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License Classes

• Technician / Tech Plus
  

  Most prospective hams will want to start with the Technician class license. This license requires passing a 35-question multiple-choice examination covering basic regulations, operating practices, and electronics theory, with a focus on VHF and UHF applications. No Morse code test is required. Technician Class operators are authorized to use all amateur VHF and UHF frequencies (all frequencies above 50 MHz).
  
  The Tech class license is the minimum license required to operate 2 meters.
  
  Technicians who would like to use the HF (short wave) bands must pass a 5 WPM Morse code test. These "Tech Plus" licensees can use limited power outputs on designated parts of the 80, 40, and 15 meter bands using Morse code, and on the 10 meter band using Morse code, voice, and digital modes (packet, RTTY, etc.). Please note that there is a proposal to eliminate all code requirements.
  
  
• General
  
  Those who want to operate in remote areas or over long distances will probably want to obtain a General Class license since it permits full operation on the HF bands. Generals can use use most of the the amateur frequencies, full power, and all of the available modes. Technicians may upgrade to General Class by passing a 5 WPM Morse code test and a 35-question multiple-choice examination. The written exam covers intermediate regulations, operating practices, and electronics theory, with a focus on HF applications
  
  
• Extra
  
  The Extra Class license is the top of the line and permits licensees all operating privileges. General licensees may upgrade to Extra Class by passing a 50-question multiple-choice examination. No further Morse code test is required. In addition to some of the more obscure regulations, the test covers specialized operating practices, advanced electronics theory, and radio equipment design.
  

Exams

Exams are given by volunteer examiners at various locations around the country. You can usually find several exam sessions in your area each month. They are often associated with meetings called "hamfests". For a list of exam locations, check the ARRL Exam Session Search.

The exams are made from published question pools. That means you can study the actual questions that will be on your exam! You just don't know which ones you will be given. For a copy of the question pool for your license class see the ARRL Exam Question Pools.

While you can study the question pools themselves, it is best to obtain a study guide. ARRL, the main amateur radio membership organization, has several good ones available for order online as follows:

• Now You're Talking - full discussion of concepts
• Tech Q&A - question with answers and brief explanation

Radio Shack has a different times also sold amateur radio license manuals. If you are not licensed already, be sure to buy the one for the Technician License. Ham stores, which are usually located in major metropolitan areas, also carry ham licensing study guides by ARRL and Gordon West.

You cannot take the actual amateur radio exam on line, but you can take practices exams using the actual questions used on the exam. Following are exam practice sites.

• QRZ
  

How to Study for the Exam

You should obtain and read the study guide. The ARRL guide has questions keyed to the manual sections. Take the tests as you go and review any material for any question you miss. When you are finished with the exam review the questions in the pool again and restudy anything you do no understand. Then go to the web test sites and take the online exams again and again until you can score well above the passing grade. If you have trouble with a question, go to the manual and re-read the material. If you do this, you will pass in a breeze.

Call Signs

Hams are issued unique radio call signs that must be used when transmitting. Technician class licensees are issued a call sign comprising a 2 letter prefix, a region number, and a 3 letter suffix. This referred to as a "2x3" callsign. For example, a call in Michigan might be KC8SPV. Higher class licensees can obtain shorter call signs. Extra class licensee can obtain a "1x2" or a "2x1" call if available. For an additional fee hams can request a specific "vanity" call sign chosen from within the groups permitted for their license class.