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HAM Radio Amateur Technician License Class and Test

Discussion in 'AP/FPV' started by Golden Child, Mar 18, 2012.

  1. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    Hello everyone,

    My name is Mike Golden and I am a member of the Rogue Valley Flyers. There is a good group of us on this forum that are interested in/currently flying FPV aircraft. If you aren't already aware, the FCC requires a HAM radio operators license. There are three levels of this licensing: Technician, General, Extra. The one required is the first level - Amateure Technician. There are several instructors in the RVF that are certified to teach and administer the test for this license.
    If you are interested in taking a class and getting your license, please let me know in this thread and I will get an instructor lined-up and we can set a time/place that will work for everyone. I don't know how long the class runs for - hours, days? But if you are interested in FPV, you need this license. I will talk with one of the instructors later today and get more info and post it here. Hope to hear from you all soon. Mike.
  2. Pelagic Pilot

    Pelagic Pilot Registered

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    Good topic Mike, also there are a few hams on this forum as well that can help answer some questions. Some info I can offer is that the Tech class does NOT require any Morse Code at all, that seems to scare a lot of people away, Tech level allows you to use any of the VHF+ bands or any of the Internet modes. As far as the study for testing what worked for me was to read ALL of the current test questions from the study book, and ONLY read the correct answer, this programmed the mind to pick the correct answer during the test due to association from the study.
  3. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    Good point Tyson. Morse Code is not required for any of the three levels of exams anymore, so anyone riding the fence because of that will be able to rest easy :) As for the study book, another great idea! Do you have a local source for people to get the book in order to "be prepared"?
    HAM operators, please chime in with your thoughts/experiences in getting your license. Thanks ;D
  4. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    I just found a site that has a free download of practice exam questions. I installed the software and it looks pretty good. If interested the link is below ;)

    http://www.n3fjp.com/

    Under "Specialty Software" click on "Amateur Exam Study Program". Download and install the program and enjoy :)
  5. GPS

    GPS Registered

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    I am interested.  Do either of you have links to the study materials or the tests themselves?
  6. GPS

    GPS Registered

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    LOL.  I was posting at the same time as you Mike.  How about some love for people who don't use Micro$oft Windows.
  7. Pelagic Pilot

    Pelagic Pilot Registered

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    Back in the day, 1992, all we had was them paper books  ;) no internet, so the defacto standard was the Radio Shack series of books with input from ARRL and Gordon West. Looks like they still have this book:

    http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12293419

    It has ALL the possible questions, and you have to know them ALL because they pull about 25% (Not sure what amount anymore) of those at random to make up the actual test.

    A few links to non RC related things you can do with Tech class:

    APRS
    http://aprs.fi

    Echolink
    http://www.echolink.org

    IRLP
    http://www.irlp.net

    Winlink
    http://www.winlink.org
  8. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    Here are a few links describing what/how many questions on the exam, and where to get the study book online. Haven't heard back from the instructors I emailed early this morning, but will post that info when I get it. Hopefully a local source for the book is available.

    http://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com/which-exam.htm
    http://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com/?gclid=CJyRzou88K4CFQOEhwodzA7Jng
    http://www.hamtestonline.com/question_pools/technician_2010/index.htm
  9. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    Did a quick google search for HAM radio software for Linux platform, result below ;)

    http://www.dxzone.com/catalog/Software/Linux/

    Doesn't look like there are any Technician License specific programs available, but may be some good info on the basics ???
  10. GPS

    GPS Registered

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    Thank you.  There are tons of interesting resources on that page.  Good find.
  11. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    Here is a link to Barnes and Noble Bookstores' offerings for HAM Radio License Manuals:

    http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/ham-radio-license?keyword=ham+radio+license&store=allproducts
  12. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    Just ordered two books from B&N. Real inexpensive and free shipping too!

