Another San Diegan

[dlichterman]

Hey there everyone - my name is Daniel and I have recently purchased a tundra so that I can explore the places my car can not get me! I went offroading with friends in the Ocotillo Wells area and got hooked so I needed a truck. I am also interested in getting an amateur radio license as radios have interested me since I was a child.

I'm quite into photography and that has been one of the driving forces that made me want to get to places I wouldn't be able to otherwise. I am trying to plan a trip to Death Valley this fall, and want to hit up the national parks(while we still have them).

The truck:


Don't have to do this anymore:


A flickr set from Ocotillo wells:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dlichterma ... 787728252/

Hope to see some of you at the fiesta island meet and greet mid August!

[Crismateski]

Welcome to the group, there are a fair number of guys in the San Diego area. We have a meet and greet coming up on the 18th on Fiesta Island, and there will be license testing. If you study now, you can have a license in a couple of weeks

[cruiserlarry]

Hey, Daniel, welcome aboard OAUSA !!!

I look forward to meeting you at Fiesta Island on August 18th...

[DaveK]

Hi Daniel:

Welcome aboard.

If you are planning on taking the Amateur Radio test, there is plenty of time to get the study book and take some practice exams. Good luck.

[dlichterman]

Yep I was planning on grabbing a book this week to study up. Any recommendations on which to get? It shouldn't be too hard to study with only a few weeks right?

[DaveK]

Yep I was planning on grabbing a book this week to study up. Any recommendations on which to get? It shouldn't be too hard to study with only a few weeks right?

The Gordon West book is one of the best and perhaps the easiest to get. Although you can order the book from just about any bookstore, that will take some time. The quickest way to get it is to visit The Ham Radio Outlet store nearest to your location (there is one in San Diego - see: http://www.hamradio.com/locations.cfm?storeid=4). If you have a friend that has the book (making sure that it is current), that is a good option as well.

The QRZ.com website offers practice exams, on line and free, and you can take the test as many times as you wish, see: http://www.qrz.com/ht/. It can be done in two weeks.

[dlichterman]

I'm actually up in North County - so I might just Amazon it since I have prime.

What about the online study guides? I found a few free ones, and free test questions too.

[BorregoWrangler]

Welcome to the site, Daniel!

[DaveK]

I'm actually up in North County - so I might just Amazon it since I have prime.

What about the online study guides? I found a few free ones, and free test questions too.

There are quite a few study guides, books and courses out there, but in the end it will be a matter of personal choice. Gordon's books are geared toward providing both the correct answer to the questions and the technical reasons why it is correct. To be fair, I know that others do that as well. Maybe others who have used different materials can offer their input.

For most people, the greatest asset (after reading the book) has been taking the practice tests enough times so that your score exceeds about 90%. Once you have read the book or taken the course of your choice, the best way to refine your knowledge will be the practice tests. With only 35 questions, it doesn't take long to take a few a day.