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How to Become an Amateur Radio Operator or “Ham”
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To be an amateur radio operator, you must be licensed by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), and that requires
some basic knowledge about radio and Federal Regulations. But don’t let the fact that you need a license scare you away.
The average person can learn the basics and master the required material with a few weeks of study and some coaching
from someone who already has an amateur radio license.
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There are three levels of licensing in the amateur radio hobby, but to get started, you only need to focus on the first
level…The Technician License. Here is what you need to do… |
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1. Contact the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and ask them to send you the ARRL license manual called “Now Your Talking”. This manual costs about $20, plus shipping, and contains everything you need to know to pass a licensing test. After you have passed the test, you can apply to the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) for a Technician Class License. American Radio Relay League 225 Main Street Newington, CT 06111-1494 Phone: (860) 594-0200 Fax: (860) 594-0259 Email: hq@arrl.org or vec@arrl.org {not links} Web: http://www.arrl.org/ |
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2. Locate an Amateur Radio Test session in your area to take the test. The Volunteers at the test session will
help you fill out the license application for the Federal Communication Commission.
http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/examsearch.phtml
lists test session, and is searchable by state or location.
There is contact information for each session listed. |
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It is not difficult to become a licensed amateur radio operator. Regardless of what you may have heard, you do not need to
learn Morse code to get started in this hobby. |
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Here are a few of ways to get in touch with other hams who are willing to help: |
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1. Visit with one of the amateur radio operators at the Plymouth Historical Museum Radio Station.
There is usually a “ham” in the station from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Saturdays or:
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2. Or to review the information for getting started, visit
http://www.arrl.org/hamradio.html
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3.Go to an Amateur Radio club meeting and tell them you want to become a “ham”. Many Clubs are listed
on the ARRL website and direct access to their search function is
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/club/clubsearch.phtml |
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If you have the desire, you can have a FCC license to operate amateur radio in just a few weeks.
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Last Revised: 29-December-2008 - 