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Well, on behalf of Expert Village, I'm Kurt Glaser, N7QJM is my call sign, and we're continuing
our session talking about ham radio. This session we're looking at studying for the
exam. Now there are three basic ways that you can prepare for an amateur radio test
or the exam. One is to take a class. If you know an amateur radio operator in your area,
you might ask if he or she knows a local license class--you can go and take that class there.
Many radio clubs provide these in your area. You can go to a community college or other
schools also could provide a license study class or course. Knowing a local ham radio
operator can also prove real helpful when you are setting up your first ham rig, and
you'll need advice and assistance in setting it up. Especially regarding antennas, like
what we have behind me. RF signals, electrical safety considerations, and rules and regulations
regarding the installation of your antenna in certain areas of cities. The second one
is self-study. That's how I became a ham radio operator, is I studied myself, I took the
exam--and lo and behold, I passed. There are audio cassettes that are out there, and there
are video tapes that you can purchase and watch and study that way as well. Now remember,
in some countries you do have to know the Morse code, which are dits and dahs and radio
signals. And you'll need to prepare that way as well. Remember, you'll have to learn the
material, try to memorize as many test questions as you can, and learn the basic theory--because
there's a lot of electronic theory in these tests. What you need to know is not complicated,
and it'd be helpful in getting maximum enjoyment out of ham radio. There are a lot of study
guides available, and I recommend the Now You're Talking--all you need to get your first
ham radio license. It's published by the A double-R L, the ARRL, the Amateur Radio Relay
League. You can get this book online, or you can visit their website: www.arrl.com. And,
you can order, and it'll be shipped right to you. So, remember, you can take these tests--the
last way, of course, is you can just go in and take the test. I know people who can do
it. And I call it, "Doing the Know-It-All Way." I've known people who just go in, they
have an electronic background, and they just go take the test and they do really, really
well. They go two or four hours with review. They understand the code and the regulations.
They go in, they take the test, and they do great. See if you qualify as a know-it-all,
which is the third way to take the exam. Now, these next sessions here at Expert Village,
we're going to be studying a lot more in ham radio, and until then, I'm Kurt Glaser, N7QJM.
73.