I am licensed as a Technician Amateur Radio operator - I can work a few ham bands but none of the ones that offer any long distance communication. I need to get the General (and then, the Extra) for that.
Been spending tonight using the excellent online sample exams at QRZ.COM - averaging in the 60% range and I need more than that to nail the exam. It is actually just a matter of rote memorization as there is a pool of 300 multiple-choice questions and you are given 50 of them for your exam - the FCC publishes the questions used. Still, I want to understand the thinking behind these answers so have been studying my theory as well as chewing through some exams.
This is in preparation for the Cascadia Rising drill next year - I want to be up to speed on long-distance communications well before then... Already have the hardware - picked up a really nice older transceiver on Craigslist a few months ago. I listen, I just do not hit the transmit button - yet...
I let my advanced class license lapse. I recently got the itch again so I found a local club hosting VE sessions.
I walked in, took the General (since my old license gave me credit for code) and walked out with the new license. I also took the Extra exam, but missed it by one question. I'm actually studying for the next session.
Twenty bucks got my old callsign back.
Neighborhood regs keep me from having a visible outdoor antenna, so right now I'm working off an indoor random wire with a new Icom 7410 and the AH-2 tuner. I've managed a lot of good contacts with stations in the US, Canada and Russia.
The digital modes are fun. JT-65 isn't much for chit-chat, but it's a hoot. PSK is even more fun.
See you on the bands
MC