Just passed my General class test on Saturday!!!!

[SteveShannon]

Just now, WRPL700 said:

Steve is absolutely correct about the tests.  If I can pass the Tech with a 35/35 and the General with a 35/35 then anybody can do it.  They have some great tools for people to use to study for the exams (hamexam.org) is what I used (which someone here suggested.... thank you!).  Ham is a great hobby and I am glad I did it.

Thanks! Another resource is HamStudy.org.  That’s what I used when I started. They are free, but you’re welcome to donate if you want and they do have an app they sell for a low price for your phone or tablet.

[WSDV256]

Well, After studying my butt off for several weeks, I took the test Saturday for General class and passed (35 out of 35).  I do have to say thanks to the guy who gave me the link to hamexam.org where you can do flash cards of the questions, it really helped!!!  Now on to new bands... maybe I will try out 17 meters or 20 meters in the coming weeks.  

Congratulations!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[WRCR724]

On 5/5/2025 at 6:54 AM, WRPL700 said:

Steve is absolutely correct about the tests.  If I can pass the Tech with a 35/35 and the General with a 35/35 then anybody can do it.  They have some great tools for people to use to study for the exams (hamexam.org) is what I used (which someone here suggested.... thank you!).  Ham is a great hobby and I am glad I did it.

 

Go for the extra license. Doesn't give you much more other than not having to worry about what portion of the bands you are in and bragging rights, but why not? 

[BoxCar]

40 minutes ago, WRCR724 said:

 

Go for the extra license. Doesn't give you much more other than not having to worry about what portion of the bands you are in and bragging rights, but why not? 

39 minutes ago, WRCR724 said:

 

Go for the extra license. Doesn't give you much more other than not having to worry about what portion of the bands you are in and bragging rights, but why not? 

 *1 on going for Extra, Being Extra is also the gateway to becoming a Volunteer Examiner for new hams and those wanting to upgrade,

[FishinGary]

If you go for AE and you're really lucky you may be issued sequentially one of the highly coveted 1X2 or 2X1 callsigns. If not, you'll still get a 2X2 which lets everyone know you're an AE. 

You can apply for a vanity 1X2 or 2X1 as well, and I considered it, but when I got my 2X2 I was happy with it.

[WSEZ864]

20 hours ago, FishinGary said:

If you go for AE and you're really lucky you may be issued sequentially one of the highly coveted 1X2 or 2X1 callsigns. If not, you'll still get a 2X2 which lets everyone know you're an AE. 

You can apply for a vanity 1X2 or 2X1 as well, and I considered it, but when I got my 2X2 I was happy with it.

If one passes their AE exam, they keep their original call sign unless they can find a vanity call they like that's available and apply for the change. You won't get issued anything automatically just because you passed the exam. Getting AE only qualifies one to apply for any available call and one will not automatically get reassigned a new or shorter call.

[WRCR724]

4 minutes ago, WSEZ864 said:

If one passes their AE exam, they keep their original call sign unless they can find a vanity call they like that's available and apply for the change. You won't get issued anything automatically just because you passed the exam. Getting AE only qualifies one to apply for any available call and one will not automatically get reassigned a new or shorter call.

You have to complete the NCVEC form 605 and on that form, there's a box to check if you want to change your callsign systematically. If checked, you will automatically be assigned a new callsign when your upgrade is processed by the FCC. So it kind of is automatic if you request it. Until then, you can use your current callsign/AE and operate with your new frequency privileges. 

Also, you don't need to pass ANY exam in order to request a new systematically assigned callsign. You could submit form 605 to a VEC or submit the request online through the FCC license manager site. 

[FishinGary]

11 hours ago, WSEZ864 said:

If one passes their AE exam, they keep their original call sign unless they can find a vanity call they like that's available and apply for the change. You won't get issued anything automatically just because you passed the exam. Getting AE only qualifies one to apply for any available call and one will not automatically get reassigned a new or shorter call.

I neglected to mention that you have to check the box on the form, but yes, you're right. If you go from unlicensed to Amateur Extra though (assuming you pass the Technician and General exams at the same time), they do issue you one sequentially right out of the pool.

