Can someone walk me through this application process, I'm finding it rather confusing.
Ham Radio License
- Thread starter Carver Speed
- Start date
Advocate III
- 5,584
- First Name
- Michael
- Last Name
- Rose
- Member #
20990
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- W7FSB
- Service Branch
- US ARMY Retired
It’s actually quite easy...
First go to FCC Registration - Login and register for your FRN
next contact your local ham club the arrl has a listing for all registered clubs Search for ARRL Affiliated Clubs contact them for next test date.
take exam and pass
pay $10-15 and wait 2 weeks for your call sign.
for study information contact @brien
@Prerunner1982 is a great source for all ham questions
Member III
Hello Jeff.
Does this thread help at all?
How to get your Amateur (ham) radio license.
Now Lars has a good Boot Camp article with a good overview of ham radio and some info on radios. He does make mention of how to get licensed however I had this article written and thought I would share it here as it may give a little more insight into getting licensed specifically. Ham radio...
If you have any questions, let me know.
Enthusiast III
Hello Jeff.
Does this thread help at all?
How to get your Amateur (ham) radio license.
Now Lars has a good Boot Camp article with a good overview of ham radio and some info on radios. He does make mention of how to get licensed however I had this article written and thought I would share it here as it may give a little more insight into getting licensed specifically. Ham radio...www.overlandbound.com
If you have any questions, let me know.
I will be taking my test Feb 19 in Phoenix, AZ.. Been studying my FACE OFF!
Advocate III
- 5,584
- First Name
- Michael
- Last Name
- Rose
- Member #
20990
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- W7FSB
- Service Branch
- US ARMY Retired
Enthusiast III
Officially Passed my test! Already got my "Callsign".....Installed the main body of the Radio under the drivers seat on a DIY platform suspended about 4" off the floor between the seat rails. I think this gives me a little more peace of mind than sitting on the floor.
BullMoose1776
Rank 0
Contributor I
I recommend downloading the test questions, and learning the right answer. I watched a ton of videos on YouTube, but for the General, I'm taking a different approach.
Enthusiast I
There’s a great iPhone app
HRE-TECH
And
HRE-GENERAL
Has study tools and randomized test from test pool.
Made the test easy.
HRE-TECH
And
HRE-GENERAL
Has study tools and randomized test from test pool.
Made the test easy.
Enthusiast III
Advocate III
- 5,584
- First Name
- Michael
- Last Name
- Rose
- Member #
20990
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- W7FSB
- Service Branch
- US ARMY Retired
Contributor II
For RAM mounts you can put a ball directly onto the back of the FTM400 and forego the use of the claw. Threaded mount is already supplied in the back of the control head and the ball arms will mount straight to it once you mount the appropriate ball. Lido Products LM-AD1 or Yaesu FTM-400XDR Install
SkinnySurfer_Thad
Rank III
Enthusiast III
Everything can be done online except taking the actual test.
Mike’s reply (post #2) gives the link for the FRN and the process. No worse than getting a driver’s license.
BullMoose1776
Rank 0
Contributor I
Nothing about HAM radio is fast or easy, except the actual radio transmission. I get the sense that the vast majority of HAMs like that, as it keeps the pleebs mostly at Bay.
Unfortunately, the barriers to entry in this hobby are unusually high, compared other hobbies, which I think is the primary reason there are so few young people and / or (as I observe, anyway) diversity of hobbyists.
Unfortunately, the barriers to entry in this hobby are unusually high, compared other hobbies, which I think is the primary reason there are so few young people and / or (as I observe, anyway) diversity of hobbyists.
This is absolutely true.
Patience is a necessity in ham radio because it is a tedious hobby. Getting a license is easy compared to actually establishing communication with someone hundreds or thousands of miles away. The licensing process is not the major obstacle to Amateur Radio. It has never been a young man’s hobby because the fundamentals require so much patience. It’s the same reason you don’t see as many young people fly fishing.
Facebook is easier. But not as rewarding.
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Member III
Then it becomes an open book test and the licensee learns nothing. At least with studying the questions and answers they might retain some information.
Ham radio is meant to be a hobby... a place to experiment... provide emergency communication... build things... it's more than just a way to communicate and thus should require the user to have at least some knowledge of what they are doing.
There are other options besides ham radio for those that wish to not put the time into getting a ham license and there is nothing wrong with that.
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rsweet
Rank V
Member III
- 2,298
- First Name
- Robert
- Last Name
- Sweet
- Member #
17264
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- KN6IHR
Go to HamStudy.org: Cutting edge amateur radio study tools and study up...register your FRN and take the test...passed first time. Now if I only knew how to use my radio 
Member III
- 2,827
- First Name
- Kevin
- Last Name
- Trvlr
- Member #
20466
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- KK7NAZ
- Service Branch
- MM1 US Navy
What barriers are you talking about?
The main one I've noticed is in the local clubs. One of them is cool and everyone gets along and wants to do fun stuff with radios. The other is mostly older Hams that are "too cool for school" and pretty snobby and hard to get along with.
BullMoose1776
Rank 0
Contributor I
I was mostly referring to the high cost of good equipment. The only radio I have purchased is a Baofeng. The rest has been gifted or pass along due to somebody dying in the family.
I prefer to have many hobbies that I can lightly enjoy. It feel like amateur radio is one that you need to really get deeply into, to really enjoy.
