Does anyone know of Ham classes in the North Shore area? I searched ARRL but no responses. I would like to take the license exam (Tech) next month. I have the research materials and apps to study but I was thinking a hands-on would be great too.
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Ham classes?
- Thread starter GaryW
- Start date
cockpitbob
NES Member
The Cape Ann club (www.caara.net) gives a Tech-in-a-Day class twice a year, but they just held one a few weeks ago so the next one will be in about 5 months. Basically it's a 1 day cram session where you walk out at 5:00 a little tired buy having passed your Technician test.
A bunch of NESers got their tickets at that 2 years ago. Lots of info in this thread.
You can easily do it on your own. Buy the ARRL study book and grind through the practice tests at QRZ.com . When you are passing the practice tests 90% of the time you are ready. Most clubs, including the Cape Ann one, hold monthly test sessions. Just walk in with $15 (all of which goes to the FCC) and take the test.
A bunch of NESers got their tickets at that 2 years ago. Lots of info in this thread.
You can easily do it on your own. Buy the ARRL study book and grind through the practice tests at QRZ.com . When you are passing the practice tests 90% of the time you are ready. Most clubs, including the Cape Ann one, hold monthly test sessions. Just walk in with $15 (all of which goes to the FCC) and take the test.
cockpitbob
NES Member
As you probably know, once you pass the tech, take the General while you're there. It's free. Even if you don't pass, it is good practice.
What do you want too accomplish? I studied for probably 8 or so hours and passed all 3 exams at once. Now do I know everything that I should? Nope, I actually took practice test the other day for Extra and got a 38%. I do however know what I need to know to get on the air.
I felt that if I passed all the tests first I could take my time and actually learn the stuff because even in a lifetime you won't be close to knowing everything.
My method was that I found some websites had the question pools with only the right answers. I read through the Tech pool first 1 time then took the practice tests for a while. Then I read the General pool 1 time and took that practice test for a while then took both tech and general practice tests.
Finally I read the Extra pool once and did that practice test a bunch then practiced all 3 until I took the test.
I felt that if I passed all the tests first I could take my time and actually learn the stuff because even in a lifetime you won't be close to knowing everything.
My method was that I found some websites had the question pools with only the right answers. I read through the Tech pool first 1 time then took the practice tests for a while. Then I read the General pool 1 time and took that practice test for a while then took both tech and general practice tests.
Finally I read the Extra pool once and did that practice test a bunch then practiced all 3 until I took the test.
I have been taking the practice tests at QRZ.com and getting progressively better. I will be testing in a couple of weeks.
cockpitbob
NES Member
If you're confident, start looking at the General questions. If you pass the Tech test it costs nothing to take the General test right then. It's not uncommon for someone to pass both and go from nothing to General in one sitting. And, if you fail either by just a little bit you can pay $15 and try again right there. You'll get a different, and possibly more favorable, set of questions. Yeah, the FCC's rules don't make sense. If you pass you can take the next test free, but it you fail you have to pay to re-test.
I got mine last year or year before and the cost was $0 . FCC rules state they can only charge up to $15 and whatever you charge first person for year you have to charge everyone else.
Agreed though that they let you keep testing until fail for free if the place charges.
Agreed though that they let you keep testing until fail for free if the place charges.
cockpitbob
NES Member
I just browsed around the website (caara.net) and it looks like it's not scheduled. The last one was in October, so I'm guessing the next will be around April.
cockpitbob
NES Member
The next Tech-in-a-Day class at the CAARA club in Gloucester is Saturday April 11.
Also, here's a thread from 2013 when about a dozen NES people took the class and got their licenses. Lots of good info in it.
Also, here's a thread from 2013 when about a dozen NES people took the class and got their licenses. Lots of good info in it.
cockpitbob
NES Member
The Falmouth Amateur Ratio Assn (www.falara.org) is giving a License in a Weekend Class on the weekend of May 16. This one is 2hrs Friday pm, 8hrs Saturday and 9-2 on Sunday with the test being given at 2 on Sunday. Cost is $50 which includes coffee, snacks and lunch Saturday and Sunday.
http://www.falara.org/announcements/licenseinaweekendclass
http://www.falara.org/announcements/licenseinaweekendclass
cockpitbob
NES Member
Bump.
The next Tech-in-a-Day class at the CAARA club in Gloucester is Saturday April 11.
The next Tech-in-a-Day class at the CAARA club in Gloucester is Saturday April 11.
