To Get An Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) License Grant From The FCC:
Decide on class of license. Entry license: Technician Class. Intermediate license: General Class. Expert license: Extra Class.
Each license class requires an individual exam, plus a passing score on prerequisite licenses (e.g. General requires Technician)
Download the question pool with answers for class of license you desire from http://www.ncvec.org/page.php?id=338
Download a free study guide from http://www.kb6nu.com/tech-manual/
Study question pool and study guide while taking sample exams at http://aa9pw.com/. Take sample exams until you pass 10 times in a row.
Find a test location at http://www.arrl.org/exam_sessions/search. Put zipcode in blank and search. Note that Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA) exams are free and your license grant will appear in the FCC database rapidly because DARA uses Laurel VEC ( http://larcmdorg.doore.net/vec/ ). Laurel VEC is authorized to submit directly into the FCC database allowing for faster licensing. Otherwise pay the fee to ARRL and possibly have a longer wait.
Get notification of your FCC license grant at http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchLicense.jsp (Search by Name) or http://forums.qrz.com/forumdisplay.php?87-Daily-FCC-Log .
Join BCAREC so that members can help you get started in ham radio right away.
Email BCAREC after license grant: See the Contact Information category on the left to find email addresses for BVHFA. We will respond right away and get you started.
Ten Things You Can Do With Your New Technician's License:
Talk on local repeaters with your new ham friends at BCAREC.
Talk to the Space Shuttle, International Space Station, or with other hams using an Amateur Radio Satellite.
Use D-Star and Echolink to connect a local repeater or your desktop computer with other repeaters worldwide and talk to hams everywhere.
Send Internet email using Packet Radio, WinLink 2000, and D-Star.
Upgrade to a General Class license and talk around the world on shortwave (HF) frequencies.
Use your new radio to listen to fire and EMS calls.
Participate in the annual Field Day emergency communications drill (every June).
Serve your community as a volunteer equipped with Amateur Radio during declared emergencies "when all else failed."
Participate in on-the-air operating activities, contests, and nets at home and at BCVHFA.
Join BCAREC and have fun.
Upgrade Your Current License:
Follow the same instructions as above except use the study guide and question pool for the license being acquired.