Vinnie S. wrote:

The only thing is that by the time I can save up enough for a $1,500 HF
all band tranceiver, code will be gone anyway.

People have been saying that longer than I've been alive. That and the US
finally joining the rest of the world in the third millennium by adopting
the metric system. Will either ever happen? Probably not while I'm alive.

--
Paul Johnson

http://ursine.ca/~baloo/

On Fri, 11 Feb 2005 19:28:58 -0800, Paul Johnson wrote:

Vinnie S. wrote:

The only thing is that by the time I can save up enough for a $1,500 HF
all band tranceiver, code will be gone anyway.

People have been saying that longer than I've been alive. That and the US
finally joining the rest of the world in the third millennium by adopting
the metric system. Will either ever happen? Probably not while I'm alive.


That is why I am not going to wait. My ham friends told me likely 2006. I
personally have no idea. But apparently most other countries are dropping it,
and the IARU (I think), has requested it. But since the FCC is slow as **** in
moving with these ideas, I will just go ahead and get it. I will not use ith
though.

Vinnie S.

"Vinnie S." wrote in message
...
On Fri, 11 Feb 2005 19:28:58 -0800, Paul Johnson wrote:

Vinnie S. wrote:

The only thing is that by the time I can save up enough for a $1,500 HF
all band tranceiver, code will be gone anyway.

People have been saying that longer than I've been alive. That and the
US
finally joining the rest of the world in the third millennium by adopting
the metric system. Will either ever happen? Probably not while I'm
alive.


That is why I am not going to wait. My ham friends told me likely 2006. I
personally have no idea. But apparently most other countries are dropping
it,
and the IARU (I think), has requested it.

It has already been dropped by the ITU at the last WARC. The ITU left it up
to each individual country whether to keep the requirement or not.

But since the FCC is slow as **** in moving with these ideas,

Too bad they didn't with the BPL crap.

I will just go ahead and get it. I will not use ith
though.

Freedom of choice. That was one of the arguments being used get rid of the
Morse Code test requirement with the FCC; why test for something you're
never going to use. Of course the pro code people have points on their side
too. If you want more on this debate than your stomach can handle just
mention this topic on "rec.radio.amateur.policy" and see what happens!


--
Leland C. Scott
KC8LDO

Wireless Network
Mobile computing
on the go brought
to you by Micro$oft

Vinnie S. wrote:
On Fri, 11 Feb 2005 19:06:35 -0700, K7MEM wrote:


Vinnie S. wrote:

1. Is it a requirement to have passed the tech test, before taking the general?
Or can you just take the general?

2. Can you take the morse after the written (weeks)?

Vinnie S.

Each license class is considered a different level and it is required
that you pass the previous level before you can use the privileges
of the next.


Excellent. At least I got that straight.

I should have added, as someone else did, there is a one year limit
on your tests. For each test you take you will be given a certificate
of completion. When you get all your testing done, and apply, all the
dates must be within a year, or you will need to retest.

But, as you asked, you can take any of the tests separately,
on different days or weeks apart. However, if you take and pass the
general test, and can not provide proof that you took the tech test
and the code test, you will not be granted the privileges of that level.

When you go to the testing station, you can take as many test as you
want for a single fee. For me it was $6.45. If you split it up, you
will be paying that same fee for each test. None of the tests are that
big of a deal. A month or two of studying the Qs and As and you should be
able to pass them all in one sitting.

Are the questions from the ARRL pool the only questions I will ever see?

Yes. These are all the questions that can possible appear. Each test is
divided up into sections. A section may have 20 possible questions but
only 5 of them may be asked. Now that's just an example. Some sections
will have more some may have less. I think in the listing, the sections
are identified and the number of actual questions asked are listed.

Go for the gold and go for the
extra test too. The big stumbling block was the 13 and 20 WPM
code tests, but they are all gone now.

I just want to get to the general level for now. I want to learn the code, is it
5 wpm only know? I thought you needed 13 wpm for general? I have no desire to
use code, but will do so for the test.

No, the 13 wpm is gone, and soon the 5 wpm. Even if you have no desire to use
CW, the code test is very easy. The morse test consists of a sample QSO. 5 minutes
of 5 WPM code. At the end you can go for a solid copy pass, or take a 10
question test about the sample QSO. I think all you need is 7 out of 10 to
pass. Download a copy of Morse Academy from "http://www.speroni.com/AH0A.html".
This is free and generates morse tests in the exact format that you will hear
on the real test. Studying for only 15-20 minutes a day is all that is needed
to be ready in a week or two. If you get your speed to 7 or 8 WPM, you will
have a little buffer and the stress of the test will be minimal.

The only thing is that by the time I can
save up enough for a $1,500 HF all band tranceiver, code will be gone anyway. I
hope to have one by the next skip cycle in a few years.

I wish I could afford something like that, but it's not necessary. Browse through
rec.radio.swap or rec.radio.amateur.equipment for some good deals on things.
There is also ebay, but I have no experience with it. Personally, I like
boatanchors. I don't think I have much of anything that's newer than 20 years old.
I bought a fully functional SB-101, with power supply and speaker, for $100.
It has a few scratches and requires a little maintenance, but it works great.

