This guide will provide you with all the information and free or paid resources you need to prepare and study for your amateur radio license exams. Once you pass the exam, you’ll become a licensed amateur radio operator.

In the US, the Federal Communications Commission or FCC regulates amateur radio transmissions. All ham radio operators must be licensed, this helps insure the safety of the operator and protects other radio services from interference.

Licenses are available in 3 different levels (Technician, General, and Amateur Extra). Each level progressively adds frequencies you are allowed to transmit on and other privileges.

All amateur radio exams are administered by volunteer examiners (VEs). VE’s are existing ham radio operators who have organized themselves in groups called VEC’s or Volunteer Exam Coordinators. VEC’s are authorized by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to create and administer license exams.

Which Exam Do You Need to Take and What Do You Get?

As mentioned above, there are three classes of ham radio licenses: Technician, General, and Amateur Extra. Each class of license requires passing a different exam. Everyone starts with the Technician License. Where you stop is up to you. Here’s a look at the basics of all three classes of ham radio licenses and what it takes to get there.

Level 1: FCC Technician License

This license introduces you to radio, electronics, safety and related operating rules.  Passing this exam grants a license which allows you to operate on all amateur radio frequencies above 30 MHz. The exam consists of 35 questions, and you’ll need to correctly answer at least 26 questions to pass.

Level 2: FCC General License

This license expands your knowledge of radio operating, covers radio frequency theory for HF operation and additional electronics knowledge.  Achieving the General Class license allows you to operate in parts of all amateur radio frequencies. You are required to have passed the Technician license exam and take an exam consisting of 35 new questions.  Like before, you’ll need to correctly answer at least 26 questions to pass.

Level 3: FCC Amateur Extra License

To reach the highest level of ham radio license you’ll deep dive into additional RF and electronics theory.  When you finish, you earn the privileges of unique operating frequencies on the HF bands, the ability to operate easily from other countries, and the right to become a Volunteer Examiner.  You can not become an Amateur Extra without passing the Technician and General exams.  For this level of exam you will be given a test consisting of 50 new questions, and you’ll need to correctly answer at least 37 questions to pass.

If you’re unsure about which license level you need for your use-case, read our guide on all the license levels and the differences between them.  Just remember all hams start with the Level 1: Technician License and if you want to upgrade later, you can take multiple exams together!

How Many Questions Are on the Exam?

The number of questions on the ham radio license exams varies depending on the class of license you’re seeking. The Technician and General exams both consist of 35 questions, while the Extra exam has 50 questions.

All questions are multiple-choice, asking you to pick the one correct answer from a group of fours.  There are usually no time limits when you sit for an exam, but most people complete it in 20 to 30 minutes.  Fun fact – you can miss every math question and still pass!

You can check out our more comprehensive guide on this.

FCC Technician Exam Question Pool 2022-2026

Your Technician exam will be made up of 35 questions.  Each question is drawn from a pool of 10-12 questions on a particular topic.  For instance, at the Technician level there are 67 questions on 6 different topics related to FCC rules for group T1.   Here’s a breakdown of all the areas.

FCC General Exam Question Pool 2023-2027

Your General exam will be made up of 35 questions.  Each question is drawn from a pool of 10-12 questions on a particular topic.   Continuing our example from above, at the General level are 57 questions on 5 different topics related to FCC rules for group G1.

Amateur Extra Exam Question Pool 2020-2024

The Amateur Extra exam will be made up of 50 questions.  Again, each question is drawn from a pool of 10-12 questions on a particular topic.  In the first section of the Amateur Extra exam there are 75 questions on 6 different topics related to FCC rules.

How Long Do You Need to Study?

The amount of time you will need to study for your ham radio license exam will depend on your experience level, the class of license, and the resources you’re using.

For the Technician Exam, most people will need to study for 20-30 hours to understand the material. For the General and Extra exams, you’ll likely need to study for 30-40 hours.

But Ham Radio Prep’s Technician Study Guide makes it super easy!  Some people using this method prepare for their Technician License Exam in less than 5 hours using video lessons, text lessons, and interactive games!

How to Study for Your Ham Radio License Exam

If you are interested in becoming a licensed amateur radio operator and want to pass the license exam, Ham Radio Prep offers online courses that cover all the topics you need to know.

The course is designed to help you understand basic radio theory, regulations, and operating practices. Check out our study tips to pass your exam easily.

A Few Tips to Pass Your Exam Easily

1. Understand License Exam Formats

The first step in preparing for your test is to understand the format. The Technician and General exam consists of 35 multiple-choice questions, and you will need to answer at least 26 of them correctly to pass. The Amateur Extra exam has 50 questions and you need to answer at least 37 to pass your exam.

