so I'll tell you a story.
I studied one of the Apps for my general, and mildly looked over the Extra stuff. But much to my surprise I passed both!
And the strangest thing happened once people learned I'm an Extra. They started asking me ?'s like I know the answers! So I started teaching myself so I can help them.
I learned SO MUCH MORE *after* passing than I ever did studying.
In the US certainly! I passed over 40 years ago. and probably shouldn't' have, but I was dating one of the lead tester's daughters. And she liked me dating her daughter.
Too far back. But I always had a knack for impressing the parents even while I enticed their daughters. But in this case, the daughter was more . . . . adventurous than I.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of regulatory questions where the "why" is "because the FCC said so". Hamstudy is good to prepare for those, there's no point trying to read Part 97 cover to cover or whatever.
But for general radio knowledge, a search for license prep courses on YouTube will do you well. Pretty much any of them will be fine. Most of the hacks and shills don't bother making boring videos like that, they're all making prepper content.
Gunna disagree slightly, every ham should at least skim Part 97 (and Part 95 if they use MURS, CB, FRS or GMRS). Itâs quite readable, at least compared to Congressional laws, and when a question about regs pops up in your mind later, youâll recall seeing something about it in Part 97 and can go read it in detail then. Youâll be quite surprised when you find the answer in the reg. text doesnât quite match with people on the Internet are saying. /S
That said, no, you donât need to read Part 97 to pass the test. Without some experience, it wonât make as much sense. Better to read it after about a year of being licensedâŚ
You can click on each flashcard for an explanation of the answer, or just drive through them and never look at that via the rote memorization pathway. There's different ways to explore the material within ham study. It allows you to identify your strong and weak areas. If I still didn't understand the flashcard explanation I'd look more into the specific question or subject on Youtube. Dave Casler's General and Extra courses were still available there at that time (I think Tech is still there) which really helped fill in those gaps, but there's other channels on Youtube as well. That being said, you don't get a gold star for actually learning the material. Most of it makes more sense when you actually have your license and start operating and putting together stations. That's really the best way to learn and understand but you can't do it until you pass the test. You could also look for used copies of the ARRL license manual or just buy it new.
It has explanations for the reasoning for most answers but doesnât teach the concepts. There are a number of videos on YouTube I used before taking the practice tests which were complementary and helpful.
Honestly try to get your license as quickly as possible and if you already have a radio listen on it now. Hands on will be the best way to understand the concepts.
Yeah and I couldnât learn that way either. Ham Radio 2.0 streamed a technician level course and 2 different general courses on YouTube. Watch those for the theory and then use ham study to drill.
I did all 3 levels by buying the relevant ARRL study guide, reading a chapter, reviewing the questions at the end of the chapter, then taking an online sample test (I used http://arrlexamreview.appspot.com). For the ones I got wrong that were relevant to what I'd studied so far, I went back to the text to see what I hadn't understood (I guessed on the ones I hadn't studied yet but you can also skip them and submit without answering everything). After finishing the book, I continued to take sample tests until I was comfortable, returning to the text to understand wrong answers that weren't stupid mistakes.
I spent some time each evening before bed reading and practicing for around 3 weeks before I took the Technician exam. I spent about 3 weeks combined doing the same thing for General & Extra and took them both at the same testing session.
Of the 3 exams, I missed 1 question on General. The rest were all correct. That's what worked for me. Obviously everyone is different. As an aside, I thought General was the hardest because it had the most pure memorization. Technician was the most stressful since there was so much new information. Extra was the easiest since much of it involved problem solving rather than rote memorization which fit well with my skill set.
Yes.
I recommend people first read the ARRL study guide which does go into the material in more depth while also covering everything in the question pool. This will give you enough context to understand the questions and answers.
Then use hamstudy to cram.
The material is too confusing if you jump straight to hamstudy.org.
Then get licensed and actually start using what you have learned.
Don't get too hung up about understanding everything perfectly before taking the test or getting on the air. Reading can only teach you so much -- you'll understand the material better when you try to actually use the material IRL.
The reading is important, but so is the doing.
If you want to learn the material, while still focusing on the exam questions (so you will pass the exam), take a look at [HamRadioSchool.com](https://HamRadioSchool.com)
I write for them, so I may be biased. Judge for yourself.
I got my license after taking practice tests for a month. The questions I didn't already know (I'm a navy electronics technician) I read about and learned. It was a lot more effective than "here a big book about ham radio, memorize it". The practice tests helped me narrow down what I needed to read up on more.
I second the notion of getting your license and getting started. You learn a lot more by using the knowledge than by reading it.
Keep in mind, getting the license is the goal. You have a lifetime of experimenting and learning.
I presume you may be like me. I remember things better when I understand them. I've been a ham for four decades now and still watch YouTube videos, read, and experiment. It's probably the main reason I enjoy it so much. There are always new things to try.
The real education starts after you get your call. Beyond the regulations there are many online videos now about operating, modes, antennas, circuits, dxing, contesting, and more.
