Take Your Ham Radio Test Online
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 มิ.ย. 2024
- In this video, I talk with Stephen Hutchings WM7X who is the Contact Volunteer Examiner for the Spout Springs Repeater Association testing team. Stephen does a great job explaining how online testing works and how it has changed the way we administer Amateur Radio Exams.
HamStudy.org: hamstudy.org
Great information. Thanks for doing these videos
Thank you for your comment. It is this kind of feedback that keeps me going. I want to provide value to the ham radio community first and foremost.
Just got my technician through Stephen and his volunteer examiners. Super painless, easygoing and really convenient!
Congrats Mike! Didn't sit in on your exam but great to hear it went well.
What did it cost you? who did you pay?Do I need more than one camera?
Congrats!!!
@@brianmartin7964
I can’t remember off the top of my head. I believe it was around 50$. I needed one camera only and basically just showed them the room I was in, by turning my laptop camera to 360 pan the room.
Again, super easy and painless
See you out there, KF0NJZ
@@cuttheknot4781 thank you!
Excellent presentation!
Thank you kindly!
Fantastic video
Thanks! 😃
Thanks guys. Seeing as how I can't drive anymore due to a disability getting to and from a test site is very difficult. This helps a lot
Best of luck Rick. You can do this.
Great information!
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks guys. I've been interested in the online testing but, had many questions. This video gave me direction.
I am so glad this helped you. The whole point to this video was to get the info out there to folks just like you that wanted answers. If you have other questions, you can leave another comment and I will do my best to get you the right answer.
Absolutely great information. This video was so precise in guiding a newbie to study material and the different methods on how to take the exam. Thank you!
Thanks Thomas! Best of luck when you go to take your exam. I also have a video on how to study for your exam on the channel to help ensure your success.
thnx for such a informative video about the testing process. Hope you both have a great weekend :)
Our pleasure!
Online testing is great! With today's tech , doing the test in person or online is the same. This will increase the number of license ham.
This initiative is a million times better than the previous one: bashing CB operators because they didn't have interest in taking the test
Absolutely! We have leveraged technology to enable more people to get into our hobby. I have never understood trying to put up road blocks to getting in. The more that are gainfully involved, the more lively and sustainable the ham radio community will become.
What a great video... This is a game changer, and will serve the Ham community very well. I was going to drive 2 hrs to go my "closest" onsite location. Now I wont have to.
Glad it helped! I believe online testing will quickly become the standard format as it is much more efficient.
Good video, and wow, what a radio voice on Steve!
Yes he has a great radio voice. thanks for your comment.
Stephen, Gordon and Timber all were down at Quartzfest in AZ this year. Was a pleasure to work with them as a W5YI VE.
All are part of a great team I am proud to be a part of. A lot of fun and very rewarding to bring in new hams to this hobby.
Thank you for providing this information! I have a friend who is very into ham radio. He helped me build an antenna yesterday and keeps my microphone hostage until I get my license. I can’t wait! I will use some form of material from your session.😊
Best of luck my friend and look forward to hearing you on the air once you pass your exam and get your license.
This is great information, I will be contacting you soon. Still studying for the exam.
Best of luck!
Thank this was very helpful to me.
Glad it was helpful!
@@houseofhamradio
This is how helpful it was, my call sign is KJ5FNS. THANKS 👍
Thank you.
You're welcome!
I plan on taking my Technician/ General online very soon. Makes more sense.
Best of luck on your exam.
Just passed technician test through WM7X and SSRA, thanks guys! Recommend, a 10 out of 10.
Thanks Doug and Congrats! Glad I could lead your test session and get your your Technician.
As a VE with both ARRL and Glaarg, I have participated in quite a few sessions.
The online forum has made it so we can participate more often.
I’ve been studying for a few days and think I’m ready. Unfortunately in person test centers only have a few days per month available. I looked into online testing and noticed that there are many times per day available to test. Seems very convenient.
it is very convenient and most appreciate the friendly and laid back environment of testing from the comfort of your own home. best of luck. Let me know how it goes.
Good video on remote testing. It really works!! Got my General this way. Recommend that you pump up you QRZ page to promote you channel
Thanks for the helpful tip Phillip. I have been meaning to do that. Glad remote testing worked well for you.
The examiner in this fine video has a voice for radio. No pun intended
Stephen does have a good radio voice.
Finally! This will help me finally upgrade to Extra, it's really difficult to find a testing session where you can park a 78' long tractor-trailer!
Edit: Gorden West's books helped me get my Tech+ and general, I did have to use the Jerry Ziliak program to knock out the 13wpm test though.
I really recommend Hamstudy.org for studying and practice tests. The online testing is easy and convenient.
Best of luck my friend.
This guy's voice is so nice
Stephen certainly has a good radio voice.
