View Full Version : General Exam
I haven't really studied electronics since I got my technician license in 1993. I'm getting close to knowing enough Morse Code to pass the Element 1 so I figured I'd give a general class practice test a try.
My first score was : 30/35 = 85.7%
Is the test really that easy? Many of my correct answers were educated guesses, but I was shocked. I did pass the general written exam in 1993, I seemed to remember that it was a lot harder.
Joe
ke4pjw
10-19-2005, 03:59 PM
Have you learned more about amateur radio in the past 12 years?
I thought I had forgotten most of what I learned back then. I don't know ohms law anymore, but I got the question right (something about 400 volts into 200 ohms = how many watts, I forget exactly, but one of the answers was a perfect multiple). Again, common sense and educated guesses, plus maybe knowing about how many feet a 1/2 wave is for most bands was all I used to pass. I'm almost ashamed of myself.
KA4DPO
10-19-2005, 04:20 PM
Quote[/b] (N3PAQ @ Oct. 19 2005,08:57)]I haven't really studied electronics since I got my technician license in 1993. #I'm getting close to knowing enough Morse Code to pass the Element 1 so I figured I'd give a general class practice test a try.
My first score was : 30/35 = 85.7%
Is the test really that easy? #Many of my correct answers were educated guesses, but I was shocked. #I did pass the general written exam in 1993, I seemed to remember that it was a lot harder.
Joe
In a word, YES.
N5PVL
10-19-2005, 05:25 PM
I think ke4pjw has a good question. It's amazing what you pick up by osmosis, just hanging around other hams.
wb7dmx
10-19-2005, 05:28 PM
take the test at least 20 times, and see what the adverage score is then, you will see a better pattern of the areas that you may need to study more.
taking the test just one time will not really tell you anything as there are many more questions that may be on the test and you will not see all 250 of them doing it just one time.
N5PVL
10-19-2005, 05:53 PM
So true! #My son is studying for his tech, and regularly takes practice tests online to see how he is coming along. Every now and then he will score unusually high or low, and on a follow-up try it will go back to his current average.
I guess it's a 'luck of the draw' kind of situation.
When I took my general, I really had to cram for it. While taking my tech+ exam, I decided to take a practice run at the 13wpm code exam, just to get familiarized and see what it was like. - But my plans all went awry when I accidently passed the code exam! ( I was really only good for 10wpm or so. )
After that, I felt obligated to go ahead and take the written for general at the next opportunity so it was back to the books, just when I was ready to rest on my laurels as a new tech+.
As I remember I had to study, but not as much as I expected as the two exams were not really all that different. ( Back then, at any rate. )
KD7WHQ
10-20-2005, 03:37 AM
And I'll echo the "yes".
I studied for Novice in the mid 70's, and it was a cruise through the test, even though I haven't been through the material in 20 years.
The theory never changes.
The only hang points were the the "new" bandplans, and the exposure bits.
But, I did pass the first practice test I took, cold..
w4ass
10-20-2005, 04:07 AM
Quote[/b] (KD7WHQ @ Oct. 19 2005,23:37)]And I'll echo the "yes".
I studied for Novice in the mid 70's, and it was a cruise through the test, even though I haven't been through the material in 20 years.
The theory never changes.
The only hang points were the the "new" bandplans, and the exposure bits.
But, I did pass the first practice test I took, cold..
sorry , ill have to trump that yes with a big no, and agree with wb7dmx, ive been studying the general for a month now , on line an can pass 3 or 4 in a row , then bam!!, all of a sudden ill get questions ive never seen before , so id say no
73's bob
ki4ltg
Quote[/b] (ki4ltg @ Oct. 19 2005,21:07)]sorry , ill have to trump that yes with a big no, and agree with wb7dmx, ive been studying the general for a month now , on line an can pass 3 or 4 in a row , then bam!!, all of a sudden ill get questions ive never seen before , so id say no
It doesn't sound like you are really studying for your General at all! I would appear as if you are just trying to memorize the answers rather than actually learn about ham radio.
Either you haven't been taking enough tests or the source of your online testing is not mixing up the questions well enough.
If you just want to memorize the answers, go to the ARRL website at http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/pools.html. You can download a text version or .pdf version with ALL of the questions and answers.
kb3mng
10-20-2005, 06:18 AM
I have the technician and general class study manuals, and it seems to me that there is a lot in common. The general class material talks a lot more about HF propagation, but if you've already got technician, you've still seen a lot of it before.
