Posted: 1/25/2010 10:11:49 AM EDT
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I first got my Tech license back when I was 12, upgraded to General a few years later while code was still a requirement. Then I hit high school and college and I stopped using my radio as much. Sold off my mobile to get a car, etc, etc... Well, now I want to get back into it (age 22) and would like to upgrade to Extra. I hear it is more technical, etc –– are we talking calculus here or what? I've got a study guide coming to me in the mail, but in the meantime I would like to know what I am getting myself into :) Thanks! |
| I used http://www.hamradioclass.org/ to help prepare me for my Tech. They also have General and Extra classes. (Free podcasts) |
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I passed the Tech and General in one sitting back in November. I took the Extra test, simply because I could, and it was a beast for me. Math is not the problem, most of it is simple multiplication, division and maybe some algebra. The hard part for me is that out of the 50 questions on the test, about 60% were dealing with electronics, schematics, etc. which I know nothing about. If you know your way around a circuit board and can memorize some of the FCC guidelines, you've probably got it beat already. |
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The Extra exam was a challenge. It's very heavy in electronics and test equipment which is what I did in the military many moons ago so that part wasn't too much of a pain. There is a ton of memorization and I don't remember the math being an issue. Take a solid 2 weeks and study just as you would for any of the other exams. That will give you an idea of where you need to concentrate your efforts.
Just remember, many people have passed the Extra exam over the years and you can also. Put the time in and don't give up. If you fail the first time that's ok...keep plugging away at it and you will reach your goal. |
| I just got my extra and actually out of all my license tests I scored the lowest on the tech, then again I only briefly looked over the questions and didnt pay it much attention due to focusing more on the general. I studied pretty heavily for about 3 weeks on my extra and got all 50 correct. I highly recommend hamtestonline. A few things I learned, learn the basic flow of the math questions and by learning the very basic formulas you can apply it to help narrow down the answers on quite a few questions without knowing every single formula perfectly. Get the phase angle and (+) inductive (-) capacitive elements down good and just those alone will go a long way on quite a few questions. One thing about hamtestonline, you can set it to drill you on just subelements 5-7, and through lots of repitition it will sink in eventually and will be a peice of cake. Those three subelements no doubt cause the most problems for many folks that are not guru's on electronic theory (like me). Hang in there and after a couple weeks it will begin to sink in. I should probably say I started out with the ARRL extra manual and it was greek and gets pretty detailed on the theory part. I also used the Gordon West book, which helped simplify a few of the basic math formulas and things like ICE and ELI (memorize those––they will be your best friend on several test questions). I only had one math question on my test where I even needed to use a calculator. Goodluck on your studying and upcoming test. |
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Well, it depends. I know people that have struggled for a long time trying to upgrade. I know others that have had no problem. It's definitely more technical but the worst for me was polar coordinates. Beyond that most of the math is pretty simple. I started studying, realized it was going to be a battle, then decided to stay with General. |
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would like to upgrade to Extra. this is the study guide that i used, http://abacus.nmsu.edu/~shoran/PDF/Extra%20Class%20Amateur%20Radio%20Course.pdf and deep from the archive server... http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=10&f=22&t=614308 good luck. i will offer one piece of advice... do not spend an inordinate amount of time trying to wrap your mind around one problem, at the expense of not studying many other problems that are easier for you. an example, complex impedance (reactance, etc) is not trivial to "get" for some folks –– so if you don't "get it", move on to other subjects. you can always learn the material you don't "get" in more detail later. studying for an exam is not going to make you smart, that comes with use and practice and further understanding. far better to drop one question on the exam and get ten others correct than to spend all of your time studying for the one and have to deer hunt in the dark for the other ten. ar-jedi |
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Look at the book, take the online tests, and see what you can do. I had the Advanced license for a long time, but had done very little in the way of propagation and impedance calculations since passing the 2nd Class Radiotelephone test back in 1984. (It took 3 trips to Atlanta to do that). I studied for about 2 weeks and took the online Extra class test everyday. At the testing, I passed on the first try but I don't know by how much. I would not have bothered with it, but my son was testing for his Technician and I wanted to go with him. My son has his grandfather's photographic memory that passed me over(darn it). He apparently memorized the answers and was only in the room for about 15 minutes. I was still scratching my watch and winding my *** when he left with his passing grade.
Just keep at it and you can get it. RS |
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