How to become a "HAM"

Clarksville Amateur Radio Transmitting Society

Become a Ham   

       The “Clarksville Amateur Transmitting Society” (CATS), club is an organization of amateur (ham), radio operators dedicated to community service, emergency communications, and the promotion of the science and art of radio.  Club members assist the Clarksville Police Department with supplemental communication and traffic/crowd control at parades, marathons, walkathons, bike runs and other events as needed.  During severe weather, or other emergencies, when normal lines of communication are either down, or overloaded, CATS members, working in conjunction with established emergency organizations, step in to assist where required.  Don’t think we’re all business:  along the way we have some fun, too!  We hold monthly club dinner meetings, monthly informal club breakfasts, an annual “Hamfest” (sort of a radio flea-market where operators from all over get together and enjoy themselves), do field work with Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and conduct a weekly net operation.  America’s “hams” are part of an international fellowship of radio enthusiasts who share the same interests and possess the same sense of dedication.  Interested in becoming a ham operator?  CATS is actually holding free license classes for anyone interested.   Classes are held on Monday evenings from 6 to 7 pm. For more information, contact Jimmie Shelton at 931-431-4081.  When you think you’re ready, we have members who are FCC certified through the W5YI GROUP to administer license examination. (for more information click on 'Testing')

                                        73s and good luck.

 

This website is intended as a resource for those studying to pass any one of the different levels of amateur radio exam within the United States.   The complete question pools are available on this site in Text and .PDF format.

What is Amateur  Radio?: Amateur Radio (nicknamed "ham radio") is the greatest hobby in the world! Ham radio operators use a variety of different radio frequencies to make friends with people all over the world, communicate over orbiting space satellites, and provide emergency communications during disasters.

 

Ham radio, as it is often called, is a hobby.   It is a non-commercial radio communication service whose primary aims are public service, technical training, experimenting with radio electronics, and leisure communication between private persons.  Hams are noted for providing communications in times of emergency or disaster.  Ham radio exists in nearly every country and on the same frequencies.   This allows amateur radio operators to communicate internationally.   Amateur Radio is governed by the Federal Communications Commission and by Part 97 of the Title 47 Telecommunications regulations. By international treaty, the amateur and amateur-satellite services are for qualified persons of any age who are interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest.   In areas where the services are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission, an amateur operator must hold an FCC or Canadian license or be a foreign-licensed amateur whose country has entered into a reciprocal licensing/operating arrangement with the United States or who holds a CEPT or IARP license.

 

The FCC has an excellent online bulletin entitled How to Obtain An Amateur Radio License here.  In the United States, Amateur Radio is administered by the Federal Communications Commission.   The FCC requires hams show competency and knowledge of electronics, radio frequency safety, operating procedures, and basic rules and regulations by passing different written and Morse Code proficiency exams.  There are currently three classes of amateur radio license in the U.S., each with progressively higher privileges and each requiring a progressively more difficult exam. 

 

Information from the A.R.R.L. "American Radio Relay League" on becoming a Amateur Radio Operator

What Can I do with a Ham Radio License?: 

There are so many things, it's a difficult question to answer, but here's some ideas:

...and this is only the beginning! You are limited only by your imagination and ingenuity.

 

 

 

 

Anyone can become a ham except representatives of foreign governments.  There are no age restrictions. If you can pass the written you can be a licensed ham operator.  There have even been 6 year old ham operators. No Morse code proficiency is needed for any license classes.  That license class began in 1991 and now has the largest number of participants.  To become a "Technician" Class operator, you need only pass one very simple (35 question) multiple choice written tests (Exam Element 2) to obtain your FCC license.

 

Up until April 15, 2000, there were six classes of Amateur Radio operator license, each authorizing varying levels of privileges.  There are now only three, Technician, General and Amateur Extra Class.  The class for which each examinee is qualified is determined by the degree of skill and knowledge in operating a station that the examinee demonstrates by passing a license examination before a team of three volunteer examiners (VEs) in his or her community.  Most new amateur operators start at the Technician class and then advance to the General Class ...and later to the top-of-the line Amateur Extra Class. 

 

Where can I take a test?
Testing sessions for amateur radio license exams can be found at various locations around the country.  Sessions usually take place on weekends or on weekday evenings because these times provide the most accessibility to the largest number of people.   Most testing sessions take place an public buildings.  Popular locations include public libraries, police stations, senior citizen's centers and the like.

