Amateur Radio
| Contents |
| Overview |
| Getting A License |
| U.S. Ham Radio Licenses |
| Studying for a License |
| Central Arkansas Test Sessions |
| Exam Day |
| After The Exam |
| Amateur Radio Links |
The background Morse Code translates to ''Enjoy the fun of amateur radio''.
The sound file was created with the WinMorse program...see their website for more details.
Even though Morse Code is NO LONGER REQUIRED for any U.S. Amateur Radio license, it's an important part of the heritage and history of ham radio.
After being a Technician Class licensee since 1991; in 2007, I upgraded from Technician to General...then from General to Extra Class in just under 4 weeks with:
Overview
Amateur Radio (often called ''ham radio'') is a hobby and an important public service authorized by the United States Federal Communications Commission, in Part 97 of the FCC Rules and Regulations. Its purpose, quoted from SubPart A, Sec 97.1, is as follows:
''...to provide [a] service...as expressed in the following principles:
(a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of amateur service to the public as a voluntary, non-commercial service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications.
(b) Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art.
(c) Encouragement and improvement of the Amateur Radio service through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communication and technical phases of the art.
(d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio service of trained operators, technicians and electronics experts.
(e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance international goodwill''.
Licensed Amateur Radio operators are people of any age, sex, profession, or nationality...who are fascinated with communications via two-way radio. Generally a skilled group, they are required to pass examinations to receive the authorization to operate an Amateur Radio station.
Federal law also dicates that, with very limited exceptions, (see Section 97.113 of the Part 97 Rules for details), amateur radio operators are PROHIBITED from receiving any compensation...monetary or otherwise...for whatever work they do with amateur radio. Basically, hams provide these things ''out of the goodness of their hearts''.
The typical Amateur has a variety of interests, and the hobby provides for a multitude of individual preferences. Amateurs engage in general chit-chat; emergency operations (including participation in Civil Preparedness); sending, relaying, receiving and delivering free radiograms for the public; providing communications support for civic functions such as local parades, marathons, etc.; making friends with amateur radio operators in foreign countries; investigating the mysteries of radio signal propagation; building, modifying and designing radio equipment, antennas and accessories; winning awards for operating proficiency in many areas; helping others prepare for (and even administering) Amateur Radio license examinations; and many more exciting and valuable facets of the hobby.
Getting A License
There are no limits on who can become a ham. Ages range from under 8 to over 80. Hams come from all walks of life. Some are rich. Some are poor. Most are in between. Ham radio is also wide open to handicapped individuals. There are blind hams, deaf hams, paralyzed hams, you name it. There's some way just about anyone can use ham radio to open their door to the world. As long as you're NOT a representative of a foreign government...and you either live in the United States, or have a U.S. mailing address, you're eligible to take the exams necessary to become a ham radio operator.
U.S. Ham Radio Licenses
Becoming a ham radio operator can be very easy. With just a little study, just about anyone can qualify for an Amateur Radio license. What you have to study depends on which level of license you want to go for. There are three classes of amateur radio licenses in the United States and its territories...and there is no longer any Morse Code exam requirement for any class of U.S. Amateur Radio license. While there are still Novice, Technician Plus (Technician Class licensees who had passed a 5 wpm Morse Code Test), and Advanced Class amateur radio licensees, no new licensees for these are being issued...but these licensees may continue to renew them at the appropriate time.
The Technician Class License
This is now the entry class license into Amateur Radio. It gives you all Amateur Radio privileges above 50 Megahertz, including the popular ''2 meter'' band. World-wide contacts, via satellite, are now possible on these bands. Technician Class or higher licensees can also use the Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) modes, such as Echolink, and CQ100.
To get the Technician license, you have to pass an examination covering rules, regulations, propagation, RF safety, and basic electronic theory. As of Feb. 23, 2007, Technician class licensees...whether or not they've passed a Morse Code exam...also have these HF privileges:
80 meters: CW (Morse Code) only: 3.525 Mhz to 3.600 Mhz
40 meters: CW (Morse Code) only: 7.025 Mhz to 7.125 Mhz
15 meters: CW (Morse Code) only: 21.025 Mhz to 21.200 Mhz
10 meters: CW (Morse Code), RTTY, and data only: 28.000 Mhz to 28.300 Mhz
10 meters: SSB (single sideband) Phone Only: 28.300 Mhz to 28.500 Mhz
These HF privileges are identical for Novice Class licensees. Note that NO OTHER HF PRIVILEGES EXIST for
Novice or Technician Class amateur radio licensees.