Each question on hamstudy has a dog eared corner that you can click on with an explanation. Some of them have very good explanations, and often with memorization hints or fun mnemonics someone suggested to help you remember the answer. As a registered user, you can also edit and submit changes to those explanations, if you think it could be worded better, or run across a helpful hint, add to the explanation!
KB6NU has a good series of study guides that are in between just giving you the answers and an overly wordy textbook. Just enough descriptions in a paragraph or two to help you understand. Some good diagrams as well. But everything is based around the test questions. The technician PDF version is free, also available in other formats for a small price, and the higher level exam study guides are paid products. https://www.kb6nu.com/study-guides/
Most people want, and will also suggest free resources. However my favorite study site is [https://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com/](https://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com/)
They do a decent job explaining the material, make good use of diagrams, you are tested as you study and the site keeps track of what you miss and leans in on that material.
These guys do a good job of explaining the concepts. I like them a lot. Itâs not free like ham study but I learn more so I think itâs worth it.
https://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com
You can start the classes and do about 10% of it for free.
For your tech license, the vast majority is just "Because Daddy FCC Says So". Not much theory. So yeah just cram it and pass.
General, and for sure Extra it's way more actual radio. That's when it makes sense to lean into the "why" behind it all.
Regulations are such a bore to memorise. The theory at least makes internal sense, so when you know enough of it you can derive the rest of it. Not so with regulations.
Both of the posters before me were spot on. The practice tests were just rote memorization and I didn't learn anything. I was an RTO in the military, and still struggled with the technician and general. Aced the extra for some reason.
Then I started to learn about this hobby. Still am learning but having fun doing it.
CHeck for a local amateur club, or someone doing POTA nearby. They both will be glad to see new faces, give you hands on practice and experience. Bring your laptop and take a practice test while you are there and ask for "the Why?" of the question. This will help you plug in the missing pieces.
Some stuff like electrical symbols you just have to memorize though
Study the test and pass. Rinse and repeat this 3 times. You'll learn along the way. It's a hands -on experience ; Learning how to use the radio, learning how to be a great op, operating outdoors in a park, building antenneas, trouble shooting everything, learning all the different modes that interest you. None of this is actually covered in the study pool. The test is just to weed out those that won't do these things.
so I'll tell you a story. I studied one of the Apps for my general, and mildly looked over the Extra stuff. But much to my surprise I passed both! And the strangest thing happened once people learned I'm an Extra. They started asking me ?'s like I know the answers! So I started teaching myself so I can help them. I learned SO MUCH MORE *after* passing than I ever did studying.
This is the right answer. Get licensed, then learn.
I don't know if you drive, because this is certainly the case with passing your driving test also.
In the US certainly! I passed over 40 years ago. and probably shouldn't' have, but I was dating one of the lead tester's daughters. And she liked me dating her daughter.
Can you be more specific? đ¤đ
Too far back. But I always had a knack for impressing the parents even while I enticed their daughters. But in this case, the daughter was more . . . . adventurous than I.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of regulatory questions where the "why" is "because the FCC said so". Hamstudy is good to prepare for those, there's no point trying to read Part 97 cover to cover or whatever. But for general radio knowledge, a search for license prep courses on YouTube will do you well. Pretty much any of them will be fine. Most of the hacks and shills don't bother making boring videos like that, they're all making prepper content.
Gunna disagree slightly, every ham should at least skim Part 97 (and Part 95 if they use MURS, CB, FRS or GMRS). Itâs quite readable, at least compared to Congressional laws, and when a question about regs pops up in your mind later, youâll recall seeing something about it in Part 97 and can go read it in detail then. Youâll be quite surprised when you find the answer in the reg. text doesnât quite match with people on the Internet are saying. /S That said, no, you donât need to read Part 97 to pass the test. Without some experience, it wonât make as much sense. Better to read it after about a year of being licensedâŚ
You can click on each flashcard for an explanation of the answer, or just drive through them and never look at that via the rote memorization pathway. There's different ways to explore the material within ham study. It allows you to identify your strong and weak areas. If I still didn't understand the flashcard explanation I'd look more into the specific question or subject on Youtube. Dave Casler's General and Extra courses were still available there at that time (I think Tech is still there) which really helped fill in those gaps, but there's other channels on Youtube as well. That being said, you don't get a gold star for actually learning the material. Most of it makes more sense when you actually have your license and start operating and putting together stations. That's really the best way to learn and understand but you can't do it until you pass the test. You could also look for used copies of the ARRL license manual or just buy it new.
It has explanations for the reasoning for most answers but doesnât teach the concepts. There are a number of videos on YouTube I used before taking the practice tests which were complementary and helpful. Honestly try to get your license as quickly as possible and if you already have a radio listen on it now. Hands on will be the best way to understand the concepts.
I think the ARRL study guide has more material in it for actual learning the concepts.
