Best way to get an amateur radio license?

[Telperion]

I'm interested in getting started in ham radio and there's a few options coming up soon in my area to get a tech license: 1) self-study and take the exam, 2) a 4-session class with a ARES group, and 3) one-day cram class.  Anyone have thoughts on which route is best to go?

[Tuco]

Licensure had been a long time goal, but life got in the way.  When unemployment hit in March, I did self study with the AARL Ham Radio License Manual (Now You're Talking).
Worked for me, possessing a little less than a VERY BASIC working knowledge of electronic theory.

Scored 33/35, iirc.

Good luck

[mtnbkr]

I did the self study for my Tech and General.  You can take practice exams at www.eham.net and www.qrz.com.

This study guide is what I used for the Tech exam: http://www.geocities.com/w8bbs/2004techstudyguide.pdf

I used an ARRL book for the General. 

Chris

[Thor]

I took a class that pretty much taught the test. Much of it was memorizing the questions. It did help that I have a solid background in electronics. Was it worth the $400 at the time?? I can't say. It really hasn't helped me to get any jobs that my Navy experience hadn't covered.

[Telperion]

$400?!  When was this?  I think the class fees I read were $30-35.

[Boomhauer]

Well, I'm about to take my test. I took a class that was hosted by our local ham club. We meet every Tuesday night from 7:00-10:00. Class fee was $8, book was $25.

I wouldn't try to cram it in one day, though- too much information for me...

I'd combine options 1 and 2. Self study, and then go take the 4 day class to get a chance to get your questions answered and stuff cleared up. I did pretty much the same thing when studying for the written exam for my private pilot certificate- self study, and a couple of sessions of ground school with my instructor. Worked quite well for me.

[Thor]

$400?!  When was this?  I think the class fees I read were $30-35.

This was back in 1995, right before the FCC changed their test.

[Brad Johnson]

There are an number of good self-study books available.  There is no need to take an expensive course.  If the books are still the same as when I got my ticket, the question pool is published in the books along with the correct answers.

If you have any electronics knowledge at all, a quick glance through the book will probably suffice to prep you for the test (the Tech level test, anyway).

Brad

[Tuco]

I wouldn't try to cram it in one day, though- too much information for me...

Good point!

I studied the ARRL book over the course of a month - total mebbe 20 hrs+/-, and  knew the "why" to the answers to the questions
Cramming wouldn't work.

Tech wasn't that difficult. 
I was able to write the General exam at the same sitting, and failed miserably, but it was nice to see what it looked like.

[Thor]

There were a few questions on the exam I took that I had long forgotten or that the Navy used a different approach. The ones that still stick in my mind were some polar equations. At that point, I had limited time to take the course and pass the test. Got a 96% on the first try of the first part and a 92% on the second part. I took them both the same day. Bam, boom, done. Like I said, I don't believe that it was worth it in hindsight.