Tips for VE Session (General Class)

[KC2PFV]

Hi,

Well I feel that I am prepared for the upgrade to General Class. I need to pass element 1 and element 3. I've been studying the code on and off, and after running through practice QSOs at 5wpm/15wpm farnsworth, I am copying near perfect.

Instead of putting the upgrade off for another two weeks or more like I planned, I decided to check the ARRL website for a listing of upcoming VE sessions. I found one TOMORROW at 8:00 PM, so talk about a surprise. I think I am ready though. Just need to call and confirm a spot with the person running it, hopefully they got room. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

So that brings me to my question. What tips do you guys have for me on element 1? Morse code is easy, but I am afraid I am going to freeze up or something. Any tips on taking and passing the code? The written portion I know I will pass with no problem.

Please don't turn this into a code VS no code debate. I used to be "no code" when I first became a ham back in March of this year, but I "switched sides" over the summer when I realized that not everything in life should come for free and you appreciate things more when you work for them. That is why I decided to bite the bullet and learn the code, and I'm having fun with it now.

Hopefully I will be KC2PFV/AG tomorrow night, then hopefully I can drop this call and get a new one when I upgrade to Extra Class within a year, haha. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Thanks,

73 TOM KC2PFV

[wb7dmx]

best thing I can suggest is to get a good nights sleep, and have a good breakfast, and give yourself plenty of time to get there and relax a bit, don't get in a rush.

[KB3LIX]

Tom,

When taking the morse test, if you miss a character, don't FREAK OUT. Just forget it, and continue copying the code test. You will have time after the session is done to go back and look at your copy and correct any mistakes or missed characters.

Basic QSO information will be sent, two callsigns, probably the other op's first name, location, maybe radio or antenna model/type, a few procedural signals and punctuation.
10 questions will be on the test. Answer 7, and you have passed. They can be virtually anything about the QSO.

Or, 25 (or more) characters in a row without error, you passed.

Punctuation, numbers and procedural signals count as two characters, but you already knew all that.

Most important is.......RELAX !!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't sweat it, it will come and you will do just fine.

Have confidence in yourself, you CAN do it.
Your fourth paragraph above certainly proves that
you have the right attitude, Best of luck, and I sure wish a whole bunch of others would aquire the same spirit.

Go get em, and let us know how you did !!!

[PE1RDW]

One advice I heard a lot (and it was part of the training) was not to read while decoding, just copy all the letters you can and skip the ones you miss, if you try to correct the missed letters while decoding you'll just fall behind. Offcourse this was back in the days we still had a 12 wpm test. I have read somewhere that you can fill in the missed letters afterwards.

[kd4mxe]

sir #most all of these people will #tell you , is just #to do it ,they had to do it so you got to do it ,and #Right now thats just about the way it is ,until #the fcc gets off #there Butt,s #and get,s thing going , But I would like to say #good luck to you, and if you miss #a #letter #dont stop on any letter get all you can , you #can come Back #after it,s over and fill in the Blank,s 73 and good luck Bill kd4mxe http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[KC2PFV]

Do you guys know if you can take the test in pencil so I can erase any mistakes? My handwriting is horrible while copying, so I'm hoping I can make it neater after copying.

Thanks,

-KC2PFV

[kd4mxe]

Quote[/b] (KC2PFV @ Nov. 15 2006,07:56)]Do you guys know if you can take the test in pencil so I can erase any mistakes? My handwriting is horrible while copying, so I'm hoping I can make it neater after copying.

Thanks,

-KC2PFV
(yes you can that,s what i did , they should Be the same where you are , good luck Bill kd4mxe http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[N2RJ]

Don't dwell on a character that you missed. That character is like an old girlfriend. If you don't get it, MOVE ON. This is where most people trip up.

Relax.

Some words you'll hear in most tests - ANTENNA, RIG, NAME, ICOM, KENWOOD, YAESU etc.

Don't neglect the punctuation. Usually they try to give a weird callsign with a a slash like W7KRX/MM.

Good luck!