The C.A.T.S Club offers several W5YI VE's that are able to administer the exams.  Click here to contact them.  You can find a local test session by visiting the ARRL homepage at http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/examsearch.phtml.   This page allows you to search for a test session by your state or zip code.  

What is the test like?
If you've ever taken a multiple choice question test in high school or college, then you are already familiar with the basic format.

Are there any trick or secret questions on the tests?
No.  By FCC rules all of the test questions and answers must be published beforehand.  The entire question pools for all five amateur radio exams are contained elsewhere on this site.

Can I use my notes when taking the tests?
No.  You can use scratch paper or a calculator for figuring out math problems, but you can't bring any notes with you when taking your exam.  Also, if you have a calculator with memories, you will have to show the examiners that all of the memories are cleared before being allowed to use it for the test.

What if I have special needs?
The FCC rules allow the examiners to be flexible when administering tests to those with special needs.  They will be able to provide tests in Braille or administer the exam verbally to sight impaired examinees, for instance.  If you will need this kind of special assistance when taking your exam, please make sure to mention it when you call to pre-register for the exam. 

Who administers the exams?
The ham radio license exams are administered by volunteers amateurs of general class or higher.  These VEs (Volunteer Examiners) receive no compensation for their work, so be sure to thank them!

How much does an amateur radio license cost?
There is no cost for having an amateur radio license.  The license is FREE!   However, there may be a slight fee to take a test for a new license or an upgrade.   VEs are allowed to charge a small fee to offset the costs that they incur when administering tests.  This fee is currently  $14.00 per exam.

What about Morse code?
No Morse code examination is required for amateur radio license.  

How many different classes of license are there?
In the U.S. there are three classes of ham radio license.  The entry-level class is called the Technician class.   It requires only a single 35 question theory exam.  

There are also two additional higher classes called General and Extra.  The requirements for each of the classes are progressive.  For instance, you must complete all the requirements for Technician class before completing the requirements for General class.  The General class requires an additional 35 question test.  The General class license conveys worldwide privileges on short-wave amateur radio frequencies.  The Extra class requires an additional 50 question theory test and conveys full amateur radio privileges. 

I would like to get my ham license.  Which class should I study for?
Study for the Technician class exams first.  This enables you to get on the air and operate.   If you later decide to expand your operating interests you will be able to upgrade to General by passing only an additional 35 question theory test.

I just passed my test.  When can I get on the air?
As soon as your call sign is issued.  These days most filing is done electronically, and call signs are usually issued in 3-7 working days.  Check an on-line call sign database like WM7D everyday to see if your new call sign was issued yesterday!  As soon as you have your call sign, you can start enjoying ham radio.

If you already have a license, and you just passed an upgrade to a higher class, you can get on the air using your new privileges immediately.  You just have to append your current call sign with an identifier such as /AE for Extra class or /AG for General class.

How far can I talk on ham radio?
Different frequencies allow you to talk different distances.  An entry-level Technician class license will give you access all ham frequencies above 30 MHz.  This gives you access to the popular Two Meter (144 MHz), 1.35 Meter (222 MHz) and 70 Centimeter (440 MHz) ham bands.  These frequencies will give you a day-to-day range of about 50-100 miles depending on your equipment.  You'll also have access to the exciting 6 Meter (50 MHz) "DX" band where contact of up to 3,000 miles are possible.  As you progress to higher classes of license, you'll get access to ham radio's short-wave frequencies, below 30 MHz, where you can work stations around the world each and every day of the year.

What does ham radio equipment cost?  What kind of radio should I buy?
Again, there's no one right answer for everyone.  Most people usually start out with a Two Meter or a dual band (Two Meter / 70 Centimeter) handheld.  This has the advantage of being portable, so you can take it with you while walking around, or use it your car with an external mag mount antenna, or at your house with a roof-mounted base station antenna.  Mobile / base station radios offer more output power, but aren't nearly as portable.  Generally, handheld radios sell for $150-300 and mobiles sell for $200-500 depending on the features and the frequency bands included.  You can assemble a complete station for much less than the cost of a typical computer system.

Frequencies:

Twenty-seven small frequency bands scattered throughout the entire radio spectrum are allocated to this service internationally.  Some 1,300 digital, analog, pulse, and spread-spectrum emission types may be transmitted.  Millions of amateur operators in all areas of the world communicate with each other directly or through various relay (repeater) systems and amateur-satellites that are established by the amateur community.  They exchange messages by voice, teleprinting, telegraphy (Morse code), facsimile, and television.  All frequencies are shared.  No frequency is assigned for the exclusive use of any amateur station.  Station control operators must cooperate in selecting transmitting channels to make the most effective use of the frequencies.

