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HAM Radio Code Test

S

slackwarelinux

Senior member
I am going to take my code test on Tuesday, and I would like some advice, and I have a few questions..

Do I really have to learn punctuation?
Can you retake it on the spot?
How long do does it usually take?
Does anyone actually use morse code?

Anyways, thanks for any helpful advice, I figured this is about as off-topic as it can get.
 
From what I remember, no you can not retake it on the spot--there's a waiting period of something--and it took me a couple of minutes. I spent longer driving there than the test did. It's really not bad; I mean god, what are you going for, 5 words a minute. If you didn't know a single thing and were looking right out of a book you could translate that fast. All I really remember though, is I got 19wpm at the time.

Good Luck.
 
Yes, there is a big resurgence in code DX'ing. My old man is wicked with a Speed Bug. HAM's worldwide still use it as it allows for positive communication when voice intelligibility may be less than optimal.
< Dad = W6FAH used to be K4HQQ
< StepDad = WB6EDR
< Been in HAM shacks since 1957, but never went the whole route. I am too A.D.D. for attentive study of code.
 
..I passed the Extra pre-restructuring. 20 wpm. But hardly ever used it on the air. I used a MFJ code tutor to learn. I practiced at 18 wpm to pass the General test at 13 wpm..and the examiner talked me into trying the Extra at 20 wpm..and I passed. I was amazed. Nearly solid copy of the paragraph/QSO. And that was it. Had 3 QSO's on the air in CW and put it down. Never really cared for CW but for those that do it's obvious they are having a lot of fun..go for it. And if ya don't pass try again. You'll never forget the enormous feeling of accomplishment of passing a CW test.
 
It's cool, but after 17 years I don't remember it. I passed 5wpm when I was 12 years old on the first try. It was scarey (for a 12 year old), the theory was harder and more interesting for me.

Have fun with it! KB2FQX.
 
It's not too difficult. You only need either five words (five characters each) / 25 characters, or they will give you an answer sheet with some questions.

Some organizations use multiple choice answer sheets, some use "fill in the blanks".

One of they harder things is too not get hung up on a character. If you hear one and don't get it .... then skip it and be ready for the next character. If you sit & ponder the one you didn't get, you'll miss another one (or a couple) and you're worse off.

Once the recording has finished, you'll be able to sit for as long as you need to go back and fill in the characters you didn't get. If you've copied most of the transmission, you'll be able to figure out most of the characters you didn't get.

Good Luck

Scott
WV9A
 
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