THE MERIDEN AMATEUR RADIO CLUB, INC.

Press Release

 

Technician Class and VE Session

April 24, 2010


The Meriden Amateur Radio Club will sponsor a one-day Ham Radio licensing class on Saturday, April 24th, 2010.   The class begins at 8:30 AM at the Town of Wallingford Fire Department Headquarters building, located at 75 Masonic Ave.(Rt 150), Wallingford (Please use rear classroom enterance).  While pre-registration is not required, we would appreciate it.

 

To register, or to ask questions, e-mail to jbee@qsradio.com or telephone John Bee at (203) 440-4468 weekdays.

 

Participants should obtain the ARRL Technician Class Manual, available directly from the American Radio Relay League – www.arrl.org -- or (860) 594-0200.  It is also available from many Ham Radio suppliers.

 

The class will be a review of all material that will be on the License Exam, and a test session will immediately follow the class.  The test consists of 35 multiple choice questions on Amateur Radio rules and regulations, operating practices, and basic electronic theory.

 

There is no age or residence requirement, and no charge for the class (although we are required to charge a nominal fee for the test itself).  The testing fee is $15.00.

 

It is our aim to get you licensed at the end of the day, and experience has shown that most people will be successful if they follow a few suggestions.  In order to maximize your chances of passing your test, we strongly recommend the following:

 

  1. Obtain the license manual, and read the entire book.  The questions that will be on your exam are published in the book, along with the answers.  On your test, they will be worded exactly the same as they appear in the book, although the answers may not be in the same order.  The question pool also indicates how many questions from each section will appear on your exam.

 

  1. Practice tests are available on the Internet.  We feel that these are an invaluable help in preparing for your test, and very strongly recommend that you try to do one or two each day, if possible.  Within a short time, you will be passing the practice test every time you take it.  Note that the practice tests are just that, and do not count for any credit.  You must show up in person to get your license.  One good web site for practice exams is http://www.qrz.com/p/testing.pl You may find several others, as well.  We cannot stress enough how helpful the on-line practice will be.

 

 

  1. A passing grade is 74%, or 26 correct answers, out of the 35 questions on the test.  That means that with 9 wrong answers, you still pass the test and get your license.  If there is a topic that you just can’t understand, remember that there will only be one or two questions from that area on your test.  Consider that as one of the 9 wrong answers allowed, and concentrate on areas where you feel more confident.

 

  1. Be sure to answer every question on your exam.  There is no penalty for a wrong answer, and many questions will have choices that are obviously wrong – by eliminating those, you increase your odds of a correct answer, even if you just take a guess.

 

  1. In reading through the question pool, focus on the correct answer.  One popular and effective technique is to use a highlighting pen to mark the correct answer, and then read the question and only the correct answer.

 

The class will begin at 8:30 AM.  Please be on time.  We’ll take one or two short breaks during the morning, a 45-minute lunch break, and one or two short breaks in the afternoon.  We expect to begin the actual examination session at about 4:00 PM. 

 

You do not need to attend the class in order to take the exam, although we recommend it.  We will offer testing for all three classes of Amateur Radio licenses, and – assuming you pass your Technician Class test -- there is no additional fee for taking a General Class or Extra Class test at the same session.

 

You should bring:

 

Two sharpened pencils, or pens

A notebook or paper

Your copy of the ARRL Technician Class License Manual, if you have one

Positive Identification

A calculator – all formulas and memories must be erased prior to the test

Your $15.00 examination fee in cash or check payable to the Meriden Amateur Radio Club.

 

Ham Radio is an exciting and rewarding hobby, and there’s something in it for everybody, whatever your age, education, or level of technical skill.  The instructors for your class are strictly volunteers, motivated only by the desire to help you to pass your exam.  We wish you the best, and hope that you come to enjoy Ham Radio as much as we do!