Posted: 5/7/2009 4:17:38 PM EDT
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After scanning through this board over the past couple months with interest, I ordered the tech and general study manuals from ARRL. Got them about a week ago. I have been reading the tech manual in my spare time (travel a lot and airplane time makes for good reading time) and am almost through with it. I will take the practice tests and all, but feel pretty good about it already.
Next test in my area is next week on Tuesday. Already signed up. As a reward for my successful completion of the first phase of this endeavor (plan to start studying for the general license as soon as I pass the tech), I have already ordered a VX-6R in advance (thanks to ar-jedi). Next up will probably be an FT-8800R and still trying to figure out a home rig. This feels somewhat similar to BRD... 
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Quoted: Use an FT-8800r as you home rig and a FT-7800 as your car rig, unless you need crossband or dual receive go with the 7800 for the car. Good choice on thr VX-6R and good luck on your test. Bob Why that way? I would think crossband repeat would be of most usefulness in your vehicle, and its better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Use an FT-8800r as you home rig and a FT-7800 as your car rig, unless you need crossband or dual receive go with the 7800 for the car. Good choice on thr VX-6R and good luck on your test. Bob Why that way? I would think crossband repeat would be of most usefulness in your vehicle, and its better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. What ever you need I use crossband around my property and when hiking here. I have only a dual band in the truck. I keep a vx-3 in my pocket walking around on my property ans crossband through a beam and an ft-8800.
Also the 8800 is really hard to use going down the road. Most around here just use them in the manner I do but then again YMMV. If I hunted away from my house I would have one in the truck. Bob |
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Good luck on the exams. I did an exam session last night and we had a 100% success rate. We have 3 new techs, 3 new generals, and 1 extra. One of the generals was a novice that did a double upgrade.
For radios get two 8800s. That way you can crossband at home and on the road. I need more 8800s. 
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Quoted:
Good luck on the test! Ham radio is just as addictive as BRD..I think we should call it ARD (Amateur Radio Disease) Just stay away from any radios with a stylized M logo, otherwise you'll end up with BRD again. (black radio disease) I have a single band VHF portable that was $500 used! |
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Quoted: Quoted: Good luck on the test! Ham radio is just as addictive as BRD..I think we should call it ARD (Amateur Radio Disease) Just stay away from any radios with a stylized M logo, otherwise you'll end up with BRD again. (black radio disease) I have a single band VHF portable that was $500 used! This man says the truth! My second radio was a Moto, and it hasn't gotten any better in the last year!   |
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Holy crap. I need a stimulus check
Well, I have read through a little over five of the seven chapters in the Tech manual, and started taking prep tests at qrz.com and have passed six trials (so far) with an 85% average. Hopefully, reading the remaining chapters and checking back over the material will get my scores up even higher (although I have yet to NOT pass a practice exam.) |
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Quoted:
Holy crap. I need a stimulus check
Well, I have read through a little over five of the seven chapters in the Tech manual, and started taking prep tests at qrz.com and have passed six trials (so far) with an 85% average. Hopefully, reading the remaining chapters and checking back over the material will get my scores up even higher (although I have yet to NOT pass a practice exam.) I was averaging 90's on the practice tests, finally bought the book two days before the test (which was this past Saturday) and read through it. Got a CSCE right next to me for my technician's test. 2 wrong.
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After finishing the final two chapters on Saturday, I have been getting 94% to 100% on the practice tests. I did the first 25 tests on QRZ.com.
Ran three more practice tests today at lunch, noticed many of the same questions popping up again and got 100% on all three. Test is tomorrow night, so I'm pretty sure it'll be a cakewalk at this point. Now that Gigaparts is having a sale, looks like I'll be ordering that FT-8800R (most likely) sometime this week. I just need to figure out what else I need to go with it. Thinking a Comet SBB-5 antenna, but not sure what else I need for a mobile install. |
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Quoted:
After finishing the final two chapters on Saturday, I have been getting 94% to 100% on the practice tests. I did the first 25 tests on QRZ.com. Ran three more practice tests today at lunch, noticed many of the same questions popping up again and got 100% on all three. Test is tomorrow night, so I'm pretty sure it'll be a cakewalk at this point. Now that Gigaparts is having a sale, looks like I'll be ordering that FT-8800R (most likely) sometime this week. I just need to figure out what else I need to go with it. Thinking a Comet SBB-5 antenna, but not sure what else I need for a mobile install. It will be a cakewalk with those practice scores. Good luck. Bob |
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NOW there is a temporary AG in the house! Hard to study with my travel schedule, but i finished the last three chapters between yesterday and my late plane ride home today. took six practice tests when I got home (worst score was a 94%) and just passed the test (got two wrong).
Now it's time to shop for an HF rig! |
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Quoted:
NOW there is a temporary AG in the house! Hard to study with my travel schedule, but i finished the last three chapters between yesterday and my late plane ride home today. took six practice tests when I got home (worst score was a 94%) and just passed the test (got two wrong). Now it's time to shop for an HF rig! Congrats. I recommend an Icom IC-746Pro |
