Get Your FCC Amateur Radio License
An amateur radio license allows the holder to use high power for two-way radio communications using approved radio frequencies. Living in an area where weather can instantly diminish or destroy common means of communication, makes the ability to share emergency information using alternate technology an important skill.
Steps to Getting Your License
I. Study the approved question list.
All the possible questions and answers are publicly available.
II. Register for an FRN (FCC Registration Number) by creating an account on the FCC site.
III. Take the Technician Level Test
Our club holds in-person testing every other month. Amateur Radio Clubs in the area also offer tests. Use this link to search for those upcoming dates and locations.
Online testing is also available, we can help you through that process if you wish.
Question Pool Buttons are linked to a free document download. You may have to scroll down four or five pages to get the start of the questions. Note that the correct answer is given in the line above the question. On the test, the answers are scrambled, but worded exactly the same for both correct answer and distractors.
What do I need to get started?
Skim through the list of questions and answers starting on the third page of this document: .PDF Download Link. (Same document as the Technician Level Question PoolButton). Questions start on the fifth page of that document. Take note of the correct answer choice given in the first line of each new question. For example:
T1A01 (C) [97.1]
Which of the following is part of the Basis and Purpose of the Amateur Radio Service?
A. Providing personal radio communications for as many citizens as possible
B. Providing communications for international non-profit organizations
C. Advancing skills in the technical and communication phases of the radio art
D. All these choices are correct
Look at the information after the question number T1AO1. It shows that answer C is the correct choice.
What are some other resources that will help?
Hamstudy.org (free) has a useful “flashcard” setting that starts with a few questions and adds more as you consistently get the previous ones correct. Once you feel ready try some practice tests. Another site with similar study aids is HamExam.org.
The ARRL (Amateur Radio Relay League) has more information on obtaining your license and taking practice tests (free).
There are dozens of youtube videos to help you study such as this online Technician’s class given by an amateur radio club in Hurst, TX. (Just an example, not an endorsement).
If you hear about the Official ARRL’s Technician Class Exam book, you can find one at the Kershaw County library, or for online purchase at the ARRL site.
We would be happy to answer other questions about amateur radio. Send a note to the address below.
After you pass your test, you may have to wait for about a week or so before getting that precious email informing you of your new call sign. If , after some time, you wish to choose your own “vanity” call sign, there are some requirements for each license class. You can search for available call signs that match those requirements. Obtaining “just the right one” can sometimes take a good deal of patience. You might want to wait until after you pass your general exam before getting a vanity call sign.
