"Buzzygirl" wrote in message
news:HKO%c.135243$9d6.6757@attbi_s54...

"Michael" wrote in message
t...

I read a few links about the multiple choice tests for the tech license
and
I also saw a list of pool. My question is... How much of an ordeal is it
to
get set up to take the test itself ???

The Tech license study will take the average person about 2-4 weeks to get
through, depending on how much time you have. It is not a difficult test,
even if one isn't really technically inclined. The Tech study manual
covers
mostly basic material, and you won't need more than middle-school math
abilities to do the calculations required in the exam.

However, you won't be able to transmit on the SW bands until you upgrade
to
the General class. That's another whole study guide and test. The General
Class study guide covers much of the same stuff the Technician guide does,
but in more depth, and there is more about RF exposure and antennas. You
also need to pass a 5 words per minute Morse Code receiving exam for the
General license. Many people expect the Morse Code exam to be dropped in
the
near future, but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for the FCC to approve
its demise. Some people have taken both the Technician and General
licenses
at once. Each of these tests consists of 35 questions, and the test is
multiple choice. And the 5 wpm Morse Code test is really pretty easy to
pass
too.

There are good practice exams at the following websites: www.eham.net and
www.qrz.com.

The best study guides (IMHO) are the ARRL manuals. The Tech study guide is
the Now You're Talking! 5th edition, which contains lessons and the
current
test question and answer pools. The General Class Manual is also available
from ARRL, as are Morse Code practice CDs and tapes. Their website is
he
www.arrl.org/catalog.

Good luck!

Jackie


I'm going to pick up a copy of "Now Your Talking" and also see about
contacting a local ham club for the test. I'm going to prep for the Tech
and General because I really want to have acess to the sw/long range bands
too. I already know partial Morse code. I learned using a program called
NuMorse a few years ago. It took me about three weeks to be able to decode
by ear. The only problem is, I just learned the letters and not numbers or
punctuation. I didnt bother when them. I figured that the letters would be
good enough :-) Now, I'll have to go back to NuMorse and do all the numbers
and then, mix them in with the alphabet in quizz mode. I also never used a
key before. I just learned enough to listen to the ham bands and decode by
ear and not transmit. I can decode faster then 5 wpm, so I'm sure I can
pass the morse test after I mix in the numbers. I just need to learn
numbers now too. Shouldn't take me too long. I also had a look at some pool
questions. I was able to answer a lot of them already. Still... I need to
study up to pass... I was most worried about having to spend time with
clubs or groups... I dont have the time for that. After I prep, I just want
to show up, take the test and get out... :-)

Thanx again for the help !!!

Michael