ham radio licensing

[FantomHawk]

Hey guys I am wanting to be a SKYWARN Storm Spotter. I posted on their forum and they said to come here. My question was how would I go about getting me ham radio license and does it cost anything??

 

[gewecke]

Hey guys I am wanting to be a SKYWARN Storm Spotter. I posted on their forum and they said to come here. My question was how would I go about getting me ham radio license and does it cost anything??

Google has all your answers,and sadly more time than I do.

Good luck!
n9zas

 

[comp2x2]

You'll need to find an exam session in your area. There are three classes of licenses (in order of difficulty of earning and amount of privileges): technician, general, and extra. All the questions pools are publicly available, so you can study for the test from the actual questions that will be on it. The cost should be minimal; probably in the neighborhood of $15.

 

[FantomHawk]

You'll need to find an exam session in your area. There are three classes of licenses (in order of difficulty of earning and amount of privileges): technician, general, and extra. All the questions pools are publicly available, so you can study for the test from the actual questions that will be on it. The cost should be minimal; probably in the neighborhood of $15.

Ok thanks. how do you find the questions that will be on the test?? I've googled it but can't find anything on the questions. Is it true that it is a 30 question test?? cuz I've seen differing info on this topic online.

 

[scannerfreak]

Google "Ham License Practice Exams" and you'll find plenty. Here is a good one:

QRZ.COM QRZ Ham Radio Practice Tests

You can also purchase study guides, which I highly recommend. Technician test is 35 questions.

 

[FantomHawk]

Google "Ham License Practice Exams" and you'll find plenty. Here is a good one:

QRZ.COM QRZ Ham Radio Practice Tests

You can also purchase study guides, which I highly recommend. Technician test is 35 questions.

Thanks so much!!!!!

 

[comp2x2]

Ok thanks. how do you find the questions that will be on the test?? I've googled it but can't find anything on the questions. Is it true that it is a 30 question test?? cuz I've seen differing info on this topic online.

Question Pools - under "Current Pools" click on "Technician Class Question Pool" for the technician class questions.

The questions are all like this:

T1A02 (C) [97.1]
What agency regulates and enforces the rules for the Amateur Radio Service in the United States?
A. FEMA
B. The ITU
C. The FCC
D. Homeland Security

The first part is the question number, the letter in parentheses is the answer (C - The FCC), and the number in brackets is the section of the FCC rules are regulations where the question is drawn from (Part 97 Information and the actual rules can be found here.)

Here is some information on the technician class license. It is a 35 question test, with questions being drawn from each section of possible topics. Currently the technician class pool has 396 questions in 35 sections.

To find a test session try searching here but also Google around. Search for "<your city> radio club" or "<your county> radio club" and see if there's a radio club in your city or county. Even if they don't have test session information on their website, see if you can contact them, and they should be able to help you locate a nearby test session.

Are you set on your technician class? Are you debating about maybe going for general? Do you know the difference?

 

[elk2370bruce]

From your questions, you have not done any research on your own and now is a good time to begin. Go to the ARRL website and get a copy of their Technician License Study Guide or check your local bookwstore for the Gordon West Study manual. Both are excellent. Find a local amateur radio club for some mentoring, and exam sites and maybe even a classroom opportunity. Yes, take the sample tests that are available on line. When you're in the high 80's and 90's then sit for the exam. Did you know that you do not have to be a licensed amateur to be a part of Skywarn? You can also report to NWS via internet.

 

[FantomHawk]

From your questions, you have not done any research on your own and now is a good time to begin. Go to the ARRL website and get a copy of their Technician License Study Guide or check your local bookwstore for the Gordon West Study manual. Both are excellent. Find a local amateur radio club for some mentoring, and exam sites and maybe even a classroom opportunity. Yes, take the sample tests that are available on line. When you're in the high 80's and 90's then sit for the exam. Did you know that you do not have to be a licensed amateur to be a part of Skywarn? You can also report to NWS via internet.

Ok Thanks guys. Yes I know that you do not need to be a Ham Operator for SKYWARN but they told me that it would help because of being able to report directly to NWS as they have a ham station set up for reporting in the field. Thanks for all the info!!!

 

[KD8PVX]

The video's at The Ham Whisperer helped me pass the Technician class exam. The books help with understanding Amateur radio and what goes with it and the videos / practice exams help to pass the test.

 

[FantomHawk]

The video's at The Ham Whisperer helped me pass the Technician class exam. The books help with understanding Amateur radio and what goes with it and the videos / practice exams help to pass the test.

Thanks!!!!!

 

[KC0KM]

Here is one that I used to study for my Tech test http://teara-ve.ka4puv.com/techguide.html. Mind you the questions are now outdated, but the content will be of help, as there is a link to another site that can help as well. Also, I liked eHam.net Ham Radio Practice Exams for my practice tests. Unlike some others, you have to wait to the end to see how you did, but it is perhaps more "realistic" in taking the test. Really you should do test from different sites. Also there is HamTestOnline&#8482;, which has both free and a fee sides. The fee side might cost you $20-30 but they guarantee results or you money back.