Enjoyed your video! You both are great and very encouraging! I'm looking to start studying for the Technician license and am considering Gordon West book also recommend to me by someone else. Does Gordon had an online study guide or is it just books? I'm also interested in taking the test online. I would like to take it with your group if possible. I'm in Virginia. Would I find you on Ham Study? Thank you!
Gordon West, who is an occasional VE on our team only provides the books as far as I know. Our #1 recommendation for studying is HamStudy.org. it is free and very good. Make sure you get a free account as it will track your progress. It doesn't matter that you are in VA, we have applicants from all over the US join our sessions and yes you can find the WM7X team on HamStudy. Best of luck and hope to see you in a session in the near future.
wow steven is gettin to be a real celebrity. good job guys.
He has always been a Rock Star, just now getting the credit 😀
@@houseofhamradio yes he has.
9:55 … oh, you’re in Washington! 😅 heh, not as long a drive for me, as lots of Americans. I’m NW of Seattle, a fair bit tho.
Eastern Washinton 🤔 probably too far … I only have VHF/UHF radios, atm. I need to save up some money for HF parts, *then* I’m basically in your neighborhood! 😊
anyhow, I love the idea of exam-over-the-internet … thank you so much for doing this! those of us in remote places like radios the most, but it’s the biggest pain to travel just for an exam.
Remote testing has made it much more accessible for many.
It was better for me to drive to a session than meet the strict room requirements that included the suggestion of taking the exam in the suggested room: bathroom!?! Hopefully that has changed.
Only come across a few that have taken test in bathroom. Not really that strict. just a few things that have to be adhered to.
Thanks for the info i going to start studying and contact you about what i need to take exam with you like I said i just about to getting ready .
Best of luck. for the exam, on the HamStudy page click on the find a session button. If you want to use our team search for WM7X.
Studying for my General right now. Considering going for my Extra license as soon as I pass this one.
good idea. once you get into study mode, might as well keep going.
I need to know more about this, very interested
Go to WM7X.net to learn more.
Thank you Bob and Stephen for a most informative video. Can a amateur who hold a license in another country apply for a US license using your system. Best regards, Garry VK2GAZ
Gary, the ExamTools system is only for testing so if you wanted to get a reciprocal license, you would have to go directly to the FCC. Not sure how that process works.
@@houseofhamradio Thanks Bob
I would love to take a technician test I live in Seattle and disabled so it's hard to get around. So hopefully I can do this online.i just need to find a site that will work for me.
You absolutely can do an online test. Go to hamstudy.org for studying and when you are ready, you can find an online testing session that fits your schedule.
So, I know it's on video and so forth, but does it make a difference if I do better by reading g the questions aloud to myself? I get more from it this way as well as the fact that it helps to focus on the questions if I do it this way.
I cannot speak for other teams but our VE team doesn't care if you say the questions to yourself. Some do and some don't. I would ask your testing team before you start if it is ok with them.
Best of luck
I'm looking to take my Tech test online in Utah but can't find anyplace for this. What do you recommend?
go in to hamstudy.org and at the top right click on find a session. once on that page click on remote sessions at the top. If you want to test with our team, look for WM7X but if one of the other teams better fit with your schedule, you can do that as well.
Good luck
Do you have to get a FRN first or before registering for an online test? If so, any links on how to navigate that??
You do need an FRN before registering for an exam. Here is a link that explains how to get one: www.fcc.gov/wireless/support/knowledge-base/universal-licensing-system-uls-resources/getting-fcc-registration
Thank you so much.
Can I do this from the UK? I just fancy having a US call sign.
You can take the exam from the UK but to be eligible for a US amateur license you would need a valid US mailing address.
Are you allowed to use a computer calculator on your pc during the exam?
yes, you may use the computer calculator. We just ensure all memories are cleared.
What stops a person from looking up the answers? if you are zoom. I mean some people have 2 monitors. so they can google on one and answer on the other?
Very good question and I am probably going to do a video on it. That being said, here is the answer in a nutshell:
We have a minimum of 4 volunteer examiners that are all observing the applicant on Zoom. We can see (and hear) the applicant as well as their shared screen. We do a full scan of the room before they start the test session to ensure they don't have any other devices including other screens that they could look at. We divide up the duties among the VEs to ensure the best possible integrity of the exam.
I hope that answers it for you.
If I paid and failed to test a couple years ago do I have to pay to take it again
Yes, you have to pay each time you test.
What happens if you don’t pass when is the next time you could take the test again
you can take it again in the same session, you just have to pay the fee again. There is no limit to number of tests you can take. If you fail more than once, I would definitely study more before attempting again though.