Every question in your exams is randomly selected from a publicly available pool of questions.  Every volunteer examiner makes up their exams using the same method from the same pool of questions. All the questions are reviewed and question pools are updated every three years.  This makes it essential for you to have a good understanding of all the topics covered in the latest pool, and the Ham Radio Prep courses have you covered!

2. Take Lots of Practice Exams

Ham Radio Prep offers free practice exams that are exactly like the real license exams. You have to take a lot of practice tests to prepare for the exam, and it helps you identify areas where you need to focus your studies.

Our exam readiness dashboard does that exactly for you! You are guaranteed to see every question in your practice exams to know you’re fully prepared.

3. Focus on the Hard Questions

Use a study and test tool that gives you feedback on the areas you need the most help.  As practice tests reveal your individual trends, you will be able to identify the questions you get wrong and focus on learning them.  By spending your study time focusing on where you can improve your scores, you’ll be better prepared to answer questions on the actual exam.

While we don’t want you to be intimidated, looking at some of the hardest questions in the FCC Technician License exam may give you a hint into how that works.

4. Stay Calm and Confident

On the exam day, it’s normal to feel nervous or anxious. However, try to stay calm and confident. Take a few deep breaths before the exam and remind yourself that you’ve prepared and studied for this moment.

Remember that it’s okay to skip a question if you’re not sure of the answer – you can always come back to it later. And if you do encounter a question you don’t know the answer to, don’t panic. Use the process of elimination to narrow down the choices and make an educated guess.

You’ll be able to use a basic calculator and scratch paper during your exam, so take advantage of the tools you are given to help work those tough questions out.  Also, you will have the opportunity to take your test in person or proctored online.

Ham Radio Prep: The Best Study Guide for Your Ham Radio License Exams

One of the best ham radio study guides available is Ham Radio Prep. Over 70,000 students have used our online study system which provides you with everything you need to pass your exam fast and easily!

Ham Radio Prep offers:

• Study materials for all three ham radio licenses
• Covers every FCC question pool (and is always up to date)
• Instant feedback on your answers, including explanations for why each answer is correct or incorrect.
• Covers everything you need to get licensed and learn ham radio!
• Ham Radio Prep’s mobile app allows you to study on the go (for both iOS and Android).
• Ability to track your progress with practice tests!

With Ham Radio Prep, you’ll be able to study smarter, not harder. Instead of spending hours poring over study materials, you can focus and learn everything you need in a single course and track your progress as you go.

Ham Radio Prep is really the only all-in-one solution to study for your amateur radio license exam! Three Ways to Study: Book, Course, and Mobile App!

Learn why studying using an online course is the best way to study for your license exam.

You can also check out Ham Radio Prep’s study books on Amazon.

If audio lessons are your thing, you can use Audible to get our audiobooks.

Once you pass your exam, you can schedule your online exam with a VEC or decide to take it offline.

Other Ham Radio Study Guides, Books, and Resources

While Ham Radio Prep is an excellent way to prepare for your ham radio license exam, there are other resources available that you may find helpful such as:

• ARRL Handbook: The ARRL Handbook is a comprehensive guide to amateur radio that covers everything from basic electronics to advanced operating techniques.
• Gordon West’s Study Guides: Gordon West is a well-known ham radio instructor who has written study guides for all three classes of ham radio licenses.
• Study Groups: Joining a study group can be a great way to stay motivated and get help from other hams who are also studying for their exams.
• Read the Question Pools: All the questions in each of the three Amateur Radio exams are “open source” so you can review them all one by one if you like. The NCVEC maintains all the amateur question pools.

Ready to Become a Licensed Ham Radio Operator?

Studying for your ham radio license exam doesn’t have to be stressful. By following the top resources and using Ham Radio Prep as your primary study tool, you’ll be well on your way to passing your exam and joining the amateur radio community.

Good luck! 73

The post The Ultimate Ham Radio Study Guide for All License Levels appeared first on Ham Radio Prep.

So you finally made the decision to get your ham radio license, and suddenly – you are OVERWHELMED with different study resources! Some people study with books, some of them looking like a giant textbook. Then you’ve got free videos online (that may be outdated).

From helping tens of thousands of people pass their exam, we’ve become experts in helping students pass their ham radio license exam, and we have found that by far the most effective way to study is with an online class. Here’s why.

In this guide:

Easy to Use and Works for All Learning Styles

With most resources, studying is one dimensional. You either have to read, or take endless practice tests.

An online class combines all of the most effective learning elements into a single program: videos, text lessons, practice quizzes, games, practice tests and more.

