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AR15.COM
1/17/2009 8:02:26 AM EDT
Hiya Folks,
I toyed with HAM licences a few years ago and at that time, I was told ARRL's "Now You're Talking" was recommended in prep for the tech/general exams.   I'm curious as to whether the ARRL guides are needed or if there's another recommended resource for prepping for the exams?   I'd rather not plunk down $40 for the books unless they truly are a good resource not only for the exam but also for reference down the road.
Cheers,
cc
1/17/2009 9:21:36 AM EDT
[#1]
This has been great for me:  QRZ practice tests

I also try to research whatever I don't understand, so that I'm actually learning instead of just memorizing questions.  So far Google is working fine for looking up whatever I need.  

1/17/2009 10:05:08 AM EDT
[#2]
Quoted:
if there's another recommended resource for prepping for the exams?  


see the links in this post:
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=10&f=22&t=604477#10323204

especially,
http://abacus.nmsu.edu/~shoran/PDF/techpool_2006.pdf
and
http://kb6nu.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/07/2006techstudyguide.pdf

you won't need more than those guides and some quality time on the test simulator linked above.

ar-jedi



1/17/2009 11:16:52 AM EDT
[#3]
Here is a zip of Power Point presentations for classroom use.  I found them very helpful.  I did two a night for a week, plus the practice tests on eHam.net, QRZ.com, and others.

http://www.w5ddl.org/techppt/chapter_pps.htm

You will need a PowerPoint viewer, and there is a link on that page for one.
1/17/2009 11:42:23 AM EDT
[#4]
Read the "everything you always wanted to know" thread that is stickied in this forum.  Then, take about 40 practice tests and you'll be GTG for all three license levels.
1/17/2009 5:11:32 PM EDT
[#5]
For General and Extra I found this to be my preferred site for practice tests.
1/17/2009 5:20:40 PM EDT
[#6]
Thanks Folks.   I'll save my $40 for the books then.   Way back when, I graduated college with an EE degree.   Hopefully some of it comes back to me as I really haven't used much of it since I graduated!   I do remember Fields and Graves was not one of my better classes.   Anyway, thanks for the links and I'm still working on the FAQ threads of this forum.
Cheers,
cc
1/19/2009 11:03:59 AM EDT
[#7]
You have a degree in electronic engineering?  Hell, you could likely pass General cold.  Take a dozen practice tests and you'd likely ace it.  The Extra might take a little extra work, but not much.  You guys with degrees involving anything to do with electronics are way ahead of the game.
1/19/2009 11:12:02 AM EDT
[#8]
Nah, Electrical Engr.   I remember V=IR and that's about it although I'm sure most of it would come back to me if I looked at it.  
Cheers,
cc
1/19/2009 11:14:27 AM EDT
[#9]
The Eagle flies over the Indian and the Rabbit.
1/19/2009 12:55:41 PM EDT
[#10]
Well just for giggles, I took one of the qrz.com tests without looking at any material.   I scored a 75%.    Not great but it's encouraging that I can do this without purchasing gobs of study material.   Thanks folks!     The stuff that got me was all the "policy" type stuff so that'll be my main focus.
Cheers,
cc
1/19/2009 12:59:21 PM EDT
[#11]
75% without ever starting to study is great.  I told you that a guy with basic electronics background will have no problems passing the exam.  The "policy" stuff comes easy.  The good thing is, you really can do this for all three license classes, although Extra might be a challenge without at least cracking a book.
1/24/2009 12:03:29 PM EDT
[#12]
Any of the Gordon West books are very good.  

braingarble
1/24/2009 3:51:33 PM EDT
[#13]
Quoted:
Well just for giggles, I took one of the qrz.com tests without looking at any material.   I scored a 75%.    Not great but it's encouraging that I can do this without purchasing gobs of study material.   Thanks folks!     The stuff that got me was all the "policy" type stuff so that'll be my main focus.
Cheers,
cc


OK, if you did that well, go to the site I listed in my post earlier, download the classes, do two a night.  Each night also do 3 or 4 practice exams.

In a week you should be up to 95%+.

While continuing to do 3 or 4 Tech practice tests a night begin studying the General, and do 3 or 4 tests.  That should give you an idea of what areas you need to concentrate on.

I'll bet in two or three weeks you can pass the general.

Get that done as soon as you can to not lose momentum.  And immediately start on the Extra.

1/24/2009 6:11:27 PM EDT
[#14]
Quoted:
Any of the Gordon West books are very good.  

braingarble


I bought the Gordon West technicians level book a week ago as my first purchase from my local B&M radio store more just to make a purchase than because I wanted the book - they were trying hard to help me get started toward my license. I read it that night and it honestly did help with some concepts and the overall process. The next day I downloaded the tech, general and extra materials from NMSU site listed above (can't remember how I found the home page for these but all 3 study guides are available). I read through the general course material, took maybe 10 tech and 3 or 4 general of the QRZ practice tests over the past week and today I wrote and passed both the tech and general exams. Worked for me!