your be trading and passing out! 😊 |
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