Thursday, July 12, 2012

Extra! Extra!

I'm 6% of the way through the Extra exam. The material is more difficult/esoteric and there are fewer explanations in the Ham Test Online course. I'm memorizing some answers without really understanding what they mean.

Here's one from this morning:

What is the equivalent lumped-constant network for a hairpin matching system on a 3-element Yagi?
  • Pi network
  • Parallel-resonant tank
  • Pi-L network
  • L network
As of now I don't have a clue what this question is talking about. Well ok I know it's related to antennas because a Yagi is a directional antenna. And it seems to be about matching the antenna. I don't know what a hairpin matching system or L network, or Pi network is. I have memorized that "L Network" is the right answer though. 

I do use the 2012 ARRL Handbook to fill in the gaps, so later tonight I'll have to investigate hairpin matching systems, L networks, Pi networks, and more to figure out what this is all about.

In any case I'm still being exposed to Amateur Radio concepts. Being able to pull facts from memory is not a bad thing. When I actually start setting up a station or get on the air this fact base that I'll start from can only help and I'll have all the licensing out of the way.

I have to say it's tempting to just run out this weekend and take the technician and general which I know I could pass with flying colors. However I'm still motivated to take a shot at zero to Extra in one day even if it's just for bragging rights.

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