How hard is it to get a HAM license?

[Skyradio]

I don't come from a family who is in any way technologically gifted. Which means my dad cant help me or other family. I know that many people find this hobby from family or friends, and that helps them get into it, get the license.

I know nothing about radio, cables, anything, not even basic installation. I didn't even know how to change my own oil until about 4 months ago and I'm 20. The only reason I found this and am interested in it, is because I met a friend of a friend at a party. He showed me his car, it was completely rigged out with HAM equipment, a CB & megaphone, one transceiver, one repeater, and two Scanners. Not to mention all the antennas sticking out of his back bumper. The whole thing inspired me, but I don't know if its even doable, I have no help.

How long will it take if its all on my own?

What books can I read?
How many rules are there to memorize?
What is the process to get the license?

I already know where I can take the test. There is an airport near my house I take my private pilot lessons at, they offer it once a month.

 

[canav844]

It's all going to be a matter of what you're willing to put into it. The ARRL books are good and carry the deep explination of the theory to really teach it to you, the W5YI books are more test question focused.

Here's some free online study guides...
Ham License, Help, FAQ's, and Publications
Index
Two Self-Study Guides « KB6NU's Ham Radio Blog

Many libraries have the ARRL study guides available for checkout, and many more have other books on radio theory and electronics. Even if the books are dated the electronics you need haven't changed, just some of the test questions and a few of the rules. After you've developed a good understanding go take a practice test (qrz, eham, aa9pw), see how you do and focus your studying where there's weaknesses, and take the test again, and repeat as needed until you're consistently passing.

There's kids in grade school that have earned their call, so it's doable if you're willing to put in the effort.

 

[gewecke]

WHAT makes you think this is even a hobby that interests you enough to learn the material to become licensed? I'm sure you've seen photographers with their camera equipment,or fishermen with their tackle?
Do you want to grab a camera and take it fishing perhaps?
I for example,got into this hobby DECADES ago all because of a shortwave radio science project that my science teacher stuck in front of us...and I was bitten! Do some reading on the hobby and talk to a few hams FIRST before you commit yourself!
n9zas

 

[Skyradio]

Maybe I am thinking to far ahead... ill just stick with my Scanner project, (want to get one installed in my car).

Thanks for advice gentlemen

 

[elk2370bruce]

Go to ARRL.org and check the pull down menu for local amateur radio clubs. Many run the entry level technician license prep course and sponsor exam sessions (VE sessions). You can do it with a little effort. No calculus, no code, simple electronics like the Ohm's law. Google on Gordon West's site for good study guides as well as the ARRL study guide. It is a great hobby and you'll meet great people. These manuals are certainly worth purchasing. Not only for the exam question prep but a super introduction to amateur radio.

 

[KR4BD]

Getting a ham license is not that difficult. My two sons both passed the Technician test in the early 1990's when they were about 8 and 10 years old. Both of them also passed the 5 word per minute code test which used to be a requirement if you wanted to operate in the HF bands. My wife is a General Class Ham. Her backround is in nursing. It really doesn't matter how much education you have in order to study for the ham licenses. My backround is in writing and photography. I never did understand Math much beyond balancing my checkbook!

As far as learning technical applications, check with a local ham radio club. Here in Lexington, KY, we have a member of the local club who is an experienced electrical engineer who conducts a free class on Saturdays that shows you how to solder, put connectors on cables, build radio kits, etc. You only pay for the kits you use. He also shows how to maintain and repair electronic equipment, etc.

It's a great hobby with many different things to get involved with. I've met some of the best people in this hobby.

 

[k8tmk]

My wife has no technical experience. She also had no interest in ham radio for the first 38 years of marriage, and just put up with my hobby.

After the Morse Code requirement went away, I nudged her to take the Tech class from our local radio club. She did take the class and got her license. When the club offered the General and then Extra Class training, she also took those classes, and is now an Extra Class licensee.

Although she mostly operates on 2 meters, I did get her to particpate in the Michigan QSO Party this year on HF. Now, she can't wait for the next Michigan QSO Party.

So, getting a ham license is not all that hard, if you just put forth a little effort. By the way, I got my first license when I was 15 years old (and you had to know code).

Randy, K8TMK
Annie, W8ALK

 

[djresn8]

Tech is easy

Most of is common safety and what not to do.

If you can memorize 100 multiple choice questions your good (there is only 25 on the test)
sample test on QRZ.com repeat it until you score 80% or above 5 times then take the test it only 15 bucks

This is what a lot people do you will learn all of by doing and a good Elmer. so get your licence get radio have lots of fun then go HF

 

[W2NJS]

To find out what you need to know at this point there is a book put out by ARRL that used to be called "How To Become a Radio Amateur." It may have a slightly different name these days but I'm sure they still publish it or something very similar. Go to American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources and find their publications list and then send for the book and then, as the saying goes, "The path will be made clear to you." Finding and then hanging out with other hams shortens the learning curve somewhat. The ARRL also has a list or affiliated radio clubs on their sites that you can check. Good luck. If you go ahead and get a license you'll never regret it.

