London Amateur Radio Club
| Home | News |
Beginner? Become a HAM |
Club Info Join Up |
Club Events | Operating Information |
| Public Service | Buy and Sell |
SIGS, Online Group |
Links | Search this site | Site Map |
Preparing for and Writing the Ham Exams
Industry Canada recently made changes to Canadian Amateur Certification, and Morse Code is no longer required to become a ham (although you can still learn it if you have an interest). There are 2 examinations that you can write to obtain 3 different levels of privileges:
- Basic - Passing the closed book Basic test with 70% gives you most privileges frequency bands above 30 Mhz, especially the 144 Mhz (2 meter) band which is one of the most popular bands for local communication using handheld, mobile or base transceivers. This closed book, theory only exam must be done first.
- Basic with Honors - Passing the closed book Basic test with 80% gives you most privileges on ALL frequency bands.
- Advanced - Passing the more technical closed book Advanced exam with 70% allows you additional privileges including the ALL frequency bands (if you did not already have that) ability to build your own transmitter from scratch, use more transmitting power, and sponsor a repeater or club station. You must pass the basic test first.
Morse Code
is no longer required for access to the HF
Bands! Click here for a
summary and details of the 2005 Changes
to Canadian Amateur Certification. If you wrote the BASIC
test between April 1, 2002 and July 22, 2005 and scored
80% or more, you should contact the accredited
examiner who conducted your exam and ensure that they fax or
mail a copy of your Basic exam results
and IC2381BD application form to Industry Canada.
The database will be updated to show
a "+" sign next to BASIC, which signifies a "BASIC with
honors" status.
If you are totally new to this, the Basic test is based on an exam bank (RIC-7) which you can download from the Industry Canada Website under "Related Official Publications". The actual exam that you will write is just a selection of a subset of 100 of the exact questions from RIC-7. The pass mark is 70% (or 80% for Basic with Honors), and although it does take a bit of studying, people young and old from all backgrounds have successfully passed it - you can too! You can also download "Exam Generator Software" from the Industry Canada Website to practice writing the exam on a computer.
We recommend that you work with a mentor (hams traditionally call a ham mentor an "elmer") to help you prepare. Just drop into the LARC club meeting and introduce yourself to one of the executive, and someone will be glad to help.
To augment the RIC-7 Exam bank, you can use one or more of the following study guides.
- RAC Study Guide for the Basic Exam. Covers more than you need for the exam, but a great study and reference book. ($36 - order here)
- HAMSTUDY.COM on line study guide (30 day subscription - $20.00)
From time to time, LARC sponsors a classroom ham course when they get enough people on their waiting list. Please check with one of the executive to see of there is one planned.
When you feel you are prepared, your "elmer" will help you set up an exam appointment with a volunteer examiner (free or small fee), or you can take the exam at the local Industry Canada office. Mark and Archie are both accredited examiners, and here is a complete list of Accredited Examiners in Canada.
Copyright 2000-6 London Amateur Radio Club
Feedback to webmaster@larc.ca