We’ve had the new pool technically up on the site for months, but since we didn’t have a link to it most of you couldn’t find it. Well, we didn’t want to put it up until we had all the explanations from the old pool linked to the new and could see exactly what had changed. That is done, and it’s now live!
The changes
As usual, most of the changes to the pool are just minor edits. Here are some stats on the new pool:
- 47 questions have been removed
- 79 new questions have been added
- 29 questions have had significant (more than a couple of words) updates
- There are 32 more questions than in the previous pool for a total of 426 questions (the old pool had 394)
- 4 of the questions with figures in them have been removed, eliminating 3 of the 6 figures from the previous pool
For more details, check out the complete graphical diff!
What still needs to be done
As with any change, there are things that need to be done. If you notice above, there are 79 new questions in this pool — that means those are questions we don’t have explanations for yet! If you find any of these, please fill them in — we’ll be posting a link to help you find them sometime soon, but first priority was making sure you can all still study!
By Danny Bond October 22, 2014 - 13:43
I won’t to get this license so bad. I am 68 years old when I go to take it i hope I can remember it it is very hard for me, but I well get it sometime. Thanks
Danny Bond
By carlholley February 11, 2015 - 12:11
the study is very helpful thank you
By Bruce Guyant February 16, 2015 - 20:54
Hello – I have a question regarding licensure. I am currently licensed as a Technician. I have decided to upgrade my license. Do I have to pass the General Exam before I can take the Amateur Extra? Or does holding the Amateur Extra exam give me all of the privileges of the General Licensure as well?
By kd7bbc February 17, 2015 - 11:03
Yes you do. To become an Extra you need to pass Element 2 (Technician), Element 3 (General), and Element 4 (Extra). General only needs 2 and 3, Tech only need element 2. Element 1 was the code, but that requirement was removed some time ago.
By Ron April 4, 2015 - 14:49
Currently before you can take the next level exam you must pass the level before it. So after I take my Technician exam and pass I’ll have the opportunity to take the General exam. If I pass that I can then take the Amateur Extra.
By Shaun Crosley March 28, 2015 - 18:52
I am wanting to become a Ham Radio License holder, is there a class you can take to learn the stuff needed? I have tried years ago and failed to get the license.
Thanks In advance
By kd7bbc March 28, 2015 - 20:04
There are often classes which can be taken but for the most part they are dependent on your area. I don’t know of any online classes, though such a thing might be interesting to attempt.
Your best bet may depend on your goal: if you want to just get your ticket, you can just cram questions on HamStudy.org. If you actually want to understand things, you should probably a) find a local ham radio club and see if they have a class, b) purchase a book (both ARRL and W5YI produce one, as do a few other publishers who I can’t vouch for), or c) some combination of a and b.
If you don’t have a local group to work with you’re unlikely to figure things out just because you have your license. If you have local people to help you learn then it may be just as effective to get your ticket first and then learn by doing; however, if you take this route make sure you have someone to help keep you from making serious mistakes. Hams are usually happy to help you learn but often a bit impatient with people who are operating in a way that makes it clear that they don’t know the basics and didn’t take time to have someone teach them.
Good luck!
By Jerry Irvin April 12, 2015 - 18:54
Thank you for this site. Going through the flash cards has really helped me with the areas I need to study. Some areas I already have down pat. So once again Thank you so much for this much needed and valuable website.
By Gary Frothingham June 21, 2015 - 09:44
The questions are very helpful and flashcards format with explanation is unbelievable helpful as with physical disabilities ih pain disability where concentration is difficult, repetition is nice. Cant say enough about the service you provide here. God bless.