 

[902]

The ARRL and W5YI both have great resources. If you like web-based training better like I do, Hamtestonline.com does a great rote memorization program. You may pick up a few things in it, but it's designed to give you the test question and answer - over and over until you can answer it in your sleep. You'll have to learn on the job, but the program will tell you exactly when you are ready to take the test.

 

[k8tmk]

qrz.com and aa9pw provide excellent on-line practice tests. I would recommend aa9pw as my first choice though, because it's more like the real test (you don't know how you did until you finish).

I agree that ARRL and W5YI (Gordon West) are great resources. However, instructors from our local radio club found numerous errors in the ARRL Tech study book that went with the previous question pool. So, they switched to the Gordon West series of books for all three license classes. One of the instructors wrote ARRL with several pages of corrections, and never even got a "thanks." No, I have nothing against ARRL; I have been a life member since 1970.

Randy, K8TMK

 

[Confuzzled]

Like I said on another similar thread, just for fun, I took one of the Tech Level practice tests twice. Having never seen any of the questions nor opened any book or read any website about it, I wasn't expecting much of a score. I just wanted to see what kind of questions were included.

I hit around 60% both times. I don't imagine it would take too much effort or studying to make a passing score.

 

[Sporkupine]

My advice is this: go ahead and take at least the Tech class exam. Then you have a stepping-off point. There are all kinds of reasons to get a license, including the ability (in many areas) to have scanners in your vehicle where they are otherwise prohibited. Getting your ticket can be the staring point for all kinds of weird and wonderful stuff. Not to sound like a cheerleader, but there really is something for pretty much anyone in amateur radio. Be sure to follow good operating practice, and when (not if) you run into crusty, bitter, CW-or-death, good-ol-boys elitist radio persons, remember to laugh and move on. I cannot stress enough that amateur radio is not dead! I am firmly convinced that amateur radio has a bright future and lots of interesting things to learn and do.

 

[w2txb]

Earning a Ham Radio License is easy...

The number of Amateur Radio licenses is said to have risen sharply over the past few decades; even with many of the older ones dying, there have been a lot of new hams to join the hobby. There is definitely something in the hobby for just about everybody.

The license exam is not all that bad... I often tell my students that, if I can do it, they can do it (how's that for an incentive?). Grab a study guide and do some studying, then go for it. Exams are available in just about every area of the US, including at hamfests. Check the ARRL web site for more info on this.

Keep in mind that most hams do not have a bazillion radios and antennas crammed into/onto their vehicles; some just use simple and inexpensive equipment, and still have fun.

 

[gcgrotz]

My local Barnes and Noble, and we're not in a big city, usually stocks the ARRL book. And surprisingly, the Ham Radio for Dummies is a good starting point too.

Good Luck!

 

[KK6PD]

WHAT makes you think this is even a hobby that interests you enough to learn the material to become licensed? I'm sure you've seen photographers with their camera equipment,or fishermen with their tackle?
Do you want to grab a camera and take it fishing perhaps?
I for example,got into this hobby DECADES ago all because of a shortwave radio science project that my science teacher stuck in front of us...and I was bitten! Do some reading on the hobby and talk to a few hams FIRST before you commit yourself!
n9zas

Skyradio, what ever you do, DO NOT listen to narrow minded folk like this! With that kind of encouagement, I am actually embarrased to say I am a Ham. n9zas is quite the naysayer....really poor attitude there.. You have been bitten, you asked for help, go for it!
I used to be an instructor for a local radio club for several years. I had students ranging from a 8 year girl, to Seniors. EVERY PERSON PASSED!!
Go to your local Radio Shack, I believe they still have the ARRL book "Now Your Talking" It contains the current question pool, as well as the simple to undestand thoery behind the exam.
Read it through, take the practice exams at the end of each chapter. Whem you complete the book, as K8TK suggested, hop over to qrz.com and aa9pw and use their excellent on-line practice tests. The links that "canav844" posted have good online help also.
If you want to do this, and since you seem to be able to go online and ask for help, you certainly are smart enough to take this test and get yourself a license. If you need some help, PM me, I do not live near you, but any questions you have I would be happy to help you!!

Good Luck, Pat KK6PD

Remember, an 8 year old girl got her ticket!!!
You Can Too!

