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Posted

Since, the Tech Class License test questions and answers are now public for future HAMs to memorize, is this the reason why there are no more in person classes to learn everything that you need to know in order to take the HAM test? If no, then why did those classes go by the wayside?

Posted
20 minutes ago, nokones said:

Since, the Tech Class License test questions and answers are now public for future HAMs to memorize, is this the reason why there are no more in person classes to learn everything that you need to know in order to take the HAM test? If no, then why did those classes go by the wayside?

They haven't gone by the wayside. But they're probably circling the drain. Personally, with all the information on YouTube University and about a million other free internet sources, I think an in-person class seems silly, especially if you have to pay for it. I studied on my own and passed my tests with no in-person classes. The only in-person stuff was the tests.

Posted
11 hours ago, WRQC527 said:

They haven't gone by the wayside. But they're probably circling the drain. Personally, with all the information on YouTube University and about a million other free internet sources, I think an in-person class seems silly, especially if you have to pay for it. I studied on my own and passed my tests with no in-person classes. The only in-person stuff was the tests.

What did you study on your own? Did you study the actual aspects of radio theories and practices to be an entry-level Amateur Radio Operator, what about the operation of the equipment and test instruments,  systems and networks, rules and regulations, and ethics, or did you just study to memorize the answers to the potential exam questions?

Wouldn't a person benefit and learn more from an in-person class with inter-action with other class attendees and have hands-on exercises and participate with class discussions? I guess that type of learning is no longer available these days and people just don't want to inter-act with others and would rather stay home watch a video and could care less on the possibility of learning a lot more on the subject than watching a video.

Posted
13 minutes ago, nokones said:

What did you study on your own?

The volume of what I studied to pass my tests and get my amateur radio license, be it online, printed, and from in-person talks with "Elmers", is more than I could ever type here. 

Posted
36 minutes ago, nokones said:

What did you study on your own? Did you study the actual aspects of radio theories and practices to be an entry-level Amateur Radio Operator, what about the operation of the equipment and test instruments,  systems and networks, rules and regulations, and ethics, or did you just study to memorize the answers to the potential exam questions?

Wouldn't a person benefit and learn more from an in-person class with inter-action with other class attendees and have hands-on exercises and participate with class discussions? I guess that type of learning is no longer available these days and people just don't want to inter-act with others and would rather stay home watch a video and could care less on the possibility of learning a lot more on the subject than watching a video.

Good points. Most Hams are "appliance operators" these days. 

Still the value is learning the rules. At least memorizing them is about all you can do so that part isn't any different. As for the rest, well, I guess experience is the real teacher. Maybe then the rest of it might start to make some sense.

Posted
1 minute ago, Lscott said:

Most Hams are "appliance operators" these days. 

That might be true for some of the technician class hams, but most of the people I know who progress to General (and all of the ones who progress to Amateur Extra) work hard at understanding how everything works, propagation, etc.

Posted
5 minutes ago, Sshannon said:

That might be true for some of the technician class hams, but most of the people I know who progress to General (and all of the ones who progress to Amateur Extra) work hard at understanding how everything works, propagation, etc.

Good. I know a few who don't, and they are Extra's too. Sad.

Posted
Just now, Lscott said:

Good. I know a few who don't, and they are Extra's too. Sad.

Yeah, nothing is ever perfect, but as a relatively new ham I’ve been more impressed than I feared after hearing the negative comments. 

  • 4 weeks later...
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Posted
On 10/10/2022 at 9:48 AM, Ren said:

You could always just apply for a vanity plate, and use your GMRS call. Most states adhere to the 7 character format so, as long as you're within those parameters, you *should* be able to get what you want. 

I do have to agree with WRUE951, however, that you want to be careful who you cut off in traffic. Our licenses, both GMRS and Ham, are public information, and there are a LOT of nutjobs out there. I've opted to keep my calls off my vehicles for this very reason. But that's just my 0.02.

That is the same reason I do not have a ham plate and do not put the active member FOP stickers on my vehicles 

Posted
On 11/13/2022 at 6:15 PM, WRND441 said:

There is no way I would have mine on my plate, theres tons of reports and reasons why having personal info or ways to identify your family/hobbies/political sides/ military status etc is a bad idea.

I agree!  Had a ham callsign plate for some years but with the road-ragers and other weirdos on the road and elsewhere, I decided to do away with the ham tag and get a regular plate.  A ham, or GMRS, plate is much easier to look up online and find your address.  The regular plate makes it easier to be the proverbial "grey man" who blends into the background when convenient to do so.

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