Hey guys I'm new to the HAM world and would like to know what I need to do to get a ham license. I've been trying to research it but am getting confused because one site will say to go to classes then after you pass the classes you have to take a test and then another site will say to study a book and then take a test with no classes needed. If anyone could help me out it would be greatly appreciated.
The key is that you need to take and pass a test to get your ham license. What path you take to pass the test is pretty much up to how YOU learn best.
For some folks, a formal classroom setting with a teacher, other students, and a formal structured lesson plan is how they learn best. For that type of person, going to classes at a nearby ham radio club (or other organization) is what's needed.
Other folks can pick up a book, read through it once and ace the test. Others may need to study the information closely for several months and still not think that they understand it (but catch them off-guard with a related question and they pop out the correct answer).
I guess it's even possible to simply sit down at the exam without any knowledge of the material and randomly select answers and somehow get all of the answers right. (Not recommended, nor would this person probably make a very good operator!).
You appear to be worried that a class is required. No, not required, but if that will help you learn better they're very good to attend. A class can also be helpful in other ways as well. In a class setting, you all generally progress from nothing to getting their license together. Quite often, a radio arrives either shortly before or right after the license for many of those folks. Guess who they'll probably talk to first over the radio. Right, another class member! The learning with that group will probably continue (even if the class is finished) as they continue to talk on the radios and learn on-air manners, etc. to become seasoned ham radio operators.
