Subj : HAM licensing
To   : Orbitman
From : Raymond Quinn
Date : Sat Jul 19 2014 16:23:00

-=> Orbitman wrote to Skuz <=-

 Or> On 04/07/14, Skuz said the following...

 Sk> On 04-02-14, Poindexter Fortran said the following...
 Sk>
 Sk>  PF> I'm considering getting a HAM license. I've been around radios and
 Sk>  PF> electronics enough that the technical license tests seem pretty do-ab
 Sk>  PF> I've passed 8 out of 9 of the practice tests I've done on the net.
 Sk>  PF> Are the real tests any different/harder than the practice tests? Is
 Sk>  PF> there an official study manual?
 Sk>
 Sk> local HAM radio clubs, locate them to see who is who.. In the past, I

Kurt,

Another resource is www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-exam-session. We 
had a Volunteer Exam Session last Thursday evening and will be having one 
the third Thursday of August.

 Or> The online tests you take are the same as the real thing.  The
 Or> questions used are the same ones from the official question pool.  If
 Or> you're passing 8 out of 9, you should do just fine.

As a Volunteer Examiner (VE), I can confirm this, they are the same 
questions.  Also, if one passed the Technician Class, they can take the 
General Class, and if you pass, the Amateur Extra Class, for the same 
fee. The fee is nominal, and is around $14-15 (not sure which for some 
reason. I don't handle the monies) for each session, not per test (unless 
you fail and wish to make another attempt).

 Or> Ham radio IS a great hobby and a great many still enjoy it.  I hold
 Or> an extra class licence (KG4CNA) and have HF and VHF capability.  I

I agree. I dabble in these modes as well as others, including 5Ghz 
microwave TCP/IP, 1200 bps packet BBS, etc.

 Or> can use digital modes (PSK31, etc.) or phone (voice).  I've not
 Or> mastered CW although I started learning again a few years
 Or> ago...before stopping....again.

I took a Saturday class a few years back, learned it, but never used it. I 
have difficulty with the "As" and "Ns", and other similar letters.

 Or> Take the test....ya got nothing to lose and everything to gain :)

I think you will enjoy the hobby. Then you can add eChicken's packet door 
to you Synchronet BBS.


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                     73 de Ray Quinn W6RAY
                     Visalia, CA USA DM06ih
                     
                     
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