Getting a ham radio license

[WSHS213]

I am wanting to be a storm spotter i was told it helps having a ham license how do i obtain one.

 

[AK9R]

Lots of resources here: ARRL | Licensing, Education & Training | Getting on the Air

You can also find an amateur radio club near you by using the search tool here: https://www.arrl.org/find-a-club Many clubs hold license study classes and conduct test sessions.

 

[GM]

I got my Technician License 11 years ago, and one of the first things I did to prepare myself for the exam was to purchase this book. ARRL Ham Radio License Manual 5th Edition It goes over everything in detail, in a way to understand the material. Take your time reading it to absorb the material being presented, which will help you understand the way radio works and such. They have the current question and answer pool in the last chapter in the book to study from as well.

 

[GlobalNorth]

Take a look at Gordon West's 'No Nonsense' licensing guide. His manuals are a bit more engaging and less like a military technical manual. Try both [at a library or a club] and go with the one you like best.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Study, study, study. Listen in on your local repeaters, how active are they in your area? ham radio will do you no good if there's no one on the other end. Welcome to the forums!

 

[n3obl]

You dont need a ham license to be a storm spotter. Just a pair of eyes and the biggest lighting package in yellow on a vehicle.

 

[CcSkyEye]

I got mine in 2018, I used an online practice exam for about a week and passed no issue.

 

[nokones]

I am wanting to be a storm spotter i was told it helps having a ham license how do i obtain one.

There is no requirement to hold any FCC license to be a Sky Watcher or Storm Spotter.

 

[K9KLC]

In some areas it helps to have a license and others not so much. If you're interested in ham radio as a hobby besides spotting, then great. If you are only interested in spotting activities check locally to see if they have nets up during severe weather or what happens there. In my area (county) if it gets bad enough they have a net, we check into net control and he relays all the info to the NWS.

 

[K9KLC]

Study, study, study. Listen in on your local repeaters, how active are they in your area? ham radio will do you no good if there's no one on the other end. Welcome to the forums!

I'll only say this. I'm on the ham radio almost every day at least some. Other than if the weather net is up or I feel the urge to check into a net cause a "buddy" is running it, I'm not on repeaters. Had my fill of owning them on the 90s and since discovered a whole different world.

Ham radio is a widely diversified hobby and repeaters are a small part of it. Like I told him above if he has desires beyond spotting for ham great. Otherwise, probably not much point.