When I prepared for the technician test, I didn't use any of the various sample tests. Instead, I answered EVERY question in the pool. I then used the set of questions that I got wrong to identify which chapters of the study guide I needed to review. I did the whole question pool 2 or 3 times, then concentrated only on the sections covering questions that I was not consistently getting right.
The objective is not to memorize the answers, but to identify areas of the study material that you need to concentrate on. For the long term, you want to know the answers even to the questions that don't show up on the random test page you are given. The test questions make a handy checklist.
I find it much easier to understand the material than to memorize the answers to the test questions.
How hard any test is will depend on your background. I personally found the general class test to be very easy, but I already knew a lot about electronics and radio from before I came to amateur radio. I certainly have nothing bad to say about somebody who finds the test difficult.
So I guess my points are:
- It might well be that easy for you, but not necessarily for everybody.
- It wouldn't hurt to run through the whole question pool to see that you really know it all.
VE7NOT
10-20-2005, 06:29 AM
In canada we have it esier now as no code is required however our written exams are harder i've been told...
Started as a dumb kid wanting a CB (wanted to be cool like burt reynolds) http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Got one cb got many, learned through trial and error and reading mostly about elctronincs... has an elmer friend...
Passed my ham test first time only three years after keying a cb mike...
now i think that given the us tests are easier and more multiple choice a simple basic procedure was is what is needed.. start at beginning I know and elcetron is this etc...... and that means e over I and R etc... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif and that means micro henrys (I lost it on capacitence and inductance)
and most important though are rules and regs as well as station ops.. these are 90% of a hams life after the licence is on their wall.
Mimicks 'bob: Baby steps to electrons.... baby steps to ohms law etc.
My average has dropped down to about 69 after taking 4 more tests. Still, not bad. The better news is, I'm copying 95% or so of the 26 letters + period I've learned so far of Morse Code. I've been doing all my studying at 10 wpm. I might actually be ready to test on Saturday.
kc7jty
10-20-2005, 05:38 PM
Its not rocket science. I passed a qrz practice test cold turkey with 77% about a month ago.
kc7jty
10-20-2005, 05:41 PM
Quote[/b] (VE7NOT @ Oct. 19 2005,00:29)]In canada we have it esier now as no code is required however our written exams are harder i've been told...
Started as a dumb kid wanting a CB (wanted to be cool like burt reynolds) #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Got one cb got many, learned through trial and error and reading mostly about elctronincs... has an elmer friend...
Passed my ham test first time only three years after keying a cb mike...
now i think that given the us tests are easier and more multiple choice a simple basic procedure was is what is needed.. start at beginning I know and elcetron is this etc...... and that means e over I and R etc... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif #and that means micro henrys (I lost it on capacitence and inductance)
and most important though are rules and regs as well as station ops.. these are 90% of a hams life after the licence is on their wall. #
Mimicks 'bob: #Baby steps to electrons.... baby steps to ohms law etc.
It is an honor to be in your presence. I always feel intellectually challenged reading your posts.
Quote[/b] ]It would appear as if you are just trying to memorize the answers rather than actually learn about ham radio.
Good lord NO!
If that were true it would mean everyone who've passed the tests since 2000 aren't really qualified and that CAN'T be true.
Quote[/b] (AC0H @ Oct. 20 2005,11:34)]Quote[/b] ]It would appear as if you are just trying to memorize the answers rather than actually learn about ham radio.
Good lord NO!
If that were true it would mean everyone who've passed the tests since 2000 aren't really qualified and that CAN'T be true.
NO!!!!! That means everyone who passed their tests since the FCC decided to allow the test pools, complete with the answers, to be published aren't really qualified!
Truth be told, I am in the very same boat with the rest of youz guys even though I took my last test back in 1995. And yes, I did memorize some of the answers to some of the questions, but I did not get on the Internet telling people how hard the tests were because I was ambushed by some questions I had not seen before! That just means he has a lousy memory or hasn't seen all the questions.
K0RGR
10-20-2005, 08:43 PM
If you've been on the air for 12 years, you should have learned enough to pass your General by now.
Remember that once upon a time not long ago, the Tech and the General exams were the same test, and they still have a lot in common.
We've had several folks take our 2-day Tech class and pass both the Tech and General written with very little additional study. If you really know the Tech material (as opposed to memorizing the questions) and learn the General bands and the material on power supplies, I strongly expect you'll pass - at least that's been the way it's been going for those who've tried around here. I've got 8 more trying the Tech tonight - we'll see if any take and pass the General, too.
