My new project: Basic & Advanced Worked Examples

Posted on 2010-11-25 by James

I have decided to change the format of my personal Advanced exam study-notes to an open format which focuses heavily on equations, showing how they can be solved. I realize that there are plenty of people out there who would be interested in Amateur Radio were it not for their fear of the technical hurdles. One of those hurdles is the math/equations!

Having routinely failed math classes in high-school, I know first hand how frustrating and difficult math can be. I also know that with plenty of focus and determination, anybody out there can master the techniques used in mathematics. Heck, to this day, my best course at University remains a math course – the only subject I managed to achieve a perfect mark in. Much to my chagrin! I had high hopes for organic chemistry. Alas, I digress.

I want to write a study guide that shows people with nearly no background in math the methods once may employ to solve what looks to be a difficult equation. I am now writing a guide with quite literally step-by-step instructions on how to solve the most common problems asked during both Basic and Advanced exams. Everything to the application of commutative properties to basic exponent math. These are all topics which elude most people, and for good reason – when was the last time the average person had to solve a complex equation with little more than a pencil and some paper?

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Officially Certified!

Posted on 2010-11-24 by James

Stop laughing! I said certified, not certifiable. Well, maybe that is debatable.

I checked the RAC callbook and saw my name listed as VE3BUX! How exciting! Time to register a domain and all that jazz.

Still studying for the Advanced exam (months away) and I am maintaining a 74% average right now. Not quite to my liking, but I consistently pass. I’ll have to work on those numbers though. Plenty of time to do all that while I keep plugging away at my worked examples project.

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OVMRC Course – Week 8

Posted on 2010-11-23 by James

This week:

*Solid State Devices by VE3SUY
*On-Air Instruction by VE3EJJ and VE3OIJ

This week’s class started with me discretely handing off my “IC-2381: Application and Report for Amateur Radio Operator Certificate and Call Sign” form to Ernie so that I would be registered as VE3BUX as soon as possible.

This week’s session started with a detailed discussion of the properties of solid state devices, starting with a very loose review of chemistry / crystal lattice theory. Bob (VE3SUY) gave an extremely detailed lecture which left most people with the look of deer in the headlights, and for good reason! The material is not at all intuitive, and for many, it was likely their first real exposure to the electrical and physical properties of solid state devices. Having taken in years of physic and chemistry theory at University, I had a fun review of some old (to me) topics. I would love a chance to review/revise some of the club literature for its chemistry/physics material, though I think it may be a bit premature.

After the very heavily theory oriented portion of this week’s session was finished, we were led to VE3JW (the OVMRC club station) where we were then given a great overview of the station’s operation by Darin (VE3OIJ) and Ernie (VE3EJJ). The class took turns operating a VHF/UHF transceiver to speak with a few fellow club members to get people on the air. I stood shyly in the corner, watching people make their first contacts.

It was great for everyone to finally see the station being operated. I think it reassures some of my cohort that there -is- a purpose to all of this theory.

After the on-air instruction was finished, I lingered to talk with Ernie a bit which is always a bonus. I quite enjoy the debriefing sessions with the class instructors once everyone else has left.

Ernie vowed to help me get over being mic-shy. We’ll see … 🙂

After arriving home from the class, I decided that I would modify my personal study notes in an effort to provide fully-worked example calculations for both the Basic and the Advanced exams. I mean, how many equations would that have to be? Right?

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Success!

Posted on 2010-11-20 by James

Today I wrote the Basic Amateur Radio examination and scored high enough to qualify for the Basic+ Certification.

Ernie Jury (VE3EJJ) was kind enough to allow me to write my examination at the OVMRC club station (VE3JW) at the Museum of Science and Technology during his usual Sunday afternoon volunteer session. There I sat at 2:30 amidst the chaos of excited young minds exploring the exciting world of technology. I thought it quite a fitting setting actually, a nice juxtaposition of old and new technology, housed in a giant old bakery we now call the Museum of Science and Tech.

Passing with a mark => 80% allows a new (Basic) Amateur operator the privilege of operating on HF frequencies. The other method of legally gaining access to the HF bands is to pass a Morse Code exam at either 5 or 12 W.P.M. I have no immediate plan of taking the Morse exam, however, it is my intent to obtain that qualification as well.

Having done so well on the Basic exam, Ernie asked me if I would like to write the Advanced Exam as well, and being that there is no negative repercussions for trying, I figured that I would give it a go. I had tried the practice Advanced exam once or twice before and never achieved more than 64% so I was dubious that I would pass. None the less, Ernie reassured me that I should at least give it a shot.

Well. I certainly learned a few new things after finishing that exam! You see, I have always felt that one of the most important aspects of learning is discovering what you thought you knew, and what you don’t know. As it turns out, I learned approximately 18 new things that day, one of them being that I need to slow down!

I missed it by 3 marks. And you know what? Had I taken my time, I know that I could have passed the exam! Well, I suppose that everyone says that … but I truly believe it!

Having passed the Basic exam with flying colours, I left with a sense of pride and fulfillment. I also left with a burning desire to ace the next exam I write. Now to celebrate with my loving fiancee Julie over some St. Hubert’s!

Later in the evening, I took a practice Advanced exam via the IC exam software and passed with 74%. Figures. I have began compiling a list of the concepts that I need to learn in order to pass (in other words, the missing 26% from the exam).

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