There are many reasons why people take up the hobby of amateur radio, aka ham radio. For some, it’s about preparedness and being able to use amateur radio for emergency communications when other modes of communication are unavailable. It is not uncommon for internet and cell phone service to be interrupted for extended periods of time, following natural disasters or other events, when infrastructure becomes compromised or overwhelmed. Amateur radio does not rely on phone lines or other infrastructure, so it’s a perfect choice for such situations. Others come to the hobby because of an interest in electronics or science, and a desire to experiment with radio-based modes of communication.
Whatever your reasons, whether you want to be able to talk across town or around the world, it’s important that you learn a little about electrical principles, radio waves, station set-up, operating practices and radio safety. In short, you’ll first need to do a little studying and obtain your amateur radio license.
In the U.S., Amateur Radio is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) under the Communications Act of 1934. It is also subject to numerous international agreements. All Amateur Radio operators must be licensed. In the U.S. there are three license classes—Technician, General and Extra. Most countries have similar licensing structures with increasing privileges as your skill increases. Each successive level of license comes with an expansion of privileges. With only 3 License Classes, getting started in Amateur radio has never been easier! Morse code is no longer required for any U.S. Amateur Radio license, but it is still a very popular operating mode and is still in widespread use.
The FCC has authorized Volunteer Examiners (VE) to administer the tests. These are Amateur Radio operators who have taken additional training and testing to be certified to perform this function. There is always a minimum of 3 VEs required to administer any test. Each test is graded by each of the VEs to ensure accuracy in scoring.
For more information, contact someone from our club (see our Contact page) or Call the ARRL’s toll-free number at 1-888-277-5289 and request an informational Amateur Radio prospect package and/or visit the ARRL getting started page at ARRL Hello Radio.
LEVEL 1: Technician Class License
Your introduction to Amateur Radio.
Exam Requirement: 35-question Technician Written Exam (Element 2). This is derived from a pool of 450 questions.
- Privileges: All VHF/UHF Amateur bands (frequencies above 30 MHz).
- Limited operations in certain HF bands.
The FCC Technician License exam covers basic regulations, operating practices and electronics theory, with a focus on VHF and UHF applications. With a Technician Class license, you will have all ham radio privileges above 30 MHz. These privileges include the very popular 2-meter band. Many Technician licensees enjoy using small (2 meter) handheld 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. You can even make international radio contacts via satellites, using relatively simple station equipment. Technician licensees now also have additional privileges on certain HF frequencies. Technicians may also operate on the 80, 40 and 15 meter bands using CW (Morse Code), and on the 10 meter band using CW, voice and digital modes.
LEVEL 2: General Class License
Moving onto the HF (High Frequency) bands for world wide contacts.
- Exam Requirement: 35-question General Written Exam (Element 3). This is derived from a pool of 450 questions.
- Privileges: All Technician Class privileges plus privileges on parts of all the HF Amateur bands (frequencies from 1.8 MHz to 30 MHz).
The FCC General License exam covers more regulations, operating practices and electronics theory, with a focus on the HF bands and working longer distances and other countries. There is a fair amount of electronics theory needed to pass this test, but the study materials cover it very well. With a General Class license, you will have access to all the ham radio bands, although there are certain portions of the HF bands that are restricted to Extra Class licenses (usually at the lower end of each band). General Class privileges include the ability to work contacts all over the world, even with modest indoor antennas (such as in the attic or on a balcony). Generally you would use a desktop radio which is a little larger and may require additional accessories. The most popular modes on the HF bands are SSB Voice (Single Sideband), CW, and Digital Modes like FT8. But many hams operate AM voice (Amplitude Modulated) like AM radio stations use, ATV (Amateur Television), and many more.
LEVEL 3: Extra Class License
Access to all the the HF (High Frequency) bands for world wide contacts.
- Exam Requirement: 50-question General Written Exam (Element 4). This is derived from a pool of 900 questions.
- Privileges: All Technician Class privileges plus all General Class privileges plus privileges on the parts of all the HF Amateur bands (frequencies from 1.8 MHz to 30 MHz) that are restricted to Extra Class Licensees.
The FCC Extra License exam covers more regulations, operating practices and a lot of electronics theory, with a focus on the HF bands and working longer distances and other countries. There is a large amount of electronics theory (including antenna design and some math) needed to pass this test, but the study materials cover it very well. With an Extra Class license, you have access to all parts of the ham radio bands. There are certain portions of the HF bands that are restricted to Extra Class licenses (usually at the lower end of each band) and these are popular with some DX (long distance) stations, especially from countries that are difficult to work. They know the number of hams in those portions will be smaller and that makes it easier to work them. You can still use modest indoor antennas (such as in the attic or on a balcony) but you are more likely to want outdoor antennas, a tower and beam, an amplifier (for more power), etc. Generally you would use a desktop radio which is a little larger and may require additional accessories. The most popular modes on the HF bands are SSB Voice (Single Side Band), CW, and Digital Modes like FT8. But many hams operate AM voice (Amplitude Modulated) like AM radio stations use, ATV (Amateur Television), and many more.