But as PVL pointed out, you can get a Tech exam that's a killer, too. It's possible to get all 35 of the stinker questions that I don't even agree with the answer to on the same exam. It happened to my son the first time he took the test. He was getting 85% or better every time he took the practice tests. Totally bombed the real thing. As far as we could tell, the test he got had nothing but 'stinker' questions on it. Took it again a couple weeks later, and passed it easily.
kc0vrs
10-20-2005, 08:47 PM
ahhh yes the General theory, that is what I am working on. I should get the study guide. I already have the 5wpm done with.
wb7dmx
10-20-2005, 09:18 PM
heck, having the questions and answeres published is nothing new,
back in 1960 the FCC second class commerical exam was as published in all the study guides I have used, they even gave a very clear example as to why the answere was the correct one.
N0KLT
10-20-2005, 09:23 PM
If you have been in radio for awhile the new general test is not all that hard. If you are a relative newcomer, I would imagine the test is somewhat harder for you. After a number of years of being active in radio you should absorb enough to pass the test with no problem. I took my novice and tech test back in '89 and was quite happy playing in the vhf/uhf and upwards bands. A few years ago I got the bug to upgrade and after a little studying of the freq. limits and rules for the General class I decided one evening to run over to a local VE session just to see how I would do on the test and see what I needed to study for and was pleasantly surprised to find out I passed the test. I don't remember if I ever found out how many I missed or not, but by using some common sense and what I had picked up over the years, I passed the test with little or no problem. Then I let the VEs talk me into one of those 'while you are here it won't cost anything for you to try the Extra test' deals and after a little persauding I went ahead, against my better judgement, and took the test. Good grief, I could not believe how little I knew and how badly I flunked that test. It PO'd off enough to flunk a test that badly that it drove me into a fit of intense studying after obtaining the study guides and book the next day and at the next session I passed the test just to prove to myself I could learn the stuff. I had no intention nor intense desire to become an Extra but it became one of those things I had to prove to myself that I could do. I don't pretend to think that the test I passed was anywhere near as hard as some of the tests the older Advanced and Extra ops passed, esp those taken and passed before the FCC examiners, but then I also don't try to pass myself off as a great tech expert or all knowing individual just because my ticket on the wall says Extra.
The point is tho, if you know the stuff, whether you learned it by doing and picked up the info along the way, or if you learned it from a book last week, the test is relatively easy. If you don't know it, then it is hard.
w1gfh
10-21-2005, 01:25 AM
Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Oct. 20 2005,10:38)]Its not rocket science. I passed a qrz practice test cold turkey with 77% about a month ago.
Did you try passing the CW test cold turkey - and how did you do?
K0RGR
10-21-2005, 01:44 PM
Well, our test session was a little disappointing last night. We had our first adult student fail the Tech. He said he'd been sick since the end of class, and hadn't studied at all. We had someone that didn't take our class who drove in from 100 miles away to take the test, and failed. Our other students either got 100% or missed one question on the Tech. At least 3 of them tried the General without having studied for it, and came close to passing, but nobody actually passed it this time. They all agreed that if they'd studied the sections on power supplies and the General band edges, they probably would have passed.
ai4ep
10-21-2005, 02:27 PM
test was waay too easy.....I passed it.
kc7jty
10-21-2005, 05:18 PM
Quote[/b] (w1gfh @ Oct. 19 2005,19:25)]Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Oct. 20 2005,10:38)]Its not rocket science. I passed a qrz practice test cold turkey with 77% about a month ago.
Did you try passing the CW test cold turkey - and how did you do?
OK smart *ss.....the answer to that one is NO. I never passed, nor did I ever attempt to pass a Morse proficiency test. Its too bad all Morse testing will be history in the near future. I'll bet it irks the crap out of you boys to know that my position on Morse all along is also now shared by the FCC. DUMP IT. No code extra here I come.
kc7jty
10-21-2005, 05:22 PM
Quote[/b] (ai4ep @ Oct. 20 2005,08:27)]test was waay too easy.....I passed it.
Thats proof huh?
ai4ep
10-21-2005, 06:39 PM
yep...and the code test was easier than the written.
kf6rdn
10-21-2005, 06:53 PM
Quote[/b] (w1gfh @ Oct. 20 2005,18:25)]Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Oct. 20 2005,10:38)]Its not rocket science. I passed a qrz practice test cold turkey with 77% about a month ago.
Did you try passing the CW test cold turkey - and how did you do?