    Attached Files:

  13. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    An update regarding exam times/locations:
    The loacal ARRL (HAM Radio) club is called the Southern Oregon Amateur Radio Club (SOARC). Their website is www.soarc.org
    Take some time to visit their website and look around. Lots of great info, and it turns out I already know several of them ;) Great group of hobbyists! On their site you can find a schedule for upcoming exam dates and contact information for instructors and other people eager to lend a helping hand to those willing to learn! The next exam date is:

    EXAM SESSION
    05/18/2012
    Sponsor: SOARC
    Date: May 18 2012
    Time: 6:30 PM (Walk-ins allowed)
    Contact: John William. Stubbe
    (541) 218-2244
    Email: baldeagle2@clearwire.net
    VEC: ARRL/VEC
    Location: Fruitdale Grange
    1440 Parkdale Dr
    Grants Pass OR 97527-5288

    I sent an email to John Stubbe (above) but haven't heard back from him yet. Another great link is below with tons of great info and resources...

    http://www.arrl.org/exam_sessions/grants-pass-or-97527-5288-6
  14. Tiger

    Tiger Registered

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    Wow - So we're going to have a bunch of hams in this group to!  This place gets more like home every day. :) 

    I'm really glad to see the FPV'ers step up for the ticket.  It would be easy not to do it, but it's better to do it the right way.  This is great!

    PP - So you've had your license since '92?  I should have guessed it for you.  :)

    ...Tiger
  15. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    Thanks for chiming in Tiger :D Great to have some people with experience lend their insight. Yes, the whole reason for this thread is for those of us looking into FPV to start out right ;) So again, please, everyone, feel free to share your thoughts and experiences.  ;D ;D ;D
  16. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    I went to the SOARC club meeting on Tuesday and met John Stubbe. He informed me there is no class to prep for the test. But The book I ordered from B&N "Ham Radio License Manual - Level 1 Technician" is the official study manual. I got the book yesterday and have aleady gone through the exam questions section twice :) I found another online source to take the practice exam - GPS, this will work for you as it runs in your browser ;)

    http://www.eham.net/exams/

    There are LOTS of questions. So far my best score is 80% (74% is passing). Gotta go study some more! The people I met at the club meeting all agreed that being ready for the test on May 18th was very do-able. Link for the study manual is below :)

    http://search.barnesandnoble.com/ARRL-Ham-Radio-License-Manual/ARRL/e/9780872590977?x=36072203

    I ordered on Sunday the 18th, it shipped Monday th 19th, and arrived Wednesday the 21st. GREAT service! Cost was $20.50 plus shipping - if you order $25 or more, shipping is FREE ;)
  17. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    Well, the exam date was the 18th of May (yesterday), and because of my much overloaded work schedule I was unable to take my Technician exam :( I have been doing so well on my practice tests too - very bummed! The next exam date is June 30th in White City. I will try to make that one for sure as I would like to be all setup and ready for some FPV flying at our club's big annual float fly in July :D :D
  18. N485TG

    N485TG Registered

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    I dont really care for tests but I do need a Ham Lic for my FPV setup. So i guess check out that Ham club to see when the next test or tests will be?
  19. Tiger

    Tiger Registered

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    For what it's worth, I think the inexpensive book is a lot better than any on-line option.  Might be nice to take a practice test on-line, but I'd study with a book.  It's nice to be able to highlight things and stick post-its in places.  It also has the advantage that you can take it with you anywhere.  If you're stuck in the car while you're wife is in the market, you can whip it out and study for a few minutes. :) 

    I'd also like to suggest that people do what they can to actually learn some of this stuff.  You can memorize the test, but that won't help you when you actually go to do something.  Ham Radio is an awesome hobby and to really get all that it has to offer, you need to understand some theory.  Even if your only interest at the moment is FPV, I can assure you that you will be much more successful and enjoy it much more if you understand what you're doing.

    ...Tiger  WA6IKO    www.qrz.com/db/?callsign=wa6iko&skey=PA/0N7BV/P&page=740
  20. Tiger

    Tiger Registered

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    Was on QRZ.COM today and see they have on-line practice tests.  Check it out at http://www.qrz.com/ht/  Note that you don't have to have your license to open a qrz account.  After you get your license they will change your registration to your new call letters.

    ...Tiger

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