AARC

Mike

Per our discussion I can not participate but I will ensure that the Introductory slides are on the laptop.

Here is some empirical data for you to consider for the upcoming class. There are 2-3 things that contribute to success or failure during the exam:

1. The amount of student preparation.

2. The wording of the questions – some are poorly written which can cause problems or make it too easy on the exam.

3. How the information is presented in class and the amount of time spent on the subject.

The following is the Chapter- Syllabus Topic relationship:

Chapter 2, Radio and Electronics Fundamentals

T4 - Radio and Electronic Fundamentals

Chapter 3, Operating Station Equipment

T5 - Station Set-up and operation

T9 - Antenna types – vertical, horizontal, concept of gain, common portable and mobile antennas, losses with short antennas, relationships between antenna length and frequency, dummy loads

Chapter 4, Communicating With Other Hams

T3 - Operating Practices

T6 - Communications Modes and Methods

T7 – Special Operations

T8 - Emergency and Public Service Communications

Chapter 5, Licensing Regulations

T1 - FCC Rules; Station License Requirements

Chapter 6, Operating Regulations

T2 - Control Operator Duties

Chapter 7, Safety

T0 - Electrical and RF Safety

According to the results of 180 Technician exams conducted by the AARC VE Team since 1 July 2006, six “problem areas” show up on the Technician Exam. These are areas you might want to "reinforce" during the class.

Chapter 3

23% of the applicants failed a question from T5C - Repeaters; repeater and simplex operating techniques, offsets, selective squelch, open and closed repeaters, linked repeaters

21% of the applicants failed a question from T9A - Antenna types – vertical, horizontal, concept of gain, common portable and mobile antennas, losses with short antennas, relationships between antenna length and frequency, dummy loads

Chapter 4

27% of the applicants failed a question from T6A - Modulation modes, descriptions and bandwidth (AM, FM, SSB)

26% of the applicants failed a question from T6C - Non-voice communications - image communications, data, CW, packet, PSK31, Morse code techniques, Q signals

22% of the applicants failed a question from T8B - Preparation for emergency operations, RACES/ARES, safety of life and property, using ham radio at civic events, compensation prohibited

Chapter 5

20% of the applicants failed a question from T1C - Authorized frequencies; reciprocal licensing; operation near band edges; spectrum sharing.