What do you do when you stop eating cold turkey?
"Did you stop eating turkey cold CW"?
w1gfh
10-22-2005, 05:31 AM
Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Oct. 21 2005,10:18)]Quote[/b] (w1gfh @ Oct. 19 2005,19:25)]Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Oct. 20 2005,10:38)]Its not rocket science. I passed a qrz practice test cold turkey with 77% about a month ago.
Did you try passing the CW test cold turkey - and how did you do?
OK smart *ss.....the answer to that one is NO. I never passed, nor did I ever attempt to pass a Morse proficiency test. Its too bad all Morse testing will be history in the near future. I'll bet it irks the crap out of you boys to know that my position on Morse all along is also now shared by the FCC. DUMP IT. No code extra here I come.
OK, didn't mean to be a smart ass. But your post reminded me of a CB forum I read recently where the members were loudly bragging about taking QRZ practice exams and passing "without ever cracking a book". The gist of the conversation was to devalue the ham license and ham radio with it, as if they were "too smart" for the hobby. I found it rather sad. I wondered if they'd be bragging about their score on the morse test if they took it without studying. But apparently they didn't study - or - take the test because they found morse "useless" like the rest of ham radio. Of course, they would take a ham license just for kicks if it was given to them, but expending any effort at all to get it was out of the question. I have to wonder about such individuals who feel that they know everything there is to know, and what they don't know isn't worth knowing. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
n5xtr
10-22-2005, 06:32 AM
I was on CB for a couple years. Experimenting with antennas and beams and such. A friend gave me the 1979 amatuer radio operators guide That he found in a yard sale for a nickel. The info that i learned from that plus the tech study guide really helped. Of course then all of the radio rambo's drove most off of the air, so I took the tech test and scored 100%(been reading them for 7 to 8 months). But I love talking on 2m and 70 cm. So now i only talk on CB to sell the equipment. And I still get the famous "shut up stupid" while on 11m. But Amatuer Radio has been really inviting to me and I enjoy every QSO like it was the day i got my ticket. But as you can tell it was just a few days ago HAHA.
kc7jty
10-22-2005, 06:35 PM
Quote[/b] (kf6rdn @ Oct. 20 2005,12:53)]What do you do when you stop eating cold turkey?
"Did you stop eating turkey cold CW"?
Is this you talking or are you taking cues from that meth induced cat?
kc7jty
10-22-2005, 06:41 PM
Quote[/b] (w1gfh @ Oct. 20 2005,23:31)]because they found morse "useless" like the rest of ham radio.
I don't find Morse OR ham radio useless. I'm simply not interested in learning or using Morse. Many share my position. Thats life....you have to accept the fact that everyone is not exactly like you.
w1gfh
10-22-2005, 08:51 PM
Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Oct. 22 2005,11:41)]Quote[/b] (w1gfh @ Oct. 20 2005,23:31)]because they found morse "useless" like the rest of ham radio.
I don't find Morse OR ham radio useless. I'm simply not interested in learning or using Morse. Many share my position. Thats life....you have to accept the fact that everyone is not exactly like you.
No problem. I appreciate the differences in people.
Just think, if you are this crabby and difficult now - imagine what you'll be like when you're an old fart.
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
kc7jty
10-23-2005, 07:47 PM
Quote[/b] (w1gfh @ Oct. 21 2005,14:51)]Just think, if you are this crabby and difficult now - imagine what you'll be like when you're an old fart.
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Thanks for the shot in the arm, but what makes you think I'm not an "old fart" already?
BTW: Took the general test exam again yesterday and got another 77%. I did it in 14 minutes.
KA4DPO
10-23-2005, 07:56 PM
Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Oct. 23 2005,12:47)]Quote[/b] (w1gfh @ Oct. 21 2005,14:51)]Just think, if you are this crabby and difficult now - imagine what you'll be like when you're an old fart.
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Thanks for the shot in the arm, but what makes you think I'm not an "old fart" already?
BTW: Took the general test exam again yesterday and got another 77%. I did it in 14 minutes.
Wow 77 %, I took it 30 years ago and aced it. #I took the advanced test the same day and aced it too. #Difference is, mine was for real, how about yours?
Flame on.
W3MIV
10-23-2005, 08:03 PM
Quote[/b] (KA4DPO @ Oct. 23 2005,15:56)]Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Oct. 23 2005,12:47)]Quote[/b] (w1gfh @ Oct. 21 2005,14:51)]Just think, if you are this crabby and difficult now - imagine what you'll be like when you're an old fart.