I've heard that supposedly there are some regions where they have run out of AE format callsigns and new license grantees going from unlicensed to Amateur Extra are being issued Advanced format callsigns, but I cannot confirm.

[WSEZ864]

58 minutes ago, FishinGary said:

I neglected to mention that you have to check the box on the form, but yes, you're right. If you go from unlicensed to Amateur Extra though (assuming you pass the Technician and General exams at the same time), they do issue you one sequentially right out of the pool.

This is 100% correct. EVERY new licensee is issued the next sequential call sign for that zone. If you want a vanity call, you have to first get your license, then apply to change.

58 minutes ago, FishinGary said:

I've heard that supposedly there are some regions where they have run out of AE format callsigns and new license grantees going from unlicensed to Amateur Extra are being issued Advanced format callsigns, but I cannot confirm.

What you were told is not fully correct. Yes, they stopped sequentially issuing call signs according to license grade years ago, but there have not been dedicated call signs "per license level" for many years. This means there is no such thing as an 'Advanced' or 'Novice' call sign format anymore. The current format for a new licensee, regardless of grade, is xxXxxx.

There are certain call sign formats you need to be AE to apply for, but none of those are new calls and are recycled from dead people and people who failed to renew for 2 years, thus giving up their right to retain their call.

Even at that, xXx, xXxx and xxXxx calls are very hard to find, in the sense that anything decent (easy to key, easy to say, cool, unique, etc.) is snapped up if/when it ever becomes available. There is also a preference system, in which you would get first dibs on your deceased father's call sign for example.

[SteveShannon]

1 hour ago, WSEZ864 said:

The current format for a new licensee, regardless of grade, is xxXxxx.

Has that recently changed? Because three years ago I was automatically assigned AI7KS after I passed the AE exam.

[WRYZ926]

My brother's call sign stayed the same when he went from technician to general to amateur extra. He was first licensed in 2022.

[WRCR724]

9 hours ago, WRYZ926 said:

My brother's call sign stayed the same when he went from technician to general to amateur extra. He was first licensed in 2022.

So did mine. Because I didn't request a new callsign. 

[WRYZ926]

3 minutes ago, WRCR724 said:

So did mine. Because I didn't request a new callsign. 

My brother didn't request a new call sign either. The FCC will not change it unless you request a vanity call sign.

[WRCR724]

2 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said:

My brother didn't request a new call sign either. The FCC will not change it unless you request a vanity call sign.

Or unless you request a new sequentially assigned callsign. 

[WSEZ864]

10 hours ago, SteveShannon said:

Has that recently changed? Because three years ago I was automatically assigned AI7KS after I passed the AE exam.

I don't know, I will look further into this. Your situation seems unique, with no prior call sign shown before your upgrade. Did you go from unlicensed to AE in one session?

[SteveShannon]

17 minutes ago, WSEZ864 said:

I don't know, I will look further into this. Your situation seems unique, with no prior call sign shown before your upgrade. Did you go from unlicensed to AE in one session?

I did.

[tweiss3]

I need to get back to studying for AE. Same as last years study course, life got busy and I'm behind again.

[FishinGary]

3 hours ago, WSEZ864 said:

I don't know, I will look further into this. Your situation seems unique, with no prior call sign shown before your upgrade. Did you go from unlicensed to AE in one session?

I went from unlicensed to AE in one session, like Steve, and was issued a 2X2 callsign as well.

Also, this is how the Sequential Call Sign System is currently structured, according to the FCC. https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/amateur-radio-service/amateur-call-sign-systems

[WSEZ864]

On 5/8/2025 at 10:40 PM, SteveShannon said:

Has that recently changed? Because three years ago I was automatically assigned AI7KS after I passed the AE exam.

 

On 5/9/2025 at 12:15 PM, FishinGary said:

I went from unlicensed to AE in one session, like Steve, and was issued a 2X2 callsign as well.

Also, this is how the Sequential Call Sign System is currently structured, according to the FCC. https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/amateur-radio-service/amateur-call-sign-systems

I see I was wrong about this. Thank you both for the corrections!