Radio For Teens

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The Test

By: William Haydon, KI4WXL

Ask any Amateur Radio operator and they will tell you the same thing about the Ham Radio license test, no matter what level of test they are taking, they want to pass. And so was the case for me, I remember leaving the house with my Technician study book clenched firmly in my hand.

At twelve, I did not like tests, but I really wanted to pass this one, not only for myself but for my Grandfather, “Daddy” Jim (WB4LHR), who has since passed away. He was my influence, and as Jerry Taylor would say, my” Number One Elmer”. He had gotten me interested in Ham Radio and had been my support system throughout my studying process, and when my test date finally came, I knew I was ready to make my Grandfather and myself proud.

The drive over to Lexington Kentucky was a fast one. The whole way over I had my nose shoved in my study book, cramming every last possible thread of Ham Radio knowledge into my aching brain. The sudden sight of the Red Cross building made my stomach flop, I needed more time, I had to pass this test! My mother’s soothing words calmed me enough to breathe in and out and to know that I was ready and could do this. But all the while, the lingering thought of failer stuck in my head.

As my mom pulled the red mini-van into the parking space, I forced my fingers to release the sacred study book. I sure didn’t want other Ham enthusiasts to think that I was nervous or didn’t study enough for the test. So as I walked, feeling somewhat bare without my study book, I sent up a quick prayer to the man upstairs, begging him to let me relax and PASS THE TEST.

The building had glass double doors, and when we entered, we came to a lobby. Not sure where to go we looked around for a moment and finally spotted a sign next to a staircase that read: HAM TESTS. With an arrow pointing to where we were supposed to go. So my mother and I followed the signs until eventually, we came to the door that was propped open and read: HAM TESTING ROOM.

I gulped a breath and proceeded to enter the room with my mom by my side. About thirteen other people were there, many looked to be over fifty, some a little younger, but sitting in one of the chairs that were lined up on the side of the wall, with what looked to  be her parents, was a little girl who couldn’t have been more than eight years old. We took a seat to the side of the family, and mom began chatting with the little girl’s mother. It turned out that she was here to take her technician test as well.

She turned out to be seven, and apparently her dad, whom she was sitting with, had read her the testing material, because she still wasn’t able to read all of the big words that were in the testing booklet. The fact that she was there to take her test, made me more confidant that I would do fine if a seven year old girl could be able to pass, but the other part of me was scared that I would look so stupid if she passed and I failed. I talked to my mom about unrelated subjects the rest of the time we were waiting, in order to clear my mind and make me a little bit more relaxed. But that all changed when the lady that I would later find out was the VET, walked in.

She carried with her what appeared to be a big cardboard box with a lid on it, to a white table in the front of the room. She sat the box down and smiled at the whole group. Three of the men that were mingling with the other guys took a seat at another white table to the side of the room.  Apparently they were the VE’s. “Hello every one, I will need all of the testers to come forward with your  license if you are upgrading, and a photo ID . Also, be sure and pick up a pin to sign a few papers, and then, we will get started with the tests.”

I came up to the table with my mom and we filed in the line to fill out the pre-exam papers and such. The lady seamed nice, she smiled at me when it was our turn to show my school ID and inform her that I would be testing for my technician license. After we were done filing out the papers, we went back to our seats on the wall and waited until everyone was ready, and then the words came. “Alright everyone who is testing, come on up to the table to receive your tests.” Oh no……

I filed in line as before, but the comfort of my mom was absent this time around. When I got to the table the lady smiled at me once more and put a packet in my hands. “Here you go sweetie, good luck!” She told me. I forced a smile and went to sit at the end of the first row of tables closest to my mom, and smiled when I saw her flash me a quick thumbs up.

I glanced over and saw the little girl already hard at work on her test. I knew I could do it. I flipped the first page of the test booklet open and started. I knew most of the questions, but some seemed unfamiliar. I was confidant with most of them, but some of them I just hadn’t seen much of on the www.qrz.com practice tests.

I was on the last page before I knew it, and was feeling alright, but still just didn’t know what would happen. I finished the last question and closed the booklet, stood up, and, following what everyone else was doing, turned in my test to a basket on the VE table. I then walked over to my mom, sat down beside her, and waited……

One by one people got called up to the VE table, received a certificate and left with a smile on their face. My favorite reaction would have to be the little girl who let out a little scream when she received her certificate. I was happy for her but what about me? Only a few people were left in the room so I knew my certificate would come shortly. But something strange happened next. A VE got up from the table, went over to the head lady and I just knew, that the test booklet in his hand was mine.

They talked for a minute and right after the man left the lady called me up to the table. The walk up to that table was the longest walk in the world, and the words that she said next just about killed me. “I’m sorry honey, but you didn’t pass. You missed one more that you were allowed, but, since you were so close I am going to let you retake the test if you want.”

Holding back tears I agreed to retake the test. I was the most disappointed in myself than I had ever been, and it really did take all the power that I had not to burst out in tears and run out of the room. But I had to be strong, and I was going to retake the test and I knew that not passing this time, was out of the option. I was going to get a certificate and I was going to get it today. Second times the charm after all.

I sat down in the nearest seat, flipped open the booklet and started on the second test. The questions were so easy this time it felt like I was cheating! I scribbled in a letter almost every five seconds, and when I was done I went over to the VE table and handed the test right to the man that had taken the  previous one up to the head lady, and I smiled, “Hear you go.” I then went back to sit with my mom, knowing that I had passed even before I was called back up to the VE table and handed the signed certificate stating that I had passed the Technician class test.

I first called my grandfather and told him the news and he was thrilled. In the last years of his life, cherished memories were formed between us all because of the shared hobby of Ham Radio, and I am so glad that we got to share that time together.

I learned so much that day that I took the test, and even in the time before it, while I was studying and working hard to prepare for it. But in the time since then, I have learned the most, and I am not talking about studying for, taking, and passing the General class test a year after that. Sure it’s nice to be a general class operator, but I am referring to memories created by important things in our lives that we love to do, whether it be Ham Radio, golf, or even stamp collecting. I’ve learned to cherish the memory, and the fun you have making the QSO, more than the contact itself.

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