Get your ham operators license

Earning the license is more difficult; it requires passing a thorough 50 question examination. Extra class licensees must also have passed all previous license class written examinations. For more information, submit our online Prospect Package Request form or call: Find a license class offered in your local area.

Get a feel for how the exam is going to go and what you should really focus on while studying. Find an in-person ham radio exam location in your area or schedule an online exam. Online and in-person tests are given regularly. Download or print Amateur Radio question pools. Find a ham radio exam session in your area or take the exam online.

Contests Get up-to-date contest information, including rules, bands and dates for each individual contest. Secure Site Login Forgot Password? Getting Licensed Why should I get licensed? Technician License The Technician class license is the entry-level license of choice for most new ham radio operators. How to get ham radio license is easy, but you must study for the exams because passing is a bit harder. In general, studying will take about 10 hours [1].

Attending a class with volunteer examiners is one of the best ways to study. Volunteer examiners might even give you tips on passing. The first 2 tiers of the FCC amateur license technician and general will each have 35 questions. The amateur extra license will have We definitely suggest getting study materials as you can search for free resources online like the ARRL License Manual. ARRL resources can greatly increase your chances of passing the exams. You can also pay for premium materials and also enroll in an online class!

For online tests, some of them are interactive which can help some people retain information more easily. And of course, there are books available to help you pass your ham radio license test. Certain licensing organizations may also offer apps you can study.

These can be downloaded right into your phone! Just put in your hours, review things such as radio service codes etc, and when you pass your very own exam call sign will arrive via email or mail. Most if not all of the questions in exams are multiple-choice. Even if you are not sure about some of the answers, guessing can sometimes make you get a passing score.

You can choose to get your FCC ham radio license online or get it in person. Search for local ham radio clubs if you choose to take the ham radio exam in person.

You can always do the exams online! Just visit their page or pages of other clubs to search for more information on how to register for the license exams. Finally, how do you get your ham radio license in your hands? You will know the good or bad news right on the day. If you pass, the volunteer examiners will hand you a signed document notifying you if you have passed the exams or not.

For those that started with the technician exam and want to try the general or even amateur extra license exam, you can move on to those after. Each ham radio station will have its own call sign.

It comes with your official ham radio license that you will get through email. You may not know when you get it, but it will be soon. You can start operating your ham radio for communications when your name appears in the database.

The ham radio license is pretty affordable, especially since it lasts 10 years in the United States. There are radio amateurs out there that know how to bounce signals off the moon and back down to earth. Some professionals even sign up for competitions where they can show their skills. Using a ham radio without it will get you into a lot of trouble. This is the most basic exam for American radio amateurs.

The technician license is the first option that allham radio operators need to earn. The Ultra High and Very High Frequency bands let you connect with radio-to-radio systems a few miles away. You can also use internet linked radio repeater systems to connect with people around the world with just a handheld radio.

The general license is the next upgrade from the basic ham radio certificate. Experts can bounce their signals over the horizon using charged particles in the atmosphere. This allows for long-distance communication.

This is the most advanced license that you can get for ham radio in the USA. There are a handful of unique bands that only the people with the highest licensing certificate can use. There are plenty of groups and forums on the internet where you can start searching for information. These communities are great for beginners, as they often provide videos, guides and example examination papers to teach you about ham radio and how it works in preparation for the examination.

Even the regulatory body responsible for the ham radio license can help you out. The ARRL and other organizations frequently publish guides and studying manuals. While some of these guides are expensive, others are available for free. Back in the earlier days of ham radio, people took their licensing exams in the closest available ARRL office to their city or town. Now, although the ARRL is still responsible for granting your license, the examinations are available from volunteers and radio clubs.

These volunteers often have their own Extra Class license, so they have a wealth of knowledge and experience in the hobby. Many volunteers host these exams at schools, clubs, or even in their own office or home. You only need a few things to take your exam, besides that all important training.

Must-have requirements include a US mailing address, and a taxpayer identification number. Fortunately, ham radio licenses in the US only need renewing every 10 years.

The FCC will also send you a message when your ham radio license renewal is due. Fortunately for the forgetful amongst us you get a grace period to renew after your license expires. Both renewal and reinstatement within the grace period is a pretty straightforward process. This was a necessity back in the older days of ham radio. If you feel nervous about your renewal for any reason and you need some help, you can also find specialists there that will handle the process for you.

There will also be friendly help available at your local radio club.