Multiple studies have proven that engaging your visual and auditory systems through video plus text enhances your learning experience and helps process information from short-term to long-term memory.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5132380/

https://www.crowdwisdomlms.com/blog/5-benefits-of-video-based-learning/

Listen to what Morgan said about the program here:

This means that with an online multimedia class, you will learn more, retain more information, and be better prepared to pass your online test.

It Saves You Time

The problem with studying endless practice tests, or just reading a book, or watching any number of free resources, is that ultimately you will end up wasting a significant amount of time to prepare for your exam.

The Ham Radio Prep program is broken up into 10 digestible lessons that you can study from anywhere. You can study right from the comfort of your own home, or even study on the go from your phone. It’s a breeze.

The course also cuts out all of the fluff, and compresses the information into just what you need to know using high-quality editing.

We estimate you can save up to 20 hours of time by using the Ham Radio Prep program.

100% Guaranteed to Pass

Nothing is worse than arriving on test day, only to fail the exam and waste your hard-earned money. Not to mention the hassle of having to go through the exam process multiple times.

There are many reasons why students may fail the exam. One main reason is that the Level 1: Technician License Course questions just updated on July 1st 2022 (link to the news article), and many resources are still using the outdated questions.

No matter what, make sure you do not study with the outdated questions, or you are sure to fail!

Another reason that students fail is that they only study with one learning style (practice tests, book, etc.) and they simply don’t retain the information.

The Ham Radio Prep program comes with the industry’s best 100% guarantee – if you don’t pass the exam on your first try, we will refund your course AND pay for your exam fee.

In addition, you get great customer support and help if you need anything from the team. Other resources don’t have a real person to contact if you need help!

Why do we offer such an insanely good guarantee? It’s because we have helped over 60,000 students pass their exam, and during this time we have developed the program to work flawlessly. We have less than a fraction of a percent of students that ever use this guarantee, because all of our students pass the exam easily!

You Actually Learn Much More About Ham Radio

If you start taking endless practice test after practice test, you are going to memorize the answers, but you aren’t going to actually learn anything. Even if you do manage to pass your exam, you won’t know anything about ham radio.

The Ham Radio Prep program elevates the learning process with our videos. Our videos incorporate graphic animations to demonstrate the concepts. You can see an antenna emitting radio waves, watch a ham radio operator make a call, or even see how radio waves bounce off the ionosphere.

The Ham Radio Prep program is taught by ham radio experts with decades of experience, and we bring this experience right to your computer or phone for an affordable price. Jim Reed, N4BFR, for instance has been in ham radio for over a decade!

When you leave the Ham Radio Prep program you will be more informed about ham radio than another other program on the market.

It’s Fun!

So many people get stuck studying for their ham radio license because of one simple reason – it’s boring!

If you are getting bored while studying for your ham radio license, it’s a good sign that you are studying with the wrong resources.

With Ham Radio Prep videos, you feel like you are part of the action. You’ll actually be excited to jump in and start studying again.

This is what one of our students said about the program:

Summary:

There are plenty of study options out there. If you want to have a book in hand, check out the Ham Radio Prep Technician License Manual which is updated for the new question set, or our 100% FREE mobile app.

However, after looking at all of the data of tens of thousands of students, it is clear that the top way to study for your ham radio license is with an online course. So, if you’re ready to finally get your ticket, get started with a free lesson so you can see how the program works.

Try a Free 5-Minute Lesson

The post 5 Reasons Why An Online Course is The Best Way To Study For Your Ham Radio License appeared first on Ham Radio Prep.

The post The 3 Levels of Ham Radio Licenses Explained appeared first on Ham Radio Prep.

In this article:

From books, to Youtube videos, to online classes, there is a lot of information out there. So how do you make sense of it all and finally get your license? It’s easier than you think. Follow these 3 steps to finally get your license and get started in ham radio.

Basic Requirements

• Must have a valid US Mailing Address​
• Must have a valid Taxpayer Identification Number, such as a Social Security Number (SSN) or an FCC Registration Number (FRN).

Additional Notes:

• You do NOT have to be a US Citizen to get a ham radio license. You must have a valid US Mailing Address and an FCC Registration Number (FRN).
• If you have a felony, you can still apply for a ham radio license, but it depends on your specific case if it will be granted (see more info here).

Step 1: Choose the Level of License

There are three classes of licenses that are offered by the FCC (The Federal Communications Commission, the branch of government that controls ham radio licenses). You have to pass a test for each level, and you have to start at Technician and advance upward.

Level 1: Technician License

Access to VHF / UHF, great for starting with handheld radios.

