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How to become an Amateur Radio Operator

Amateur radio operators, sometimes called ham radio operators or simply "hams," operate two-way radios under an amateur "technician's license." In total, 700,000 Americans possess a ham radio license, allowing them to speak with hundreds of thousands of people in other nations and even with astronauts orbiting the earth on the International Space Station. Ham radio operators sometimes serve as emergency communications personnel in disasters and proved indispensable in the 2010 Haiti earthquake. In the United States, the ARRL, or American Radio Relay League, represents amateur radio operators and provides resources for their use.

Things You'll Need

Internet access
$15 (approximately)
#2 pencils and pen
Transportation
Driver's license or other identification
Social Security number

Instructions

- 1
  Learn about amateur radio and its terminology by visiting the ARRL website and visiting the websites of various ham operator associations such as the Tri-County Amateur Radio Association, which serves Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties in California.
- 2
  Order and review the ARRL study materials to prepare for your licensing exam. Take the sample tests provided.
- 3
  Find and attend an amateur licensing class using the ARRL website or by contacting a local ham radio organization.
- 4
  Locate and register for an Amateur Radio License Exam using the AARL website's "Search for Exam Sessions" feature.
- 5
  Review the pool of questions that may be included on the exam, which the ARRL makes available on its website.
- 6
  Gather items needed to take the test. Bring money -- 15$ will usually suffice -- or a check to pay for the exam, and bring a driver's license, passport or other acceptable form of ID. Bring your Social Security number, two #2 pencils and a pen. Take a calculator, slide rule and logarithmic tables if you wish.
- 7
  Travel to the testing location, take the test and wait for the license to arrive in the mail. Ask the examiner if you can retake the test on the spot if you fail, as this is sometimes allowed. Retake the test at another time if necessary. In either case, you will have to pay another fee.

Ham Radio