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.