Getting your Amateur Radio License

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Books and Questions Withdrawn Exam Questions  Classroom Training and Review Sessions Practice Tests VE Exams FCC Become a VE

If you are interested in a Amateur Radio License Preperation Course contact David Lowe WE1U we1u.david@gmail.com

The Books: Not just the answers, the background too.

There are 392 questions in the Technician Class pool, the General 484 questions and the Extra has whopping 738 questions. The ARRL License Manuals give you the hows and whys not just the answers. The questions are published with answers  (see the links below the book thumbnails) and are good for reviewing. The American Radio Relay League, ARRL, has Books, CDs, On-line Training for the entry-level Technician Class and resources for teachers and instructors so YOU can learn the required knowledge and skills to be a licensed amateur radio operator. Study with a partner if you can.
Technician Class
http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?item=9639
The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual. First edition, third printing. © 2006-2007, The American Radio Relay League, Inc. (ISBN: 0-87259-963-9) #9639 -- $24.95
Tech Question Pool
Effective July 1, 2006- June 30, 2010
PDF format or Plain Text
Technician Class Element 2 page

Manual Web site http://www.arrl.org/hrlm/

Ham Radio License Manual Chapters

  1. Welcome to Amateur Radio
  2. Radio and Electronics Fundamentals
  3. Operating Station Equipment
  4. Communicating with Other Hams
  5. Licensing Regulations
  6. Operating Regulations
  7. Electrical and RF Safety
  8. Glossary
  9. Questions Pool
Bonus  Choosing a Ham Radio
 General Class
http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?item=9965
Sixth edition, second printing. © 2007, The American Radio Relay League, Inc.
General Question Pool
Effective July 1, 2007- June 30, 2011
PDF format or Plain Text
Needed Graphics Page PDF
General Class Element 3 page

Manual Web site http://www.arrl.org/gclm/

ARRL Links per Chapter in

General Class License Manual

  1. Introduction
  2. Procedures and Practices
  3. Rules and Regulations
  4. Components and Circuits
  5. Radio Signals and Equipment
  6. Antennas
  7. Propagation
  8. Electrical and RF Safety

 Amateur Extra Class
http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?item=1352
Ninth edition. © 2008, The American Radio Relay League, Inc.
Extra Question Pool
PDF format or MS Word
Needed 12 Diagrams PDF
Extra Class Element 4 page

Manual Web site http://www.arrl.org/eclm/

ARRL Links per Chapter in

Extra Class License Manual

  1. Introduction
  2. Operating Practices
  3. Rules and Regulations
  4. Electrical Principles
  5. Components and Building Blocks
  6. Electronic Circuits
  7. Radio Signals and Measurements
  8. Radio Modes and Equipment
  9. Antenna and Feed Lines
  10. Topics in Radio Propagation
  11. Safety

ARRL Listing of Withdrawn VE Exam Questions http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/withdrawn.html

First Steps to Earning Your License

ARRL - American Radio Relay League http://www.arrl.org/ and http://www.wedothat-radio.org
ARRL Ham Radio License Manual http://www.arrl.org/hrlm/
Amateur Radio License Levels and Requirements http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/license-requirements.html

ARRL "First Steps in Radio" http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/frsteps.html
Radio Procedures http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/forms/fsd220.html
Amateur Radio Frequencies http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/bands.html

Evaluating Compliance With FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure to RF and EM Fields

Office of Engineering and Technology http://www.fcc.gov/oet/
This revised OET Bulletin 65 has been prepared to provide assistance in determining whether proposed or existing transmitting facilities, operations or devices comply with limits for human exposure to radiofrequency (RF) fields adopted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The bulletin offers guidelines and suggestions for evaluating compliance. However, it is not intended to establish mandatory procedures, and other methods and procedures may be acceptable if based on sound engineering practice.
http://www.fcc.gov/oet/info/documents/bulletins/Welcome.html#65

License Preparation Course Information 

For courses instructed by David WE1U
Based on "The ARRL Instructor's Manual for Technician and General License Course"
Syllabus Technician License http://www.w1npp.org/pages/Syllabus-Technician_License_Prep.pdf
Syllabus General License http://www.w1npp.org/pages/Syllabus-General_License_Prep.pdf

Review Sessions and Classes

ARRL Classroom Training Search http://www.arrl.org/FandES/courses

Practice Tests

Wait until you can get 85% to 90% consistently on practice tests before taking a VE Exam.
Other suggestions http://www.ac6v.com/help.htm

eHam http://www.eham.net/exams/
QRZ http://www.qrz.com/testing.html
AA9PW http://aa9pw.com/
KB0MGA.net http://kb0mga.net/exams/index.php