Radio Equipment:

New hams usually start with a 2-meter hand-held transceiver or a mobile radio which costs anywhere from $100 to $300 ...even less if you buy a used one.  This VHF band allows you to chat with other amateurs through repeaters which -- by re-transmitting your signal using higher power and gain antennas installed at lofty sites -- greatly extend the communications range of low-powered transceivers   Multi-band transceivers which require separate antennas are more expensive.   Most ham operators purchase their transmitting/ receiving equipment from other operators ...or from commercial suppliers.  Licensed radio amateurs may design, construct, modify, and repair their own stations.  The FCC equipment authorization program does not generally apply to amateur station apparatus.

Amateur radio license testing is conducted under the supervision of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (VEC's).  Volunteer examiners (VEs) are Amateurs holding General, Advanced or Extra Class licenses who are approved by a VEC may prepare and administer amateur license examinations to applicants.  The examinations are given by teams of three qualified VEs who volunteer their time to help the amateur service grow.  There are about a dozen VEC's, but 90% of all ham radio testing is conducted by only two of them, the ARRL-VEC and our subsidiary, the W5YI-VEC.  Ham testing is widely available in all areas ...and in some foreign countries as well.

There is a small examination charge (currently $14.00) to be administered the examinations necessary to obtain any of the three ham radio licenses.   Both the ARRL and W5YI VECs have permanent paid staff and this fee goes to help cover the cost of administering and processing the paperwork and electronically filing the application with the FCC.

The VEs give examination credit (called a Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination or CSCE) for the license class currently held so that examinations already passed need not be repeated.  Examination credit conferred by the CSCE is valid for one year.  The VEs construct the written examinations from question pools that have been made public.  It is the responsibility of the VEC's Question Pool Committee (QPC) to develop and revise all of the question pools.  Each pool is revised on a three year cycle.   

 

Study For Your Exam
All of the test elements listed below go into effect on April 15, 2000.

We have all of the question pools for the amateur radio license exams downloadable below in text and format.  Some of the questions require graphics which are separately downloadable in Adobe PDF format.

The requirements (and links to the question pools) for each class are listed below.  Remember, the requirements are cumulative.  You must have first met the requirements for all lower classes of license before upgraded to a new class.

Note: This new license structure takes effect on April 15, 2000.

 

NOVICE

There are actually still six license classes, but as of April 15, 2000 you can only apply for three of them.  These three are the Technician, General and Extra Class.  The issuance of new Novice Class and Advanced Class licenses have been discontinued.  But the FCC still continues them in their database if a radio amateur already held the class on the April 15, 2000 changeover date.

 

Amateurs that held Novice and Advanced Class licenses may renew and modify them indefinitely ...that is, they may change their address, station call sign or name.  This process is called "grandfathering."  But no new Novice and Advanced Class operator licenses are being issued.   And there are still unique privileges that are accorded to Novice and Advanced Class operators.

TECHNICIAN

Almost all radio amateurs begin their ham career as a "Tech." The privileges of a Technician Class operator license include operating stations while transmitting on channels in any of 17 frequency bands above 50 MHz with up to 1,500 watts power.   It also allows access to the two most popular ham bands, 2 meters and 70 cm ...otherwise known as "450" (MHz.).  To pass the Technician Class examination, at least 26 multiple choice questions from a 35 question written examination must be answered correctly.

 

There are a total of 384 possible questions in the pool from which these 35 questions are drawn.  All questions in the various question banks are known and widely published.  There are no secret questions.  The Technician Class is the most popular license with about one-third of all radio amateurs holding this license class.  
TECH PLUS

The next step used to be called the "Technician Plus" class.  This level was eliminated as a separate operator class on April 15, 2000 -- but not the privileges.   A Technician Class operator who passes the 5 words-per-minute Morse code (Element 1) exam still gets CW (telegraphy) and 10-meter voice privileges in four long distance short-wave bands in the HF range (3-30 MHz), the same as the Tech Plus operator did previously but they do not get issued another license.  Their authorization to operate on four CW bands below 30 MHz is conferred by the Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) issued by the VE (examining) team.

 

And like the Novice and Advanced Class, operators who held a Tech Plus license on April 15, 2000 may modify their license (change their address, call sign or name) indefinitely.  Their new modified Tech Plus license will still show the Tech Plus Class when it arrives.