Level 2: General License

Open up access to many HF bands, which means nationwide and worldwide communication.

Level 3: Amateur Extra License

The highest amateur class offered by the FCC.

If you’re new to ham radio, then you have to pass the Technician License first. You can take the General License test the same day without any extra fee, if you’re feeling confident. It really depends on how to plan to use amateur radio. To find out which level of license will best suit your needs, check out our post on the Technician License vs. the General License.

Level 1

Technician License Course

Take a free 5-minute lesson to take the first step to getting licensed.

Start Free 5-Minute Lesson

Step 2: Study For The Exam

Now that you have decided which license is best for you, you need to start preparing for the test.

The entry level Technician License Exam requires around 10 hours of study for most people. The Technician and General License exams each have 35 questions, and the Amateur Extra has 50. In order to pass the each test, you must get at least a 74%. For Technician and General, this means you must get 26 questions right out of the 35 questions. When it comes to ham radio, you could say that “C’s are for degrees” (see our detailed guide on how many questions are on the ham radio license exams).

As far as study materials, there are free options as well as more premium paid options. Considering that study materials will greatly enhance your experience and actually teach you a lot about ham radio, most people decide to invest at least a small amount into study materials. Overall, we estimate that the Technician License will cost you $85 when you take into account the cost of study materials, the FCC license fee and the cost of actually taking the exam (see license cost article for full breakdown). Let’s take a look at some of the study options to get ready for the exam.

Take An Online Class

It’s now possible to learn everything you need in an online class from your phone, tablet, or computer. You also get nice bonuses like videos and exams that track where you’re having trouble. Since access to our online class never expires, you can also go back and reference the material at any time. Not sure if an online class is right for you? Try a free lesson and see if you can pass the sample questions directly from the real FCC test.

View Online Classes

Books

Some people prefer having study materials they can put their hands on – and we don’t blame them! If you prefer a book, we converted all of the knowledge we’ve acquired from running an online course into the book, The Ham Radio Prep Technician Class License Manual available on Amazon. There are no shortage of different books with different learning styles. For example, the ARRL has manuals which are more dense and take longer to read, but many hams buy them to keep as a reference.

Mobile Apps

If you’re looking to study on your phone or tablet, a mobile app could be a great addition to your study materials. Ham Radio Prep offers a mobile app for both Android and iOS!

Step 3: Take Your Exam In-Person or Remote

The moment of truth arrives – you must now take the test by an FCC accredited Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC). VECs are the only organizations legally allowed to conduct ham radio license exam sessions in the United States.

Before scheduling your exam, be sure to register for your FRN Number (FCC Registration Number). Your FRN number will be used to manage your online account with the FCC.

In-Person Exam Sessions

For most people, the easiest way to take the exam is with a friendly local ham radio club. Many local clubs are ARRL affiliated. You can search for an in-person exam with one the ARRL exam search page. It’s easiest to search this page using only your zip code. These exam sessions are run by friendly local ARRL affiliated clubs who want nothing more than to see you pass!

Remote/Online Exam Sessions

What if an in-person exam session just isn’t available? According to a recent notice by the FCC, it is now 100% possible to take the exam online, and there are several VECs that offer remote exams, such as the Anchorage Alaska Radio Club VEC and the Greater Los Angeles Amateur Radio Club (aka GLAARG). If you would like to take the test online, check out our page about ham radio online testing to see what are the best options and how to get registered.

Congratulations, You've Earned Your License!​

The volunteers examiners will give you an official signed paper (CSCE) saying that you passed on the spot.

The volunteer examiners will send your paperwork for the FCC for processing. 

Once the FCC processes your application, you will receive an email with instructions on how to pay the $35 FCC fee online.

As soon as your name and call sign shows up in the FCC database – you are officially a licensed amateur radio operator and can begin transmitting!

You’ll also receive your official call sign and license via PDF to your email.

Then you can start exploring all the amazing things you can do with your ham radio license, such as emergency communications, HF operations, repeaters, and so much more!

 

The post How To Get Your Ham Radio License in 3 Simple Steps appeared first on Ham Radio Prep.

In this article:

The simple answer: YES!

The FCC released a public notice on April 30, 2020 confirming that the ham radio license exam may be held remotely.

How it works

Ham radio license tests are administered by Volunteer Exam Coordinators (VECs) that are approved by the FCC to administer the exam. Some VECs offer remote testing, but many of them still do not.

There is some setup required with a webcam, a Zoom meeting, and possibly a qualified proctor – it all depends on which VEC you choose to administer your exam. Each VEC will have their own detailed requirements and instructions.