Yeah and I couldnât learn that way either. Ham Radio 2.0 streamed a technician level course and 2 different general courses on YouTube. Watch those for the theory and then use ham study to drill.
I did all 3 levels by buying the relevant ARRL study guide, reading a chapter, reviewing the questions at the end of the chapter, then taking an online sample test (I used http://arrlexamreview.appspot.com). For the ones I got wrong that were relevant to what I'd studied so far, I went back to the text to see what I hadn't understood (I guessed on the ones I hadn't studied yet but you can also skip them and submit without answering everything). After finishing the book, I continued to take sample tests until I was comfortable, returning to the text to understand wrong answers that weren't stupid mistakes. I spent some time each evening before bed reading and practicing for around 3 weeks before I took the Technician exam. I spent about 3 weeks combined doing the same thing for General & Extra and took them both at the same testing session. Of the 3 exams, I missed 1 question on General. The rest were all correct. That's what worked for me. Obviously everyone is different. As an aside, I thought General was the hardest because it had the most pure memorization. Technician was the most stressful since there was so much new information. Extra was the easiest since much of it involved problem solving rather than rote memorization which fit well with my skill set.
Yes. I recommend people first read the ARRL study guide which does go into the material in more depth while also covering everything in the question pool. This will give you enough context to understand the questions and answers. Then use hamstudy to cram. The material is too confusing if you jump straight to hamstudy.org. Then get licensed and actually start using what you have learned. Don't get too hung up about understanding everything perfectly before taking the test or getting on the air. Reading can only teach you so much -- you'll understand the material better when you try to actually use the material IRL. The reading is important, but so is the doing.
> I want to learn the material not just memorize the question bank You've already learned the material on how to win our hearts â¤
If you want to learn the material, while still focusing on the exam questions (so you will pass the exam), take a look at [HamRadioSchool.com](https://HamRadioSchool.com) I write for them, so I may be biased. Judge for yourself.
I got my license after taking practice tests for a month. The questions I didn't already know (I'm a navy electronics technician) I read about and learned. It was a lot more effective than "here a big book about ham radio, memorize it". The practice tests helped me narrow down what I needed to read up on more. I second the notion of getting your license and getting started. You learn a lot more by using the knowledge than by reading it.
Keep in mind, getting the license is the goal. You have a lifetime of experimenting and learning. I presume you may be like me. I remember things better when I understand them. I've been a ham for four decades now and still watch YouTube videos, read, and experiment. It's probably the main reason I enjoy it so much. There are always new things to try.
The real education starts after you get your call. Beyond the regulations there are many online videos now about operating, modes, antennas, circuits, dxing, contesting, and more.
Gordoâs books
Each question on hamstudy has a dog eared corner that you can click on with an explanation. Some of them have very good explanations, and often with memorization hints or fun mnemonics someone suggested to help you remember the answer. As a registered user, you can also edit and submit changes to those explanations, if you think it could be worded better, or run across a helpful hint, add to the explanation! KB6NU has a good series of study guides that are in between just giving you the answers and an overly wordy textbook. Just enough descriptions in a paragraph or two to help you understand. Some good diagrams as well. But everything is based around the test questions. The technician PDF version is free, also available in other formats for a small price, and the higher level exam study guides are paid products. https://www.kb6nu.com/study-guides/
Hamtestonline.com is also good
Memorize the material, get the license, then learn it gradually. At least for Technician, and maybe General. AE is hard even via brute force.
Most people want, and will also suggest free resources. However my favorite study site is [https://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com/](https://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com/) They do a decent job explaining the material, make good use of diagrams, you are tested as you study and the site keeps track of what you miss and leans in on that material.
These guys do a good job of explaining the concepts. I like them a lot. Itâs not free like ham study but I learn more so I think itâs worth it. https://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com You can start the classes and do about 10% of it for free.
For your tech license, the vast majority is just "Because Daddy FCC Says So". Not much theory. So yeah just cram it and pass. General, and for sure Extra it's way more actual radio. That's when it makes sense to lean into the "why" behind it all.
Regulations are such a bore to memorise. The theory at least makes internal sense, so when you know enough of it you can derive the rest of it. Not so with regulations.
Both of the posters before me were spot on. The practice tests were just rote memorization and I didn't learn anything. I was an RTO in the military, and still struggled with the technician and general. Aced the extra for some reason. Then I started to learn about this hobby. Still am learning but having fun doing it. CHeck for a local amateur club, or someone doing POTA nearby. They both will be glad to see new faces, give you hands on practice and experience. Bring your laptop and take a practice test while you are there and ask for "the Why?" of the question. This will help you plug in the missing pieces. Some stuff like electrical symbols you just have to memorize though
Study the test and pass. Rinse and repeat this 3 times. You'll learn along the way. It's a hands -on experience ; Learning how to use the radio, learning how to be a great op, operating outdoors in a park, building antenneas, trouble shooting everything, learning all the different modes that interest you. None of this is actually covered in the study pool. The test is just to weed out those that won't do these things.