 

But (unlike Novice and Advanced Class operators) Tech Plus licensees who renew their licenses will be issued a Technician Class license.  Again, it still authorizes HF privileges just as the Tech Plus license did previously.  Their authorization to operate on four CW bands below 30 MHz and 10-meter voice segment is conferred by the (1.) Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) previously issued by the VE (examining) team or (2.) a previous copy of your Tech Plus license.
GENERAL

The General Class operator license carries all mode privileges in at least portions of all 27 bands.  Of particular importance is access to the world-wide 20 and 40 meter ham bands.  Upon accreditation by a volunteer-examiner coordinator (VEC), a General Class license holder may help administer certain examinations (Element 1 and 2 only) or even establish their own testing team.

 

In addition to the above (Element 2 Technician) written examination element and Element 1 (5 wpm Morse code), the examinee must pass another 35 question examination (General Element 3).  Twenty-six correctly answered questions is the minimum passing score.

 

Effective April 15, 2000, the 13 words-per-minute Morse code exam was eliminated.  The General Class is the second most popular ham class.  About a fourth of all ham operators hold this class.
ADVANCED

Like the Novice Class, the FCC discontinued issuing new Advanced Class operator licenses on April 15, 2000.  But those amateurs who held that license class prior to that date may still renew or modify (that is, change their address, station call sign or name) their Advanced Class license indefinitely.  The privileges of an Advanced Operator Class license includes 275 kHz of additional spectrum in the 80, 40, 20 and 15 meter high frequency bands.

 
EXTRA

The privileges of the top-of-the-line Amateur Extra Operator Class license includes substantially more spectrum privileges in the HF bands.  A big advantage to these frequencies is less competition for your signals since only about 15 percent of all U.S. amateurs ever make it to this level.

 

In addition to Element 1 (the 5 wpm Morse code test), Element 2 (Technician written test) and Element 3 (General written test), you will have to pass another 50 question multiple choice examination (called Element 4).  The minimum passing score is 37 questions answered correctly.  There are 665 possible questions in the Extra Class question pool.  Again they are all known and are contained in our study material.

 

It is no longer required that radio amateurs pass the 13 or 20 words-per-minute high-speed telegraphy examinations.  Both were discontinued on April 15, 2000.  The fastest Morse code (telegraphy) examination speed in ham radio is now five words-per-minute.

 

As of April 15, 2000 there are just three written examination elements in Amateur Radio licensing.  They are known as Element 2, 3 and 4.  All questions are multiple choice with four possible answers - only one of which is correct.  Here is a list of the written examination elements, the number of questions within each question pool, the number of exam questions and the passing mark.  You need to get 75% of the questions correct in order to pass.

Requirements For Each Class of License
 
Class Theory Required Download and Study No code is needed for any class.
Technician Element 2 Element 2: Text
(There are no graphics for this test)

 
General Element 3 Element 3: Text
(There are no graphics for this test)

 
Extra Element 4 Element 4: Text
Graphics for Element 4: PDF 		 

 

●  Element 2:--July 2006

Technician Question Pool Questions in pool: 384,  Questions in examination: 35,  Passing Mark: 26

●  Element 3:

General Question Pool Questions in pool: 385,  Questions in examination: 35,  Passing Mark: 26

●  Element 4:

Extra Question Pool Questions in pool: 685,  Questions in examination: 50,  Passing Mark: 37

The General and Amateur Extra Class requires passing a 5 words-per-minute Morse code examination element in addition to the written (multiple choice) examinations.  The list below indicates the examination elements that must be passed for each license.  The examinations are additive.  That means, for example, a Technician operator (who has credit for Element 2) need only pass 5 words-per-minute code and Element 3 to become a General Class operator.  Click on the license class below to find the recommended study material.