Before you get in touch with a VEC to try to schedule your exam, make sure you have studied for the exam and can easily score the 74% required to pass. If you’re not sure on where to get started check out our guide on how to get you ham radio license or take a free lesson.

Top clubs that offer ham radio license testing online:

TOP CLUB

1. PARC VE Testing

PARC Radio & Technology has been proctoring exams for many years prior to the Pandemic. When COVID struck, the group swung into overdrive to help our community continue to acquire licenses. PARC along with NEAR pioneered the approval of online exams with the ARRL. They provided over six thousand exams within the first year of online exams and are continuing to provide exams throughout the week with more exam times than any other team. They strive to provide an online experience that is as seamless as possible. 

Their VE’s are located across the United States and are some of the most experienced radio operators you will meet. They will do everything they can to help make your exam experience a pleasant process. Please feel free to check out their website to see the steps and procedures.

Click here to get started with PARC

2. Greater Los Angeles Amateur Radio Group VEC (GLAARG)

GLAARG has stepped up to the plate and is now offering remote tests with much success. Some of our students have reported successful results and a good experience with the GLAARG team. 

Click here to get started with GLAARG

Level 1

Technician License Course

Take a free 5-minute lesson to take the first step to getting licensed.

Start Free 5-Minute Lesson

3. New England Amateur Radio (NEAR)

New England Amateur Radio (NEAR) recently showed up on a radar – and some students are raving about their experience testing with NEAR. They do not require a proctor and follow a process similar to GLAARG. Before getting started, make sure to check out their rules and protocols. 

Click here to sign up for an exam with NEAR

4. Anchorage Alaska VEC

The Anchorage Alaska Amateur Radio Club is the VEC that has offered the ham radio test completely online for the longest amount of time. In addition to their exam software and logistics, they also work hard to maintain the integrity of the testing system.

Click here to apply for a remote exam with Anchorage Alaska VEC

5. Aurora Amateur Radio Group (AARG)

The Aurora Amateur Radio Group offers remote examinations to anyone in an environment where a group of dedicated volunteers are proud to serve. To serve America’s under served through compassion, leadership, professionalism and integration of 21st century technological innovation are things we strive for. 

We are more than glad to help anyone that wants to be treated like family and leave with a smile! Take some time and read our testimonials page. Feel free to check us out. You will not be disappointed!

Homepage: https://aarg.club

Exam Testimonials: https://aarg.club/?page_id=132

Remote Testing Page: https://aarg.club/?page_id=14

Should you consider taking the exam in-person?

Let’s be honest – there is a lot of setup required to take the exam 100% online and remotely. It’s worth at least considering taking the exam in per person. And the truth is that it is a good opportunity to meet local club members that you may even make contact with on the local repeater. 

Search with ARRL, and just use your zip code for best search results. Get in touch with the local club and see if they can accommodate your situation.

Search for a local club with ARRL (use your zip code for best results)

The post Can you take the ham radio license test online? appeared first on Ham Radio Prep.

Around 750,000 Americans have an amateur radio license, or as it’s colloquially known, a “ham” radio license. Among those who get licensed are technologists, disaster preppers, emergency responders, engineers, off-roaders, boaters, survivalists, and more. 

Ham radio has been around since the early days of communications, and it is more relevant now than ever, with a huge increase in new licenses in recent months. At Ham Radio Prep, we’ve helped thousands of Americans study for and pass their amateur radio license exam, so we decided to take a deep-dive into the primary reasons and benefits of finally getting your “ticket” (ham slang for license). 

In this guide:

• Communicate over long distances without the internet or cell towers

• The internet backbone that carries our data
• When communication software fails: Hacking, bugs, and other breakdowns
• A direct line of communication in case of emergency

• Amateur radio is a lifelong hobby
• You can use your license to volunteer
• Add a new skill to your resume
• A license is required to transmit

A ham radio license allows you to communicate over long distances without the internet or cell towers

For many enthusiasts, ham radio is all about independent communication and self-reliance. All you need is a battery, a radio, and a little knowledge and you can communicate across the country or the world without depending on big tech companies, internet access and infrastructure.

Amateur radio gives you control over your own communications.

Don’t have cell service? No problem, you can chat with friends and family on a handheld radio like a Baofeng (think of it like a walkie-talkie on steroids). Internet went out? Amateur radio operators can easily send an email via Winlink, across the entire country or world, just with some simple equipment from their home. 

Amateur radio operators are leading the charge in independent, decentralized communications across the country, and with your amateur radio license, you can join in on the fun.

But why should you care? Why is ham radio still relevant in a world with cell phones and internet?

