Just passed my Technician exam last month and already itching for those HF privileges! The biggest incentive for upgrading from Tech to General is the increased HF privileges - I'm tired of being limited to 2m and 70cm repeaters. To pass the Ham Radio General Class exam, you must answer 26 out of 35 questions correctly, which is a score of 74%. What's the most efficient study plan for someone already familiar with basic electronics from the Tech exam?

• Should I focus on the new material or review everything?
• Any particular question pools that trip up new Generals?
• How much time did you spend studying after already having your Tech?

Focus on the HF-specific stuff first - propagation, band plans, and antenna theory. The General Class exam consists of 35 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as operating practices, regulations, and electronics theory. You'll encounter questions about frequency allocations, station setup, signal propagation, antennas, safety, and more. The math gets a bit deeper than Tech level, especially with RMS calculations and reactance.

I used HamStudy.org flashcards for about 3 weeks after passing Tech. The key is understanding WHY answers are correct, not just memorizing. Taking a few practice exams to become familiar with the exam format and to assess your readiness before the real event is always a good idea. Don't skip the practice tests!

The General exam has more circuit analysis than Tech - brush up on Ohm's law applications and decibel calculations. I found the band plan questions easiest to miss because there are so many frequency ranges to memorize. The exam is not overly difficult for those who have studied, but it does require a deeper understanding of radio concepts compared to the Technician test.