Getting a ham radio license can be an exciting experience and it can be a whole lot of fun once you have it as well. But you need to know just how to get it, right? And you need to know all of the different ways that you can use it once you do. Well, the great news is that these are super simple to get and you’ll be able to start using it in no time. You just need a few simple things in order to do it.
What You Need
The two things that you need in order to get a ham radio license are a valid US mailing address and a Taxpayer Identification Number. This number could be a social security number or an FCC registration number. Either one with work for these purposes. From there, the process is simple.
Step 1: Choose Your License
There are several different types of licenses that are offered. The first is the Technician License, which will give you basic access to VHF and UHF. It’s a good option for those who are using handheld radios or those who are just getting started. Moving up is the General License, which is better for those who want nationwide or even worldwide communication and access to HF bands. Finally, the Extra License gives access to everything you need as an amateur. Each level requires additional testing.
Step 2: Prepare for the Test
The second step is to actually get ready for your exam. Each of the different levels requires a different test and you’ll need to pass the one for a technician before you can take the general and so on. That means you could have up to three exams to take. Preparing for these exams doesn’t have to be difficult, however. You just have to make sure you’re looking at the options. You can check out online classes, books, apps and a whole lot more to study.
Step 3: Take the Exam
There are two different ways that you can take the exam. You can either do it entirely in person or you can take a remote test. The idea is to make sure that you fully understand the material and know what you’re going to be doing. Either test will give you the same certification and the same license when you’re done so it’s all about which format you feel the most comfortable with. Make sure you’re looking at each of the options and weighing out which one is better for you.
Once you’ve taken the exam and passed you’re going to have your license to operate a ham radio. If you want to move up a class you’ll be ready to start the process over again by studying for the next exam and taking it. If you’re going to stay with what you have for a while you can just start working with your ham radio, just like that. It’s a simple process to get started from there.
