Get an Amateur Radio License

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 https://hamexam.org/ or 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 (https://www.laurelvec.com/ ). 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 DARA so that members can help you get started in ham radio right away. 

Ten Things You Can Do With Your New Technician's License:

1. Talk on local repeaters with your new ham friends at DARA. 

2. Talk to the Space Shuttle, International Space Station, or with other hams using an Amateur Radio Satellite.

3. Use D-Star, Echolink, and other digital modes to connect a local repeater or your desktop computer with other repeaters worldwide and talk to hams everywhere. 

4. Send Internet email using Packet Radio, WinLink 2000, and D-Star. 

5. Upgrade to a General Class license and talk around the world on shortwave (HF) frequencies.

6. Participate in the annual Field Day emergency communications drill (every June). 

7. Serve your community as a volunteer equipped with Amateur Radio during declared emergencies "when all else failed." 

8. Participate in on-the-air operating activities, contests, and nets at home and at DARA. 

9. Join DARA and have some fun at Thursday Night Group (TNG).

Upgrade Your Current License:

Follow the same instructions as above except use question pool for the license being acquired.

Also, if you need to upgrade your non-vanity license for free, Click HERE for instructions