Study Materials
How to learn what you need to pass the license tests.
- Take a Class –CVARC also offers free classes for all levels of amateur radio licenses. See the Licensing Classes category for more information. For more information, please contact CVARC Education Coordinator Keith Elliott-W6KME at keith@w6kme.org.
- Get a License Manual – There are manuals for each class of license. Each manual covers the information on the exam and includes the complete question pool with the answers. The ARRL License Manuals tend to be a little more formally written, compared to the Gordon West License Manuals. Also popular are the No-Nonsense Guides.
- Study Online – There are several websites that offer online education and practice tests. But be careful that the site, or app, you’ve chosen is using the current question pool. The question pools are revised every 2 years or so. Popular options include:
- Join CVARC – Find an “Elmer” who can assist you with study materials and preparing for your exam.
Exams
CVARC administers license examinations (VE Sessions) six times a year, conducted by accredited Volunteer Examiners. Exams are conducted for all FCC Amateur Radio license classes under the supervision of the ARRL VEC.
Attendance at a VE session requires preregistration. No drop ins. To register, please email Andy Ludlum at agludlum@gmail.com or if you have questions, call Andy at 818-370-3402.
The exams start at 8:30 AM at:
East County Sheriff’s Station (ECSS)
2101 East Olsen Road
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
(Located between Highway 23 and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library)
Click for dates of upcoming exam sessions (all sessions are conducted on Sunday mornings.)
ON EXAM DAY BRING THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
The FCC now offers partial credit for expired General, Advanced or Extra Amateur Radio licenses. Please refer to the exam element credit rules and instructions. The normal test fee applies for processing these applications.
- A legal photo ID (e.g.: driver’s license, passport).
- When no photo ID is available, two forms of identification must be presented:
- Non-photo ID/driver’s license (some states still have them)
- Birth certificate (must have the appropriate seal)
- Social Security card
- Library card
- Utility bill, bank statement or other business correspondence that specifically names the person; or a postmarked envelope addressed to the person at his or her current mailing address as it appears on the Form 605.
- Students may bring any of the above items and/or a school ID, minor’s work permit, report card, or a legal guardian may present a photo ID.
- Obtain an FCC Registration Number (FRN): VECs are required by the FCC to submit your FRN with your license application form. New license applicants must create an FCC user account in the FCC Commission Registration System (CORES) before attending exam sessions. Registrants will be assigned an FRN which will be used in all license transactions with the FCC. For instructions on how to receive a FRN, visit the FCC’s registration instructions page. Per FCC rules, a valid email address is also mandatory on the application form.
- If applicable, bring either a photocopy of your current, signed Amateur Radio license or an official copy printed out from the FCC website, the license information printed from ARRL website or QRZ website, or the original(s) and photocopy(s) of any Certificates of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) you may hold from previous exam sessions. If your license has already been issued by FCC, the CSCE showing license credit is not needed. We will not make copies of your license at the exam site. The photocopy(s) will not be returned. Instructions on how to obtain an official FCC license copy are found at http://www.arrl.org/obtain-license-copy.
- At least two number two pencils with erasers and a pen.
- A calculator with the memory erased and formulas cleared is allowed. You may not bring any written notes or calculations into the exam session. Slide rules and logarithmic tables are acceptable, as long as they’re free of notes and formulas. Cell phones must be silenced or turned off during the exam session and smartwatches must be removed. In addition, iPhones, iPads, Androids, smartphones, smartwatches and all similar electronic devices with a calculator capability, may NOT be used.
- Bring a check, a money order or cash to cover the $15 exam session fee. The Federal Communications Commission was mandated by the Congress to impose and collect a $35 application fee for new, renewal, and modification applications such as a request vanity call sign. Administrative updates, such as a change of name, mailing or email address, and applications to upgrade your license class, will be exempt from fees. We DO NOT collect or process the $35 fee at the VE session. You will pay the $35 fee directly to the FCC by using the CORES FRN registration system. When the FCC receives the examination information from us, they will email you a link with payment instructions. You will have 10 calendar days to pay. After the fee is paid and the FCC has processed your application, you will receive a second email from the FCC with a link to your new official license.