Cell phones and the internet rely on a massive network of cables and giant data centers

The internet often feels like magic – it is just everywhere, automatically. Especially with WiFi hotspots, many people mistakenly believe the internet travels across the country via radio waves.

In reality, the internet consists of hundreds of thousands of miles of underground cables that carry signals across the country. WiFi or cell phone towers only carry data for the very last part of the transmission.

Additionally, up to 97% of all intercontinental internet traffic passes through underwater cables. Just the underwater cables add up to 550,000 miles of cables that require tedious maintenance to stay in working order. Your local government or a company like Google Fiber maintain the last mile cable to your home or place of business.

These cables deliver data into and out of large data centers, like the Switch SuperNAP in Las Vegas that occupies a 3.5 million square foot warehouse or the 6.3 million square foot data center in Langfang, China.

Just like how a tree can fall on a limb and knock out the internet near your home, a natural disaster or attack to any of these cables can cause communication outages on a massive scale. And if you have experienced an outage yourself, you know the feeling of helplessness while waiting on a bureaucrat or big tech support team to fix the issue.

For example, when Hurricane Katrina hit the American South in 2005, it caused a massive communications blackout leaving citizens stranded in disaster zones. And there wasn’t time to wait on cell phone and internet companies to go in and repair cables and towers.

That’s when volunteer ham radio operators mobilized around the country and executed dozens of search and rescue missions, assisting the Coast Guard and other organizations like the Red Cross in saving lives in Louisiana and Mississippi.

We saw a very similar situation with Hurricane Maria in 2017, when nearly all public communication systems were wiped out for the entire island of Puerto Rico. Amateur radio operators answered the call of the Red Cross to help establish communications needed to get critical, lifesaving resources like food, water, and medicine as well as coordinate rescue missions. These amateur radio heroes worked from their homes in the United States or even traveled to the island to help with local communications operations.

Similar outages have been caused by wildfires in California, earthquakes around the world, and a litany of other natural disasters.

But this is only half the story, the hardware infrastructure. The internet also relies on software infrastructure to relay information, which is an additional point where communications can fail.

Software Infrastructure: How communication can fail due to hacking, bugs, and other software failures

With how many hands touch the data in transit, it’s completely reasonable to question how these companies deliver your information from point A to point B and how that information is protected in transit. 

The Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, is the government agency responsible for holding these companies accountable for managing the internet, as well as amateur radio. Currently, the FCC offers partial enforcement of a free and open internet. There has been much debate over implementing a more sweeping net neutrality, which would treat internet traffic as an essential utility like electricity and not allow any manipulation of the traffic. But further regulation has cons as well, and could cause even more problems.

So as it stands, the internet is not a “neutral” place. In order to send and receive data from the websites you visit, or send messages via cell towers or internet to friends/family, your data must pass through software systems owned by big tech companies like AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, Google, and others. In addition, if you are using a social network like Facebook or Twitter, they have their own software that controls how messages are routed. 

Amateur radio is not going to replace a social network anytime soon (interesting idea) – but amateur radio operators at least have the ability to communicate without dependence on Internet Service Providers or social media networks.

Communications systems are also vulnerable to hacking. When hackers are able to gain access and run malicious code  like the hackers who successfully took out the power grid in the Ukraine in 2016 with malware known as BlackEnergy, which then caused a ripple effect of transportation and communication failures.

And sometimes it’s just good old fashioned incompetence and human error that causes massive communications outages. An innocent employee could make a mistake that could cause a blackout, as occurred in the Northeast black out 2003 when a software bug in the alarm system control room of FirstEnergy in Ohio caused a 3,500 megawatt power surge to wipe out communications from the Midwest into Canada almost completely for several hours.

More recently in November of 2020, Amazon Web Services suffered a major outage that affected 23 geographic regions for hours due to unintentional software issues.

There are also phenomena like mass call events, or MCEs, when an extraordinarily high volume of telephone calls are attempted simultaneously in the same area, that can overwhelm the network software and lead to complete or partial cellular outages.

If you had been in New York City during the World Trade Center attacks in 2001, or in Boston during the Boston Marathon in 2013, you would have likely found it impossible to use a cell phone to contact anyone. So many individuals were trying to use their phones simultaneously, that the networks failed. That’s when volunteers, First Responders, police departments, fire and EMS all moved to Ultra High Frequency (UHF) and Very High Frequency (VHF) channels, such as those used in amateur radio, to coordinate emergency response efforts.

All of this is not to say that the Internet is terrible and you should never use it. Quite the contrary. What it does mean is that every American citizen should be informed about the risks and not be dependent on the government and private interests to deliver messages to your friends and family. 

