====== Home ======
Welcome to my site for all of your amateur radio testing needs. I share [[getlicensed:start|how to study for your amateur radio license]] and I can even [[taketest|set up a test for you]] to test your amateur radio license test.
===== Get Licensed =====

Do you want to jump in head first? You can follow the easy steps below.

<button type="primary" size="lg" url="getlicensed:start">How to get licensed</button>
<button type="success" size="lg" url=taketest>I want to take my test</button>
<button type="info" size="lg" url="passedtest">I passed! Now what?</button>
<button type="primary" size="lg" url="faq:range">Can I talk to my ... who is ... miles away?</button>
<button type="primary" size="lg" url="faq:start">Frequently Asked Questions</button>

===== Renew Your License =====

Already licensed and just need to renew? Yes, it's a confusing process, but hopefully this information can help.

<button type="warning" size="lg" url="renew">How do I renew my license?</button>

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===== What is Amateur Radio? =====

Amateur radio (or ham radio) is a service provided by the FCC to allow those that pass the tests to be able to use a set of allocated frequencies for the use of communication, experimentation, emergency management, and fun. Part 97 of the Code of Federal Regulation states:

> The rules and regulations in this part are designed to provide an amateur radio service having a fundamental purpose as expressed in the following principles:
> 
> (a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications.
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> (b) Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art.
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> (c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communication and technical phases of the art.
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> (d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio service of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts.
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> (e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance international goodwill.
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//Via [[https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-97|47 CFR Part 97 — Amateur Radio Service]], § 97.1 Basis and purpose//
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===== What Can You Do With a License? =====

Amateur Radio isn't just one hobby — it's dozens of hobbies under one license. You don't need to be a tech expert to get started. Here's just a taste of what license holders do:

==== Connecting with people ====

- **Nets** — scheduled on-air check-ins where hams share info, practice skills, or just chat (on local VHF/UHF or long-distance HF frequencies)
- **Satellite contacts** — yes, you can talk through a satellite using a handheld radio
- **Moonbounce (EME)** — bounce a signal off the moon and talk to someone across the globe
- **Parks on the Air (POTA)** — operate from a park, or "hunt" others who are
- **Summits on the Air (SOTA)** — same idea, from mountaintops
- **DXpeditions** — travel to a rare location to operate, or "hunt" those signals from home

==== Serving your community ====

- Supporting local events (marathons, races, parades, rides)
- Disaster planning and emergency communication
- **SKYWARN** — trained storm spotting for the National Weather Service

==== Building and experimenting ====

- Electronics and experimentation
- Software development for radio
- Building and running repeaters
- Radio networking (like AREDN)

//...and so much more.//

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