Life on the Road – Trucking News Blog

On-going series on Ham radio and trucking. Check out part 1.

So you want to take the dip and get your Ham radio license? Well there are a few things you need to know to prepare for the test.

First, study a little bit. I know, you thought you were done with studying when you finished school, but this studying will get you a lot further than that high school social studies class ever did. Just about all you need to know, even the questions and answers on the test are posted on the web. No, not on some clandestine cheat site, but on the ARRL and FCC websites. They want you to know the questions and pass the test. Get a copy of the Technician Study Guide from HamElmer and read through that then go to KB0MGA.net and take a few practice exams. Once you feel comfortable with the practice exams its time to go for the real thing.

Now that you feel like you can pass the technician exam, not that hard really, you need to find an exam site and time thats is convenient for you. Go to the ARRL website again and search for an exam that meets your schedule. Usually you will find one within a few miles of home. Most clubs give the exam at least monthly and usually during hamfest, field-days, or other special events, so finding a test time and place should not be too difficult. Most of the exam listings will show if they allow walk-ins or not, even if they show that they allow walk-ins, it is a good idea to drop the VEC an email to confirm your intentions to take the exam on that date and time. If no walk-ins are allowed, be sure to contact the VEC about taking the exam. The test usually has a $14 fee to cover the expenses of the VE team that gives the exam. The government gets none of it!

Get that studying done and next time I’ll go into the actual exam session and what to expect when you arrive to take it.

Some more links to help you study:

Hamtest Online

QRZ.com

eHam.net

w5jck.jackswinden.com