HAM Radio Discussion

[hatidua]

I'm 2/3 of the way through Ham Radio For Dummies. Unlike many of you, I have ZERO background with this stuff, so I needed to read something to familiarize me with everything. Once I finish this book, I'll work on the flash cards and go from there. I don't know if I can make it by Feb 1st. If it feels like I can, I'll pm Asmo and try to hook up with him.

I bought the flash cards and ended up tossing them in the recycling bin: the free online version is so much easier. You toggle through the cards and if you pick the wrong answer, it highlights the correct one. My wife spent about three hours online and passed the test....she had zero background in this stuff (I didn't either, it was more alien to me than general chem in college).

If you spent two hours with the online version this afternoon, you could easily pass the test tomorrow morning.

https://hamstudy.org/tech2010

[Irving]

I bought the flash cards and ended up tossing them in the recycling bin: the free online version is so much easier. You toggle through the cards and if you pick the wrong answer, it highlights the correct one. My wife spent about three hours online and passed the test....she had zero background in this stuff (I didn't either, it was more alien to me than general chem in college).

If you spent two hours with the online version this afternoon, you could easily pass the test tomorrow morning.

https://hamstudy.org/tech2010

That's the site I've been using (from your other post) and the "flashcards" I meant. I checked out the site, got the first one wrong, and went and got the book. I've been alternating between hamstudy and the book and have been doing a bit better.

[Singlestack]

Irving,

YOU CAN DO IT, MAN!!! I used ehams.com to study for the general test, and the ARRL book to study for the Technician. 2 weeks; make it happen soldier! Do you want me, streetglieok, ginhcraes, rbeau30, driver, hatidua, and cmailliard stoppng by your house? :-)

Besides, asmo needs company!

[Irving]

Haha, I have no concerns about passing the test at all. 35 multiple choice with the answers posted on-line? No problem.

[hatidua]

Haha, I have no concerns about passing the test at all. 35 multiple choice with the answers posted on-line? No problem.

-programming the repeaters into the radio is far more challenging than passing the tech exam.

[streetglideok]

-programming the repeaters into the radio is far more challenging than passing the tech exam.

That's the honest truth. Lot of guys who are hams have troubles with this. Some radios are not user friendly and rely on the operator to know frequency offsets, tones, etc. My two Yaesus were pretty good about that, once you learned how to use the things. My kenwood, though easier to work, and navigate, required more knowledge about the offsets, etc.

Irving are you trying to grasp and understand the material, or just learn to pass the test? For the tech license I'm not judging you one way or the other, but if you're struggling, or feel intimidated at all, by all means let us know. Sometimes its easier to have someone explain something to you, than it is to read it. Take the practice tests on eham.net, and see how you fair. If you're missing a lot in one area, then lets work on that. The same goes for anyone else as well.

[streetglideok]

We've also been dabbling with digital transmissions, and it hasn't been too hard for me to get setup. Some radios are a lot more involved than others however. It would let one person to transmit a digital message to another, or group of people, such as spreadsheets, text type messages etc. One type is pretty slow, but works good even when the signal is too weak to hear a person's voice.

[Irving]

I'm not struggling with anything so far, because I haven't done a practice test. I'm trying to get a decent understanding of everything as a concept first. Again, I'm not worried about the test at all.

[streetglideok]

That's fine, and not a bad idea. Give the practice test a try and see where you stand. It's mostly about regulations, some about operations, and a little on theory.

[rbeau30]

That's fine, and not a bad idea. Give the practice test a try and see where you stand. It's mostly about regulations, some about operations, and a little on theory.

If you are struggling with a particular section, don't sweat, the questions pretty much are 1 from each subsection.