ARRL VE Exams in Maine and New Hampshire

ARRL Exam Search Page http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/examsearch.phtml
ARRL Maine Section Page http://www.arrl.org/sections/ME.html
ARRL New Hampshire Section Page http://www.arrl.org/sections/NH.html
ARRL Section Index http://www.arrl.org/sections/index.html

Become a ARRL VE Examiner http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/become-a-ve.html

VE Manual http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/vemanual/vemanual2008.pdf

FCC -Federal Communications Commission

Veriify License information

“License Databases NOT in Sync” from The ARRL Letter The ARRL Letter Vol. 26, No. 32 August 10, 2007
Fred Maia, W5YI, spoke about a problem he found with information between the Universal Licensing System (ULS) and the Commission Registration System (CORES) computer systems not being exchanged. Amateurs, he said, are complying with Part 97 rules by keeping the ULS license database up to date, but this information does not find its way into the CORES database. Part 1 of the Rules, Section 1.8002(b)(2), which Maia said most amateurs are unfamiliar with, states that applicants must keep their CORES records current. Amateurs can supply CORES with up-to-date information via the CORES Web page <https://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/coresWeb/publicHome.do> or by filling out and submitting FCC Form 161 <http://wireless.fcc.gov/feesforms/forms.html>. Maia proposed that the FCC update CORES automatically when the ULS is updated. ULS is maintained by the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) and CORES is handled by the Office of Managing Director (OMD). The FCC's Bill Cross said these systems are two separate systems and that they are discussing a solution.

FCC Universal Licensing System http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/

AND COmmission REgistration System (CORES)  https://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/coresWeb/publicHome.do

Rules and Regulation http://wireless.fcc.gov/index.htm?job=rules_and_regulations

The FCC rules and regulations are codified in Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
Title 47--Telecommunication CHAPTER I--FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Part 5 Experimental radio service (other than broadcast) for example http://www.500kc.com/
Part 15 ARRL FCC Part-15 Rules: Unlicensed RF Devices http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/part15.html
Part 15 Comment at FCC http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/lowpwr.html
PART 97--AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_07/47cfr97_07.html
Part 97 ARRL Part 97 HTML Frames http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/news/part97/
Part 97 ARRL Part 97 Single HTML page http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/news/part97/onepage.html

ARRL RFI page http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/rfigen.html
FCC.gov RF-SAFTY Page http://www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety/
FCC Office of Engineering and Technology (OET)  http://www.fcc.gov/oet/
FCC Forms http://www.fcc.gov/formpage.html
Antenna Structure Registration http://wireless.fcc.gov/antenna

Learn Morse Code

Koch-method program http://www.thegoffs.co.uk/downloads/KochMorseTrainer%20Install.exe
New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters site learn code page http://www.nzart.org.nz/exam/sg/sg-cwave.html
"The Art & Skill of Radio Telegraphy" by William G. Pierpont N0HFF http://www.qsl.net/n9bor/n0hff.htm
W1AW Code Practice Files http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/morse.html
Just Learn Morse Code http://www.justlearnmorsecode.com/
The International Morse Preservation Society http://www.fists.org/
Sunlight telegraph http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heliograph

Digital Mode Programs including morse code

FlDigi Open Source Digital modem program available for Micro$oft Window$, Linux and OSX http://www.w1hkj.com/Fldigi.html
Hamscope for Micro$oft Window$ http://www.qsl.net/hamscope/
Multimon Linux afsk decoder http://www.baycom.org/~tom/ham/linux/multimon.html
Soundmodem Multiplatform Soundcard Packet Radio Modem by Thomas Sailer,HB9JNX/AE4WA
Open Source Micro$oft Window$ and Linux  http://www.baycom.org/~tom/ham/soundmodem/

American Radio Relay League Digital Modes Technical Information Page http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/digital.html
J. Duffy Beischel WB8NUT Digital Modes page http://www.wb8nut.com/digital.html
Rod Dinkins - AC6V Operating Modes page http://www.ac6v.com/opmodes.htm

Basic AM Radio

WW II Foxhole Radio http://bizarrelabs.com/foxhole.htm
Crystal Radio http://bizarrelabs.com/crystal.htm
Cat Wiskers http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat%27s_whisker_detector
The coherer was a primitive form of radio signal detector http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coherer
Galena is the natural mineral form of lead sulfide. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galena
Other Radio Detectors http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detector_%28radio%29
Christmas Eve and the Birth of 'Talk' Radio http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6665738
Reginald Fessenden http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reginald_Fessenden


URL: http://www.w1npp.org/pages/license.html
Update: Saturday 2 January 2010
ACORN Newsletter Layout / W1NPP.org Web Site: David Lowe WE1U email: we1u.david@gmail.com