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Thanks for the shot in the arm, but what makes you think I'm not an "old fart" already?
BTW: Took the general test exam again yesterday and got another 77%. I did it in 14 minutes.
Wow 77 %, I took it 30 years ago and aced it. #I took the advanced test the same day and aced it too. #Difference is, mine was for real, how about yours?
Flame on.
Don't pick on him. He has issues.
kc7jty
10-24-2005, 11:09 PM
Quote[/b] (KA4DPO @ Oct. 22 2005,13:56)]Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Oct. 23 2005,12:47)]Quote[/b] (w1gfh @ Oct. 21 2005,14:51)]Just think, if you are this crabby and difficult now - imagine what you'll be like when you're an old fart.
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Thanks for the shot in the arm, but what makes you think I'm not an "old fart" already?
BTW: Took the general test exam again yesterday and got another 77%. I did it in 14 minutes.
Wow 77 %, I took it 30 years ago and aced it. #I took the advanced test the same day and aced it too. #Difference is, mine was for real, how about yours?
Flame on.
I have a hunch you studied for it to do the ace thing. I din't.
BTW: I aced the Novice AND Tech exams in 1995. Yes I studied for them, a whole combined 5 hours.
kc7jty
10-24-2005, 11:11 PM
Quote[/b] (W3MIV @ Oct. 22 2005,14:03)]Don't pick on him. He has issues.
Isn't it wonderfull to know who you are and have an opinion on just about everything? Puts you at odds with the average mass produced American now don't it?
w1gfh
10-25-2005, 02:33 PM
Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Oct. 24 2005,16:09)]Quote[/b] (KA4DPO @ Oct. 22 2005,13:56)]Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Oct. 23 2005,12:47)]Quote[/b] (w1gfh @ Oct. 21 2005,14:51)]Just think, if you are this crabby and difficult now - imagine what you'll be like when you're an old fart.
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Thanks for the shot in the arm, but what makes you think I'm not an "old fart" already?
BTW: Took the general test exam again yesterday and got another 77%. I did it in 14 minutes.
Wow 77 %, I took it 30 years ago and aced it. #I took the advanced test the same day and aced it too. #Difference is, mine was for real, how about yours?
Flame on.
I have a hunch you studied for it to do the ace thing. I din't.
BTW: I aced the Novice AND Tech exams in 1995. Yes I studied for them, a whole combined 5 hours.
Someone has to explain to me the point of the "I passed the exam without studying" competition.
Are you trying to express...
(a) you're smarter than the other guy who had to study
(b) you "got something for nothing" and it's really cool
© you think the exams are too easy and should be harder
(d) you're proud you made the absolute minimum effort
kc7jty
10-25-2005, 05:35 PM
Quote[/b] (w1gfh @ Oct. 24 2005,08:33)]Someone has to explain to me the point of the "I passed the exam without studying" competition.
Are you trying to express...
(a) #you're smarter than the other guy who had to study
(b) #you "got something for nothing" and it's really cool
© # you think the exams are too easy and should be harder
(d) #you're proud you made the absolute minimum effort
Responses to:
# # # (a) Seems plausable.
# # # (b) Hardly.....the tests are $14 now. And I didn't get # #
# # # # # #anything tangible with just the practice test.
# # # © Even I could go along with this one.
# # # (d) This one has some merit although for some reason #
# # # # # #bragging outright about it would probably not take #
# # # # # #place because of its negative social undertones.
I would like to add an "(e)" to your list that you may have quite possibly forgotten:
# # # (e) You know things like this get some of our (especially us extra/20s) panties all wadded up.
w1gfh
10-26-2005, 02:30 AM
Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Oct. 25 2005,10:35)]Quote[/b] (w1gfh @ Oct. 24 2005,08:33)]Someone has to explain to me the point of the "I passed the exam without studying" competition.
Are you trying to express...
(a) #you're smarter than the other guy who had to study
(b) #you "got something for nothing" and it's really cool
© # you think the exams are too easy and should be harder
(d) #you're proud you made the absolute minimum effort
Responses to:
# # # (a) Seems plausable.
# # # (b) Hardly.....the tests are $14 now. And I didn't get # #
# # # # # #anything tangible with just the practice test.
# # # © Even I could go along with this one.
# # # (d) This one has some merit although for some reason #
# # # # # #bragging outright about it would probably not take #
# # # # # #place because of its negative social undertones.
I would like to add an "(e)" to your list that you may have quite possibly forgotten:
# # # (e) You know things like this get some of our (especially us extra/20s) panties all wadded up.
Oh! [smacks forehead] So you're just trolling!
