Welcome

Thank you for visiting our page. There are multiple sections on this page depending on your familiarity with Amateur Radio. Everything from What Is Amateur Radio?, How to Get Your License, Quick Start Guides for those pursuing licensing or recently licensed, How-To Videos & Resources and Information about what CFARC can do for you as a Ham.

What is Amateur Radio?

Amateur Radio, or Ham Radio, allows you to make two-way radio contacts around your neighborhood or the world. Because you can transmit (send out radio signals) instead of just listening on the radio, you must have a Federal license. Amateur radio is a non-commercial radio communication service on specific radio frequencies assigned by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Things that make Amateur Radio different from most other radio services:

• Amateurs are assigned many radio frequency bands, allowing them to choose the best frequencies to talk to specific places worldwide at specific times throughout the day and year.

• Amateur Radio cannot be used for commercial means, including one-way communication (broadcasting), playing music, running advertisements, or selling products or services.

• Ham Radio operators can only talk to other Ham Radio Operators, but there are over 700,000 hams in the USA and over 3 million worldwide.

• There are various "modes" (ways to communicate): voice, Morse Code (similar to texting, but using sounds), Digital, Images, etc.

• Licensing is open to everyone, and there is no age limit. The only cost is a minimal fee ($35, good for ten years).

Video- “What is Amateur Radio”

Slideshow- “What is Amateur Radio”

ARRL- Video on Amateur Radio

Why do people become Raio Amateurs? There is no one answer, as the hobby has dozens of specialty areas and niches, but some of the most popular reasons include:

• Emergency Preparation & Communication. Even when commercial communications, power and cell phones are down or limited, Amateur Radio can communicate via the atmosphere, requiring no wired infrastructure.

• Local Communications— much of the local communications is done using VHF bands and repeaters (Guide to CFARC Repeaters)

• Portable Operations— many hams enjoy operating from their vehicles, in local and national parks, mountain tops, etc. There is even a special activity called Parks On The Air (POTA) where hams activate state and national parks around the world.

• Contesting— Ham radio operators compete in on-air competitions to communicate with the most stations and different locations in the shortest amount of time.

• DXing- “DX” is an abbreviation for Long Distance and refers to working “countries” around the world. Some of these countries have little or no hams living there, so DXing hams take expeditions to rare islands, exotic countries like Nepal, Antarctica, etc., to contact hams worldwide. 

• Experimentation with radio devices and electronics. Many of today's modern electronics have a background in Amateur Radio experimentation. This also makes for a great tie-in with youth programs in STEM and DIY. Many younger hams have found rewarding high-tech careers through their Amateur Radio pursuits and networking. “Ham Radio- The Original Maker Movement”

• Satellites and Space Communications. Since the early 1960s, Amateurs have been building Ham Radio Satellites and getting rides to space in commercial vehicles. There is even an Amateur Radio station and repeater on the International Space Station that you communicate through.

What Equipment Do I Need & How Much Will It Cost?

Buying Amateur Radio equipment is a lot like buying a vehicle or other high-tech item (but fortunately, usually much cheaper).  

You can buy new or used equipment, top-of-the-line luxury equipment, or perfectly serviceable economy versions. What you need to buy varies considerably depending on how you will be using it.

A simple Handheld Radio (also known as an HT) with FM, VHF and/or UHF coverage can be used for local communications from less than a mile up to 60 miles (if using a repeater). An economy version can be purchased for under $30 new, or you can choose higher-end HTs for prices over $200.

Guide to CFARC Repeaters

For long-distance (worldwide communication), you will need a High-Frequency (HF) SSB radio. New economy units start around $300, with better units in the $900 to $1600 price range. Used radios can often be found in the $400 to $900 price range. You will also need an HF antenna and power supply for your radio. 

There is a slideshow you can view for more information. Also, remember that members of CFARC would be happy to sit down with you and help you make purchasing decisions. You can also try out radios at our Club Station or any of our club's portable activities. Members would also be glad to invite you to their home stations to give you more information and let you test drive their equipment.

Getting a License

To receive a license, you must pass an FCC-proscribed test. There are three levels of licensing (Technician, General & Extra), with additional frequency allocations available at each level. Passing the tests is relatively easy with a little study, either through in-person classes, online classes or independent study using books or online tools. Many free classes are sponsored by local Amateur Radio Clubs.

• Find a club near you:

  • ARRL Club Finder

  • QRZ Club Finder

• Find Radio License Classes Near you or Online

  • ARRL- Find A Class

The Cuyahoga Falls Amateur Radio Club does both Classes and Exams throughout the year. 

All Classes are FREE and held online via Zoom. They are available no matter were you live or your age.

• Technician Licensing Classes (the first level) are typically held in the fall each year. The next class starts ________ and you can click here to sign up _______________

• General Licensing Classes (the second level) are typically held in the winter each year. The next class starts ________ and you can click here to sign up _______________

License Exams are only in person and are held monthly. For a list of dates and locations and to sign up to take an exam, visit this link: CFARC VE Testing.

Information on License Exams

• All Questions are multiple choice and come from a published pool, along with correct answers for each question.

• Test and licenses DO NOT REQUIRE MORSE CODE proficiency.

• There are multiple Free Simulated Exams you can take online for practice.

• Tests are given by Amateur Radio operators who act as volunteer examiners and are available locally or online.

  • Find an Amateur Radio Exam

    • Laurel VEC (All Laurel exams are free)

    • ARRL ($15 fee / $5 for under 18 y.o.a.)

    • Greater L.A. Amateur Radio Group (provides online and in-person exams, $10 fee)

What is the Cuyahoga Falls Amateur Radio Club (CFARC)?

The Cuyahoga Falls Amateur Club is a general interest ham radio club meeting in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, but it also has members throughout Northeast Ohio. Meetings are held in person and via Zoom; visitors are always welcome. We also have VHF/UHF and HF Nets Weekly, and guests are always welcome to check-in. We are in the process of adding a Club Station for the use of members. It will have HF Radios and Antennas, VHF/UHF, a Test & Repair Bench, Soldering Station and other amenities especially useful for those just starting or unable to have a home station. 

In addition to monthly meetings and weekly nets, we also do on-air activities, including ARRL Field Day, POTA (Parks On The Air) and Summit Metro Parks On The Air (an activity designed for new hams or those limited to VHF/UHF). 

Guide to CFARC Repeaters

We have members with a wide variety of Amateur Radio Interests who would be happy to share and mentor you on any of these facets of the hobby- Contesting, DXing, Digital Modes, VHF/UHF, Repeaters, POTA, Satellites, Emergency Communications, Troubleshooting and Repair, Electronics, Computer Interfacing & Software, etc. 

We also offer frequent programs, licensing classes, and volunteer license exams. We have a monthly newsletter- "The Chattering Relay." For more information on CFARC, Contact Information and Officers, visit the About Page. Cuyahoga Falls Amateur Radio has been approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a "501(c)(3)" nonprofit, tax-exempt, charitable organization focusing on Education.

Clubs and their members can help new hams with various set-up tasks, getting on the air and answering questions. 

If you are interested in applying for membership, please complete this online Membership Form.

Resources, Videos & Slideshows