Table of Contents

Getting Licensed

If you found this page, you likely want to get your amateur (or ham) radio license. There are many techniques that people share. None of these are wrong. Different people learn differently. Here is the technique that I used to get my license.

I like to know the context and more on the subject and this approach satisfied that without having an Elmer, or a person willing to teach radio, sit down and show me everything. This does take quite a bit of time to watch, read, and study. You will need to purchase the ARRL handbook for the license class you are studying for. If you are just starting and not sure where to begin, look for the Technician manual. This process also uses the Ham Study app. The website version is free and the mobile app costs a one-time nominal fee.

Here’s the process that worked for me:

  1. David Casler on YouTube had a playlist introducing the chapter. First, you watch his video for the chapter and he’ll clarify what may be confusing and explain some more confusing parts.
  2. Read the section that he just talked about in the ARRL handbook.
  3. Sometimes, that might be enough, but to really grasp and review that section, you watch the W4EEY training session for the same chapter. They will cover the content a little more in-depth, show you some tips and tricks and help explain what you just read a little more.
  4. Finally, you can do a review of Ham Study and practice the test questions. Once you are proficient with the questions and are able to pass the practice tests consistently around 85% to 90% or more, you are ready to take the test.
  5. You can find in-person testing or virtual testing. I am a part of the Ham Radio Crash Course VE group and we do on-demand testing. I can also do on-demand testing. So there are plenty of options to take the test and get your license.

That Doesn't Match My Learning Style. Are there other ways?

Not everyone is as detailed as I am. Here is a collection of various resources you can utilize to study for your license. Choose the license you are studying for:

Tips and Tricks for Passing your Test

FCC Licensing Resources

The FCC ULS (Universal Licensing System) is well… a government system and not very user-friendly. Here are a few resources to help get you to the right place.