First of all, before I discuss how you can get your license, you need to understand
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The Extra Class License has no frequency or operating restrictions. Yes, Extra Class License holders still have to operate their stations in accordance with the FCC rules, but the advantage is that there are no additional restrictions placed on an Extra Class Licensee. Next lower is the General Class License. Here, you have additional limitations, restricting you to certain limited portions of the most popular ham radio frequency segments(bands). Lastly, the lowest, and the most important type of license is the Technician Class license. This license is the "Entry Level" license you must get to enter the Amateur Radio Service. Once you have your Technician Class License, you may upgrade to the General, and/or Extra Class License classes when ever you like. The Technician Class license does have more restrictions than the General class license, in that you may not transmit below 30 Mega-Hertz.
I previously mentioned that the Technician Class license is the most important license. The reason I said this is because if you have read this far, you most likely do not have an Amateur Radio License. To become an amateur radio operator you must get your Technician Class license first. To receive your Technician Class License from the Federal Communications Commission, you must pass an exam of 35 questions. These tests, or exams, whatever you want to call them, are administered by amateur radio volunteers in your neighborhood. All states, even Alaska, have special testing sessions, where you can take the test to get your Technician License. Your job is to find out where these testing sessions are near you, learn and prepare for the exam, and then attend one of these sessions.
You might be wondering why the FCC, requires you to get your license at all. Why isn't ham radio like CB(Citizens Band), where no license or test is required? There is a clear answer to this. Ham radio operators can operate their radio's at 375 times the power levels that CB operators can. Ham operators can transmit infinitely larger distances than CB operators, and ham radio operators can build, or modify their transmitting and receiving equipment. Thus, since ham radio operators can transmit across state and international lines they are required to be understand and be in accordance with U.S. and international radio rules and regulations. And because ham radio operators can operate radios at such high transmitting power levels, and tinker with their radio electronics, they must be knowledgable to some degree in radio safety, operation, and electronics. Thus, the test ensures that operators are knowledgable in all these areas, and will not hurt themselves, nor break any laws.(Ham radio operators ARE responsible for breaking any laws, and can go to jail/get fined for breaking them.)
The test for your Technician Class License will contain thirty-five questions. Most of the questions will cover the FCC rules. Others will cover radio safety, electronics, radio operating procedures, and a tiny bit of algabraeic math.
Resources
To study for the Technician Class exam, our website's valuable tutorials will ensure that you understand all the materials needed to pass the exam. You can find out where and when the latest testing sessions are near you, by using the VEC Page. Make sure to give the folks listed on the VEC Page a call, and let them know that you would like to take the test.
If you live in a rural area, or are having trouble finding a testing session near you, I suggest you call the ARRL, or W5YI Volunteer Exam Coordinators, and ask them if they can find, or create a testing session in your area. They will be glad to assist you, and should be able to find a testing place within a reasonable distance from your home. The phone number for W5YI and the ARRL are listed on this page: VEC Page
Final Notes
Finally, there are a few lose ends still left to be covered. One of them is, "Do I need to be a U.S. Citizen to get my license?". The answer is No! You do need a Social Security Number, or a special ID number. Talk to your Volunteer Examiner, they will help you get the required papers to get your license processed.
Lastly, I have not covered how you can get your Extra or General Class License. Once you have taken and Passed the Technician CLass Exam, you can study for the General class and the Extra Class. You must also learn and pass a 5 word-per-minute morse code exam. This exam is real easy, but you must pass it to upgrade to General, or Extra Class. One last rule: You must pass the General class test, before you can take the Extra Class one. Likewise, you must pass the Technician Class Exam before you can take the General Class exam.
Make sure to tune in next week, for the next in this series ...
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Copyright 2002. Samuel Szarka. www.hamquick.com