Are you thinking about getting your Amateur Radio License?

We have had several request from people inquiring about how to obtain a “HAM” or Amateur radio license, so here is a post with links to help you get your license. This post will focus on how to get your Technician Class License in the Southern Maryland Area.

To become a ham radio operator, a person must be licensed by the FCC. To get licensed you need to pass an official exam to demonstrate your knowledge regarding amateur radio. There are tests for three different classes of ham radio licenses – Technician, General, and Amateur Extra.  You do not need to know Morse code to qualify for any of the three classes. The current pool of questions for the Technician Class License will be current until June 30, 2022. SMCARA offers exams quarterly and the dates and times are placed on our calendar.

How to study?

Online Study: There are several options and a few links below:

HAMSTUDY by Signal Stuff Free ham radio flash cards, practice tests, and question pools as well as introduction to ham radio and explanations for questions.

ARRL Exam Review for Ham Radio™ an online browser-based resource for your computer, tablet or other mobile device. Use this review and practice exam resource with the current editions of ARRL License Manuals: The ARRL HAM RAdio License Manual. You do not need to be an ARRL member nor have an ARRL website account to use this site.
Click here for further information about using this site >

Ham Radio Technician Class Practice Test Mometrix Academy is a completely free resource provided by Mometrix Test Preparation.

Book Study: Several options. A few links below:

ARRL Ham Radio License Manual 4th Edition (Spiral Bound) Also available:The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual. Kindle Edition.
ARRL’s Tech Q&A. Includes the entire question pool with brief explanations

Mometrix Ham Radio License Exam Secrets Study Guide

How to find a place to take the Exam?

As stated above, SMCARA offers exams quarterly. Our next exam session should be during Field Day (a ARRL contest designed to help HAM radio operators to be prepared in am emergency situation) on 27th of June. Check our event calendar for more information. At the time of writing our Field Day location is still TBD. http://www.k3hki.org/events/

If you want to find other clubs in Southern Maryland who might be offering exams at a more convenient time, please visit our page where we list other clubs website addresses: Local Amateur Radio Clubs

Test Day – What do I bring to the exam?

Amerca Radio Relay League (ARRL) has a great website describing what to bring. ARRL: Exam Day – what to bring This website explains how to obtain your FCC issued Federal Registration Number (FRN) which allows you to avoid using your SSN which most clubs require.

SMCARA Test Session Information on what to bring on Test Day

Hopefully, you will pass on your first attempt, but if not, no worries, you can take the exam again on another date.

What to do once you have a Technician Class License?

The best thing for most new HAMS is to join a local club and meet other HAMS and learn even more about Amateur Radio!!!!!

Join SMCARA

Buy your first radio and start your new experience!!!! Ask your new HAM friends or start exploring the internet.

Technician Class Privileges

Good Luck and please email us at K3HKIradio@gmail.com if you have any questions and we will do our best to help.