Getting Started In Amateur Radio
By: Sean Howe KB9TZT
What you need to do to get your license granted to you from the FCC so you can operate a radio in the Amateur Radio Frequency Bands
Currently there are 3 license classes in amateur radio, Technician, General and Extra. The license classes are set in a ladder structure so that each class builds on the other. As you progress from Technician to Extra you will gain operating privileges, bands and frequency spectrum.
Getting started in amateur radio can be accomplished through several different approaches ending at the same place your FCC license exam. You can first start by contacting a local club in your area (In Central IL contact CIHG we can get you started including testing with our VE team) or a currently licensed Amateur Radio Operator. These are the two best ways to get started. A club generally has good information they can provide you with to get started and can either tell you when their next exam session is or where one close by will be. Another way to get your license is through an amateur radio class like the Gordon West Radio School. The last choice is the self taught method which we will cover in depth here. This was the way I first became licensed and several others in our group chose this route as well. Although not as easy as having experience at hand, as with a club, it is by no means an unreachable goal.
Self taught where to start:
Once you are ready to take your test contact W5YI or the ARRL to find a nearby test session date and time. Both the W5YI and ARRL web sites keep a list of testing sessions or contact people for a testing session, supplied to them from VE Teams around the US. These VE (volunteer examiner) Teams are licensed Amateur Radio Operators who volunteer their services to test you and submit paperwork for qualified applicants to the FCC for license grant.
Practice for your test online here.
Technician Class
The recommended place to start is with your Technician class amateur radio license. This class does not require Morse code, only a written test. Acquire the proper documentation on the question pools for the exam and study. There are several online "mock" tests you can take to weigh your progress and find out when you are ready to take the exam with you local VE Team.
No Morse code test is required.
Amateurs who enter the hobby as Technicians do so by passing a 35 question, multiple choice exam. The exam covers basic regulations, operation practices, and electronics theory, with a focus on VHF and UHF applications. Technician Class operators are licensed to use all amateur VHF and UHF frequencies above 50 MHz.
Technicians who pass a 5 WPM Morse code exam are able to transmit limited power outputs on certain HF frequencies. "Technicians with HF" may operate on 80, 40, and 15 meter amateur bands using CW or Morse Code, and on the 10 meter band using CW, voice, and digital modes.
Resources for study:
Available at most book stores or local Radio Shack is a excellent "self teaching guide"
Another excellent resource
By Gordon West WB6NOA
General Class
General Class is a large step up in operating privileges. The high-power HF (High Frequency) privileges granted to a General Class operator allow for cross-country and worldwide communication. Some prefer to earn the General Class license as their first, so they may operate on HF right away.
Technicians who upgrade to a General Class license do so by passing a 5 WPM Morse code test and a 35-question multiple-choice exam. The written exam covers intermediate regulations, operating practices, and electronics theory, concentrating on HF applications.
In addition to the Technician privileges, General Class operators can operate on any frequency in the 160, 30, 17, 12, and 10 meter bands. They may also use portions of the 80, 40, 20, and 15 meter bands.
Resources for study:
Available at most book stores or local Radio Shack :
By Gordon West WB6NOA
Ham University is my personal preference on a computer aided Morse Code teaching aid.
Extra Class
This is the highest class of operator in Amateur Radio. Its hard work to earn this class of license but well worth it.
General Class Operators may upgrade to Extra Class by passing a 50 question multiple choice exam. The exam covers specialized operating practices, specialized regulations, advanced electronics theory, and radio equipment design and troubleshooting.
Extra Class Operators are Licensed to operate on all frequencies allocated to Amateur Radio.
Resources for study:
Available at most book stores or local Radio Shack :
By Gordon West WB6NOA