When you say you examiners use a "Zoom" system to perform online remote examination testing does the word "Zoom" mean that you as examiners use a camera and a microphone to visually observe and hear the applicant taking the remote online test and if so does that mean that the applicant has to have a computer that has to have both a camera and a microphone installed or attatched to it? If so, Then what happens if the applicant has a desktop computer that doesn't have a camera and a microphone instaled or attatched to it? Does that mean the applicant is not eligable to take the online remote exam test? The reason I ask is because I have a desktop computer of which doesn't have such items installed or attatched to it and because I live in a rural area of my state which would require me to make a 300 mile round trip from my house to the state capital in order to be able to reach an area of which would have an in person examiner if I could find one. On my small fixed income retirement pay that doesn't allow me to have enough left over after monthly expenses to make such a round trip. So if that's the case I guess that disqualifies prospective applicants like me from taking the online remote exam test as well as not being able to make a trip to the nearest in person exminer in order to take the exam. But I do think you have the right idea about performing online remote exam testing it's a wonderful great idea. Thanks for a great video upon the subject of online remote testing for ham radio exams.
You do have to have a camera and microphone to be able to take the test online. It doesn't have to be on your computer though. If you have a smart phone or tablet that has a camera and microphone, that makes it possible to test online. We have to be able to see and hear you as well as view the environment you are in to ensure the integrity of the test. You can contact Stephen at: stephen@wm7x.net for more info and to ensure you have everything you would need to be able to test remotely.
taking it at home, is it an open book test? Can you use resources? You said its through a Zoom call, do I need a Camera so you can see me actually taking the test?
It is not an open book test and you cannot use any resources. You must have a camera so the test team can observe you during the exam. That camera can either be a webcam on your computer or a camera on a smart phone.
You need a laptop and a smartphone. Must take video of room you are in. They prefer room with one door. They also said a bathroom is Preferred.
Bottom line is you need either a webcam on your computer or a smartphone. To ensure integrity of the exam, the applicant must be visible to the testing team the entire exam. Don't get to worried about one door or it being a bathroom. You must be in a room that doesn't have other people in it during the exam.
@@houseofhamradio that eases my mind. I am also pretty much home bound. Maybe I'll start studying again. THX
I looked into remote testing, and the requirements I got from one group anyway were too difficult to meet -- they required, for example, I have a basically empty room with a closed door (even though I live alone and no one will disturb me), had to have two devices on the Zoom session to watch me from multiple angles, and would have to dismantle the second monitor on my computer (it's not adequate to just turn it off). Nothing seemed easy going. By comparison, I am now enrolled in university courses online with online proctored exams that are way less complex.
My car broke down actually enroute to an in person Technician test, beyond repairs I could possibly afford. Remote testing seemed ridiculous. So, TBH, I have dropped the idea of becoming a ham again. Is remote testing as daunting as it seemed to be?
Go into HamStudy and look for WM7X test sessions. We are not quite that strict. It doesn't have to be an empty room and we only require one device that has a webcam and audio as well as the ability to run Zoom. Everyone that sits in our sessions say they are very easy and painless. Don't give up, you can get through this and get your license.
I passed the general two days ago with the WM7X team. I sat at the kitchen table and simply covered the tv and took down the calendar. They are easy to get along with. I’ll use them again when I take the extra upgrade.
@@alanklasek7195 Huge congrats! Since you are in study mode, go for the extra.
So if I take the test and fail do I still have to pay the fee?
Yes the fee is to take the exam not necessarily to pass the exam. I would make sure you are fully prepared before attempting. Best of luck
I live in SE TX...South if Houston. How can I take mine by remote?
Go to hamstudy.org and click on the "Find a Session" button. On the session page select remote at the top. You can find a timeslot that fits your schedule. For remote sessions, your location doesn't matter.
Best of luck on your exam.
@@houseofhamradio Thank you!
What stops someone from cheating when they chose the online version? In person sounds better
There are many protections in place to ensure the integrity of the testing process. A few have attempted to cheat and have been caught and dealt with appropriately. Vast majority take the exam legitimately and get their license or upgrade.
@@houseofhamradio "...dealt with appropriately."
Sarlacc pit?
WTF? I just found out this is a thing. Very weird. Wow, I could do a test as soon as tonight if I chose this option. 😲
You absolutely can. It all started with COVID but now online is the largest portion of ham radio tests.
Are you still giving test? If so can i get your email?
The team tests most every day. To schedule an exam, go to hamstudy.org and click "Find a Session" link at upper right corner of the page. If you want to test with our team, select remote session and look for WM7X sessions.
THANK YOU!!! (mama says i don't say 'please' or 'thank you' i get a butt whoopin').
you mention 'zoom'; is that the same as skype? i've only used skype once, during a doctor's appointment.
i stumbled across this yt and it gave me some hope for extra.
thanks again! KAØUSE rodney
Zoom is one of the video conferencing platforms like Skype and Microsoft Teams. This is used so the test can be observed remotely. If you need help getting a test session, you can look me up on QRZ and email me.
Bob WV7W