I’m not normally a fan of cram-type courses for the Tech license, but under some circumstances it’s appropriate. For example, I would be in favor of holding such a class with a group of Red Cross volunteers so that they could be licensed quickly, if there are experienced amateurs who will be working with them in the future. It would also be in favor of cramming in the case of a family where one parent is an amateur.
In both cases, you can be assured that the new hams will have an Elmer to help them and guide them. Without such Elmering, chances are that the new ham will quickly get bored with ham radio and eventually drop out.
Having said that, I recently came across HAM CRAM, a Technician Class license course designed to be given in two, 3-hour sessions. Richard W9PE, the author of the course, has made his set of PowerPoint slides available for free downloading from his website.
As far as written materials go, I’ve developed a bare-bones license manual that you can use to study for the Technician test. It’s based on a method developed by Bruce W8BBS. What he did for the earlier question pool is to rephrase each question in the form of a statement and then organize the statments to make them readable.
Because Bruce was unable to update his manual for the new question pool, I’ve done it instead. If you have any interest in it at all, please download it and have a look. I’d be interested in any comments, questions, compliments, or complaints that you have. E-mail me!
UPDATE 11/1/06
The Triangle East Amateur Radio Association has published a Tech study guide in PowerPoint format. They say that it can be used by individuals for self-study as well as by instructors teaching a class.
Luke says
I love your bare bones license manual I started reading it on thursday night and took the test that Saturday and Aced it. What I would like to know if there is a study manual for the general test just like this one.
Thanks, Luke
Dan KB6NU says
Hi, Luke–
Thanks for the feedback. When you get your license, send me your callsign and I’ll be listening for you. :)
I am working on the General Class Bare Bones License Study Guide, but since the question pool is changing at the end of June, that is the question pool that I’m working on, not the current one. I am shooting to have it done by the end of April.
Kevin says
are you or do you know of anyone working on an extra class bare bones study guide
Dan KB6NU says
No, I don’t. Sorry. There are 486 questions in the new General Class question pool, but more than 800 in the Extra Class question pool, making that a very difficult undertaking.