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Now that you’ve decisive to try your hand at novice radio, you may wonder: what’s the next step? What’s involved, and what does it cost? As a fellow member of a ham radio club, I get those questions all the time. I’m always eager to talk regarding novice radio, but I find occasionally that a little comprehensible statement is in order.
Some persons confuse ham radio with the Family Radio Service or Citizens Band. Those are designed for folks who just want to chat over short distances–really short, in the case of FRS–using inexpensive instrumentation that doesn’t require a license. Amateur radio is more involved, but it likewise offers the hobbyist more selections and opportunities. It is designed to be the experimenter’s service, so the FCC permits a wide range of activity. A deeper discussion of the sparetime activity will be saved for a later column. For now, we want to talk when it comes to how you may jump into the wondrous world of novice radio.
First, a little primer when it comes to licensing. There are three classes of license in the Amateur Radio Service: Technician, General, and Amateur Extra. Each offers a sure amount of privileges, which increase as you progress to a higher class or level. The wondrous thing is, though, that you determine how far you want to go. Many folks attain Extra Class, but others are rather content with a lower class of license. All three levels offer great prospects to operate throughout the radio spectrum using a wide potpourri of equipment. So you’re not likely to get bored. You proceed at a pace that’s comfortable for you, and upgrade when and if you wish.
The Technician and General Class exams have 35 multiple-choice questions; the Extra Class exam has 50 questions. A passing score of 70% is required for all exams. That equates to 26 rectify answers on the Technician and General Class exams, and 37 rectify on the Extra Class exam.
You will get started with the Technician Class exam. Study guides are available from a number of sources, including, the American Radio Relay League (arrl.org), the W5YI Group (w5yi.org), and Amateur Electronic Supply (aesham.com), amidst others. At least one Web site, QRZ.com, offers online exercise tests. You may “test” yourself to see how well your studying is going. (Official tests are taken in person.)
However, before even doing that, I suggest you track down a ham radio operator to act as a consultant (known as an Elmer). You will in all likelihood have a great deal of questions as you study the material. Plus, your Elmer may help you find an exam session. Once licensed, your Elmer will support you choose the right equipment, and will review with you the on-air procedures and etiquette.
Do you have a ham radio operator for a neighbor or a co-worker? If not, the Web internetlocation for the American Radio Relay League may help. Click on the “Clubs” link found near the top of the home page, and follow the instructions from there. Feel free to visit a couple clubs. Find one that you’re comfortable with, and mention that you’re fascinated in finding an Elmer.
Once you’re “ticketed” (as we call it) and have your equipment, it’s time to start out taking vantage of the fantasti prospects available to you. Among these are charity rides and walks. Public service is very primary to ham radio operators, who provide basic communications for the more prominent walks and rides in your area. Sign up, and join your fellow hams as they provide an important service to a very suitable cause.
Sound exciting? What are you waiting for? Take that original step toward earning your novice radio license, and you’ll be well on your way to a very rewarding “career.”
Operating Amateur Station American League
Get your FIRST ham radio license! Easy-to-understand bite-sized sections. Use this book, and pass the 35-question license test. Includes the latest question pool with answer key, for use beginning July 1, 2006. Designed for self-study and for classroom use. Intended for all newcomers, instructors and schoolteachers.This is the most general introduction to Amateur Radio! The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual is your ticket to joining the ranks of novice radio operators.Use this book to discover the appeal of ham radio. The Amateur Radio Service offers a distinguishable mix of technology, public service, comfortableness and fun. Some hams take delight in communication throughout the country and around the globe, making new friends over the airwaves. Others like to build and experiment with electronics, experiencing cutting edge technologies. Some use their radios and accomplishments for the duration of emergencies or disasters when all else fails. And, today’s ham radio gear offers possiblenesses for getting started at any level. Your primary radio station might be at home, in the car, or little sufficient to take with you on the go.
Operating Amateur Station American League Photo
Operating Amateur Station American League Image
Operating Amateur Station American League Picture
Operating Amateur Station American League Image
Most helpful client reviews
80 of 85 people found the following review helpful.
 Solid class-in-a-book to help you pass your Technician’s exam
By James Perkins
This book is coordinated as a welcome to novice radio, followed by chapters with course sections. At the end of each section sure exam questions are listed. You may then flip to the 392 question Element 2 exam at the end and test your knowledge. The book is good for teens through adults and is written in straightforward language with most necessities concisely introduced and explained.
I come from a technical background so the book was a review, but I cherished the textbook-like layout where each conception was introduced (to a high-school or higher audience), then I could go to see the precise test questions and answer listed at the back. I feel I exhaustively recognise all the base material now that the questions are derived from.
If you want to go from an 80-90% passing grade on your exam to 100% score, then supplement the ARRL book with Gordon West’s “Technician Class” book. Mr. West works the from the other direction, presenting each question, then the answer, and then briefly explaining the answer. I found that a perfective strength to supplement the only weakness I was capable to find in the ARRL book.
42 of 43 persons found the following review helpful.
 A good introduction to ham radio
By Mary Bos
I used this book to study for my technician level test. I passed with a 100 percent. The book was well written to give you sufficient info in a interesting read. This book is not too dull or arid except for the FCC rule part. But rules are hard to make stimulating to read. This book told you sufficient to pass the test with a great deal to spare.
The technician test is not too technical, no electrical circuits or attenna design type questions. The test is more operating procedure, permitted operating frequencies, permitted wattages and attenna heights.
If you want to stay on the local voice repeaters, packet radio, or internet protocols on the 2m, 1.25m, 70cm and the other permitted bands; a technician’s license is all you need.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful.
 This Technician Class Manual is a real Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde
By dadajoy
What I mean by the review title is that the manual has a dual personality. The data staged in the manual seems to be adequate, and there is a lot of rah-rah for the fun that is Amateur Radio (and rightfully so). BUT, the capacity to find specific selective information is frustratingly poor. GOOD is that the entire test question pool is present with the rectify answer; BAD is that there is no page reference given so that one may go from the question to the page where the rectify answer may be explained. GOOD is that the manual is easy to read; BAD is that the Table of Contents does not give chapter subdivision titles. GOOD is that the writers of the manual are unfeigned believers in the outstanding thing that is Amateur Radio; BAD is that even the index underserves – not sufficient references, not sufficient specifics.
I took my copy and wrote a elaborate Table of Contents in Word, including all the subdivisions and their pages. Also, I redlined in next to each test question answer the page where the info was found. Unfortunately, this extra work I did only helps me, not other readers. Also, there are assorted test questions where an comprehensible statement for the rectify answer can not be found. Back to the Good/Bad duality for a second, GOOD is that as the reader finishes a queer division of the text, there is a gray box telling the reader to “now go answer these questions…”; BAD is that numerous of the questions were not answered or explained in that section of text, and there is no way to know if there is anyplace else in the text where that question is explained.
Now, I am not saying that the book is despicable nor recommending versus it; what I am saying is that it is exceedingly difficult to find things quickly. Certainly there is learning value to the reader who takes the time to do the extra referencing exploration as I did, and I do commend that any person who buys the book put in that extra effort. Good Luck, and I hope to listen you on the air!
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