How do I get a ham radio licence
How do I get a ham radio licence
Do I need to pass an exam to become a ham radio operator, there is a simple answer, and it is yes. But don’t be disheartened there are some really young amatuer radio enthusiasts out there, some as young as nine and on the opposite side of the street there are some operators in there eighties, so you can see the vast agae spectrum of users and they have managed to get there licences.
Many are not experts in electronics and have never even worked in Am/Fm braodcastion stations. What they have all done and you need to do is take the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) radio licence exam and pass it, then you will be able to enjoy one of the most enjoyable hobbies available.
I read an article recently written by a gentleman with no electronic experince and his work had nothing to do with electronics yet he passed with flying colors, as a matter of fact he is now qualified to actually give the FCC ham radio licence exams! He himself belived that anyone can do it!
You may think that it is not a nessessity to do the exam, well let me stop you right there. Belive me it is essential and there are strick penalties for users on a ham frequency that do not have a licence, take it from me you have been warned! Why do you need one simple but first you need to realise that it’s not just to fill government treasuries for nothing with fees. When it comes down to cost the fee is roundabout $15 at the time of typing this article and when you pass the obtain the licence with no additional charge, in this day and age I would say that is extrememly reasonable.
You need the licence so as to stay within certain bounderies, remember there are electronic compontents being used here and you need to stay safe, so the exam makes sure you have a good grounding. Using the wrong frequencies could end up with you find yourself in seriously hot water. There is help out there relating to the ham radio licence exam, one of the best sources of information is a national ham radio organisation called “The American Radio Relay League” (ARRL).
If you want to look more into this organisation and what it can offer try a search engine search there is ample information available. The ARRL website lists a multitude of inofmration relating to radio licence exam times and locations, it also offers frequencies and mode specific ham radio licence allowed to operate.
How many levels of ham radio licences are there, well there are three, basic, General, and Extra, it is highly recommended that you take your exams one at a time, there is no rush and within 3-4 months you will have completed and passed them all.
If you are someone that feels they can do more then by all means go for it. In eaither case I wish you well. One last point that I should highllight is that there are book a etc (and DVD’s) available that assit in your studing for ham radio exams, I have even heard that you can take practice exams that you do not need to pay for, however I have also heard that you can practice exams that you do pay for so I recommend that you look into this first. Try a seach online as there are sites that allow you to take online exams.
Good luck!