Written Element(s)     License Class:                 Telegraphy (Morse code) examination:

●  2         Technician Class Operator        (No Morse code examination is required)

●  1 & 2          Tech Plus Class Operator          + Telegraphy Element 1 - 5 wpm

●  2 & 3                    General Class Operator              + Telegraphy Element 1 - 5 wpm

●  2, 3 & 4                         Amateur Extra Class Operator     + Telegraphy Element 1 - 5 wpm

Each of these examinations consists of a specific number of multiple choice questions that must be selected from the various pools of questions for that license class.  All written elements have (nine or ten) sub elements within the pool that are designated with a number between one and ten.  Here is the number of questions that will be asked from each topic:

  Topic (or Sub element) Description: Element 2  Element 3  Element 4 
      1 - FCC Rules 9 6 7
      2 - Operating Procedures 5 6 4
      3 - Radio wave propagation 3 3 3
      4 - Amateur Radio Practices 4 5 5
      5 - Electrical Principles 3 2 9
      6 - Circuit Components 2 1 5
      7 - Practical Circuits 2 1 7
      8 - Signals and Emissions 2 2 5
      9 - Feed lines and antennas 2 4 5
      0 - R.F. Safety 3 5 0
  Total Questions in the Examination: 35 35 50
  Total Questions Correct to Pass: 26 26 37
  Total Questions in Question Pool: 384 385 685

All questions are required to be taken verbatim from the question pools. In other words, there are no "secret" questions.  All of the exact word-for-word questions, multiple choices and correct answer that could appear in all Amateur Radio Operator examinations are widely known and published.  All of our study material contains the word-for-word question, multiple choice, answer and explanation.

 

IF YOU DESIRE TO WORK "CW" HERE IS A WAY TO DO SO.

The fastest, easiest ways to pass the 5-WPM exam

There is much debate in CW circles about the best way to learn Morse code, the value of Morse code, etc.   Presented here for your study use, are the questions that we are most commonly asked, and the best answers (in our experience).

Visit KB0ETC's CW Basic's page, as well as the Morse Code Sound Table, and Iambic Sending Page

Do I need to learn Morse code to get my ham radio license?

No.  You do not need to learn Morse code to be a ham.   This license grants you all privileges on 50 MHz and above.  These bands will give you a normal day-to-day operating range of typically 50 to 100 miles.

You do need to learn about Morse code before using it on the amateur short-wave (HF) worldwide bands, which offer you the ability to talk to hams all over the world.

What's the best way to study Morse code?

There is no best method for everyone.  Whatever method you choose to use, you should ensure that it emphasizes learning the -sound- of the letters.  You should learn to recognize that the sound ditdah is equivalent to the letter A.  You should NOT try to learn dots and dashes or count them on your fingers or in your head.

What's better: tapes or a computer program?

There are certainly good points to both.  Tapes generally provide a good introduction to the code, so we generally recommend that people begin to learn Morse by starting with tapes.  The problem with tapes is that they quickly become repetitive.  By the fourth time you listen to a tape, you have likely memorized most of the code runs and the tape is of little value.  The advantage of the computer programs is that they are able to randomly generate an infinite number of random code runs and simulated on the air QSOs.

What is the Farnsworth method?  Do  you recommend using it?

The Farnsworth method is a way of studying Morse code that sends the letters at a very fast rate (usually 18 or 23 words per minute) and then leaves a long pause between to sent letters to space the practice out to the proper WPM speed.   We definitely recommend using Farnsworth for study, as it will really help you to improve your code speed quickly.

Should I practice sending?

Whether or not you practice sending is up to you.  Some people report that sending Morse code helps them in their code comprehension.  In our experience, we have found sending Morse code to be of little value in studying to pass the amateur radio exams.  So, while it can't hurt, we recommend that if you do choose to incorporate sending Morse into your practice, that you make it a small part of your overall study program.

What was the format of the test?

Before the test you will be sent about one minute of code in order to make sure that the volume is loud enough, etc.  After that one minute, the examiners would make sure that you were comfortable with the CW.  Then, they would begin the exam.

The exam begins with a series of  Vs followed by about 5 minutes of sent Morse code, mimicking an on-the-air conversation.  Copy as much as possible.  If you miss a letter just keep going.  Put a little tick mark on your paper so that you can tell that you missed a letter.

At the end of the five minutes, you would have the chance to go over your paper and fill in as many missed letters as you can.  For instance, if you copy "my n_me is bob" you can easily fill in the missed letter to make the sentence "my name is bob."

After you've had a chance to fill in any missed copy, you will be given a 10 question multiple choice examination which asks questions about the items on the test.  For instance, you may be asked:

     What was the operator's name?
          A)  Bob
          B)  Dave
          C)  Sam
          D)  Heather

You had to get 7 out of 10 questions right in order to pass.   If you don't, then the VEs would look over your copy to see if you have 100% copy for 1 minute.  If so, you will still pass.

We hope you will try to use "CW" sometime in you Amateur life.

 It is fun and remember if conditions are bad "CW" will get your message through.

73s and good DX