Posted: 7/16/2013 6:02:07 AM EDT
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I read here that it was better to study for the general exam and then the tech. I ordered Arrl General Class License Manual for the Radio Amateur. Will this book and going through the tech question pools be enough to pass both? I'd rather not order the tech book if I don't need to. Also is it worth getting the extra at the same time or is that something most people wait on? |
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If you can pass the practice tests, you can pass the actual tests. Of course, studying the manual will help you to understand the concepts better. Just study the manual and take the practice tests until you feel confident, and you will do fine.
Since you can take all three tests at the same exam session, for one low price, you may as well give it a shot....even if you are not really ready for the extra test. If you pass, it will save you a few bucks. If you fail, it does not count against you. You can always try again at the next exam session. 
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It was 3 days of studying to pass tech and general. Taking an exam every 2 hours for 6 hours a day plus some research and reading from time to time. The extra was a bit more and I decided to add it later, but if you have the free time, you can totally knock it out as well.
I honestly wanted some experiance before I become an Extra. I think it is something to be proud of and i want to know what life is like before extra so i can feel special after. I am weird like that, being a pilot I always disliked people whe liked side stepping experiance. And i say that with no desire to piss anyone off. |
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I scored in the 90s on a couple of the tech practice exams, but only a 54% on the general. I didn't try the extra yet. I'm going to study the exam guide for the general and just go through the question pool for the tech. One nice thing in this area the test is free. Hopefully I'll pas at least the tech exam next month. |
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Quoted:
I am weird like that, being a pilot I always disliked people whe liked side stepping experiance. And i say that with no desire to piss anyone off. Pilots are assholes anyway.........................J/K!!!  Old A&P mechanic here.
OP, it won't hurt to take all three tests at the same time, like Kekoa said. But, if you choose to take just the Tech and Gen, and pass, you'll be happy for a good while before the need to upgrade hits you. Good Luck! BD |
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Be aware that you must take the tests, and pass, in order. You can't take the General without passing the Tech.
But the General really is not much harder than the Tech. As Big Daddy said, the General will get you a lot of band privileges that if you never pass the Extra you will still have loads of fun on the air. |
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Truth. Another old A&P here. Fixed wing pilots are bad enough but helicopter pilots take it to another level.
Pilots are assholes anyway.........................J/K!!! Old A&P mechanic here.Quoted:
Sorry to hear that.
<<<<<<<<< 30 year career pilot (retired) Back on topic. Hot ticket is to study for Tech and General at the same time. Study for Tech and take the practice tests online. Once you hit 85% or better consistently then start studying for General. Once you hit 85% or better on the General practice tests go take the exam. For General and Tech I suggest the ARRL study guides. For Extra the Gordon West guide worked for me. There is a bunch of overlap between Tech and General. You'll be surprised at how much of the General test you know after working the Tech tests. Wait on Extra for a while. Extra is a big step from General in the knowledge required. Granted there's that Extra only part of the band available but in reality I rarely use it. Pretty much the only time I go there is to chase a DX or to work some sked for WAS. With a General ticket and the ability to do CW you will be busy for a while. |
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I’m a long-time Tech with absolutely no need or desire to advance beyond that license, but even though I only studied for Tech, I came a question or two from getting General (they offered it to me since I was there which I believe is common practice).
The Air Force used Master Question Banks in some of our tests, much like the ham exam. Here is the advice I give my friends who want to pass the exam: -Read through the book once (optional, but see below for my caveat to that) -Go to the back of the book. All the questions that could be asked are there, and after that are all the answers to those questions. Now, highlight the correct answers to every question. Study the questions and the correct answers only. -Never, and I mean never read the incorrect answers. Not even once. -After a few rounds of that, start taking the on-line tests. Try to take the tests as often as possible until you’re scoring consistently in the mid to high 90s. -Then schedule your exam before you forget everything. By only studying the correct answers you will find that during the test the wrong answers will seem queer. This will help you on questions you might not have seen during your on-line practice exams. Caveat: This method will get you your license, but it will not teach you the practical things you might later need, like electrical theory or antenna building. If that matters to you then get your license and keep studying the book afterward. |
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I’m a long-time Tech with absolutely no need or desire to advance beyond that license, but even though I only studied for Tech, I came a question or two from getting General (they offered it to me since I was there which I believe is common practice). ---- Snip ---- I was like that for close to my first 10 years as a ham, I only cared about VHF/UHF and mostly for digital modes and building repeaters. Then I decided to upgrade, Now I'm almost never on VHF/UHF anymore. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I’m a long-time Tech with absolutely no need or desire to advance beyond that license, but even though I only studied for Tech, I came a question or two from getting General (they offered it to me since I was there which I believe is common practice). ---- Snip ---- I was like that for close to my first 10 years as a ham, I only cared about VHF/UHF and mostly for digital modes and building repeaters. Then I decided to upgrade, Now I'm almost never on VHF/UHF anymore. Wow, I'm surprised you didn't get beat up more.  You tell people you aren't interested in HF and they either think you're weird or suddenly get irrationally hostile.
I have loved radio since I was a kid, but the attitude and demeanor of every ham I knew kept me from it. Then when I started hiking and going off the trail system to get to remote lakes and summits I decided to get my Tech ticket. I put a dual band in the Jeep to serve as a cross-band repeater (still never used that feature) so I do talk a little while I’m commuting, and occasionally I’ll help someone activating a summit somewhere. SIDEBAR: In the 80s while we were coasting out on our way to Europe or Africa, I would tune the C-141 HF radios to the CB freqs and chat with some of the folks on the east coast. Problem was when you’re running 400 watts with a 35,000’ antenna you tend to spill over a large area, such that two dozen people are trying to call you but they’re so far away they can’t hear each other. Other than official calls (“mainsail mainsail, Reach 40612 on triple-one-seven-five upper…”) that was the sum of my HF experience. So, back on topic, I advocate getting the ticket by hook or by crook, and once you have it you can learn by listening and doing, instead of just trying to read it in a book. |
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Quoted:
I’m a long-time Tech with absolutely no need or desire to advance beyond that license, but even though I only studied for Tech, I came a question or two from getting General (they offered it to me since I was there which I believe is common practice). The Air Force used Master Question Banks in some of our tests, much like the ham exam. Here is the advice I give my friends who want to pass the exam: -Read through the book once (optional, but see below for my caveat to that) -Go to the back of the book. All the questions that could be asked are there, and after that are all the answers to those questions. Now, highlight the correct answers to every question. Study the questions and the correct answers only. -Never, and I mean never read the incorrect answers. Not even once. -After a few rounds of that, start taking the on-line tests. Try to take the tests as often as possible until you’re scoring consistently in the mid to high 90s. -Then schedule your exam before you forget everything. By only studying the correct answers you will find that during the test the wrong answers will seem queer. This will help you on questions you might not have seen during your on-line practice exams. Caveat: This method will get you your license, but it will not teach you the practical things you might later need, like electrical theory or antenna building. If that matters to you then get your license and keep studying the book afterward. Agreed!!! Edited: Anyone that wants copies of the Tech and General question pools with ONLY correct answers listed, please email me or IM your email address to me. |