No Nonsense Extra Class License Study Guide

 I'd really like to get back into ham radio... seeing the updated No Nonsense Extra Class License Study Guide by KB6NU makes me wonder if I could make time to get ready for an upgraded license.

(I've always thought the biggest benefit of winning the lottery would be the time you get by having all that money.)

ARRL Extra Class License Manual Kindle Version

The ARRL announces that the Extra Class License Manual is now available in a Kindle version:

"The Kindle edition from Amazon completes the suite of ARRL license manuals available in e-book format."

CWNP: CWTS - Service Sets

My study guide/notes... my definitions may not be perfect, but they help me with concepts.

Service Set (SS) - all the devices connected to a wireless LAN.

Basis Service Set (BSS) - a single access point and all of its connected devices

Independent BSS / Ad Hoc / Peer-to-peer - devices talk to each other without a central authority like an access point

Infrastructure BSS - an access point that connects to a larger distribution network

Extended Service Set (ESS) - a collection of BSS that are working together to provide wireless service in an area

Basis Service Set Identification (BSSID) - the MAC address of the access point

Service Set Identifier (SSID) - the unique identifier for a BSS or ESS, what we commonly call the name of the wireless network

ARRL Ham Radio License Manual - Kindle Edition

The ARRL has announced that it is making the The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual ($19.95) in the Kindle format. I used an older edition of this book for passing my tech.



Via Jeff Davis

VRF

I like the CBT Nuggets training... I learn best when I can hear/see something first. (I was reminded of this when I struggled with my PMP training. Just picking up the book was like slogging through mud. I watched the videos first and then everything clicked.) Life has gotten in the way of studying for the CWNP, but I pick up random tidbits through the stuff going on at work and things like this Micro Nugget.

CWNP

I'm looking into the Certified Wireless Network Professional program for my next cert. CWNP is vendor agnostic. I've never formally done any training or studying on the wireless side, but after reading a couple of chapters, I'm excited about the (no surprise) overlap with ham radio topics. I spotted a ham calling "CQ" in the CWNP forum.

2014 No-Nonsense Technician Class License Study Guide

Dan (KB6NU) has updated his No-Nonsense Technician Class License Study Guide for 2014. If you are looking to get your ticket this is a great resource.

Certifiable

Many suspected, but now it is official... I am certifiable.

I passed my ITIL Foundation exam today.

ITIL

What is ITIL? My take... a long, long list of very similar vocabulary terms with a lot of overlap. I'm not saying that it isn't useful. I do think a common vocabulary can be very helpful, but there is a reason everyone I talk to says that they only do ITIL-Lite.

Extra

So I got this in the mail yesterday after renewing my ARRL membership.

And I already had this. I've had it so long that it covers the old question set.

Maybe it is time for me to start studying.

Extra Class Study Materials

My father-in-law loaned me this, so I could study for my Extra Class exam.

Maybe if I pass, I can reward myself by buying some new gear.

Extra Class Study Guide

Here is another gift idea. KB6NU has just released the Extra Class version of his No-Nonsense Study Guide. It is available in various formats (PDF, Nook, Kindle) for about $8.

Amateur Extra

Well, I had a somewhat arbitrary goal of getting my Extra license before the current exam expired. Since I've not cracked a book in months, I'll miss that target. Too much three year old and too much running to have time for studying... maybe this winter.

The Motherload of Ham Radio Study Guides

Based on a comment from KD0BIK about his plan to start studying for his Extra license, I tracked down the course information.

Check out this download link from SouthCARS - for each license course, they have all the documents in one convenient place. For example, the Extra Class course has the questions pool, the syllabus, HF Band Chart, Diagrams for the test, All Ham Band Chart, and KY6V's "Let's Start with the Basics" document. Oh, and there are 12 podcasts of the actual class in case you missed any or cannot listen during the live event.

Between the ARRL Extra Class License Manual and all the free resources, I have no excuse for sticking with the General License.

No-Nonsense Technician Class License Study Guide - In Print

The No-Nonsense Technician Class License Study Guide is now available in print for $12. Becoming a ham doesn't have to be expensive.

Ham Study Guides

I think I've pointed them out before, but I have a friend who is tempted by ham radio, so I will link to the the KB6NU study guides again. PDF versions are free, but paid versions are available for Kindle and Nook.

Free study guides, inexpensive exam fee, free Echolink, and inexepensive rigs... add it up and it is like the package a dealer gives you to get you hooked.

"Extra" Special License

A discussion about the value of the Extra class license.

"Second, I don’t think many people can go through that memorization process without learning something. I have a friend who always claims that he passed the Extra test by memorizing all of the answers. He’s just playing dumb, though. He knows a lot more than he gives himself credit for, and I think that you’ll find the same thing is true for the clods who claim to have passed by simply memorizing the answers."

I'm not sure how much I learned as I passed my Tech and General in less than about six months. I have to agree that I learned something. The "doing" will teach me more than the studying ever did, but you have to start somewhere.