Reflections On My Current Progress

This has been a very busy week. Making time to keep moving forward with my favorite projects is not always easy.

However, I did manage to meet with Elmer Fudd a few times and go over the HAM radio exam process in more detail so that we can formulate a plan on how to move forward with the best efficiency.

I have just two weeks until exam day : MAY 15th 2015 @ 10 a.m.

Topics Studied This Week:

• The categories that I can expect to be tested on--some of them in detail, others in summary
• How to study and understand key concepts that have foreign trade jargon
• Introduction to online dictionaries and secondary info sources 
• F.C.C. rules and regulations concerning the safe and proper operation of radio equipment
• Online research and discussion about the digital and analog equipment I may be expected to use at some point
• Inexpensive mobile radios that would make a great 1st time radio rig. 
• Pop-Quiz Q/A on these topics: Interference; weather; equipment; cable runs; signal loss; radiation; cable construction; cable length, type and diameter; soldering
• and finally... what I'm allowed/required to bring to an exam.  There's no need for me to go over this as it is already well-documented here: http://www.arrl.org/what-to-bring-to-an-exam-session

My First Priorities
After reviewing what I needed to do and how to go about it, I realized that my first priorities were these two things:

1. Register with the F.C.C. on their website to obtain an FCC Registration Number (also known as an FRN). This is used to identify me and to check/update my licensing status during my lifetime.
2. Contact my local A.R.R.L. (American Radio Relay League) testing group to choose a testing date from what they have available and to register for the exam. The A.R.R.L. is the largest membership association of amateur radio enthusiasts in the USA. If you need to know anything about radio, ask one of their members.

Did you know?

The F.C.C. is an independent government agency that oversees the licensing and regulation of pro and amateur broadcasting in the United States. Whether it's wired or wireless, tv or radio, digital or analog, earth-based or satellite.... they're involved.

To take the exam, everyone needs to be registered or preregistered with the F.C.C. and have a unique ID. You are to bring this ID with you and a printout of your registration to the testing staff on exam day. This ID allows you to be assigned a callsign and a license should you pass the test.

To  register with the F.C.C., you go here: https://apps.fcc.gov/coresWeb/publicHome.do  and use their Universal Licensing System (ULS) to obtain an ID. This is a free service and anyone can apply for an FRN.

So, While I Was On-line...

I used the A.R.R.L. website (www.arrl.org) to find my local testing group & exams dates.

If you want to find out what dates are available in your area or to see who is available to provide an authorized testing session, then use this on-line database form:  http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session

I found out that the group I need to contact is called the Redding ARRL VE Team. 

That group is headed by Mr. Steve Masconi. The entry on the site included his email so I am emailing him about my participation in the exam session. He is the same volunteer examiner that helped to test my father for his license.

Did you also know? All testing sessions in the ham radio world are handled by volunteer examiners (VEs) that hold at least a level-2 (General) class license. Remember that although we may develop skills that apply to our professional careers, amateur radio is not professional|commercial. We do not make money - no one gets paid for broadcasting or testing.

All examiners and mentors (Elmers) are volunteering their talents and time to help move this great service forward and to spread the fun. Also, after you have taken the exam, a panel of licensed VEs reviews and grades each exams. Every exam that is collected to be graded is reviewed and marked-up by more than one VE before the pass/fail grade is officially announced to you.

I saw what testing dates are available available to me. I will paste the info below:

05/15/2015 | Redding CA 96001-0913
Sponsor: Redding ARRL VE Team
Location: BloodSource Redding
Time: 10:00 AM (Walk-ins allowed) 

05/16/2015 | Redding CA 96001-0913
Sponsor: Redding ARRL VE Team
Location: BloodSource Redding
Time: 10:00 AM (Walk-ins allowed) 

I am going to test on the morning of the 15th.  Here is a link with the info I found: http://www.arrl.org/exam_sessions/redding-ca-96001-0913-36

Just 2 More Weeks... How Will I Proceed?
I am excited about having just 2-weeks left! This will keep me on my toes.

At this point, I am going to read for about an hour each day and have a Pop Q/A session with my dad each evening to see if I'm getting the hang of the material or if I'm going off track. Weekends will be more involved for both of us.

I've found out that there's so much info to learn if you're interested in amateur radio. So much so, that I could probably study for years. That thought is not helping me right now, but luckily I know what topics I need to focus on in particular.

I did order the latest A.R.R.L. study book for the Level 1 exam. It contains the study material for use on the current exams offered by ARRL VE's. There are also online quizzes and plenty of material to guide me in understanding all that is necessary. If you want one of these, Amazon has it for under $27. Click HERE to go to the product page.

Learning something new can be more exciting when you have a friend along for the ride.

I am looking forward to exam day because my dad will be going too!

I decided that the best way for me to study and pass the exam is for him to be in the "hot-seat" with me... so we've made this a father-son event. Dad will take this opportunity to test for his General class (Level-2) license in the same exam session I'm attending for my Level-1 license.

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Until next time....