The General Class License
This is the one most hams hold. It lets you operate voice on all amateur radio bands (except for the 30 meter HF band)... and Morse Code on all amateur bands (except for the 60 meter HF band). This also includes all privileges above 50 Megahertz, as the Technician Class license has...plus 86.7% of the amateur radio spectrum below 30 Megahertz. The theory test deals more with operating on the high frequency bands. All amateur radio privileges, except the 500 kilohertz of frequencies of amateur radio spectrum on the 80, 40, 20, and 15 meter bands, reserved for Amateur Extra Class licensees, are available.
The Amateur Extra Class License
The highest grade of amateur radio license lets you operate with all amateur radio privileges, including on frequencies closed to other hams. You need to know more theory...a combination of the Amateur Extra, and the former Advanced exams.
Studying For A License
There are several options for you to study for your ham radio license. You can study with a local ham radio club study group, or do it on your own. The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) website has links to classes here, and choose your state by its 2 letter identifier. If it's not listed, then no classes are currently scheduled. Also, the state may have had classes recently, but no new classes may be currently scheduled. If you do find an entry, it's wise to check with the contact person to verify details, and check for any last minute changes.
Here are 5 options for study material:
1) The Question Pools alone. These are available here. At present, no graphics, schematics, or diagrams are in the Technician Class Question Pool. However, that will CHANGE on July 1, 2010...when a new Technician Class Question Pool takes effect.
Take note that a REVISED 2010 Technician Class Question Pool was released on Feb. 1, 2010...it supercedes the earlier release...but this same link will get you to it. You can download it in either PDF, Microsoft Word, or Plain Text format. You will need the appropriate utilities to read the PDF or Microsoft Word files.
From that point forward, there will be schematics, diagrams, or graphics, on each amateur radio license exam...and, the higher in license class you go, the higher number of these schematics, graphics, diagrams, etc. will be on the test. Also, the Question Pools for each class of amateur radio license CHANGE EVERY FOUR YEARS, with the current pools expiring on June 30 of a particular year...the new pool taking effect the next day (July 1) for the particular element.
The current schedule is as follows:
a) Technician: Changes in 2010, 2014, 2018, etc.
b) General: Changes in 2011, 2015, 2019, etc.
c) Amateur Extra: Changes in 2012, 2016, 2020, etc.
At this time...NO QUESTION POOL CHANGE IS SCHEDULED for 2013, 2017, 2021, etc. However, that could CHANGE...as could the release dates of future Question Pools.
In short, you need to be sure that you are studying the most current set of questions for the desired amateur radio license. Otherwise, you could be in for a RUDE AWAKENING on Exam Day. Note that you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and/or print the .PDF files.
2) The American Radio Relay League has license preparation materials for the Technician, General, and the Amateur Extra exams. These include books, and for the Technician Class license, study videos. Cost varies per item.
3) The W5YI group has the study guides done by Gordon West, WB6NOA...with similar materials to what the ARRL has available. Again, cost varies per item.
4) If you are disabled, and need assistance with learning the materials, you can contact Courage Handi-Hams. They help people with disabilities obtain, then study the material to obtain or upgrade their ham radio license. Once again, cost varies per item.
If you have a disability, the VE Team may be able to make certain accomodations for you to take the license exam, such as giving a test without schematics, graphics, or diagrams, for an individual who is blind, or severely visually impaired...or reading the questions and available answers to the examinee...who, in turn, tells the VE what answer to mark on the test.
Note that MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION OF YOUR DISABILITY MAY BE REQUIRED...and it's best to notify the VE Team as far in advance of the test session as possible, so that proper arrangements can be made. If you wait until the test session itself to notify the VE Team of your disability, they may NOT be able to make the accomodations for you to take the exam...and you will either have to take the exam without special assistance, or wait until another scheduled license exam session. If the VE Team is limited on exam materials without any schematics, graphics, or diagrams (these are reserved for those who are blind/extremely visually impaired), you may only be able to have one try at that particular license class exam at a test session...and will have to attend another session to ''try it again'', should you fail the exam.
