How to Get a Ham Radio License

Video Transcript

Well, on behalf of Expert Village, I'm Kurt Glaser, N7QJM is my call sign, and we're continuing our session talking about ham radio. This session we're looking at studying for the exam. Now there are three basic ways that you can prepare for an amateur radio test or the exam. One is to take a class. If you know an amateur radio operator in your area, you might ask if he or she knows a local license class--you can go and take that class there. Many radio clubs provide these in your area. You can go to a community college or other schools also could provide a license study class or course. Knowing a local ham radio operator can also prove real helpful when you are setting up your first ham rig, and you'll need advice and assistance in setting it up. Especially regarding antennas, like what we have behind me. RF signals, electrical safety considerations, and rules and regulations regarding the installation of your antenna in certain areas of cities. The second one is self-study. That's how I became a ham radio operator, is I studied myself, I took the exam--and lo and behold, I passed. There are audio cassettes that are out there, and there are video tapes that you can purchase and watch and study that way as well. Now remember, in some countries you do have to know the Morse code, which are dits and dahs and radio signals. And you'll need to prepare that way as well. Remember, you'll have to learn the material, try to memorize as many test questions as you can, and learn the basic theory--because there's a lot of electronic theory in these tests. What you need to know is not complicated, and it'd be helpful in getting maximum enjoyment out of ham radio. There are a lot of study guides available, and I recommend the Now You're Talking--all you need to get your first ham radio license. It's published by the A double-R L, the ARRL, the Amateur Radio Relay League. You can get this book online, or you can visit their website: www.arrl.com. And, you can order, and it'll be shipped right to you. So, remember, you can take these tests--the last way, of course, is you can just go in and take the test. I know people who can do it. And I call it, "Doing the Know-It-All Way." I've known people who just go in, they have an electronic background, and they just go take the test and they do really, really well. They go two or four hours with review. They understand the code and the regulations. They go in, they take the test, and they do great. See if you qualify as a know-it-all, which is the third way to take the exam. Now, these next sessions here at Expert Village, we're going to be studying a lot more in ham radio, and until then, I'm Kurt Glaser, N7QJM. 73.

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