Shelby County Amateur Radio Club - Getting Started in Amateur Radio



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Getting Started in Amateur Radio

Amateur Radio is a fascinating hobby. There are many aspects to ham radio. Of course there's getting on the air and talking with friends and new people. But beyond that are many things you can do.

While Morse code is no longer required to get your license, many hams, new and old, still enjoy operating using Morse code. Others like to use digital modes, letting their computers connect to hams operating their computers. No internet required! Other hams like to communciate over satellites devoted to ham radio. Yes, ham's have their own satellites! You can do even more with space, the International Space Station has a ham radio station that gets used quite frequently. There are hams who will bounce signals off the moon, or off of meteors.

Other hams enjoy getting involved in community service. Some work with the local weather offices with storm spotting. If you ever hear your local weather person say "we have a report of..." during a weather emergency, odds are that report came from a ham! Others hams work with the county Emergency Management Agency in the county where they reside, or agencies such as the Red Cross.

There's even more! Many hams like to participate in contests, or search for "DX", long distance contacts in other countries. All this is just the tip of the iceberg, there are limitless possiblities in the hobby of amateur radio.

Getting Licensed

Currently there are three license classes. The beginner level is called the Technician license, or Tech for short. The next level up is the General class. The ultimate license is called Amateur Extra, or Extra for short. Below we'll have sections for each class with study materials. Books will have links to Amazon, most have both a printed version as well as electronic (Kindle) version. Alternatively, all of the books should be available through your local bookstore or other online book sellers.

To get your license you will have to take an exam. All of the questions, as well as possible answers and the correct one, are publically available and are the basis for most study guides. Collectively these are known as the question pool. Be aware the exams are revised every four years, so if you buy used be sure to check the valid dates on any exam guides. Generally there are very few changes, but as new operating modes come into effect they may not be reflected in older study guides.

License exams are administered by Volunteer Examiners, it will typically cost around $15 to take an exam. The fee is to cover the cost of printing exams, supplies, postage, and the like. In addition you will need to bring a copy of your ID such as a driver's license (make a copy to leave with the examiners). If you already have a license you should bring a copy of that as well. Once you pass they will submit the information to the FCC, who will soon issue your call sign. With that you'll be able to get on the air!

In the Birmingham, AL and Shelby County AL areas, testing is administered by the ARA Group. Check their site for the schedule and locations. If you are outside this area, then just do an internet search on either "amateur radio exams near [insert your city or town here]" or search for ham radio clubs near you. The clubs should be able to provide information on where to take your exam.

For a history of the amateur radio license classes, check out this video by N4IXT: History of Amateur Radio Licensing

Technician Class

The Technician, or "Tech" class is the introductory level for licensing. Getting a Tech license will give you access to talk locally on VHF and UHF bands. You also have the opportunity to communicate over longer distances on the 6 meter band (50 Megaherts, or MHz). You'll also have even longer distance privilidges on the 10 meter band.

Before you buy, be aware the new question pool for the Technician class will take effect on July 1, 2018. While we intend to update the book links below at that time, be sure to double check the book description to ensure you are getting the study guide for the current question pool.

The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual - This book gives the most complete overview of the Technician class. You'll learn everything you need to know to get your license, in addition there are practice questions.

ARRL's Tech Q&A - This book is great for practicing for your exam. It lists all the questions, possible answers and the correct answer and why it's correct. A great resource for having friends and family quiz you on to ensure you are prepared to take your test.

Dave Casler Tech Class on YouTube - Dave Casler, KE0OG, has an excellet video series on YouTube on getting your Technician license. This course is designed to be a companion to the ARRL Ham Radio License Manual listed above. While Dave designed this course during the previous question pool, everything he talks about is still valid.

General Class

The General class will open up a whole new world of amateur radio to you. Getting your General will grant you the rights to sections of the HF, or high frequency bands. These are the shortwave bands that travel around the world and let you easily talk to people in other areas of the globe.

The ARRL General Class License Manual - This is the study guide to get your General class license. As with the other study guides in this series it is very comprehensive with practice questions.

ARRL's General Q&A - Like the Q&A book for the Tech class, this handy book provides all the questions and answers to help you in your examp prep.

Dave Casler General Class on YouTube - As he did with the Tech course, Dave Casler, KE0OG, has produced a video series on YouTube focused on the General license. This course is designed to be a companion to the ARRL General Class Radio License Manual listed above.

Extra Class

While not easy to pass, getting your Extra class license gives you the ultimate in operating privilidges. While the General class gives access to a subset of frequencies, the Extra class permits you to operate across all frequencies granted to ham radio operators. It's well worth the effort to get your Extra class license!

The ARRL Extra Class License Manual - The comprehensive manual on obtaining your Extra class license, complete with sample exam questions.

ARRL's Extra Q&A - While not a comprehensive study guide, this book provides a great resource giving all the questions you may see on the exam, along with the possible answers including the correct one. This great to use with a friend, or to have a family member quiz you.

Dave Casler Extra Class on YouTube - Dave Casler, KE0OG, returns with another great video series, this one covers the Extra class license. As with his other courses, this is designed to be a companion to the ARRL Extra Class Radio License Manual listed above.

Practice Exams

As mentioned, the question pools for all three classes are publically available. This has allowed websites to create practice exams you can take, to prepare you for taking the real exam. Most of the sites below have practice tests for all three exams. We encourage you to take practice exams on multiple sites to get the best mix of questions.

ARRL Exam Review - The ARRL, Amateur Radio Relay League, is the parent organization for Amateur Radio in the US. They have many great resources not just for getting your license but after you get it as well. You don't have to be a paying member to take practice exams, although you will need to setup a free account.

HamExam - The Ham Exam site offers practice exams, additionaly they have flash cards and access to the entire question pool.

eHam.net - eHam.net is a popular site with forums, classifieds, and more. They also offer free practice exams.

QRZ - QRZ is a popular site among hams, with many valuable resources such as forums and news. Practice exams are free to take, but they do require a free account so they can help you track your progres.

HamStudy - The HamStudy site offers practice exams, along with study tips, links, and other resources.

HamTestOnline - While not free, this site goes beyond just practice tests combining training along with practice exams. The study questions are integrated into the test so you get the best of both worlds.

Your Local Ham Radio club

One of the best resources for learning is your local Amateur Radio club. At club meetings you can ask questions, get practical advice, and more. Of course the Shelby County Amateur Radio Club, W4SHL, whose site you are reading this on is one of those clubs. See our home page for meeting times and locations.

Our sister club is the Birmingham Amateur Radio Club, W4CUE. Because of their close proximity, many hams are members of both clubs.

If you are outside the central Alabama area, just do an internet search on "amateur radio club" and add on the name of the town or county where you live. You'll be sure to find a local club who can help you out.