5) HamTestOnline. This option only requires a computer and internet connection (either dial-up, DSL, broadband/cable, etc.). It is all web browser based, with nothing to download. Unlike the options where you have to buy books, etc. for each license class, you get a two (2) year subscription at different prices, depending on which class of license(s) you want to study for (see the price list for details). It can be cheaper than all the other license class books combined from all the sources noted above!! You can take as long as you need to study...in the privacy of your home, to take as many practice tests desired. Once your study time, plus your practice test scores are both above 80%, you're ready for the real thing at a VE Test Session. However, if after adequate study time and practice tests, you still fail on exam day, just send HamTestOnline PROOF of the failure...and they will CANCEL your subscription, and REFUND your money. Around 1% of all who have signed up with them have requested a refund. Personally, it was the best money I ever spent in amateur radio.
Central Arkansas Test Sessions
I personally administer VE Testing (amateur radio license exams) in both Sherwood, and Cabot, Arkansas...on selected weekend days, on alternating months...and help with other test sessions in the Little Rock area.
Testing in Sherwood is in the Meeting Room of the Amy Sanders Library, at 31 Shelby Drive.
Shelby Drive is the third traffic light west of the traffic light on the west side of US 67/167 at Exit 5 (Kiehl Avenue). At Shelby Drive, turn right, and pass the apartment complex (and fence) on your left...the library is the next drive on the left. Free parking is available there, and at the Senior Citizens Center next door (the Senior Citizens Center is closed on exam days).
Upcoming testing in Sherwood is on these Saturdays, at 1pm Central Time:
Feb. 6, Apr. 3, June 5, Aug. 7, Oct. 2, and Dec. 4, 2010. I realize that April 3, 2010 is on Easter Weekend...but the other dates in April were already full, and I apologize for any inconvenience.
Testing in Cabot, Arkansas is done in the Panther Den at the Kentucky Fried Chicken Restaurant, at 1003 West Main (just east of Exit 19 off of US 67/167), on these Sundays, at 3pm Central Time:
Mar. 21, May 16, July 18, and Nov. 21, 2010. I have NOT scheduled testing in September, 2010...in deference in helping with VE Testing at the CAREN Club hamfest, set for Saturday, Sep. 18, 2009, at Catholic High School, in Little Rock. Testing in Cabot follows the S.T.A.R.S. Club meeting, on the dates noted above. Folks gather at 1pm or so to order food and drink (they have an All You Can Eat Buffet), with their meeting at 2pm (every month except December)...then testing afterwards on the dates noted above.
I PREFER PRE-REGISTRATION to WALK-INS for the VE Test Sessions that I run. This way, I can get an idea of how many are planning to attend, the amount of material, and how many VEs will be needed, among other things. A MINIMUM of three (3) Amateur Extra VE's is REQUIRED for all license exam elements to be offered at a test session. If this number is not met, it could mean that either only the Technician class exam can be offered...or that the Amateur Extra class exam can NOT be offered at the test session...or the entire test session can NOT be held...no matter how many examinees show up.
If there is either severe weather (tornadoes, hail, high winds, flooding, etc.), or winter weather (snow, ice) in the central Arkansas area on any of the dates noted above, the test session will be CANCELLED, in the interest of personal safety. I would not want any fellow VE's...let alone examinees...risking their lives in a hazardous weather situation.
The Cabot and Sherwood test sites are around 15 miles apart...so if a session in a certain month has to be cancelled, a session the following month is nearby, so to speak. Personally, I'm hoping that the weather will be good on the exam days. For Arkansas weather information, click here.
None of the tests are affiliated with any amateur radio club (even though the Cabot sessions are at the S.T.A.R.S. Club meeting site). This means that you are free to join whichever area club that fits your interests, as there is so much one can do in amateur radio.
