New Ham Help
Here are some thoughts on becoming an amateur from N8CY, a recent ham and member of GMARC:
Let me assure you that there is plenty of help available. HAM Radio is a “community” and there are many people significantly more skilled than I who will give you more help than you ever imagined. I am quite infamous in that I failed to pass the exam by one question twice. Yes, I took the exam two times in December and missed a passing grade by one question. I passed in January, as I knew I would, based on the preparation that I will share with you.
HAM radio is more exciting than ever. The new technology of repeaters, Voice-over-IP (VoIP) connections via the internet, dual-band / tri-band Handi-Talkies (HTs) and 50-watt dual-band / dual-receive mobile transceivers, etc. (at affordable prices) keep the hobby new. The Amateur Radio Clubs provide a very valuable service to the community for Emergency Communications, Emergency Siren Maintenance, Emergency Weather Awareness (SkyWarn), National Security, Education, etc. There has never been a better time to be a HAM.
I suggest you go to http://www.qrz.com/hamtest and take a look at some “sample tests” for the Technician Exam. Once you become familiar with the scope of the questions, I believe that http://www.aa9pw.com/radio/ is a better site to actually take practice tests. It is more like a real “test environment” and it gives you a graph at the end showing “areas in which you are weak”.
Here is a site that offers lots of links and a different approach which might be helpful to a new HAM: http://www.qsl.net/k8zt/hamhelp.html#tips
Here is an update (by W1BIC 01JAN17) if you have a Smartphone, there are lots of study apps. One for Android users is Ham Test Prep from Iversoft.com Click HERE for a link. It comes highly recommended from Dave W8DJH.