How do I Become a Ham?
It’s reasonably easy!
Becoming an Amateur Radio Operator (Ham) opens many doors to a fun and
rewarding hobby with many aspects (see ARRL –What Is Ham Radio). But, to
become a Ham you must pass an exam administered by a Volunteer Examiner
Team. The test is required by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
This is because being a Ham carries with it some responsibilities and capabilities
that the Family Radio Service (FRS) or Citizen’s Band (CB) does not.
FRS operators can only use up to 1/2 watt of power, and CB is limited to 4 watts,
while Ham operators can use up to 1,500 watts on most bands! FRS is good for
about 3 miles, and CB is limited by law to 150 miles. With Ham Radio, the world is
not even your limit. You can bounce signals off the moon or use orbiting satellites
to talk to any licensed Ham worldwide. Whereas all other radio services are
allowed only very few channels or frequencies to work with – Hams have literally
thousands!
The Technician License
The first level of the Amateur Radio Operator is the Technician Class which allows
you all Ham Radio frequency use privileges above 30 MHz, as well as additional
privileges on certain HF frequencies (below 30 MHz) including the 80-, 40- and 15-
meter bands using Morse code (CW), and on the 10-meter band using CW, voice,
and digital modes. On frequencies above 30 MHz, Technicians may operate FM
voice, digital modes, amateur television (ATV), single-sideband voice, CW, and
several other interesting modes. As mentioned before, you can even make
international radio contacts via satellites, using relatively simple station equipment,
or even through linked networks using D-STAR or linked repeater networks.
The Exam
Morse code is no longer required for any Amateur Radio license! The Technician
Class License exam covers basic regulations, operating practices, and basic
electronics theory, with a focus on VHF and UHF (above 30 MHz) applications.
Don’t let this scare you. You can do it! – Many folks from all walks of life routinely
pass their Technician exams on the first try. There is no age requirement. The
youngest known Ham in the US was 5 years old. There are several study materials
available to help you pass the exam. Many people rely on the study materials from
the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). They provide both study guides and a
CD (ARRL Training and Education). One of the most popular and more intuitive
study guides is published by the W5YI GROUP, Gordon West, (WB6NOA). Visit the
ARRL or books sellers such as Amazon.com to purchase a Technician Class study
manual.
Next Page
How do I Become a
Ham?
It’s reasonably easy!
Becoming an Amateur Radio
Operator (Ham) opens many doors
to a fun and rewarding hobby with
many aspects (see ARRL –What Is
Ham Radio). But, to become a Ham
you must pass an exam administered
by a Volunteer Examiner Team. The
test is required by the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC).
This is because being a Ham carries
with it some responsibilities and
capabilities that the Family Radio
Service (FRS) or Citizen’s Band (CB)
does not.
FRS operators can only use up to 1/2
watt of power, and CB is limited to 4
watts, while Ham operators can use
up to 1,500 watts on most bands!
FRS is good for about 3 miles, and
CB is limited by law to 150 miles.
With Ham Radio, the world is not
even your limit. You can bounce
signals off the moon or use orbiting
satellites to talk to any licensed Ham
worldwide. Whereas all other radio
services are allowed only very few
channels or frequencies to work with
– Hams have literally thousands!
The Technician License
The first level of the Amateur Radio
Operator is the Technician Class
which allows you all Ham Radio
frequency use privileges above 30
MHz, as well as additional privileges
on certain HF frequencies (below 30
MHz) including the 80-, 40- and 15-
meter bands using Morse code
(CW), and on the 10-meter band
using CW, voice, and digital modes.
On frequencies above 30 MHz,
Technicians may operate FM voice,
digital modes, amateur television
(ATV), single-sideband voice, CW,
and several other interesting modes.
As mentioned before, you can even
make international radio contacts via
satellites, using relatively simple
station equipment, or even through
linked networks using D-STAR or
linked repeater networks.
The Exam
Morse code is no longer required for
any Amateur Radio license! The
Technician Class License exam
covers basic regulations, operating
practices, and basic electronics
theory, with a focus on VHF and UHF
(above 30 MHz) applications. Don’t
let this scare you. You can do it! –
Many folks from all walks of life
routinely pass their Technician
exams on the first try. There is no
age requirement. The youngest
known Ham in the US was 5 years
old. There are several study
materials available to help you pass
the exam. Many people rely on the
study materials from the American
Radio Relay League (ARRL). They
provide both study guides and a CD
(ARRL Training and Education). One
of the most popular and more
intuitive study guides is published by
the W5YI GROUP, Gordon West,
(WB6NOA). Visit the ARRL or books
sellers such as Amazon.com to
purchase a Technician Class study
manual.
Next Page