2019-05-05

Why have a blog if you never blog? (US Amateur Radio tests)

No idea.  But a good question.

I have nowhere more appropriate to post this article than this blog, though, and I thought I'd stick it here for posterity.

Test elements are created by the National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators. Pools for each element last for 4 years.

The current General pool expires on June 30, 2019, with a new one valid the next day. Tests administered on or before June 30 will draw from the current pool and tests administered on or after July 1, 2019, will be drawn from the new pool.

Any study guide or online practice site should make it clear from which pool its questions are being drawn.

Here's the thing: Regardless of which pool you use, the subject matter is the same (save for any pertinent rule changes). And beyond that, the questions themselves don't change a lot.

Example:

This question is from the 2015-2019 General pool:

G1A05 (A) [97.301(d)]
Which of the following frequencies is in the General Class portion of the 40-meter band?
A. 7.250 MHz
B. 7.500 MHz
C. 40.200 MHz
D. 40.500 MHz

This question is from the 2019-2023 General pool:

G1A05 (A) [97.301(d)]
Which of the following frequencies is in the General class portion of the 40-meter band in ITU Region 2?
A. 7.250 MHz
B. 7.500 MHz
C. 40.200 MHz
D. 40.500 MHz

See how it's changed?

The only thing that's different is that they've added "in ITU Region 2" (because the FCC has jurisdiction over territories that are in ITU Regions 1 and 3 - important if you live there, not important if you live here).