Technician Class 2014-2018

by Gordon West, Eric P. Nichols

FCC Element 2 Amateur Radio License Preparation for 2014-2018 testing period. Contains the complete 426-question FCC Element 2 question pool effective July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2018.

Genres: Nonfiction

244 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Gordon V. West, born 1942
Amateur Radio Call Sign WB6NOA

Reviews

[Vheissu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a straightforward exam preparation text. It omits a lot of the scientific explanations and mathematics presented in The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual by the American Radio Relay League, but has other useful features that the ARRL manual doesn't, like an index. Both have glossaries, but neither includes page numbers for specific key terms. "Gordo's" (WB6NOA) book comes with an audio CD of his lectures, but it is not necessary for exam prep.

Both books are intended for Technician licenses, which is to say beginners (me). Other materials are available separately for General and Amateur Extra licensing privileges. Both include verbatim questions from the FCC exam, along with answers, but the FCC test bank will change after June 30, 2018, so students will have to wait for the next edition of the texts for updated questions.

I read the ARRL manual first and thought I learned a lot. Then, I read Gordo's book and realized how little I knew based on the other text. I don't know if it would be better to read one before the other, but a serious student should probably want to read and study both books.

Wish me luck on my exam!

[George]

This book is used by those who wish to prepare for the USA Amateur Radio exam. It works well for that purpose and is a handy reference once you're finished with the test. The meat of the book is the 436 questions that comprise the question bank for the test. It also explains a little about radio operation, although that is a physical skill that can't be learned from a book. I read this book four times in two weeks--found myself optimally prepared for the exam and passed it. Feels good that this thing is no longer my best buddy :-)

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book cuts to the chase by focusing on the FCC questions. I find the students like this book as a great path to the license. They are motivated to learn the material that is presented with a questions because they want to get the FCC question correct on their exam. I like the ARRL's book for it's reading and more in-depth discussion of topics. But if you're trying to get your license, I recommend this book.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book "teaches the test", the explanations are in the test question answers. It lacks a comprehensive approach to the subject matter. It is probably good (I haven't yet passed my exam) at what it purports to do, i.e. prepare you for the test. The book includes an audio CD, unfortunately, my CD was broken, so I can't review its contents.

[Martyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read and a very clear format, it would have been five stars because there is a ton of information in here but some of the entries were not particularly well written and left me a little confused, also some acronyms were explained right away while others were left to the glossary, so it felt uneven.

These are small points because I imagine, with all the resources listed in here, that this would be a great book to have to hand at home - just wait until the new edition is published before buying it because this edition will be out of date in June 2018!

This book took me from 65-75% on online practice tests up to 95-100% so it did the job. Let's see how the real licensing test goes in April, update to follow.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a review of last years study book (I got licensed as KI4ASK back in 2003). If you want to earn your Amateur Radio license get the Gordon West book, not the ARRL book. You will pass the test if you do. I used all three books (Technician, General, Extra) to pass and upgrade with no problem. The question pool changes every 4 years, so as I type this the new Technician book just came out.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely helpful for preparing for the test.

[Matt McAlear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book that helped me get my technician class license.