This thread is intended to serve as an on-line class to help people get a ham license. There are several good resources on the Internet, the best one I found so far costs money however. that is
http://www.hamtestonline.com it is $50 for a two year subscription. It has interactive lessons along with lesson-by-lesson Q&A. I figured the $50 bucks would stop a lot of people, so I am trying to do something useful here, but it is a slow process.
Regarding the license in general.... (this material copied from the ARRL web site at
http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/)
The most popular license for beginners is the
Technician Class license, which requires only a 35 question multiple-choice written examination. The test is written with the beginner in mind. The exam covers basic regulations, operating practices, and electronics theory, with a focus on VHF and UHF applications. Morse Code is not required for this license. With a Technician Class license, you will have all ham radio privileges above 30 megahertz (MHz). These privileges include the very popular 2-meter band. Many Technician licensees enjoy using small (2 meter) hand-held radios to stay in touch with other hams in their area. Technicians may operate FM voice, digital packet (computers), television, single-sideband voice and several other interesting modes. You can even make international radio contacts via satellites, using relatively simple station equipment. Technician licensees now also have additional privileges on certain HF frequencies. Technicians may also operate on the 80, 40, and 15 meter bands using CW, and on the 10 meter band using CW, voice, and digital modes.
Technicians may upgrade to
General Class by passing a 35-question multiple-choice written examination. The written exam covers intermediate regulations, operating practices, and electronics theory, with a focus on HF applications. Non-licensed individuals must pass Element 2 and Element 3 Written Exams to earn a General License. The FCC grants exam element 3 credit to individuals that previously held certain older types of licenses. Valid Forms of Examination Element Credit can be found on the Web.
The General Class is a giant step up in operating privileges. The high-power HF privileges granted to General licensees allow for cross-country and worldwide communication. Some people prefer to earn the General Class license as their first ticket, so they may operate on HF right away. In addition to the Technician privileges, General Class operators are authorized to operate on any frequency in the 160, 30, 17, 12, and 10 meter bands. They may also use significant segments of the 80, 40, 20, and 15 meter bands.
General licensees may upgrade to
Extra Class by passing a 50-question multiple-choice examination. No 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. Frankly, the test is very difficult, but others have passed it, and you can too. Non-licensed individuals must pass Element 2, Element 3 and Element 4 Written Exams to earn an Extra License. The FCC grants exam element 3 credit to individuals that previously held certain older types of licenses. Valid Forms of Examination Element Credit can be found on the Web.
The HF bands can be awfully crowded, particularly at the top of the solar cycle. Once one earns HF privileges, one may quickly yearn for more room. The Extra Class license is the answer. Extra Class licensees are authorized to operate on all frequencies allocated to the Amateur Service.
End of copied material
To get a license, you study the material and then take a test given by a panel of Hams called VEs (Volunteer Examiners) These tests are periodically given in public places (I took my last test at a hospital in a meeting room) and cost about $15 or so. If you pass the test, the VEs give you a certificate that gives you credit for passing the test. You submit that along with a completed form 605 to either the FCC directly or one of their license agencies. If you work through the ARRL, I think the total fee is $14.
The technician license will let you use voice on VHF and UHF equipment. This stuff is good for line-of-sight communication. If there is a repeater on a mountaintop, you can communicate through the repeater to anyone else who has line-of-sight to the repeater. In addition to voice, you can use digital modes such as packet which can be used to communicate from PC to PC or to a BBS system
The general and extra licenses add a great deal of HF priviliges. HF is the "shortwave" frequency bands which can travel around the world and make ham radio more interesting to many people. The test is somewhat harder (quite a bit for the extra) but is worth it in my opinion.
The license is really required. If you make up a callsign and operate without a license, someone will probably look up the callsign and question you about it and perhaps report you to the FCC. The ham bands are self-policed (although the FCC can and does monitor at times). In studying for the license, you will learn some elements of good operating practice as well as the basic rules and regulations. Once you are licensed, hams in your area will probably welcome you and help you pick up the finer points of operating, especially using repeaters etc.
Regarding the governments permission, the government has a responsibility to the international community to regulate radio use in our country. They need to make sure that people don't violate technical standards or create harmful interference that may affect others anywhere around the world. A testing and technical program is one way to do that. They do not insist that you go to a government agency to take classes. There is no background check ( although I believe they do require an SSN on the form ) and when you get your license you pretty much don't have to deal with them for ten years till you renew it ( no test required for renewal ).
Regarding the community college classes, that can be a good way to meet other hams and learn more about the hobby quicker. There is a longstanding tradition of "Elmering" new hams - an Elmer is someone who helps newcomers get started. Hams from your area can fill you in on what repeaters are most active and interesting in the area and can let you "try on " ham radio using their stations (they must remain in control, but you can talk or type)
oldZoot