If you'd like to get on the roster, as SEATING IS LIMITED at both test sites, I can be reached via , (you will need to have Javascript enabled in your browser to use that link), or you can contact me via the instructions at this link. I can also be reached at 501-681-1551.
Please register by 1 pm Central Time, the Friday before the test sessions...and please check with me at least 24 hours before the sessions, to verify that they're still scheduled. I will try to notify both my VE Team and any examinees if I have to cancel the session, because of hazardous weather, or other issues. However, if the session will go on as scheduled, I likely will not contact you. For a list of other amateur radio license exam sessions across Arkansas, click here. All paperwork, test fees, etc., will be taken care of at the test sessions themselves...scroll down to the next paragraph for further details.
Exam Day
The exams are adminstered by a minimum of three (3) Volunteer Examiners (VEs)...who have taken the exams themselves...so, they understand your nervousness. But, there is no disgrace if you don't pass the test the first time...if you're willing to pay another fee (noted below), the VE Team may allow you to re-take the license exam element, with a DIFFERENT set of questions. Depending on the number of examinees, the testing could take a few hours to complete...but, your exam will be graded IMMEDIATELY (or as soon as possible) by the VE Team, after you finish it.
Before going to the test site, it's a good idea to check with the contact person, if you need directions, or for special instructions. Some sessions will allow walk-ins only, others will allow pre-registration only, and some will permit both. Also, registering with the ''VE Team Leader and/or Contact Person'' is a good idea...in case the session has to be cancelled at the last minute...and you can be notified before you make the trip.
When going to a test site, please be sure to bring the following items:
1) A photo ID, such as a drivers license, passport, state ID, military ID, etc. Lacking that, you will need two
(2) forms of identification...such as a Birth Certificate (with the appropriate seal affixed), a utility bill, bank
statement, or other piece of mail addressed to you. Other non-photo IDs can also include a Social Security card (see
the next paragraph), a school report card, a library card, a minors work permit, or a signed statement from the
parent/guardian stating that the minor is their child. The parent/guardian MUST be at the session to provide a
Photo ID, if the examinee is under 18 years of age.
NOTE: On the license application form, you will be REQUIRED to provide your Social Security number (SSN), if you're not already licensed. If you've previously signed up at the FCC Commission Registration System (CORES) website, or if you're already licensed, an FCC Federal Registration Number (FRN) takes the place of your SSN on the application.
If you don't want to provide your SSN on the form, you can go to the FCC Commission Registration System (CORES) website, where you can get information, then sign up to obtain a FRN. You will be REQUIRED to provide your SSN on the CORES website to obtain an FRN.
If you do NOT provide either your SSN or an FRN at the test session...or if the VE Team can not verify your
identity, you will NOT be allowed to take the license exam(s).
2) The ORIGINAL and a PHOTOCOPY of your amateur radio license, if you are already licensed. Note that if your license is expired more than two (2) years, it is NOT VALID for exam credit. Plus, your old callsign is also forfeited, and anyone can apply for it under the Vanity Callsign System)...and you must START OVER with the Technician class license exam. If the amateur radio license was issued on March 20, 1987 or before... expired or not...you have credit for the General class license exam (Element 3). But, if that license is expired over 2 years, you must pass the Technician Class license exam (Element 2) to get a new license and callsign. Once granted a new sequential callsign, you can apply for your old callsign as a Vanity Callsign, if it's still available, filling out the required forms, and paying the required fee.
3) The ORIGINAL and a PHOTOCOPY of any applicable
Certificate Of Successful Completion Of Examination (CSCE), which are valid for 365 days after initial
issuance for upgrading. An amateur radio operator who had previously passed the 5 words per minute (wpm) Morse Code
test does NOT need to keep the CSCE showing that they passed Element 1, since the
FCC removed the Morse Code requirement for any U.S. amateur radio licensee as of
Feb. 23, 2007. In a non-leap year, a CSCE issued on July 1 expires at 12 midnight June 30 of the following year.
However, in a leap year, a CSCE issued on July 1 expires at 12 midnight June 29 of the following year. The VE Team
will determine prior exam credit, if any...as well as determining the ''correctness'' of the answers on
the exam.