Duh! And I took the bait. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
kc7jty
10-26-2005, 05:16 PM
Quote[/b] (w1gfh @ Oct. 24 2005,20:30)]Oh! [smacks forehead] So you're just trolling!
Duh! And I took the bait. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Do you wish to be pan fried or baked?
KC9GUZ
10-28-2005, 06:27 PM
I took the Gen. written last summer and passed it with no problem after studying the Gordon west books and doing tests online. The problem i now have is retaining the code enough to take the code test in a few weeks!! ARRGH!http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
Now before some of you get on your soapbox and accuse me of being a lazy Tech that doesnt want to study code, and wants a free ride im gonna say this, the code for a person that has never done it before is NOT easy to learn and get used to. No im not lazy or want something for nothing, but lately I have been struggling. People say the code is easy. To someone that started studying code cold tirkey its not that easy. I have been using several methods to study including Code Quick, ARRL tapes and the Koch method on my computer. They all do work but i get characters confused and stumble. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
kc7jty
10-28-2005, 10:55 PM
Quote[/b] (KC9GUZ @ Oct. 27 2005,12:27)]I took the Gen. written last summer and passed it with no problem after studying the Gordon west books and doing tests online. The problem i now have is retaining the code enough to take the code test in a few weeks!! ARRGH!http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
Now before some of you get on your soapbox and accuse me of being a lazy Tech that doesnt want to study code, and wants a free ride im gonna say this, the code for a person that has never done it before is NOT easy to learn and get used to. No im not lazy or want something for nothing, but lately I have been struggling. People say the code is easy. To someone that started studying code cold tirkey its not that easy. I have been using several methods to study including Code Quick, ARRL tapes and the Koch method on my computer. They all do work but i get characters confused and stumble. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
Don't linger. They will be dropping the Morse test in a couple months.
ai4ep
10-28-2005, 11:49 PM
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
These amateur radio tests can not be THAT hard...I passed all of them.
(( mebbe they should make them harder ))
w5alt
10-29-2005, 02:24 AM
Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Oct. 28 2005,18:55)]Don't linger. They will be dropping the Morse test in a couple months.
So goes the spread of misinformation.
Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Oct. 28 2005,15:55)]Don't linger. They will be dropping the Morse test in a couple months.
While you wait "a couple of months" for the code test to be dropped, I will be on the air making contacts!
Gee, there's a concept!
kc7jty
10-29-2005, 05:45 PM
Quote[/b] (w5alt @ Oct. 27 2005,20:24)]Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Oct. 28 2005,18:55)]Don't linger. They will be dropping the Morse test in a couple months.
So goes the spread of misinformation.
and he who laughs last laughs best.
KC9GUZ
10-31-2005, 05:21 AM
Weather they (the FCC) kills the requirement or not im still trying (and trying to FIND the time in my busy life to study) to study to take my exam. I dought the FCC will do away with the code in a few months it'll be more like a year. In that time i can get some code in my head and learn enough to get a passing grade on the test. Im thinking ill take the test in a few weeks and if i pass or not thats no biggie. Besides, i can take it for free as it is an "upgrade" thats valid for a year from the time i took my written General. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
w5alt
10-31-2005, 12:55 PM
Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Oct. 29 2005,13:45)]Quote[/b] (w5alt @ Oct. 27 2005,20:24)]Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Oct. 28 2005,18:55)]Don't linger. They will be dropping the Morse test in a couple months.
So goes the spread of misinformation.
and he who laughs last laughs best.
Laughing is easy and requires no effort. Maybe that's why you brought it up? If you're so sure of your prediction, since it's apparently not worth your effort to learn a skill or even the difference between CW and PSK31, why not put some money on it?
How much you want to bet that CW testing is still here on 1 Jan 2006 or 1 Feb 2006? That's a couple of months, right? I'll probably have about 2000 - 3000 more HF QSO's in the log book by then.
73,
Walt, W5ALT
When some "learn it by rote" Tech sticks his hand on the high voltage power supply of his linear amplifier because he had no idea how much of a jolt it could deliver and ends up pushing up daisies at the local granite farm, who is going to be laughing then ?
I swear that the tests are getting too easy to work for, and the ultimate losers are going to be the ones who have NO IDEA what, and why, they are "playing radio" !