A direct line of communication in case of emergency

With ham radio, you own the hardware AND the software, which gives you a direct line of communication when needed in case of an emergency. Important caveat – amateur radio is regulated by the FCC, so you still have to get your license and follow all the rules while using amateur radio!

The only hardware required to transmit and receive on amateur radio are:

• Power source - which can easily be disconnected from the grid, via battery or generator power, even solar
• Transmitter/receiver - often combined into a single “transceiver”. This is the electronic unit responsible for handling messages
• Antenna - the device responsible for transforming electrical signals into electromagnetic waves to transmit and receive signals.

There are a wide variety of combinations of types of antennas, modes of communication, and bands that amateur radio operators use, which is beyond the scope of this piece. Many operators start with a simple handheld like a Baofeng UV-5R, which is great for local communications, and then move into High Frequency (HF) for longer range communications. To communicate via HF over long distances, you will probably need to get the Level 2 of the license (General License).

Amateur radio is the one of the best lifelong hobbies you can have

If you decide to study and pass your amateur radio license exam, you’ll find quickly that there is a large community of amateur radio operators who are active talk groups. Among the most popular hobbies:

• Off-Roading - Amateur radio is the go-to choice for off-roaders because it provides communications when cell phone service may not be available.
• Aviation - Many pilots / aviation enthusiasts receive their amateur radio licenses to extend their radio skills to ground communications.
• Hiking/ hunting/ outdoorsman - Amateur radio is the communication method of choice for outdoor enthusiasts who may be “off the grid” because of its reliability and long range.
• Amateur radio hobbyists - This is a broad category - but amateur radio hobbyists include those who build custom radio hardware/software, DXing (talking to distant stations), amateur radio competitions, and more.

You can use your amateur radio license to volunteer and assist during an emergency

Even beyond protecting yourself and your family, once you receive your amateur radio license, you will have the opportunity to help others, even from your own home, during a communication outage. Communication is one of the most valuable skills for any emergency response team.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) created by FEMA encourages their members to get certified in amateur radio. As a licensed amateur radio operator, you immediately become a value add to your local CERT team.

The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES)

Amateur radio operators are invaluable for local emergency response teams or can join amateur radio emergency groups like RACES and ARES to contribute back to their communities.

Learn a new skill to add to your resume

Learning a new skill like amateur radio can unlock unused areas of the brain and help with longevity and alertness. Quite literally, learning ham radio is like food for your brain, as was proven in the study conducted by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), titled “Learning Morse Code Alters Microstructural Properties [of the brain]”

This study took a group of 16 subjects and monitored their brains while they studied Morse code, just one of many aspects of amateur radio. And the results are astounding. They reported that learning Morse code led to “higher cognitive (and language related)…pathways that connect regions within this network [and] show learning related changes in terms of white matter plasticity.” In other words, simply learning Morse Code, can increase learning abilities in the same ways as mastering a language or a new instrument.

For the younger generation, amateur radio is a great learning tool for STEM education and can be a pathway to careers in electrical engineering, communications, or computer science. For those who have already started their careers, many of the skills you learn while studying for your amateur radio license are transferable to career skills. The knowledge of electronics, antennas, and radio propagation could be valuable launching points to a career in:

• Electrical engineering / circuit design
• Consumer electronics
• Computer science
• Broadcast radio or television
• Medical technology such as X-Rays or MRI technicians
• Space exploration and technology
• Cell phone tower network design, assembly and repair

Amateur radio education is also extremely affordable on a budget. While comparable education programs can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, you can study for and get certified with your amateur radio license all for less than $50. With the low cost involved, the return on investment you will get when investing in your own amateur radio education makes it a no-brainer.

Remember! A license is required to transmit

It’s important to remember that you can’t enjoy any of these benefits if you don’t pass the exam and get your license.

You may be asking yourself – “Can’t I just pick up a pair of walkie-talkies and call it a day?” Well, it wouldn’t be a bad first step. But walkie-talkies operate on what is known as Citizens Band (aka CB radio), which are frequencies allocated for use by American citizens without the need for a license. CB radio is short range and is extremely limited and is best suited for truckers or for kids playing in the woods.

Amateur radio is regulated in the United States by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). The specific part of the FCC guidelines that regulate amateur radio are called the Part 97 rules. If you transmit on amateur radio frequencies without a license or break the Part 97 rules, you could be subject to massive fines. For example, some individuals have been fined as much as $17,000 for intentional interference.

