Amateur Radio
| Contents |
| Overview |
| Getting A License |
| U.S. Ham Radio Licenses |
| Studying for a License |
| 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. It converts text to Morse Code in several formats...click on the WinMorse link for more information, and system requirements. 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 US 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 noncommercial 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.
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 Amateurs 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 Amateur Radio FCC 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.
The Technician 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.
To get the Technician license, you have to pass an examination covering rules, regulations, 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 licensees.
The General License
This is the one most hams hold. It lets you operate voice as well as code on all amateur bands...including 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 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 former Advanced and Amateur Extra 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. Choose your state (if it's not listed, then no classes are currently scheduled), and look for a group in your area. 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. There are no diagrams with the Technician Class exam...there is one schematic diagram on the General Class exam...and there are several diagrams on the Extra Class exam. You will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view 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. Also, if you have a disability, the VE Team may make certain accomodations for you to take the license exam. Note that MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION 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.
5) HamTestOnline. This option only requires a computer and internet connection. Unlike the options where you have to buy books, etc. for each license class, a two (2) year subscription of $49.95 gets you ALL 3 U.S. license exams, plus the Canadian license exams. That's 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, take as many practice tests desired...and 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'll CANCEL your subscription, and REFUND your money. Less than 1% of all who have signed up with them have requested a refund.
Exam Day
Years ago, you had to travel long distances to an FCC Field Office to take the exam. Now, you can take the exam in the city where you live, or nearby. You can search for exams by state by clicking here.
The exams are adminstered by 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 by the VE Team, as soon as 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. When going to a test site, bring:
1) The ORIGINAL and a PHOTOCOPY of your license, if you are already licensed.
2) A photo ID, such as a drivers license, passport, state ID, etc. Lacking that, you will need two (2) forms of identification...such as a Birth Certificate, with the appropriate seal affixed, or a bill, or other piece of mail addressed to you.
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).
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.
4) Cash, or a check payable to the appropriate Volunteer Examination team for the appropriate amount. It's currently $14 for ARRL VE Test Sessions (payable to ARRL/VEC)...and it'll remain that way through 2008. However, the fee may increase in 2009. The fee may be different for other VEC groups.
5) A calculator, with 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!!
WARNING!! Cheating in ANY form, will NOT be tolerated. This includes bringing a calculator without the formulas cleared, crib notes, etc. or using said items during the exam. Plus, the exam booklets are different colors for each license class and each exam booklet has a different set of questions. 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!
After The Exam
There is NO RUSH to complete the exam. All the paperwork needed (and scratch paper, if requested) will be provided at the session. The VE Team will grade your exam IMMEDIATELY after you've finished it, and tell you whether you passed or failed. 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. If you're not already licensed, it takes from 10 to 14 days until the FCC grants your license. Ten (10) days after the exam, you can go to the QRZ New Hams Website, and look for your last name (archived listings are also available). Once your callsign is there, you can begin operating, according to the privileges of the license class you have earned. Be sure that you receive a Certificate Of Successful Completion Of Examination (CSCE) from the VE Team BEFORE you leave the test session. 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, you can begin using your new privileges IMMEDIATELY, according to the format on the back of the Certificate Of Successful Completion Of Examination (CSCE) that you will receive from the VE Team before you leave the test session.
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.
Ham Radio Links
Here are various ham radio links, updated June 19, 2008. If you have any others, please Email me. Be sure to put ''ham radio'' in the subject line, or the email will be BLOCKED.
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