Getting your amateur radio license is easier than most people expect. Here’s how to earn your entry-level license and get on the air — and how HOTARC can help you along the way. (For more questions and answers, see our full FAQ.)
Three License Classes
In the United States there are three amateur radio license levels, or “classes”: Technician, General, and Extra. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) grants these licenses and specifies the operating privileges that come with each. Almost everyone starts with the Technician license.
The Technician Exam
To get your foot in the door, earn the Technician Class license by passing a short 35-question multiple-choice exam. No Morse code is required! You only need to answer 26 of the 35 questions correctly (about 75%) to pass. The exam is designed to make sure you understand the spirit of the amateur radio rules, how to operate safely, and a little electronics theory that you’ll use as a Technician operator.
It’s not a hard test. Anyone who can learn a few rules about radio — young or old — can pass it and earn their license.
How to Study
Our recommended method is to spend several minutes a day over a few weeks preparing for the test. A few approaches that work well:
- Study manual. Our favorite is Gordon West’s Technician Class Study Manual, which gives every question that might appear on the test along with brief explanations. Use a yellow highlighter to mark every correct answer, then read through the book two or three times looking only at the right answers so they’ll look familiar on the test.
- ARRL study aids. The ARRL book store offers the ARRL Ham Radio License Manual, ARRL’s Tech Q&A, Getting Started with Ham Radio, and more.
- Online courses. You can prepare on your computer using multimedia sites such as HamClass, or the ARRL’s several online courses.
- Practice tests. A great way to build confidence as you study. When you can consistently score above 80%, you’re probably ready for the real exam. Free practice tests are available from QRZ, AA9PW, eHam, RadioQTH, HamExam, and others.
Note: The exam-question banks are updated periodically, so be careful about using old study materials.
HOTARC License Classes
HOTARC usually offers a two-Saturday test-prep class (typically in the spring) to help prospective hams understand the material, discuss the questions with real folks, and operate some real radio equipment. Check our News page or Calendar, or contact a Club officer for information about the next session.
Take the Test — and Join Us
When you’re ready, find a test date and location and go take the exam. If you score 75% or better, you pass, and you’ll have your new call sign a couple of weeks later. In summary, to get started in amateur radio:
- Learn about the FCC ham radio rules, radio safety, and a little electronics theory.
- Pass the written test and receive your ham radio license.
- Buy or borrow a radio and get on the air.
- Join a local ham radio club, meet lots of nice folks, and use your radio skills to help others. (Hint: make this Step 1, and the rest will be a lot easier!)
Ready to take that last step? Learn how to join or renew with HOTARC.