Here's your invitation to a high-tech hobby that's got something fun for everyone. Amateur Radio operators are people from all walks of life -- no matter what age, gender or physical ability.  And, getting started in Amateur Radio has never been easier!  You can usually find a ham radio class in your area sponsored by friendly volunteers who will help you learn the ropes.

The rules for earning an Amateur Radio license vary depending on which country you live in.  In the US, there currently are four license levels, or "license classes" being issued to new operators.  These licenses are granted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Entry Level License

The Technician Class license gives you all ham radio privileges above 50 Megahertz (MHz).  These privileges include the very popular 2-meter (144 MHz) band.  Many Technician licensees enjoy using small 2-meter hand-held radios to stay in touch with other hams in their area.  Technicians may operate FM voice, digital packet (computers), television, single-sideband voice and several other interesting modes.  They can even make international radio contacts via satellites, using relatively simple equipment, or by bouncing signals off the moon, which requires much more sophisticated equipment.  To earn a Technician license, you'll need to pass the Technician written examination.  These are multiple-choice tests, written with beginners in mind.  You'll study topics such as radio operating practices, FCC rules and basic electrical theory.

Effective 23 February 2007, Morse code exams will no longer be given. Technician class licenses have operating privileges using single-sideband voice and Morse code on the 10-meter band.  Operators may also use many other popular shortwave frequencies (below 30 MHz) to communicate worldwide using only Morse code on the 15-meter, 40-meter, and 75-meter bands.  The more you learn (upgrading to General or Extra class), the more voice privileges you gain.

Where Do I Start?

Getting started in Amateur Radio has never been easier.  First, locate a radio club in your area, like AARO!  Some radio clubs offer ham radio licensing classes, or they can find a club volunteer to answer your questions.  You may even be invited to attend a local radio club meeting.

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) publishes popular ham radio license study guides to help you learn the things you'll need to pass your exam and have fun with Amateur Radio.  AARO now has a Learning Center on our web site to help you earn your first Technician license.

The tests are administered by Volunteer Examiners (VEs) under the direction of one or more Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (VECs).  Test sessions are arranged at regular times throughout each year.  When you're ready to take your exam, you'll need to locate an exam session near you; AARO has a VEC schedule of its own.  The VEs are there to check your identification, make sure your test session paperwork is in order, collect fees, and answer questions about the taking of the exam.  There is no time limit on taking the exam, although it rarely takes anyone more than one hour to complete it.  With computerization, new call signs can be issued in less than a week and once they are posted on the Internet in the FCC's database, you're good for go to get on the airways.

Where Can I Go From There?

The sky's the limit, so to speak.  The next steps would be to pass the General Class written exam and then the Amateur Extra Class written examination.  When you learn more theory, you earn more privileges (additional bands/frequencies).  A nice attribute of upgrading is that when you walk out the door after a testing session with a new CSCE (Certificate of Successful Completion of Exam) in hand, you have the use of the new additional frequencies that day.  Right then.  Privileges are immediate.

In addition to current Technician, General and Amateur Extra class licenses being issued, you may hear hams who hold Novice or Advanced class licenses.  Although no new Novice or Advanced class licenses are being issued by the FCC, those licensees may continue to renew their licenses at their current level.

About the FCC Element 2 Technician Class Exam

Hams enter the hobby as Technicians by passing the 35-question Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Element 2 Technician Class multiple-choice examination.  No Morse code test is required.  The exam covers basic regulations, operating practices, and electronics theory, with a focus on VHF and UHF applications.  Technician Class operators are authorized to use all amateur VHF and UHF frequencies (all frequencies above 50 MHz).

The really nice thing about the exam is that the questions are part of a pool that is publicly available and part of your textbook.  Thus, if you study the questions, and use the book to help you understand the correct answers, you will go very far toward learning what you need to know.  You may take the test as many times as you wish, but each time you take it, you have to pay an additional $14 fee.

Question Pools

Make sure your book is current!)

The Amateur Extra class (Element 4) will be effective for examinations given on or after July 1, 2008, and will remain active until June 30, 2012.

E1C04
E1C05
E2E10
E8C04
E9C16

Study Tips

 Take the exam one subelement at a time

The Technician exam consists of 35 multiple choice questions taken from a pool of questions authorized by the FCC.  The entire pool of questions is contained in your textbook.

One way that many people study is the following: 

• Read a subelement of the book
• Test yourself with the sample exam for the subelement you just read
• Grade your test
• For each question you missed go back and study that section of the subelement chapter, and understand why you got the wrong answer
• Move on and do the same thing for each of the other subelements.

By following this method you’ll cover all of the questions and focus on those you may have trouble with during the examination.

 Focus on the most important sections

The Tech exam will consist of 35 questions, covering a total of ten subelements.  Eighteen of the 35 questions (1/2 of your questions) will come from subelements T1 (FCC Rules, Station License Responsibilities), T5 (Radio and Electronic Fundamentals), T8 (Emergency and Public Service Communications) and T0 (Electrical and RF Safety).  Thus, it makes sense to focus at least half of your study time on these four sections.