[ac7k]

Good Luck, not that you will need it. Sounds like you are prepared. Just like the others have said, just skip a character if you miss it... When I took my test in August, I messed up the 2 callsigns at the beginning because I tried to go back and fix it. Luckily I was able to focus and keep going.

As to a missed character being like an old girlfriend... lol...

Eric

[kd4mxe]

you guy,s thought #I was #a no -coder #from My post #above #,I got #2 check,s Right quickit did not #take long #for those two ,now that you check me out ,you know the Rest of the story,73 Bill Kd4mxe http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[kc0tqd]

Tom, good luck and I know you will do well. #I took my test last month, nailed the theory part. #I knew I WASN'T ready for the code, as I had just started learning & working with the Farnsworth method (Excellent); and I just barely missed passing. #If you are comfortably copying QSO's then you should do great. #I took it more or less just for the practice; I wanted to get the theory done and just be focused on the Code test.

Like they said, it's about being relaxed and not getting hung up on a character that you missed (like I did - too many times). #

Again, wish you the best of luck!!! #I will be going back for my Code test soon and know I will pass it as well with no problem.

James - KC0TQD

[KB3LIX]

Pencil is the suggested method.

Take 2 with you, just in case you have a pencil that decides to commit Hari-Kari in the middle of the test.

We >>> EXPECT<<< to hear a good report sometime tonight !!!

GO GET EM !!!

[n0nwo]

Mostly remember, this is not life and death. Just relax. If you pass... GREAT. If you don't, there will always be another test session.

If that don't work for ya, write each answer on the back of a $50 bill http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Minton

[ai4ep]

remember that you are spelling ordinary words, (city, state, brand name of radio, type of antenna, etc ), so if you are decent at spelling, that will help. The CALL SIGN is the tough one to spell, since it aint predictable.

Ask to have the volume of the cd player turned down to a confortable level...dont bounce the sound off the walls and no need for a lot of BASS ( this aint rap music ), and dont be afraid to SPEAK UP if the audio is too loud to be comfortable for YOU ( you are just as special as the next dude ).

Let the test folks know that you ARE nervous, and they should be willing to go slower for you, once you let them know. They are humans, and willing to help in any way they can ( except to actually take the test FOR you ).

...and finally --- let us know how you did. Dont leave us empty wondering how well you did.

We do care.

[KC2PFV]

Thanks guys for the tips. I am running through the AA9PW.COM simulated CW QSOs and I am doing pretty good. I called up the guy running the session and he said that I can take elements 1 and 3 today.

Quick question for you guys.... If they have the CW portion first, and I fail that (which I doubt I will), can I take the written portion or is the session over for me?
Just wondering, I doubt I'll fail though unless I lock up or something. All I need is 25 in a row right.

-KC2PFV

[KB3LIX]

You can take the element 3 written should you fail the element 1 test. (Which isn't going to happen !!!, we have confidence)

For that matter, should....No that should read >> AFTER << you pass the element 3 written, take the element 4 written too. There is no additional charge and at least you will have seen the element 4 test.
Even if you haven't thought of element 4, take it anyhow. So what if you fail, you haven't lost anything and gained some exposure to the test.


I took my Technician, General and Extra written tests on the same evening in July 2004 and didn't take my element 1 code test for another 9 months. I wasn't ready for the element 1 test the first time around.
#
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[n0nwo]

Yes you can take element 3 even if you don't pass element 1. No problem there, but remember, then you have a year to pass the code or you will have to retake the written.

Good luck and let us know when you are /ag tomorrow.

Minton

[KC2PFV]

Hi,

Guess what, I PASSED!

That was EASY as hell!

I froze up a little in the beginning on the CW, but eventually I got comfortable and was copying well. I passed the written with only one wrong.

Now I'm a General, next - EXTRA!

