I've held my Tech license for 6 months and mostly operate on 2m/70cm repeaters. Ready to tackle the General exam to get onto HF. What's the most efficient study approach?

• Should I focus on the areas that are completely new to Tech holders?
• How much time should I spend on antenna theory vs. regulations?
• Any recommendations for practice tests that simulate the real exam experience?

Looking to hit that 74% passing score without over-studying topics I already know from Tech prep.

Focus heavily on HF propagation, band plans, and circuit analysis - those are the biggest jumps from Tech material. The General exam really expands your understanding of radio theory and regulations. I used HamStudy.org for practice tests and found their adaptive learning really helped identify weak areas.

I passed General last month after being a Tech for 2 years. Honestly, the antenna and propagation sections were tougher than I expected. Understanding skywave, sporadic-E, and skip zones was key. Don't neglect the electronics theory - those questions can trip you up if you're not solid on basic circuits.

The General exam has 35 multiple-choice questions across ten categories. I recommend taking full practice exams under timed conditions rather than just studying by topic. The ARRL practice exams are solid, and don't forget you can take Extra the same day if you're feeling confident!