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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoPlainText>I recently had the opportunity to use <b>HamTestOnline</b> (2017-Q4) and heartily recommend it.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>As a late life licensee, at 70, I wanted to accelerate the process so I took some freebie Tech/General courses -- getting what I paid for <span style='font-family:"Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif'>😊</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>They were a quick, crude intro to see if my synapses still sparked. Seems they do.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>My avocational background (for the last 60 years ago) has been some physics, EE, space research, various degrees of others - but MATH is NOT my thing.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Did a lot of computer design, art, engineering, photography, coding, writing, AI, etc. All with no math beyond trig.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>I had used radios my whole life but only as a passive (AM-SW) DX Listener.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Been around AROs my whole life but never as an operational observer or shack buddy.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>My AR-specific knowledge for Tech, Gen, and Extra varied between 0 and 2 (out of 10).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>So, I investigated online tutoring and HamTestOnline stood out in a field of few flowers.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Being a late starter, I wanted maximum speed of knowledge acquisition.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>I studied and tested their Tech & Gen courses for 2 weeks until I maintained 9+5% scores.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>I then headed for Chelmsford Q4-2017. I passed both with only moderate hair pulling. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>They suggested I try the Extra (which I neither knew nor studied for).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>As I expected, I failed, but to a lesser degree than I had forecasted.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Went back to HTO, signed up Extra, studied a week until I hit 95%, then to next earliest test (Lunenburg).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>To my utter delight, I missed only 3 questions on the Extra exam! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>So, from zero to Extra in a little over 3 weeks. All with HTO as my sole education source.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Mind you, as is <i>de riguer</i> for any course, I studied and self-tested 8-10 hours day.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>I self-tested maybe 20 times a day. You see, the test process is the education process.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>You miss a question, it shows you a clip of supporting info and you try again.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Around and around you go. It breaks the monotony by switching up the order and topics.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>I started literally with near zero knowledge. It took me the whole way.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>One anecdote that portrays what I liked about HTO is that it goes above and beyond what you might expect. To wit: There was a question in the test pool whose accepted answer was wrong. It was about the increase in gain to expect if you doubled a dish's diameter. Well, that squares the area so 2x diameter becomes 4x area. 4x = 6db. But the approved answer was an incorrect 3db. HTO taught me to enter the WRONG answer to pass that question. Sure enough, I got it, I entered to correct wrong answer and I passed it. I hear they've since corrected the pool question. HTO was one of those who petitioned for its correction. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Overall, my modus operandi was nothing more than the online tutoring.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>I did NOT take side trips to research and study topics (as is my typically wont).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>I did not study books or articles. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The online testing is, unto itself, the course on what you are being tested on.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>A beautiful example of positive recursion.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>You can visit them and use some of the courses for free to get a feel for it.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><a href="http://HamTestOnline.com">http://HamTestOnline.com</a> which takes you to <a href="http://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com">http://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Don't judge its utilitarian UX (user interface). The beauty is in the recursive testing/teaching.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Give it a shot. It's free to try. Nothing to lose.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Ps. I found Tech harder than General since Tech has the basic tedious rules.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Extra was a different kettle of fish. More questions at a much higher level of difficulty.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>TK Anthony <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>-----Original Message-----<br>From: bars <bars-bounces@w1hh.org> On Behalf Of sidj@day100.com<br>Sent: Wednesday, February 5, 2020 8:20 PM<br>To: Gary's Ice Cream <gary@garysicecream.com>; Andy Klock <andy@klockmail.com>; Tony Brock-Fisher <barockteer@aol.com>; bars@w1hh.org<br>Subject: Re: [bars] Suggestions for a radio for new ham?</p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Let me suggest that you use ham test online:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><a href="https://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com/"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>https://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com/</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>I used it several years ago, it seems to be an active web page today.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The books put me to sleep, <a href="https://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com/"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>https://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com/</span></a> was a big help.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>After the Technician test, I used hamtestonline for the general and extra.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Sid<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>ab1nz<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> On January 31, 2020 .2:57 PM Gary's Ice Cream <<a href="mailto:gary@garysicecream.com"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>gary@garysicecream.com</span></a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> We'd love to have you at our next VE test session on Feb 13th in Chelmsford.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> Gary F.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> Gary's Ice Cream - Chelmsford Creamery, Inc. Chelmsford, MA <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> garysicecream.com Ice Cream College - classes in Massachusetts and <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> Florida icecreamcollege.com<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> -----Original Message-----<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> From: bars <<a href="mailto:bars-bounces@w1hh.org"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>bars-bounces@w1hh.org</span></a>> On Behalf Of Andy Klock<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> Sent: Friday, January 31, 2020 12:50 PM<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> To: Tony Brock-Fisher <<a href="mailto:barockteer@aol.com"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>barockteer@aol.com</span></a>>; <a href="mailto:bars@w1hh.org"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>bars@w1hh.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> Subject: Re: [bars] Suggestions for a radio for new ham?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> Thanks all for everyone's advice and encouragement.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> I ended up going for the General last weekend, but while things are <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> still fresh in my brain I'm thinking of taking the Extra on the 13th. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> I've got a teenager who might come with me (and possibly a couple of <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> his buddies) as well if he is ready.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> I'm still not sure what my actual plans are but maybe that is a good thing.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> I like to hike in the mountains and carrying an antena sounds like a <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> fun thing to do. The thing that made me interested in the first place <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> was reading that story of a ham who found an old NASA satellite:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> <a href="http://www.arrl.org/news/view/canadian-radio-amateur-finds-resurrected"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>http://www.arrl.org/news/view/canadian-radio-amateur-finds-resurrected</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> -nasa-<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> satellite<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> That is just the sort of scientific inquiry that I find interesting. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> But, since I'm a complete novice I'm sure I'll find some other interests too.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> My kids got out of school early today so we're going to head up to <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> Salem to check out that ham shop. Will keep you posted.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> Thanks again. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> Andy K<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> KC1MOW<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> PS. I'll try and make it to the next meeting.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> _______________________________________________<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> bars mailing list<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> <a href="mailto:bars@w1hh.org"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>bars@w1hh.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> <a href="http://mail.w1hh.org/mailman/listinfo/bars_w1hh.org"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>http://mail.w1hh.org/mailman/listinfo/bars_w1hh.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> _______________________________________________<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> bars mailing list<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> <a href="mailto:bars@w1hh.org"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>bars@w1hh.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> <a href="http://mail.w1hh.org/mailman/listinfo/bars_w1hh.org"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>http://mail.w1hh.org/mailman/listinfo/bars_w1hh.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>_______________________________________________<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>bars mailing list<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><a href="mailto:bars@w1hh.org"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>bars@w1hh.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><a href="http://mail.w1hh.org/mailman/listinfo/bars_w1hh.org"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>http://mail.w1hh.org/mailman/listinfo/bars_w1hh.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>