If you get on the ham bands you don't have to worry about the skip cycle
so much. If one band isn't propagating very well, switch to another. Each
band has it's own capabilities.

Good Luck
--
Martin E. Meserve - K7MEM
http://www.k7mem.150m.com

On Sat, 12 Feb 2005 07:24:45 -0700, K7MEM wrote:

Excellent. At least I got that straight.

I should have added, as someone else did, there is a one year limit
on your tests. For each test you take you will be given a certificate
of completion. When you get all your testing done, and apply, all the
dates must be within a year, or you will need to retest.

Now I am confused. If I take the tech, I can only upgrade to General is I do it
within 1 year? Otherwise, I have to retake the tech?

But, as you asked, you can take any of the tests separately,
on different days or weeks apart. However, if you take and pass the
general test, and can not provide proof that you took the tech test
and the code test, you will not be granted the privileges of that level.

When you go to the testing station, you can take as many test as you
want for a single fee. For me it was $6.45. If you split it up, you
will be paying that same fee for each test. None of the tests are that
big of a deal. A month or two of studying the Qs and As and you should be
able to pass them all in one sitting.

Are the questions from the ARRL pool the only questions I will ever see?

Yes. These are all the questions that can possible appear. Each test is
divided up into sections. A section may have 20 possible questions but
only 5 of them may be asked. Now that's just an example. Some sections
will have more some may have less. I think in the listing, the sections
are identified and the number of actual questions asked are listed.

Go for the gold and go for the
extra test too. The big stumbling block was the 13 and 20 WPM
code tests, but they are all gone now.

I just want to get to the general level for now. I want to learn the code, is it
5 wpm only know? I thought you needed 13 wpm for general? I have no desire to
use code, but will do so for the test.

No, the 13 wpm is gone, and soon the 5 wpm. Even if you have no desire to use
CW, the code test is very easy. The morse test consists of a sample QSO. 5 minutes
of 5 WPM code. At the end you can go for a solid copy pass, or take a 10
question test about the sample QSO. I think all you need is 7 out of 10 to
pass. Download a copy of Morse Academy from "http://www.speroni.com/AH0A.html".
This is free and generates morse tests in the exact format that you will hear
on the real test. Studying for only 15-20 minutes a day is all that is needed
to be ready in a week or two. If you get your speed to 7 or 8 WPM, you will
have a little buffer and the stress of the test will be minimal.

The only thing is that by the time I can
save up enough for a $1,500 HF all band tranceiver, code will be gone anyway. I
hope to have one by the next skip cycle in a few years.

I wish I could afford something like that, but it's not necessary. Browse through
rec.radio.swap or rec.radio.amateur.equipment for some good deals on things.
There is also ebay, but I have no experience with it. Personally, I like
boatanchors. I don't think I have much of anything that's newer than 20 years old.
I bought a fully functional SB-101, with power supply and speaker, for $100.
It has a few scratches and requires a little maintenance, but it works great.

If you get on the ham bands you don't have to worry about the skip cycle
so much. If one band isn't propagating very well, switch to another. Each
band has it's own capabilities.

Good Luck


Thanks. Ordered the tech book last night !

Vinnie S.

"Vinnie S." wrote in message
...

Now I am confused. If I take the tech, I can only upgrade to General is I
do it
within 1 year? Otherwise, I have to retake the tech?

You can take the tech test and the general test and the extra test
together -- all in one test session if you want.

If you get a Tech license first (code or no code) -- you can take the
general test and extra any time - no time limit.

However if you obtained a no-code Tech license -- you have to pass the code
test when going for general or extra

If you pass the code test but fail the written test -- you have code credit
for a year. I think this is right, if not will get back to you here.

Let us know your city and state -- we will try to put you in touch with an
examiner with a telephone number -- you can clear this all up with a single
phone call.


--
Caveat Lector (Reader Beware)
Help The New Hams
Someone Helped You
Or did You Forget That ?

On Fri, 11 Feb 2005 17:00:11 -0500, Vinnie S.
wrote:

1. Is it a requirement to have passed the tech test, before taking the general?
Or can you just take the general?

2. Can you take the morse after the written (weeks)?

Vinnie S.

There USED to be a requirement that the tests be taken in order. It's
my understanding that such a requirement no longer exists. HOWEVER,
in order for a General class license to be issued, all required
elements (1, 2, and 3) MUST be taken and passed. In other words, you
cannot skip the Technician Element 2 test just because you passed
Element 1 (5 WPM CW) and Element 3 (General).

You CAN take the Element 1 exam at any time within a year of taking
the Element 3 exam in order to qualify for the General class license.
If you pass Element 1 and Element 2 for the Technician with HF
privileges, the one year limit does not apply, as the CW endorsement
is valid for the valid period of your license.


Raymond Sirois
SysOp: The Lost Chord BBS
607-733-5745
telnet://thelostchord.dns2go.com:6000