Amateur radio training help

sigo · Post by **sigo** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 2:12 am

First of all I want to thank the hosts of this board for sustaining such a great place for radio discussion and I want to thank everybody that posts for sharing their knowledge. I have been a member for a little while but I have rarely posting, preferring instead to just lurk and soak up a little information.

I have recently taken an interest in amateur radio and a lot of the other topics discussed here. My question is what books do you all reccomend to boost my general knowledge? Where can I go to learn more about digital radios, trunking, flashcodes, radio programming, etc? And is there a way to take the tech and/or general level tests online? I am a soldier that is currently deployed so I have no way of taking a test other than online or by mail and I was hoping since I have some time on my hands I would be able to get a cert. or two before I return.
Though I am new to amateur radio I have some experience in the area of communications in general and military communication so I have been looking for books that not only will train me to take the tests but that will also just give me some knowledge in other areas as well.
Thanks for any info in advance.

EKLB · Post by **EKLB** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 3:59 am

For practice on line Ham tests go to.

http://WWW.QRZ.COM

Scroll down the left hand side of the main page and click on practice test.

Pick the level of test your wanting to practice for such as technitian ect.

By the way ive been told these are normaly the actual test qestions but not in this order and may noy include all of them and even asked a bit diferently ect.

So it should be a excellent place to practice for your Ham test.

GOOD LUCK

EKLB

Doug · Post by **Doug** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 5:16 am

sigo,
Unfortunately on line exams at this time are not possible. The license still requires going to a V.E. session.
As far as publications go Gordon West has a series of books available for study guides. They used to be available through Radio Shack. I'm not sure if you can order them on line and get them shipped to Germany or purhaps have a friend purchase them for you and have them shipped over.
Doug

k3td · Post by **k3td** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 5:20 am

If your base has a Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) facility, you can find other amateurs there who can give you info on how to take an FCC amateur test while depolyed. Here is a link to the Air Force MARS program with some info, it also includes links to the Army and Navy-Marine MARS programs: http://public.afca.af.mil/LIBRARY/MARS1.HTM

The ARRL can also provide info on licensing: http://www.arrl.org Their web site shows one testing location in Germany, although there are probably others that the MARS folks can refer you to: http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/examsearch. ... ry=GERMANY

eHam is another great web site with lots of resources and links: http://www.eham.net

The practice tests at QRZ are excellent!

Good luck!

sigo · Post by **sigo** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 5:49 am

Thanks for the info.
I am normally stationed in Germany but I am currently deployed from there. Ordering books is no problem.
Ironically, I had close ties to the MARS station in Germany and never thought about talking to thier civilian advisor. The station is now closed. The Army cut funding and closed it a few months ago.

k3td · Post by **k3td** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 6:03 am

I missed your current location - should have seen that in your first post, sorry! God Speed for a safe and quick return home.

Bottom line is, you can do all of the studying and practice exams online or using book and videos from various sources - but you will need to take the FCC exam in front of a Volunteer Examiner team. If you return home through Germany it looks like you can take the exam there. The online exams are great preparation because they use questions randomly generated from the actual question pool. If you're looking for training books or videos, here is a link to some: http://www.arrl.org/hamradio.html

Good luck!

EKLB · Post by **EKLB** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 6:39 am

As i stated above = On line practice tests are available at http://WWW.QRZ.COM

How ever as from what angle of thought the above postee said .

Actual testing for the license must be taken at a aproved location in front of a licensed HAM operator.

I see your location says Afganistan but im assuming your stationed there and a USA civilian in real life.

EKLB

radio-link · Post by **radio-link** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 7:58 am

sigo wrote:Thanks for the info.
I am normally stationed in Germany but I am currently deployed from there. Ordering books is no problem.
Ironically, I had close ties to the MARS station in Germany and never thought about talking to thier civilian advisor. The station is now closed. The Army cut funding and closed it a few months ago.

Where in Germany are you located when you are back again? In case you come back to germany and want to obtain a german ham operator licence I can try to get you some contacts.

kf4sqb · Post by **kf4sqb** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 6:44 pm

Another good book to look for, if it is even still in print, is 'Now You're Talking'. I know Rat Shack used to carry this one, but I have no idea if they still do or not. The Gordon West books that Doug suggested are great study guides, but that is about all they are is a study guide. You can learn a little about electronics and how radios work from them, but 'Now You're Talking' go a lot deeper into radio theory and general electronice. The Gordon West books do give you the entire question pool, as well as telling you how many questions will be used from each section. They give you the answers to the questions, as well as telling you why that is the answer to the question. Ideally, I'd have to say get both of them.

As an aside, I'd like to say stay safe, and thanks for serving!