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Reviews For: Gordon West Written Element Study Guides

Category: Ham Radio Education & Exam Prep Materials

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Review Summary For : Gordon West Written Element Study Guides
Reviews: 28MSRP: 11.95
Description:
Study guides for the written exam elements by Gordon West. In Question and Answer format with explanations. Available for Technician, General and Extra.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.w5yi.org/Textbooks.htm
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00284.8
KB0CJ Rating: 2005-10-29
Wonderful! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
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.
KD5FJE Rating: 2005-06-03
Excellent Time Owned: more than 12 months.
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.
KB6GH Rating: 2005-05-09
Use These and You'll Pass ... Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
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!
ALEX_NS6Y Rating: 2005-02-06
Good books for the test Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
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.
K0RGR Rating: 2003-05-13
Good Supplement Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
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.
KG4ZAA Rating: 2003-05-13
A great help. Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
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.
KG4ZUD Rating: 2003-05-13
The "Cliff Notes" of test prep. Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
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.
K2GW Rating: 2003-03-12
The Fastest Way Time Owned: more than 12 months.
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