As for Skywarn, it does come in handy, but most of the time I just call it in, as they might not always have the radio on, or may not have a control operator to handle traffic. (Since I think due to FCC regs, they cannot be on duty, and be the control operator)

 

[FantomHawk]

Here is one that I used to study for my Tech test TEARA VE Technician Study Guide. Mind you the questions are now outdated, but the content will be of help, as there is a link to another site that can help as well. Also, I liked eHam.net Ham Radio Practice Exams for my practice tests. Unlike some others, you have to wait to the end to see how you did, but it is perhaps more "realistic" in taking the test. Really you should do test from different sites. Also there is HamTestOnline™, which has both free and a fee sides. The fee side might cost you $20-30 but they guarantee results or you money back.

As for Skywarn, it does come in handy, but most of the time I just call it in, as they might not always have the radio on, or may not have a control operator to handle traffic. (Since I think due to FCC regs, they cannot be on duty, and be the control operator)

Thanks

 

[lbfd09]

I am thinking the previous posts were made by anti-league hams. (JK - guys...)

The ARRL have some great links for answering your questions.

Find an Amateur Radio License Exam in Your Area This one will help[ you to find a close by test. Not all testing events are posted with the league, but your will find aobut 90 to 95% of them.

Question Pools This is a link to the question pool.

Cost of getting the license? That's the $64,000 question. Depending upon the group and how the are test session is set up, it can be from free to about $35.

First test you will be taking is the Technician test. Best way to prepare for this test is to Tech study guide (some have already been mention). This will help you to understand the who, what, why's, and why not's. they study the test. It is very simple, well the test session had I believe a 97 or so pass rate.

Oh when you go to take your test, relax - the anticipation is worst than the test.

In the local weather spotters network out here while having the core as hams and the use of the radio is very beneficial, they use MANY non-hams as well. So don't let your not having a ticket today stop you from being a spotter.

 

[FantomHawk]

I am thinking the previous posts were made by anti-league hams. (JK - guys...)

The ARRL have some great links for answering your questions.

Find an Amateur Radio License Exam in Your Area This one will help[ you to find a close by test. Not all testing events are posted with the league, but your will find aobut 90 to 95% of them.

Question Pools This is a link to the question pool.

Cost of getting the license? That's the $64,000 question. Depending upon the group and how the are test session is set up, it can be from free to about $35.

First test you will be taking is the Technician test. Best way to prepare for this test is to Tech study guide (some have already been mention). This will help you to understand the who, what, why's, and why not's. they study the test. It is very simple, well the test session had I believe a 97 or so pass rate.

Oh when you go to take your test, relax - the anticipation is worst than the test.

In the local weather spotters network out here while having the core as hams and the use of the radio is very beneficial, they use MANY non-hams as well. So don't let your not having a ticket today stop you from being a spotter.

Thanks will do! I'm going to get the study guide as soon as I get some more money thanks!!

 

[KC0KM]

One thing you can do is go to the local library and you can check out the ARRL Manual as well. That way you could save on buying the book, although buying the book will come in handy for later reference. As for the cost, there is really on the test -- which is only the actual out of pocket expense of the VE's. Here it is about $14.00, although some also add in the cost of the class. If you feel you need a class (and I would recommend it to some degree), you can search around the local Hams in your area to see if they offer classes. Part of the reason I say this, is from personal experience. Several years ago (perhaps 6-7), I went to the local ARRL Field Day. I was interested in radio, and asked them about it. They told me to get the ARRL book (Now You're Talking, which is the same as the Tech manual) and to study it and come and take the test. Well, I got the book, and after a while, I just gave up, because I had a hard time understanding it, and it was as clear as mud. Two years ago while at a spotter class, after talking to the Skywarn guy, I found out about the Tech classes. I signed up, went to the classes, took the test, and passed.

If you try it alone, you might get discouraged, and give up. If you have "help" and are in a class, it might help to motivate more to complete the class. They are also able to answer your questions directly, and help you if have problems understanding something. Most are over two or three weekends, ending with the test. I took my (old, outdated book) with me when I went to the classes, it helped me because most of what I needed was in the book, and I have a problems with taking notes.

 

[FantomHawk]

One thing you can do is go to the local library and you can check out the ARRL Manual as well. That way you could save on buying the book, although buying the book will come in handy for later reference. As for the cost, there is really on the test -- which is only the actual out of pocket expense of the VE's. Here it is about $14.00, although some also add in the cost of the class. If you feel you need a class (and I would recommend it to some degree), you can search around the local Hams in your area to see if they offer classes. Part of the reason I say this, is from personal experience. Several years ago (perhaps 6-7), I went to the local ARRL Field Day. I was interested in radio, and asked them about it. They told me to get the ARRL book (Now You're Talking, which is the same as the Tech manual) and to study it and come and take the test. Well, I got the book, and after a while, I just gave up, because I had a hard time understanding it, and it was as clear as mud. Two years ago while at a spotter class, after talking to the Skywarn guy, I found out about the Tech classes. I signed up, went to the classes, took the test, and passed.

If you try it alone, you might get discouraged, and give up. If you have "help" and are in a class, it might help to motivate more to complete the class. They are also able to answer your questions directly, and help you if have problems understanding something. Most are over two or three weekends, ending with the test. I took my (old, outdated book) with me when I went to the classes, it helped me because most of what I needed was in the book, and I have a problems with taking notes.

ok cool!!! would the ARRL have info about the classes??

 

[pbx]

ok cool!!! would the ARRL have info about the classes??

Good luck!

Find an Amateur Radio License Exam in Your Area

 

[FantomHawk]

Good luck!

Find an Amateur Radio License Exam in Your Area

Thanks!