Subj : Re: Getting Started
To   : Warpslide
From : Vk3jed
Date : Mon Aug 17 2020 19:57:00

-=> On 08-16-20 10:02, Warpslide wrote to All <=-

 Wa> Hey All,

 Wa> I recently received a TYT TH-UV88 as a gift.  I don't know much about
 Wa> HAM Radio (anything really), but it looks like this small handheld
 Wa> supports 2M and 70cm frequencies.  From what I understand, it's ok for
 Wa> me to turn this on & listen but I won't be able to talk until I get a
 Wa> license.

I don't know what the law says in Canada, but in Australia, it is an offence to
possess and have ready for use a piece of radio equipment for which you're not
licensed.  However, if there's obvious evidence that one is studying when an
inspector calls (not likely unless they're knocking on all doors), they might
just warn you to put it away in a drawer until you have your licence.

But I don't know exactly what the regs say in Canada, since I'm not there. :)

 Wa> Since I'm not licensed, I'm looking into what it would take to write
 Wa> the exam. I'm located in Canada and a quick Google search says I'd need
 Wa> at least at least 70% to pass or 80% to pass with honours (allowing
 Wa> access to < 30MHz).

Yeah, the pass mark here is also 70% from memory (I would have been in the high
90s when I sat my test).

 Wa> There's an online course starting soon or a local club has a course
 Wa> starting in September.  Does anyone in Canada have experience with
 Wa> rac.ca's online course?

 Wa> https://www.rac.ca/rac-online-basic-amateur-radio-course-registration-su
 Wa> mmer-20
 Wa> 20/

 Wa> Just not sure yet which route would be best to take for me:  Online,
 Wa> in-person or self paced.

Depends on:

1.  who you are and your background.
2.  How you learn best.
3.  Currently, COVID-19 restrictions.

When I studied in 1988-1989, I was halfway through an electronic engineering
degree, which meant theory was covered, and I could focus on regulations.  But
for practice, I whipped through a book of 500 dimilar theory questions in 3
hours with a very high accuracy.  The actual test was 50 questions in 90
minutes, so I was pretty confident. :)

I was comfortable with the regulations by early January, so at the last minute,
I decided to roll the dice and sit the 5WPM Morse exams (Morse is no longer
compulsory for any purpose now).  That gave me 5 weeks to learn Morse and pass
the exam (actually, I did).

Anyway, my situation was conducive to self study, as I had the background to
manage it, and just had to learn specific details.

However, for a subject I'm less familiar with, I prefer in person instruction
with hands on options.  Online learning can work, but the lack of structure
doesn't play nicely with me.  I think you'll be tossing up between self study
and online  (depending on COVID-19 restrictions).  Of those two, I'd probably
go for online, but you may be different.

 Wa> I noticed that Synchronet has a built-in quiz for Canadian HAM Radio
 Wa> basic & advanced questions.  I went though about 30 questions before I
 Wa> realized I'd fail pretty bad.  Looks like I need to get studying.

I haven't seen that quiz!  I must look around. :)

I'd pass a US Extra without study, and that's with some of their weird
regulations which are quite foreign to ours.  At least the theory works the
same. :)


.... I have a virus on my comouter, and its name is F-A-C-E-B-O-O-K.
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