That is why I still am sticking around to answer questions like "how do I build a dipole" ? If I can keep one NCT or Extra Lite from frying himself because of his ignorance , I will have accomplished something in my life !
Not being proud or stuck up - - - that's just the way it is !
73, Jim
KC9GUZ
10-31-2005, 06:43 PM
Well some of us "no nothing about anything" NCT's know enough NOT to stick our petty paws on anything that has 2000 or whatever volts going across a plate. Just because one is a NCT doesnt nesessarily mean that person is dumb or ignorant. Ive tinkered and helped others work on enough radio related gear over the years that i know better than to stick my hands were they dont belong. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
I only have a issue with the upper classmen in ham radio that think all NCT's are ignorant SOBs that dont have a clue about anything radio related.
Im off my soapbox....... 73's!http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
ac0fd
11-01-2005, 06:14 PM
KC9GUZ, where did you get the information that a test was free?? I thought you had to pay everytime you took a test? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
WA2DYA
11-01-2005, 08:20 PM
I recently served as a VE and couldn't understand why so many applicants failed. So, I went to an online ham test site and took the sample tests. I passed them all but was surprised at how many questions I missed.
You shouldn't need to be an electrical engineer, propagation physicist or communications lawer to become a ham. You do need to study the material to assure passing.
I think most of the questions are realistic with respect to what we need to understand and I have no problem with the tests.
--- CHAS
kc7jty
11-07-2005, 05:10 PM
Quote[/b] (w5alt @ Oct. 30 2005,06:55)]Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Oct. 29 2005,13:45)]Quote[/b] (w5alt @ Oct. 27 2005,20:24)]Quote[/b] (kc7jty @ Oct. 28 2005,18:55)]Don't linger. They will be dropping the Morse test in a couple months.
So goes the spread of misinformation.
and he who laughs last laughs best.
Laughing is easy and requires no effort. Maybe that's why you brought it up? If you're so sure of your prediction, since it's apparently not worth your effort to learn a skill or even the difference between CW and PSK31, why not put some money on it?
How much you want to bet that CW testing is still here on 1 Jan 2006 or 1 Feb 2006? That's a couple of months, right? I'll probably have about 2000 - 3000 more HF QSO's in the log book by then.
73,
Walt, W5ALT
You guys are down to the wire now. With months, weeks, and days to go with your little world still in tact. How about July 1 2006? I got $10 for that one.
And the fact I can consistantly pass the General written without ANY study shows I'm not some numb nut, but rather someone who has a basic knowledge of things radio.
K0RGR
11-07-2005, 06:23 PM
Quote[/b] (KC9GUZ @ Oct. 31 2005,11:43)]Well some of us "no nothing about anything" NCT's know enough NOT to stick our petty paws on anything that has 2000 or whatever volts going across a plate. Just because one is a NCT doesnt nesessarily mean that person is dumb or ignorant. Ive tinkered and helped others work on enough radio related gear over the years that i know better than to stick my hands were they dont belong. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
I only have a issue with the upper classmen in ham radio that think all NCT's are ignorant SOBs that dont have a clue about anything radio related.
Im off my soapbox....... 73's!http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
I'm glad someone agrees with me. I'd like to see a bit more emphasis on the electronics/theory on the test, but that's just my bias. I don't always get 100% on the tests, either. There are some questions that I disagree with.
kc7jty
11-08-2005, 02:00 AM
Hay perros calientes en la parilla para todos.....gratis! Comen bien mis amigos!
ai4ep
11-08-2005, 03:16 AM
The General tests are NOT all that hard, I know since I passed them.
Those who think the tests are too hard, do you want the test made easier, are you special ?
kc7jty
11-08-2005, 07:25 PM
Quote[/b] (ai4ep @ Nov. 06 2005,21:16)]Those who think the tests are too hard, do you want the test made easier, are you special ?
You are the special one around here. Muy especial.
¿Quien esta usando mi WC? ¡No puedo esperar!
Wow, how did this post become such a code / nocode debate?
Yeah, the tests are a little easy, and no, you shouldn’t need to be an electrical engineer to become a ham, but you should know the basics of electronics and circuits, electrical and RF safety, and of course, the rules and regulations. You probably shouldn’t have a ham license if you don’t know what the difference between AM, FM, and SSB is, oh yeah, and the difference between resistance and reactance, etc.
