Clean VHF/CB radio installs

I have a couple 10m HT's that we like to use at Hamfests and other odd events, due to it being a quiet band.

 

The best band to use is the quietest band - especially if you are licensed to use it!

 

I'd support giving Techs access to 10m FM. I never understood why you need to be a General to use that portion of the band.

 

The AARL is on edition 4 for their technicians license book, and I have edition one. Does anyone know, if I read edition one does it still have everything I need to pass the test?

Thanks!

 

Time for Meso customs to make a mount that replaces the front sunglasses holder.

 

I’m sure the subject matter has changed a little, but you will still learn something. The test is 35 question and it was super easy for me. I know lots of people that just took the practice test over and over until they got 80% plus passing and they all passed the actual test. The test question are public and are part of all the practice test I”be seen. ARRL has free practice test on their site.

 

The book is a good intro, but even if it is the correct edition, I don't think the book alone would be your best bet. The FCC has published all the questions, and as said above, ARRL has practice tests (or links to them) that use the exact questions. Take the test with every possible question, and note the ones where the answer isn't obvious to you and flash card that stuff. If there is a particular subject area that you find difficult, crack open the book.

You might check with where ever you plan to test - some will allow, if you pass the technician test, for you to take the next test. I did not know and didn't prepare. If you find the technician questions easy, and your exam coordinator offers it, you might want to prepare for an additional test.

 

Thanks @charles.headlee and @JustMeMyselfAndI (De La Soul reference?)

 

Just FYI... there are online sources you use to take a practice test.
You can take it over and over until you feel confident you will pass the written exam.
The practice test will change because the pool of questions is large, vs the 25 random questions on the exam.
Im at work on phone otherwise id post a link to practice test.
It helped me immensely and i passed written exam on first try.

KC3AWM

 

I'd be far more worried about some old fogey HAM with some fox hunting knowledge tracking your ass down than the actual FCC unless you were REALLY screwing up something important like ATC traffic or something.

Yeah, there are some VERY determined fox hunters out there, just looking for something to do all day.

 

It's a 35 question test, btw.

But yes, there are MANY places that offer practice exams, I did mine on HamExam.org I took the test, got a baseline. Then went through EVERY QUESTION. Then took the test over and over again until I was regularly scoring above 27 correct. The tech is pretty straightforward, just memorization, and most of the math is common sense. I'm about to start studying for my General the same way

 

For Canadians check out the RAC site;
https://wp.rac.ca/study-guides-2/

Also the question banks are available through the exHAMiner; https://wp.rac.ca/exhaminer-v2-5/

 

25/35... whatever.
Its been a few years.

 

Thank you all for the test replies! I'll check the online practice exams and go from there.

Thanks again!

 

The practice test questions and all the answers including the wrong answers are taken from the actual question pool on the test. There's maybe 200 questions and they draw 35 from those. The questions and answers on the test will appear exactly as they do on the practice test. It's beneficial to not only try to recall the correct answer, but be aware of the wrong answers as well. Depending on the question, sometimes it's even easier to remember what the answers aren't. In other words, don't read just a question and the answer, read the question and all the answers and remember which one is the right one and which are the wrong ones. I found it easier to do that way when I took my test, if that makes sense.

 

Seems like a lot to remember....

 

Pretty easy after you take the practice tests for a week. You just remember them.

 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.delasystems.hamradioexamtech


Boop. This helped me ace it. Just do the section tests. Once you get a 100 on the 10-14 question section test, move to the next. And the next. It shows you which you got wrong. Then move to the big test. Take that a bunch. That'll also tell you which ones you need. Once you start getting over 90% you're most likely good to go. Took me about 3 weeks worth of 15 minute lunch breaks to get a passing grade and pass the test.

I used many different study tools. The app helped me the best by far. Just quick click through to study the answers first if you'd like

 

Anyone see anything wrong with this plan?
I would like to install a CB, coax, external speaker and antenna for general trail use. Occasionally, I want to install a dual band 2/70 with extended frequency Tx (158 Mhz) radio (its used and legal in Mexico during the Mexican and Baja 1000 races). I have an antenna analyzer so tuning the antenna is not a big deal and switching out the systems will only happen a couple of times a year.

 

I think you have a couple of options. You could drill your roof and install an NMO antenna mount, then just unscrew the CB and screw on the 2m antenna when you head south. This is the way that I do it when I take my truck into parking garages, remove the 5/8 wave and stick on the 1/4 wave and then my truck is 25" shorter.

Or, you could get an NMO mag mount and do the same thing. They use the same 50 ohm coax, so just disconnect the radio and swap antennas. Either way would work, just depends on how big your balls are.