Certain groups online, especially “prepper” groups, often try to argue against licensing or any regulation of amateur radio. They argue that in a true emergency situation, it doesn’t matter if you have a license or not. However, this argument falls apart for a few main reasons. For one, it is completely necessary that amateur radio is regulated to make sure that it is still usable by thousands of amateurs. Without rules and guidelines, then amateurs could interfere with military communication networks, cellular networks, WiFi networks and more, and the amateur radio bands could easily become unusable due to unregulated, high-powered transmissions by individuals with bad intentions.This could destroy amateur radio as we know it.

In a life or death situation, it is also important that you are able to use an amateur radio, and the only way to learn effectively is through getting your license and practicing. If a cellular network goes out, you aren’t going to be able to watch a YouTube video to learn how to operate a radio! You need to start planning ahead. While studying for your amateur radio license, you will learn the concepts you need to know to effectively use amateur radio. Then once you have your license, you can begin to practice transmitting and you will be able to take advantage of all the benefits of amateur radio.

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Amateur radio licenses are good for ten years, but it’s easy to forget to renew your license, especially if you haven’t been active lately. Fortunately, renewing a license is easy to do, and at least for the time being, free of charge. So, even if you’re not actively using your license, there’s really no excuse not to renew it.

How do you know when your license will expire?

The first thing you need to do is to figure out when your license will expire. There are several ways to do this:

1. Visit the FCC website. The FCC maintains amateur radio license information in its Universal Licensing System (ULS) database. To find your information:
   • Point your web browser to https://www.fcc.gov/universal-licensing-system.
   • Click on Searching -> License Search, and then type your call sign into the text box. Click the SEARCH button.
   • If you typed in your call sign correctly, the next page will show you when your license expires:

As you can see, my license expires on July 15, 2026.   

2. Look up your callsign on QRZ.Com.

QRZ.com obtains its information from the FCC ULS database, so the data on QRZ.Com should be the same as in the ULS database. Note that to look up this information, you’ll have to have a QRZ.Com account, but registering is free. To find your information on QRZ.Com:

• Point your web browser to https://www.qrz.com/.
• Enter your call sign into the search box at the top of the page and click “Search.”
• When your page appears, click on the “Details” tab. That tab will include the following information:

3. Let the ARRL notify you. If you are an ARRL member, you can have the ARRL notify you when your license is about to expire. Here’s how:

• Point your web browser to https://www.arrl.org/ and then login to your account.
• Click on “Edit your profile.”
• Once your profile page appears, click on the “Edit Email Subscriptions” tab, then click the checkbox, “Notification of license expiration.” The ARRL will then send you an email 90 days before your license is about to expire.
•  

How do you renew your license?

There are several ways to renew your license, once you know when it expires. Note that you can only renew a license 90 days before it expires or within two years after it expires (more about that later).

1. Renew via the FCC website. The easiest way to renew your license is by using the FCC License Manager System 90 days or less before your license expires. Point your web browser to https://www.fcc.gov/universal-licensing-system.

• Click on Filing -> File Online, and then sign in to your FCC account. If you don’t already have an FCC account, you’ll have to set one up.
• Enter your FCC Registration Number (FRN) and password into the appropriate text boxes, then click “SUBMIT.”
• On the “My Licenses” page, click the “Renew Licenses” link. You will then be able to select which license you want to renew.
• You will be prompted by the FCC’s system to make a payment of $35 to renew your license for the new 10-year term. The FCC began collecting license fees on April 19, 2022, in accordance with federal law set by Congress. You will have 10 days to make payment to the FCC before it removes your renewal application.

1.  
2. Renew via mail.
   You can renew by mail by sending FCC Forms 605 and 159 directly to the FCC. Download Form 605 for the renewal by going to https://www.fcc.gov/fcc-form-605 and fill it out. You also will need to include Form 159 for your payment. Download Form 159 and its instructions here: https://www.fcc.gov/licensing-databases/fees/fcc-remittance-advice-form-159. Form 159 must accompany your $35 payment for the renewal. Include your check with both forms and mail to: FCC, 1270 Fairfield Rd, Gettysburg PA 17325-7245. Note that it may take the FCC several weeks to process your change or renewal.

Note that you can renew your license even if it has already expired—as long as it hasn’t been more than two years since your license expired. Simply renew using one of the procedures above. 

Do I need to take the exam again to renew my license?

A person with an expired license past two years, no matter the class of license held, must take the Technician license again, but they don’t automatically receive the class of license they previously held. They must present proof of the former license to the VEC or VE to get the upgrade to General or Extra after passing the Technician exam.

Also note that since your expiration date is part of the FCC ULS database, and is public information, you may get a letter or an email offering to renew your license for a small fee. While this may be convenient for you, note that you can do it for free. My advice would be to simply delete those emails or recycle those letters.

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