FCC Technician Exam

[jpummil]

So, I am using the following two sites to prepare for the FCC Tech test:

https://aa9pw.com/radio/technician/

https://www.radioexam.org/exam

To me, this seems a LOT tougher than the TRA L2 exam. So many possible questions and permutations. Plus, I was extremely interested in the rocketry stuff...not so much the FCC stuff :eyeroll:

Most people I have discussed this with claim the FCC test was easier than the L2 test. Brain fart on my part?

 

[mikec]

Most people I have discussed this with claim the FCC test was easier than the L2 test.

I'm sure there will be many opinions expressed. I would agree with you that the FCC test is harder. For one thing there are at least 350 possible questions for the FCC test, compared with about 100 for the L2.

 

[Obelisk]

try youtube. I found a guy that reviews all the questions and it really helps... though it's in 36 parts so expect to spend at least a week watching them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcjkFtTbPGM&list=UUgJ1zALjXRqiEcjFB-9b7rA&index=96

You can miss up to 9 questions (I think) out of 35 so once you have an understanding guessing can be helpful too.

 

[cjl]

There are a lot of questions on the FCC exam, yes. That having been said, you can miss a LOT and still pass the test, so if you have a pretty good basic understanding, you can guess on a lot of the ones that you aren't sure about. For example, after studying for the technician, I took both the technician and general exams (there was no additional fee for general, so I figured why not), and based purely on guessing, a bit of electronics knowledge, and common sense, I only missed passing general by 2 questions, despite not having studied the question pool at all. I would say that you don't need to get hung up with memorizing every question - instead, study the question pool for a bit, then find an online practice exam (they're all over the place), and then see if you can consistently pass. If not, study a bit more then repeat. You might be pleasantly surprised how little time it actually takes to get good enough to pass pretty much 100% of the time.

 

[Worsaer]

Agreed, there are many online study guides, many of them free. I used HamTestOnline. While there was a fee, their exercises help focus on the areas where you need work, which helped me. I passed the tech exam in March.

 

[Fdog]

I, too, found the Tech license exam quite easy. A little knowledge of electricity goes a long way, if you know Ohm's Law thats 4 questions in the bag right there.

I was actually more worried about the L2 question pool...do I answer the questions with "issues" correctly, or, the incorrect way I'm supposed to answer them?

Honestly, I could have walked in cold with no studying and passed the technician test. Most folks I chat with say the same.


All the best, James

 

[troj]

The Ham test is "harder" only because the question pool is larger. For those of us who don't know anything about electronics, there's more of a curve there.

-Kevin

 

[michigander]

https://www.arrl.org/shop/Ham-Radio-License-Manual-Revised-2nd-Edition/?page=1


That book from amazon is just over $20.00 , IMO well worth the isk its great book

 

[Cyril's Scribe]

There is also the "no-nonsense technician class license study guide" by kb6nu. Really helpful, quick, well-written, and most importantly , free. Be aware that although this will get you a license, it will not help you understand the material like the full book will. Best of luck.

 

[BEAR]

I too used www.hamtestonline.com. I think it was $28.00 for a two year subscription to practice for my technicians exam. I practiced as frequently as I wanted and continued to do so unitl I was consistently getting every answer correct. With the links they provided, I think I have a pretty good understanding currently and look forward to subscribing again for the next two exams. For what it is worth, I aced the exam, not because I am so smart, but because the study guide made it so easy. I also have the books, and another on-line exam prep. I think I probably wasted my money on these other methods, even though I am a hoarder of books and have added the exam books to my libraries.

 

[jpummil]

Thanks to all for the comments and recommendations! I also found some tablet apps for study and practice for the test :grin:

It does seem that the total number of questions available for inclusion in the test is substantial. I continue to see "new material" from attempt to attempt...

 

[T-Rex]

So I am guessing that Morse Code is no longer a requirement? Seems like I looked into getting a license of some kind years ago and that was the deal breaker, ya had to know Morse. I will have to look into this further.

Terry

 

[WillMarchant]

So I am guessing that Morse Code is no longer a requirement? Seems like I looked into getting a license of some kind years ago and that was the deal breaker, ya had to know Morse. I will have to look into this further.

Terry

Morse code is no longer required.

 

[rheil]

https://www.arrl.org/shop/Ham-Radio-License-Manual-Revised-2nd-Edition/?page=1


That book from amazon is just over $20.00 , IMO well worth the isk its great book

Agree... this does more than just give you the exam questions, but basic explanatory material to learn the basics from. I found it both useful and enjoyable.

Another resource I just learned about which is a GREAT way to quiz on the questions is - https://hamstudy.org/
Highly recommended.

Took the exam and passed it today. Now... which telemetry equipment to get....

 

[Aero B]

The Extra Class code was the toughest for me.

 

[WillMarchant]

The https://hamstudy.org/ site is now up. Haven't really looked at it in detail yet. Sponsored by icom so it will hopefully be good.

 

[Derek]

Since I just passed my tech and general exam this morning, I'll add what worked for me. I read the no nonsense guides and used the practice tests at eham.net. I also used the ham radio study app on android anytime I had a few minutes to kill.

I attempted the extra, but missed it by 6 questions.

I did use hamstudy.org mentioned above a couple times, but I liked eham.net better. I tried an extra practice test at hamstudy and one thing I didn't like is a lot of the wrong answers I had didn't have the right answer. Kind of pointless imo.

 

[apburner]

Well I guess I am going to have to get my ham license now. I looked into it several years ago but did not want to deal with morse code. Now that that is off the table the tests should be relatively easy. I have been an electronics hobbiest since I was 8 back in the sixties. Thanks for the info folks.

 

[Greg Young]

Gordon West has always put out a good series of study guides, as does ARRL. After reading those, you will learn some good basic theory, instead of just memorizing answers that you will quickly forget. You just might find you want to continue on to higher certification levels...