After I took my Element 1 exam, they forced me to take the Element 3, even though I hadn’t studied other than a few practice tests. If I would have known that general class privilege s in the 75/80M band were 3525 - 3750-kHz and 3850 - 4000-kHz and not 3525 - 3750-kHz and 3875 - 4000-kHz. I would have the general license right now, well, that and some other things.
Who pays for ham exams? I didn’t have to pay back in 93, and I didn’t have to pay now, and I doubt I’ll have to pay in the future. Doesn’t the V in VE stand for volunteer?
Now for a little on Morse Code. The code is important to ham radio, dropping it is a way for the ARRL to get more hams (aka members), Icom to sell more HF radios, and NCT’s to have easy access to DX. Here is an idea, for no code access to HF, you must first work 100 grid squares on VHF/UHF.
Really, it’s going to happen, the code will be dropped, maybe they’ll keep it for extra class. I wouldn’t be surprised if we start having 3 kHz SSB QSOs by NCG’s from 3500 to 4000 kHz. Oh, and probably some more horrible PSK31 signals (nothing wrong with PSK but there are many who just can’t seem to put a clean signal on the air with their soundcard). Hopefully, they could change the rules a little giving us plenty of CW only (or narrow band) portions on HF.
73 all,
N3PAQ
Joe
Quote[/b] (N3PAQ @ Nov. 09 2005,11:38)]Who pays for ham exams? #I didn’t have to pay back in 93, and I didn’t have to pay now, and I doubt I’ll have to pay in the future. #Doesn’t the V in VE stand for volunteer?
I got my first license in 1992 and I had to pay. It wasn't much, maybe $4 or $5 I think. Heck, I can't remember what I ate for breakfast this morning!
When you pay at a testing session, you are not paying the volunteers who are giving the tests, you are theoretically reimbursing the VE team and the VEC for their expenses. I have been an ARRL VE since 1995 and they have always received money for each test given. The VE team does not have to keep any of that money, but they have always been allowed to keep a portion of it for their own expenses. If you did not have to pay, then you either had a very generous VE team or it wasn't an ARRL test session. Lucky you!
Oh, and the only way to make sure I will never have to pay again was to upgrade all the way so I would never have to take any more tests!
NØIU
Wow - yeah, I went to the old Westing house museum here in Maryland, one of the clubs holds testing once a month there. Good to know, if I test somewhere else, bring some money http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
w5ljm
11-09-2005, 09:22 PM
Depends on how much knowledge you have right now of theory and/or how good of a memory you may have. I say no, not THAT easy. I had to rely almost solely on memory at the test session. (and it may get harder after the code is dropped.) http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
w5ljm
11-09-2005, 09:40 PM
Quote[/b] (AG3Y @ Oct. 31 2005,02:25)]When some "learn it by rote" Tech sticks his hand on the high voltage power supply of his linear amplifier because he had no idea how much of a jolt it could deliver and ends up pushing up daisies at the local granite farm
Oh, so coded generals and extras have no further lessons to learn in life because they have a higher class licence and morse code knowledge under their belt?
I've heard more "upper class" licenced hams talking about "got zapped yesterday at my rig because I forgot to unplug it before reaching into the chasis".
One is never too experienced or knowlegable(?) to avoid learning a lesson in life.
If I hold an Extra licence and 20 wpm code, I'm never gonna touch a 2000 volt plate. Oh no, not me.
People do stupid things sometimes. (I know from first hand experience http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif )
Larry, check out my signature, and see what I think about learning things. There have been several times I have admitted to learning things even on this forum. Nope, time is never wasted, and the extension of that is that people never stop learning things, either. It's just that getting jolted by 2000 volts could be your final lesson. I hope that never happens!
73, Jim
Quote[/b] (AG3Y @ Nov. 09 2005,15:15)]Larry, check out my signature, and see what I think about learning things. There have been several times I have admitted to learning things even on this forum. Nope, time is never wasted, and the extension of that is that people never stop learning things, either. It's just that getting jolted by 2000 volts could be your final lesson. I hope that never happens!
73, Jim
Yeah, boy is he barking up the wrong tree...
w5ljm
11-10-2005, 11:53 AM
Quote[/b] (AG3Y @ Nov. 09 2005,09:15)]It's just that getting jolted by 2000 volts could be your final lesson. #I hope that never happens!
73, Jim
That's a fact!
Good thing about it is, it only hurts for less than a minute. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Worse shock I've received in my life was from bending down and setting my knee on top of a 220 volt insulated wire which had bare places on it. Lit up my life. Wasn't holding on to anything, so I just fell backward. Leaves a bad taste in one's mouth.