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tesla120
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Posted: 5/7/2011 8:59:52 PM

Originally Posted By Loadthis:
Hey gentlemen,
I'm currently studying to get my Technician license and started off scoring mid 50's on the practice tests. After a couple days reading I am up to 80%-90%. Next test in my area isn't til July so I've got plenty of time to prepare, may even go for the General. The study guides are great but I would like to learn more than just how to pass the test. There is a local club here that I'll be checking out soon.

I'm not quite sure how I want to start out, as far as equipment. I'm thinking a mobile setup would be best since I travel (and move) a lot.

My Dad (W6DX) has been urging me to get into Ham since I was a teenager and I am finally getting interested. I will talk to him this weekend and get his input. He may even have some gear I could try out before buying.

Thanks guys for the outstanding info here.


you have plenty of time to go for general, id start on it now, you have the tech down pat.

look for equipment that fits you, if you go general and want an all in one radio, the IC-7000 is a favorite here, though expensive, it does everything and quite well.

my only complaint with it is when running UHF VHF the speaker has a little fuzz in it.
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wganz
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Posted: 5/7/2011 9:27:02 PM
When does the current General test expire and is replaced with a new one?
Because this is America, and when the dark lord of the old gods rises from the abyss, we just shoot him in the fucking face and go back to watching football.~ TexasRifleman1985
machinisttx
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Posted: 5/7/2011 9:54:03 PM

Originally Posted By wganz:
When does the current General test expire and is replaced with a new one?

The 30th of next month.
Originally post by 2theLeft: If done right, there is no taste, because it goes right down the throat..

IM me to find out about SSA's poor customer service
ar-jedi
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Posted: 5/9/2011 7:37:04 PM

Ok –– checkpoint time –– who has made progress, and who needs help?

ar-jedi
Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.
-- Antoine de Saint-Exupery
machinisttx
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Posted: 5/9/2011 9:22:53 PM

Originally Posted By ar-jedi:

Ok –– checkpoint time –– who has made progress, and who needs help?

ar-jedi

I need an extra week to cram everything in so I can test for tech and general at the same time.
Originally post by 2theLeft: If done right, there is no taste, because it goes right down the throat..

IM me to find out about SSA's poor customer service
ar-jedi
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Posted: 5/9/2011 9:28:18 PM
Originally Posted By machinisttx:
Originally Posted By ar-jedi:
Ok –– checkpoint time –– who has made progress, and who needs help?
ar-jedi

I need an extra week to cram everything in so I can test for tech and general at the same time.

i will see what i can do. no promises.

ar-jedi

Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.
-- Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Some_Beach
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Posted: 5/9/2011 9:36:34 PM
2/3 through the tech manual, testing consistently at upper 70's %. Plan on finishing it this week and starting the general manual this weekend.
machinisttx
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Posted: 5/9/2011 11:16:17 PM

Originally Posted By ar-jedi:
Originally Posted By machinisttx:
Originally Posted By ar-jedi:
Ok –– checkpoint time –– who has made progress, and who needs help?
ar-jedi

I need an extra week to cram everything in so I can test for tech and general at the same time.

i will see what i can do. no promises.

ar-jedi


I'm pretty confident that I'll pass the tech test. Just took 14 or 15 practice tests on qrz.com and scored anywhere from 86-96%. I'll cram for the next couple of days and maybe I'll pass the general.
Originally post by 2theLeft: If done right, there is no taste, because it goes right down the throat..

IM me to find out about SSA's poor customer service
Loadthis
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Posted: 5/9/2011 11:44:31 PM
Originally Posted By machinisttx:

Originally Posted By ar-jedi:
Originally Posted By machinisttx:
Originally Posted By ar-jedi:
Ok –– checkpoint time –– who has made progress, and who needs help?
ar-jedi

I need an extra week to cram everything in so I can test for tech and general at the same time.

i will see what i can do. no promises.

ar-jedi


I'm pretty confident that I'll pass the tech test. Just took 14 or 15 practice tests on qrz.com and scored anywhere from 86-96%. I'll cram for the next couple of days and maybe I'll pass the general.


This ^ except I have my doubts about general, I haven't studied it much yet. I may be testing this Saturday now depending on if I get home in time from this TDY. I'm gonna try though, doesn't hurt a bit.
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Team Ranstad
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Posted: 5/9/2011 11:54:24 PM
Keep up the good work guys! Take the General even if you think you are going to fail it. It will give you some insight on what the test consists of and doesn't cost you anything extra. Who knows..you may get an "easy" test.
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JaxShooter
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Posted: 5/10/2011 8:19:23 AM
Originally Posted By KB7DX:
Keep up the good work guys! Take the General even if you think you are going to fail it. It will give you some insight on what the test consists of and doesn't cost you anything extra. Who knows..you may get an "easy" test.


At our last session we had a guy try all three. He made it through Tech and General but we ran out of red ink on his Extra. At least he gave it a shot, though.
http://www.floridatrail.org
338winmag
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Posted: 5/10/2011 11:40:51 AM
For the guys who are studying the tech manual, and are taking practice tests with above 70% scores. Start on the general test questions. The general test is just a more in depth tech test. Some of the questions on the general test are also on the tech test.
If you don't have the guts to fight them in court you won't have the guts to fight them in combat.
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Posted: 5/10/2011 11:53:46 AM
have misplaced my General Study Guide (or my wife has hidden) back to searching!
Macumazahn
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Posted: 5/10/2011 11:58:57 AM
In!

