Thursday, March 19, 2015

Study Hard

Study Hard - Ham Test Online

I finally gave in and had my husband sign me up for 
the Ham Test Online interactive study course so I can practice 
for my ham radio Technician's license.  
This is an entry level license that they estimate will take 
about 10 hours of study; however,
this is more of a continuous practice test that follows
a brief discussion on a portion of the testing material.
You don't have to memorize over a hundred questions or
dig through a couple hundred page book.  You just
keep working the study guide daily until you are comfortable
with the material and it should begin to sink in.
It is a small charge ($24.95) for a 2 year subscription
that allows unlimited access during the subscription period.
Other license levels take longer and may be priced differently.




So far I am learning about 
Current (symbol I measured in Amperes or Amps by an ammeter)
Voltage (symbol E measured in volts by a voltmeter)
Resistance (symbol R measured in ohms by a ohmmeter)
Ohm's Law and how to calculate
Circuits and types of circuits
plus schematic symbols and what they mean.

The online study course will keep track of your correct answers
and recognizes where your weaknesses are.  You will find they will
repeat the questions where you provided incorrect answers
and will link you back to the tutorial so you can review the material.

So far I have completed 10% of the study guide with 90% correct answers.
I was less than that yesterday and hopefully I'll be better tomorrow.
There are a limited number of questions on the technician's test
and these study guide questions come out of the pool, or at least
are similar to what will be asked on the test, which I can take 
in about a month.  If I don't pass, I'll just study more and take it again.

This material is so far from anything I've ever studied that
I'll feel no shame if I don't pass the first time.  Additionally,
it's been over 30 years since I was in school!  

My husband is absolutely giddy over this.
He is planning ham field days together, making antennas and
working on electronic projects together and attending
the local ham meetings and go to swap meets.
I can't say that I am super excited to do those activities;
however, they do work with the local authorities and
emergency management officials and that part interests me.

I know a few of you are also interested in getting your license
so check out the information to see if it is a program that
you might like to try.  I better get back to it so wish me luck!






4 comments:

jewlz said...

Thanks for sharing that link; It's past time for me get on that particular ball, too.

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

oh cool!
I've often thought it would be fun to do this...
My father in law had a ham radio license. I have his license still in the frame here at my house... no one wanted it. I thought it would be cool to have. I miss my FIL. He was a good man!
I thought it would be something my youngest son would do too-- but so far, no. :/

Anyway-- wishing you the very best on your studies and your test!

LindaG said...

Congratulations and good luck!

Powell River Books said...

That sounds great. I have a license to transmit on our aircraft and boat radios, but I got it so long ago there wasn't a test, just an application. - Margy