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| Reviews Summary for Gordon West Written Element Study Guides |
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Reviews: 20
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Average rating: 4.6/5
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MSRP: $11.95
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Description: Study guides for the written exam elements by Gordon West. In Question and Answer format with explanations. Available for Technician, General and Extra.
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More info: http://www.w5yi.org/Textbooks.htm
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K1LDS
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 13, 2006 01:19
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As good as they get
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Way back in olden days, there was only the ARRL exam prep book. Read it and you would understand all about ham radio, enough for the exam and more. It was dry, dull and you had to learn it ALL.
Then came a guy named Dick Bash. The Bash Books told you absolutely nothing about radio theory, but it gave every question and the answer. Bash went down in flames because of a lot of bad press.
Then a bright guy named Gordo realized that people wanted to know about radio theory and wanted to pass the exam, but didn't want to spend 6 months in the process. He started teaching ham classes in Southern California in the late 1970s, and hundreds of "Gordo's Whiz Kids" still remember some of his jokes (if they can be called that) or hooking up an HF rig to a tuner and a set of battery jumper cables -- one would clamp onto his car for a ground, the other end would load a lawn chair or a plastic trash can full of water, and there would be Brazil or Japan or Belgium, with a good copy -- but just TRY to explain your antenna system!
Gordo's secret was that you learned what you needed to pass the exam AND enough beyond that to be interested enough to learn more. This has been carried into the course materials that carry his name, and they are as good as it gets when it's time to study for a license or an upgrade.
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N7DDD
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 4, 2005 07:27
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Excellent teaching/training tool!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I am an accountant by training so electronics is a foreign discipline to me. I tried studying on my own using ARRL's manual for more than two years, but could never achieve more than about 50% on the Amateur Extra on-line practice tests.
I acquired Gordon West's CD and manual set and after listening/studying for less than a month passed my Amateur Extra exam.
The materials cover ALL types of learning styles, i.e. visual, auditory and experiential. And, I carried the manual with me to review for a few minutes when I was not able to listen to the CD. Also, I played the CD in my car while driving. It is a versatile collection of materials and I will continue to use it for technical reference in the years to come.
I strongly recommend the materials. They enabled me to LEARN more about the art and science of radio communications and PASS the exam. Thanks, Gordon! DDD de N7DDD
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KB0CJ
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 29, 2005 11:41
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Wonderful!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I used Gordon West's study guide to enable me to pass my Extra exam. Very well organized, and very practical. In addition to teaching you basic concepts, the book concentrates on what you bought it to do: get you to pass the test! Practical suggestions to solve and remember answers are provided (ELI the ICE man was my favorite). Highly recommended, and money well spent.
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KD5FJE
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 3, 2005 20:30
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Excellent
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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My first lic was Tech Plus. I used Gordo's ham tapes and book to study and 100% copy on the code test and passed the written. My 12 YR OLD son studied the Gordo Technician book for ONE night; that's right. And PASSED the written test the next morning after only a couple practice exams online.
I am studying for GEN and am using Gorod's book for that too. Teaching is a gift and Gordon West has it.
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KB6GH
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Rating: 5/5
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May 9, 2005 17:49
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Use These and You'll Pass ...
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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These well written guides were an integal part of my study preparations to pass Extra and Commercial FCC elements. Everything you need to know to pass is here and presented in a clear and concise manner. I also used the 5x5 software as a drill tool with these books and that was a recipe for success. Thanks Gordo!
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ALEX_NS6Y
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 6, 2005 05:33
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Good books for the test
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I studied the Extra book and went through it a few times, would just take it with me to In-N-Out Burger and eat and read, when test time came it was no problem. I took a lot of on-line tests too. He explains things clearly, is enjoyable to read, and you can't beat the guy for enthusiasm.
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K0RGR
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Rating: 4/5
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May 13, 2003 17:34
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Good Supplement
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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My teenaged son used this book AND the ARRL 'Now You're Talking' to study for the tech test, along with using a couple of online practice test websites. I read this book with him, and I found that overall, the information was pretty good. There were a couple items where I think the explanation was not technically correct, but I can't remember the details. We also had the matching videotape, which I don't think my son found terribly helpful, but I would recommend it for anyone who doesn't have an Elmer and won't attend a class or read the ARRL book too. I believe Gordon's book will prepare you to take the test. Be sure that the version of the book matches the new test elements.
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KG4ZAA
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Rating: 5/5
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May 13, 2003 17:04
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A great help.
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I studied both the tech and the general books that Gordan West authored, and I listened to the tapes. I took the tech successfully after having the tech book for about three weeks. Then I passed the general a month later, after reviewing the general book and listening to the related tapes.
I did not memorize the answers in the sense of learning it by rote. The explanations that Gordan West gives after most question-answer combinations are helpful and keep the subject matter interesting. I would recommend both the books and the tapes. (I must add that while a teenager, I had a general license that I allowed to lapse while in college. Now, 40 years later, I am back into the hobby, and got my old call back.)
Now I am studying for the Extra Class. It will take me all summer to get ready for this exam. I bought the ARRL extra class book as a supplement. I do not believe it is an "either or" situation between the Gordan West book and the ARRL book when one gets to this level. I think both are appropriate study helps.
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KG4ZUD
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Rating: 4/5
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May 13, 2003 15:18
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The "Cliff Notes" of test prep.
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I actually got this book for my wife to study (tech class), as I prefer the ARRL book. This is a straight-forward "here is the question, here is the answer" type of book. It is condensed and no-nonsense, but misses a lot of the background material that the ARRL book has. I do not believe that anyone reading this book would even learn what a "lid" or an "elmer" was.
In short, if you just want to pass the test with as little trouble as possible, then this is a good book. On the other hand, if you also want to know more details (stuff not covered in the exam), then the ARRL books are better.
I could be wrong, but I suspect that people reading the ARRL book are less likely to be unintentional lids.
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K2GW
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 12, 2003 15:31
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The Fastest Way
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Gordon West's Study guides are short, to the point, and will get you through the written exams quickly. Each question from the pool is listed followed by a simple explanation of why the correct answer is the right one. While it won't make you a radio expert and maybe you won't retain a lot of it a month or two later, it will get you a passing score on the test, which is the primary objective.
I passed my Extra exam and my wife and daughter each passed their Technician exams in less than two weeks by simply reading Gordon's book once, taking a self-test on the internet and then re-reading the sections we needed work on. All of us received scores in the ninties on the actual tests and passed on the first try.
These books are available from most ham dealers and have been carried by Radio Shack.
73
Gary, K2GW
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