 

[gewecke]

Skyradio what ever you do DO NOT listen to narrow minded folk like this! I am actually embarrased to say I am a Ham with that kind of attitude....really poor attitude there..
I used to be an instructor for a local radio club for several years. I had students ranging from a 8 year girl, to Seniors. EVERY PERSON PASSED!!
Go to your local Radio Shack, I believe they still have the ARRL book "Now Your Talking" It contains the current question pool, as well as the simple to undestand thoery behind the exam.
Read it through, take the practice exams at the end of each chapter. Whem you complete the book, as K8TK suggested, hop over to qrz.com and aa9pw and use their excellent on-line practice tests. The links that "canav844" posted have good online help also.
If you want to do this, and since you seem to be able to go online and ask for help, you certainly are smart enough to take this test and get yourself a license. If you need some help, PM me, I do not live near you, but any questions you have I would be happy to help you!!

Good Luck, Pat KK6PD

Remember, an 8 year old girl got her ticket!!!
You Can Too!

Pat,I was merely trying to be frank and up front with him!! I have seen MANY new hams get involved and invest several thousand bucks in a short period of time,ONLY to find out that the hobby wasn't for them.
Mostly young people do this,but sometimes folks our age just read more into a new hobby than they're ready for.
I won't pump someone up just to make my EGO inflate! Perhaps it's YOU that's narrow minded! :evil:
n9zas

 

[Sporkupine]

Pat,I was merely trying to be frank and up front with him!! I have seen MANY new hams get involved and invest several thousand bucks in a short period of time,ONLY to find out that the hobby wasn't for them.
Mostly young people do this,but sometimes folks our age just read more into a new hobby than they're ready for.
I won't pump someone up just to make my EGO inflate! Perhaps it's YOU that's narrow minded! :evil:
n9zas

n9zas, I will be totally honest with you. When I first read your comment, I had the same impression that Pat did. And I still do. I have no problem with being up-front and honest, but you have to honest about the whole thing. There are indeed many amateur guys who have invested big heap wampum in gear, but it is certainly not required. Ever work the sats (or NA1SS, the Space Station) with a $50 Wouxun HT and a $50 (or homebrew) antenna? Moonbounce with a rig made out of old coathangers and a chunk of leftover coax?

Fact of the matter is, there are all kinds of hobbies where one can either roll like a prince or a pauper and still get amazing, or at least interesting, results. The problem is...well, heck the whole thing. You advise him to "Do some reading on the hobby and talk to a few hams FIRST before you commit yourself!"

Seriously, if all he does is get his ticket to start with, what has he lost? maybe fifty bucks and an afternoon. And if he never does anything else with it, at least he learned some basic theory, RF safety, good operating practice, and band allocation.

Also, this: "I for example,got into this hobby DECADES ago..."

This makes you sound like one of the old CW-or-death, country-club-good-ol-boys that drive so very many new amateurs away. I realize you probably didn't mean to, but that's what it ended up sounding like.

Is there anything wrong with pointing out possible pitfalls to new hobbyists? Absolutely not. But...is there something wrong with not pointing out the good and interesting and exciting at the same time? Absolutely so. People need both good and bad information to make an intelligent decision. To provide only the bad (or only the good, for that matter), is to cheat them out of an opportunity.

Just a thought...

 

[BoxAlarm187]

n9zas, I will be totally honest with you. When I first read your comment, I had the same impression that Pat did. And I still do.

I have to agree, the original comment seemed to be an attempt to pee in a prospective ham's Wheaties.

 

[davidgcet]

from all i have read and seen getting your ticket is easy, just memorize some answers and use common sense. however being a true HAM and learning how and why things work like they do is a lifelong(or at least many years) commitment. don't expect that jsut because you have a callsign you know everything and are a "god", too many new(or really old) HAMs are like that and folks just love to prove them wrong on a regular basis. i have worked in commercial and public safety comms for 20 years now, not a day goes by that i don't learn something new or learn that something i "knew" all along was incorrect.

i have my GROL, and my stepdad was ticked when he saw the sample tests now. back when he got his First Class with RADAR they had to actually know the how and why, now you can just learn teh preset questions and answers and pass it- all multiple choice. like he said, back then you learned what you were doing and THEN got the license, now you get the license and not know a thing about radio. i can honestly say that if i had to take the test the same way he did, i most likely would not have scored almost perfectly. i feel confident i would have passed well enough to get my license, but i would have missed more than the 2 questions pertaining to polar/rectangular coordinates!

i am not putting anyone down, and there are no dumb questions. some folks make fun of new HAMs who ask what seem to be basic questions that they should already know the answer to, but they forget that at some point they themselves did not know those answers either. i hate to burst folks bubbles, but no one knows everything about everything concerning radio or electronics.

i will eventually get around to getting my HAM ticket, right now i have too much going on with work and home life to put forth a serious effort at it. i don't want to learn the test, i want to learn the knowledge required. the little bit i have been reading up on it, the rules/terminology/etc are way different than what i am used to in commercial work, though the theory/practical side is exactly the same. so when things slow down a little, i will work on mine.