So you would like to be a ham operator?

Ham radio, does anyone know what it is? “Sure, isn’t that the citizens band stuff that truckers use on the highway? Breaker, breaker good buddy, CW McCall and “we got us a convoy” jargon.”

No, ham radio is something all together different.  While the equipment includes a transceiver and a microphone that is about where the similarities end. 

CB radio does not require licensing of any kind.  Back in the 70’s licenses were required but the FCC dropped that requirement and now if you have the money to buy one you can talk on a CB radio.  Since it is unregulated (that may be a little strong) or loosely regulated the rules are pretty informal and topics and language can be for mature audiences only, sometimes. Many folks have gone to the FRS walkie talkies for mobile to mobile and for family outings at amusement parks and other travel venues just because of the language and topics heard on CB’s.  The FRS equipment does not allow much distance so CB radio can be useful if you need longer distances (up to several miles).

Anyway, ham radio requires licensing for all operators and ham equipment is regulated by the FCC and it is self regulated as well. The hobbiest might find this to be something he/she might enjoy doing as they become less mobile with time or situation. This may also be an interesting hobby for those who have a technical gene and like tinkering with stuff just to figure out how it works.

Many might recall the requirements of knowing and using Morse code to become a ham operator.  As of February 2007 there is no longer a requirement to know Morse code to get an amateur radio license. There is still an awful lot of Morse code being used but it is voluntary rather than mandatory.

The FCC has 3 levels of amateur licensing.  They are titled, Technician, General, and Amateur Extra. The Technician level is the entry level and is pretty restrictive (not much band width) but lots of voice and code opportunities. The next level is General and has very liberal frequency privileges.  Almost all of the frequencies are available and most modes (PSK16 and PSK 31, FAX, Slow ScanTV and several other digital modes) are also available. Finally there is Amateur Extra class which has all amateur radio privileges.  The tests become progressively more intensive. The Technician class is not too difficult and is intended to get folks on the radio and having fun.  The other two classes require testing that is more technical in nature and delves into the circuitry and making of antennas and logic components.  Fun stuff.

The purpose of this blog is to discuss the process where by one can move from the Technician license to the General and Extra licenses.

For most of us, the information that is tested is not stuff we already knew.  So there are some real mental hurdles to overcome. You often hear folks say, “I am not good at math.” Those kind of mental blocks can make getting your radio licenses very difficult.  Electronic circuitry and such are brand new to me and while I understand logic (ANDs, ORs and NAND’s etc) calculating RMS values and oscilloscopes, and frequency analyzers were really new. There is also the test anxiety. I don’t know about you but I have not taken a test of any significance (except my drivers license test) since I left grad school. The thought of failing one of these was pretty debilitating! As I sat in the room awaiting testing this past weekend the 25 or so people waiting with me were practically buzzing with test anxiety.

So let me describe the technique I use and that I would recommend to any who wants to pass these tests.

I enjoy using Gordon West’s Ham Radio books for each of the levels. He does a thorough job of reviewing and explaining the material.  The FCC testing is done in a somewhat unique method.  All of the questions that will be on the test are public information. They are maintained in a public question pool.  There are several sites on-line that provide practice tests and let you verify your knowledge before you every go to take the test.

I have found if I read through the all of the questions and answers and explanations once and highlight the correct answer then I can start taking tests on-line. I used WWW.QRZ.COM and I like to take about 10 repetitions. Make sure you are taking a different test each time. I didn’t worry too much about whether I passed or not. The focus is on learning, not on passing.  Then I reread the entire book, reviewing all of the questions and focus only on the right answers. Then I return to the on-line testing until I pass every time.  Once I am passing every time, I find a place to test (here in Kansas City, Associated Radio has handouts in the their store with the various locations where testing occurs and the dates they are held each month) and clear my schedule for that time. In the Kansas City area you can take test on all but the first Saturday of the month and there is even an evening testing session in Independence.  The test fee is $14. You can take the same license test as many times as you wish until you pass, but you have to pay $14 for each test.  However, if you pass the Technician test you can take the General and if you pass that you can take the Extra all for the single fee of $14.  But if you need to repeat the same test then you must pay an additional $14 for each time you take that test.

Keep in mind I indicated that I work on the tests until I PASSthe tests every time. I know there are some type A’s out there that absolutely have to be perfect and not miss any questions.  You will see reviews on-line of folks who took their test months ago and still remember how many they got wrong!  This is obviously a stressful thing, taking these tests.  But I recommend you focus on learning not passing.  After all, this testing is to allow you to operate a radio and you want as much knowledge as possible, so learn all you can and pass the test so you can get on the air. But much like high school there are several topics that may not ever be relevant to your radio experiences. So strive to pass the tests. Knowledge is always good but generating more stress to do perfect is counter productive.

So to summarize:

Read the entire book and highlight the correct answers

Take 10 tests on-line focusing on learning the material

Reread the book focusing only on the correct (highlighted) answers

Take tests on-line until you consistently pass with a score of better than 85%

VE’s (the folks that administer these tests) indicate that your test results will be within 1 or 2  questions of the level you have had on your on-line tests. So if you have been regularly getting 85% you should expect somewhere between 83% – and 87% on your live test.  Which means you pass!

So buy the book, get on-line and get your license upgrade. It is less than one months worth of work and I believe you will be amazed at how quickly you are ready for your test.

73’s K9RSL