73,

-KC2PFV

[AC0BU]

Congrads, Tom...I was gonna say relax like everyone else and congratulations in advance, but you made your report, GREAT! # # ( I KNEW YOU SOUNDED CONFIDENT ) #

# # #I took element one and two in one session and studied like mad and took element three two weeks later....studied like mad again for six months and passed element four...same year...Hey, TOM ...remember to give back now and when you get your extra... get your VE credentials

# # # # #again...congrads..see you on the bands

[KB3LIX]

See,

I knew you could do it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

CONGRATS !!!!!!!

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[N2RJ]

Quote[/b] (KC2PFV @ Nov. 15 2006,22:06)]Hi,

Guess what, I PASSED!

That was EASY as hell!

I froze up a little in the beginning on the CW, but eventually I got comfortable and was copying well. I passed the written with only one wrong.

Now I'm a General, next - EXTRA!

73,

-KC2PFV
Congratulations.

And you can smile from ear to ear because you sweated and toiled and EARNED it.

[n0nwo]

I never doubted you for a moment congrats on /AG

Minton

[KC2PFV]

Hi,

Thanks guys. I'm really enjoying access to all the new bands. What a blast to have so much spectrum to play with now. All you guys who are WAITING for the FCC to drop the code are REALLY missing out on some good fun! Learn the code and be done with it! It will be the most worthwhile thing you have done in a while! It's not that hard. Just use G4FON to learn the different letters, numbers and prosigns and then use aa9pw.com for practice qsos. You can do it in 2 weeks or less if you put your mind too it. I took a little longer because I would only practice every couple days. I wasn't very strict with myself. But near the end I started practicing everyday to reassure myself and one day it just became as clear as glass for me.

73,

TOM KC2PFV

[KI4PEQ]

http://smiley.onegreatguy.net/allhail.gif

Congratulations!

[KM5FL]

Quote[/b] (KC2PFV @ Nov. 16 2006,16:33)]Hi,

Thanks guys. I'm really enjoying access to all the new bands. What a blast to have so much spectrum to play with now. All you guys who are WAITING for the FCC to drop the code are REALLY missing out on some good fun! Learn the code and be done with it! It will be the most worthwhile thing you have done in a while! It's not that hard.
73,

TOM KC2PFV
That, my friends, is the voice of experience.. I couldn't have said it better myself..

Congratulations Tom KC2PFV/AG

de KM5FL

[n2nh]

Quote[/b] (KC2PFV @ Nov. 15 2006,22:06)]Hi,

Guess what, I PASSED!

That was EASY as hell!

I froze up a little in the beginning on the CW, but eventually I got comfortable and was copying well. I passed the written with only one wrong.

Now I'm a General, next - EXTRA!

73,

-KC2PFV
Congratulations and Welcome to the HF bands and the very interesting cw spectrum. If you study, the Extra will be just as easy. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[KC0NBW]

try taking the extra test on qrz and then study the manual to learn the parts that you are weak on ! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[kd4mxe]

Quote[/b] (KC2PFV @ Nov. 15 2006,20:06)]Hi,

Guess what, I PASSED!

That was EASY as hell!

I froze up a little in the beginning on the CW, but eventually I got comfortable and was copying well. I passed the written with only one wrong.

Now I'm a General, next - EXTRA!

73,

-KC2PFV
ok #tom # you did it #thats the name of the game #go for it and do it , if you care for the code or #not #that,s #up to you , you did it #good luck #to you #hope #to talk to you one day , congratulation,s 73 Bill kd4mxe http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[N9FE]

PFV: Good job, see now you never have to do that again, my only advice is keep studying, if you stop for a year like i did, you will have a much harder time going for your extra, keep your brain in gear as they say, N9FE

[KC0NBW]

don't let the extra scare you !

i got back into ham radio back in 2002 by getting the general in april or so, then i started studying and got the extra in early june.

it was not the easiest test, but not the hardest i ever faced either. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[ky5u]

Congratulations. You'll always be glad you did it this way!!

[w7lpn]

If you miss one put a dash or something to let you know you've got a missing character, so you can fill in the missing one later. Okl-hom- #Oklahoma, Right?


Hey! Congrats! I'll be doin' it in about 3 weeks.