Hi Lou;
Thank you for the tips on the EXTRA class test.
I took the exam and failed miserably.
I'll keep studying and see what happens.
If you have any further tips, please let me know.
73 De Anthony W2AJV
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Louis Kim Kline" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, May 04, 2003 10:27 AM
Subject: Re: extra class
> Hi Tom.
>
> If you look at the exam pool, you'll find that the questions that involve
> phase angles aren't that bad. For the most part, you can figure out which
> answer is the correct answer by realizing whether the reactance is
> capacitive or inductive. If you don't mind springing for the Gordon West
> tapes, you'll find that he shows you how to eliminate all the wrong
> answers. I actually did not use any tables at all, as the only scientific
> calculator that I own is the one in my Type 'n Speak, and I did not think
> they would let me use it in the exam since it is a computer, and could
> conceivably be used to cheat if someone left notes about all the formulas,
> etc. in it. So, my strategy was to read through the ARRL materials so
that
> I had a good foundation, and then to use the Gordon West tapes to zero in
> on the questions that I would be dealing with, and figure out the
> strategies that I would use to calculate the answers when I got to the
> exam. I didn't try to memorize the answers--I figured out in advance how
I
> would calculate each answer when I got to the exam.
>
> That strategy paid off beautifully for me--I aced the exam. The only
> question I had trouble with was a question that had a schematic diagram on
> it, and asked what the function of one of the capacitors in the circuit
> was. I probably could have had that question waived, but I just asked the
> reader to start at the left and describe the diagram to me, telling me
what
> was connected to what and working through the diagram to the right. I was
> able to figure out what the capacitor was used for and answer the
> question. That might have worked more easily for me than for some because
> my vision loss is recent, and as such I can still visualize things in my
> mind's eye. I remember what schematic diagrams look like and how to read
> them. I am not sure it would be as easy for someone who had never read a
> schematic diagram.
>
> What I can tell you is that with a little preparation in advance, it is
> possible to do well on this exam without trig tables, log tables, or a
> scientific calculator, but the trick is to look at the questions that they
> are going to pick from and notice what you can figure out without doing
the
> calculations. Knowing whether a phase angle will be positive or negative
> (inductive or capacitive) will help you a lot.
>
> You might want to consider getting the Gordon West tapes for the Extra
> tapes. Then, keep on like you are going so that you know the theory
behind
> the questions--that will help you a lot. Then use the tapes in your final
> hours of preparation--when you would be reviewing things, and figure out
> your strategy for taking the exam then, and I'll bet that you do well on
> the exam.
>
> 73, de Lou K2LKK
>
>
>
> At 01:18 AM 5/4/2003 -0500, you wrote:
> >Thanks for this info, Lou. I think I'm more concerned with needing
tables for
> >figuring phase/angle relationships etc for tan etc.
> >
> >I got a set of tapes from Handi-Hams for study. They're the ARRL Extra
> >manual.
> >Being an audiologist I have the dB stuff down pretty well. Its the
> >geometry and
> >trig that are eating my lunch <g>.
> >
> >Tom
> >
> >
> >Tom Brennan KD5VIJ, CCC-A/SLP R/D - AU
> >web page http://titan.sfasu.edu/~g_brennantg/sonicpage.html
>
> Louis Kim Kline
> A.R.S. K2LKK
> Home e-mail: [log in to unmask]
> Work e-mail: [log in to unmask]
> Work Telephone: (585) 697-5753
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