Note that at the test sessions that I conduct, I have a portable fax/copy machine to make COPIES of both the ORIGINAL amateur radio license and CSCE's. However, most VE Test sessions may NOT have this capability.
While the ORIGINALS of your photo identification, or other ID documents, your amateur radio license, and/or your CSCE's will be RETURNED AFTER INSPECTION by the VE Team, the copies of your amateur radio license, and/or your CSCE's will NOT be returned...as they will be sent off with the exam materials to the appropriate VEC...and ultimately, the FCC for processing. I also have my portable laptop computer and aircard to verify amateur radio licenses on the QRZ and FCC ULS websites...for those who may forget to bring the original of their amateur radio license. However, the VE Team has to see the ORIGINAL of any CSCE...photocopies of CSCE's will NOT be accepted!!
Again, note that most VE Test Sessions may NOT have this capability...and if you do NOT bring the
ORIGINAL, and a PHOTOCOPY of your amateur radio license, and/or CSCE to the test session...you may
be REQUIRED TO RETAKE THOSE EXAMS...even though you have passed them at a previous test session.
4) Cash, or a check payable to the appropriate Volunteer Examination team for the appropriate amount. For the current ARRL/VEC VE Test Session fee, click here. The test fee may be different for other VEC groups...and the fee may change in future years.
For those taking a license exam at a hamfest...if you're coming for the license exam ONLY...you aren't required to pay a hamfest admission fee. But, you are responsible for any highway tolls, parking fees, etc. to and from the hamfest...please check with the hamfest organizers to be sure on possible entry fees. But, if you decide to explore the hamfest after the exam session, you WILL be required to pay the hamfest admission fee. Most candidates who pass a license exam session that was done at a hamfest are likely to want to look for a new transceiver...especially if they upgraded their license.
As a side note, the following upcoming hamfests in Arkansas will be having VE Testing...check with the hamfest contact for further details:
* Saturday, February, 20, 2010 - Lawrence County Winterfest, Hoxie, Arkansas. For details, click here.
* Saturday, March 6, 2010 - ARVARF Hamfest, Russellville, Arkansas. For more information, click here...then enter the word hamfest in the Search box in the upper right. Then, look for, and click on the link for 2010 hamfest.
* Saturday, April 3, 2010 - Hanging Judge Hamfest, Knights Of Columbus Acres, Fort Smith Arkansas. For details, click here.
* Saturday, April 24, 2010 - Arkansas Section Convention, Rogers, Arkansas. For details, click here.
* Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010 - CAREN Club Hamfest, Catholic High School, Little Rock, Arkansas. I will be heading up VE Testing at this hamfest.
5) While not required, you may bring a calculator...but it MUST HAVE ALL MEMORY FORMULAS CLEARED. You will be REQUIRED to prove to the VE Team that this is the case...and the VE Team may personally inspect the calculator to verify such!! At test sessions that I conduct...I have, FOR LOAN three (3) simple calculators, if required. There are available on a ''first come, first serve'' basis.
6) Please use the restroom BEFORE starting the exam...as ''nature tends to call at the most inopportune
time''. Once you start the exam, you may NOT leave the exam area for ANY reason...unless your test booklet,
answer sheet, scratch paper, and other forms, are turned in FIRST!! Then, if you want to re-take the test, you
will have pay another test fee, and take the exam with a different set of questions.
WARNING!! Cheating...in ANY form, will NOT be tolerated!!
This includes bringing a calculator without the formulas cleared, using ''crib notes'', an electronic device (computer, cellphone, IPOD, PDA, etc.) or other ''study aids'' during the exam...all these MUST be TURNED OFF and PUT AWAY during the test. Watches that have an alarm or hourly chime, MUST have the sound disabled.
If you bring scratch paper to the test session, IT MUST BE COMPLETELY BLANK...however, if you need scratch paper at the test session, please ask the VE Team (they should also have extra pens and pencils on hand, if needed). It is recommended that you fill out the NCVEC Form 605 in pen (blue or black ink)...and that you fill out the Answer Sheet in pencil (in case you have to change your answers). Make sure you either ''make an X through the letter (A, B, C, or D), or that you ''bubble it in''. This makes it easier for the VE Team to grade.