Am general studying for extra. Me needs a vanity call sign.
338winmag
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Posted: 5/10/2011 12:08:03 PM
Originally Posted By Macumazahn:
In!

Am general studying for extra. Me needs a vanity call sign.


One of the best things I heard last year was the VE saying, congratulations you're now an extra. Now let's see how many you actually missed.


Keep studying, you can pass this test.
If you don't have the guts to fight them in court you won't have the guts to fight them in combat.
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Jax2Chl
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Posted: 5/10/2011 12:16:18 PM
Originally Posted By SCWolverine:
have misplaced my General Study Guide (or my wife has hidden) back to searching!


If you don't find your study guide, here is a link to one I used when I was studying for my upgrade that I found useful (and free).

The No-Nonsense General Class License Study Guide

Travis
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Posted: 5/10/2011 3:43:26 PM
Another VE and Extra willing to help.
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SCWolverine
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Posted: 5/10/2011 3:53:44 PM
Originally Posted By SCWolverine:
have misplaced my General Study Guide (or my wife has hidden) back to searching!


found, sitting behind my laptop studying, again!
Loadthis
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Posted: 5/10/2011 5:08:33 PM
Originally Posted By SCWolverine:
Originally Posted By SCWolverine:
have misplaced my General Study Guide (or my wife has hidden) back to searching!


found, sitting behind my laptop studying, again!


Lol I lose tools like that all the time. Find them right in front of me but somehow I didn't see them
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fatdoggie
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Posted: 5/10/2011 9:09:55 PM
[Last Edit: 5/10/2011 10:42:08 PM by fatdoggie]

Originally Posted By Jax2Chl:

If you don't find your study guide, here is a link to one I used when I was studying for my upgrade that I found useful (and free).

The No-Nonsense General Class License Study Guide

+1

In addition to the guide, you might want to look online at diagrams for the Yagi, cubic-quad, and delta-loop antennas if you're not familiar with them. Remembering the answers to those antenna questions are a lot easier if you can visualize the antenna.

I used this and the flash cards and practice tests from hamexam.org. I studied an hour or so a day for the past week and I passed my Technician and General Exams tonight.


EDIT: hamexam.org, not .com - the hamexam.org site seems legit with no ads and I haven't received any spam from a Nigerian prince since signing up. It didn't request any info other than an email address. The hamexam.com site seems kinda sketchy.


ar-jedi
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Posted: 5/10/2011 9:16:07 PM
Originally Posted By fatdoggie:
I passed my Technician and General Exams tonight.

CONGRATS!

ar-jedi
Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.
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Jax2Chl
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Posted: 5/10/2011 9:33:33 PM
Originally Posted By fatdoggie:

I studied an hour or so a day for the past week and I passed my Technician and General Exams tonight.



Well Done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

machinisttx
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Posted: 5/10/2011 9:39:20 PM
[Last Edit: 5/10/2011 9:49:31 PM by machinisttx]

Originally Posted By fatdoggie:

Originally Posted By Jax2Chl:

If you don't find your study guide, here is a link to one I used when I was studying for my upgrade that I found useful (and free).

The No-Nonsense General Class License Study Guide

+1

In addition to the guide, you might want to look online at diagrams for the Yagi, cubic-quad, and delta-loop antennas if you're not familiar with them. Remembering the answers to those antenna questions are a lot easier if you can visualize the antenna.

I used this and the flash cards and practice tests from hamexam.com. I studied an hour or so a day for the past week and I passed my Technician and General Exams tonight.



Good deal. I've been studying about the same amount for several weeks. A lot of this stuff just doesn't "click" for me.

ETA: I'm curious about the software from hamexam.com. I'm reading through the info on their site and came across this:

This software features LIFETIME FREE UPDATES to registered users in good standing. What this means is that, for example, if you are planning on doing your Amateur (Ham Radio) exams now, you can take the Technician exam now, and when you're ready for the General or Extra, simply use the built-in self-update and study as you need to. The software is ready for you!

I don't understand... The software doesn't already have the General and Extra portions in it? After "updating" can you go back through the tech or general stuff to review at a later date?
Originally post by 2theLeft: If done right, there is no taste, because it goes right down the throat..

IM me to find out about SSA's poor customer service
JaxShooter
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Posted: 5/10/2011 9:58:52 PM
[Last Edit: 5/10/2011 9:59:10 PM by JaxShooter]
Originally Posted By ar-jedi:
Originally Posted By fatdoggie:
I passed my Technician and General Exams tonight.

CONGRATS!

ar-jedi


http://www.floridatrail.org
BigDaddy0004
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Posted: 5/10/2011 10:25:38 PM
Originally Posted By JaxShooter:
Originally Posted By ar-jedi:
Originally Posted By fatdoggie:
I passed my Technician and General Exams tonight.

CONGRATS!

ar-jedi




Nice shootin', fatdoggie! Congrats!
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