Also, the exam booklets are different colors for each license class, and with ARRL/VEC test sessions, there are several sets of exam booklets for each element...each with a different set of questions. If the ARRL/VEC VE Team is using the ExamMaker software, that adds even more potential exam question sets to the mix...and other VEC's may have similar ways to ensure a wide range of exams. So, trying to ''copy answers'' off of someone elses test sheet will do you no good.
In fact, if it is determined that an examinee is cheating, their exam will be TERMINATED, marked as FAILED, and the examinee will be ordered to leave the premises IMMEDIATELY!! Please DON'T put yourself...or the VE Team...into this embarassing situation. The occurrence of cheating could also affect your ability to take future amateur radio license exams!! If it takes you a dozen tries to pass an amateur radio exam...even if just barely... you have as much right to be on the air as the person who made a perfect score the first time. So, you might as well ''take the test legally''.
After The Exam
There is NO RUSH to complete the exam. All the paperwork needed, as well as pens, pencils, and scratch paper (if needed), will be provided at the session. The VE Team will grade your exam IMMEDIATELY after you've finished it (or as soon as possible)...and tell you whether you passed or failed. You can miss as many as nine (9) questions on the 35 question Technician exam...nine (9) questions on the 35 question General exam...and thirteen (13) questions on the 50 question Amateur Extra exam...and still PASS...you do NOT have to make a perfect score.
As noted above, there is NO DISGRACE if you fail an exam the first time. If you're willing to pay another fee (noted above), the VE Team may allow you re-take the same exam element with a DIFFERENT set of questions.
If you pass (congratulations!), you'll be offered to take the next exam in line, at your option, at no additional charge. However, you will still have credit for the exam you passed...even if you fail the next element in line. By the same token, if you wish to stop with the one exam that you passed, that is your choice. If you're not already licensed, it takes from 7 to 10 days after the exam until the FCC grants your license...then, you can go to one of three sites:
1) The QRZ New Hams Website, and look for your last name (archived listings are also available).
2) The ARRL Callsign Search, and follow the prompts.
3) The FCC ULS Website....click on Search Licenses, and follow the prompts.
Note that data is usually in the FCC ULS website 24 hours before it shows up on either the QRZ New Hams Website, or the ARRL Callsign Search Website. So, it's beneficial for you to register with the FCC ULS website (as noted above), before you go for the license exam, and obtain your FRN...as new licensees can get their license as fast as five (5) days after a test session. However, the ''quick turnaround'' is usually the exception to the rule...so, please be patient if it takes longer. The VE Team has ten (10) days after the test session to get the test data to the appropriate VEC...who will then process the data, and send it to the FCC ULS.
Once your callsign is there, you can begin operating, according to the privileges of the license class you have earned. Be sure that the VE Team gives you a Certificate Of Successful Completion Of Examination (CSCE) BEFORE you leave the test session, as it is the ONLY PROOF of your taking, and passing an amateur radio license exam. The CSCE is valid for 365 days after initial issuance, if you decide to upgrade before your new license arrives.
If you are already licensed...with a valid FCC issued callsign...you can begin using your new privileges IMMEDIATELY, according to the temporary suffix format on the back of the CSCE, that you will receive from the VE Team before you leave the test session. Once your upgrade appears in the FCC ULS, you no longer have to use the temporary suffix format.
You will receive a paper copy via U.S. Mail 1 to 2 weeks after your callsign shows up in the database. Your license is good for ten (10) years. Be sure to sign it before laminating it, as the license is NOT VALID WITHOUT YOUR SIGNATURE.
Be sure to keep your mailing address CURRENT...as your license could be SUSPENDED or REVOKED, if mail sent to you by the FCC is returned as UNDELIVERABLE.
Once you get your callsign, you may keep it, or request a new sequential callsign...free of charge. However, if you wish to apply for a Vanity Callsign, certain requirements and fees apply...details are located here. Once the new sequential or Vanity Callsign takes effect, your previous callsign is NO LONGER VALID.
Ham Radio Links
Here are various ham radio links, updated Jan. 26, 2010. If you have any others, please contact me via this link.
Total Visitors to this website and its pages since Oct. 1, 1997: