Get Licensed

FCC Licensing

Amateur Radio is rewarding hobby enjoyed by people all over the world. Amateur radio operators or “Hams” enjoy the privilege to experiment with and use a wide range of radio frequencies from hf to Microwaves. With these privileges there are technical and legal responsibilities. All amateur radio operators in the United States must posses a valid FCC license and operate according to the rules set fourth by the Federal Communication Commission. There are three Amateur radio license exams Technician, General and Extra each offering increasing privileges but requiring more knowledge. Tests are given by “VE” volunteer examiners which are other hams who have volunteered their time to administer and grade the test on behalf of the FCC.

The Richmond Amateur Radio Club offers classes to assist hams in getting or upgrading their license. We are fortunate here in Richmond to have two active VE teams so there is a testing session almost every month see the Testing Schedule

Technician:

Hand-held transceiver

This is the entry level license for ham radio. Talk around town on a hand-held radio using “repeaters” provided by groups of fellow hams. That’s called “two meters” and “four-forty”. Talk regionally on “six meters” and “ten meters”; when propagation is good you can even get to the Caribbean! Use digital transceivers to talk around the world via the Internet. The test is 35 questions mostly about operating principles, the FCC rules, and enough technical information to connect the radio, pick the frequencies, and operate. This takes 10 weeks of two-hour classes and, depending on the student’s background, lots of study and sample test taking.

General:

Hex beam HF antenna

The second level license opens up world-wide communications. Talk around the world on most of the popular “HF bands” with as much antenna and power as you can afford! There’s a lot more to learn about electronics so there’s more technical material than in the Technician class. You have to pass the Technician test before you can take the General exam. The test is 35 questions with the operating principles and the FCC rules that fit international communications. This takes 5 weeks of two-hour classes and, depending on the student’s background, lots of study and sample test taking.

Extra:

Extra frequencies for Extra licensees

A license that allows the use of all the ham bands, especially those frequencies used in long-distance contests. It also qualifies you to become a license examiner for all levels. It’s pretty technical. You know your electronics and the formulas by the time you pass this test. The exam is 50 questions dominated by technical content. You must have passed the Technician and General exams to take the Extra test. This takes 6 evening classes, 7 to 9pm plus lots of studying in the textbook.

Costs to get licensed

The costs vary by license, need for a textbook, etc. As of the Spring of 2023 the typical costs are:

RARC Tuition = $22; it pays for instructor supplies, hand-outs, club operating costs, and a donation to the hosting church.
Textbooks = $20 for Tech, $25 for General, $33 for Extra. This all goes to the seller. Sometimes the seller charges shipping as well, see https://rarclub.net/license/class-schedules/ form their websites.
FCC Exam = $0 from the RARC Volunteer Examiners (VEs), $15 from the CATS VEs, see https://rarclub.net/ve-testing-choices/.
FCC License fee = $35. For students 18 and younger the ARRL will reimburse for the fee, see https://www.arrl.org/youth.

Skills Seminars

Ham radio offers a vast array of ways you can use your “license to transmit.” These seminars are what members have said they want to learn. If you have something you think should be taught, send a note to school@rarclub.net.

Morse Code:

It’s now optional; it’s no longer required to get a General and higher license. Ironically it’s gaining popularity now that it’s optional! One of the club’s CW gurus found the online education at https://cwops.org/. He recommends it.

NEC 3D output of a dipole model from antennablog.net

NEC Antenna Modeling:

This one-Saturday seminar assumes you have very little or no experience in antenna modeling. During this approximately three hour seminar at a local library we will cover:

The background of NEC and NEC based antenna modeling
Antenna geometry in models
Antenna segments in models
How to create simple antennas
How to calculate SWR and impedance values
How to plot 2D and 3D antenna patterns
How to use EZNEC (paid program) and 4NEC2 (free program)
Compare models to actual antenna measurements

Remote-controlled Station Setup & Operations:

W4FJ, the club’s remotely controlled station

This two evening Zoom seminar introduces hams to the remote operation of ham stations from their Windows computer or Android device over the Internet. It focuses on the W4FJ remote station that RARC members can use. It does all modes on HF, VHF, and UHF bands. It covers how to register on RemoteHams, download the RCForb app to a computer or device, and how to get control of the station. It covers setting up for digital modes using fldidi and WJTS-X. Because it depends on demonstrations, Zoom turns out to be the best way to teach it.

RARC D-Star repeater antennas high above downtown Richmond

D-Star Setup & Operations:

This is a one-Saturday seminar. D-Star digital communications is supported in Richmond by the RARC repeater. Through a “gateway” it connects to other repeaters wherever in the world there is a D-Star repeater installed. With all this function it can be a bear to set up. This class aims so make this setup and operation simpler for the ham. It is taught on one or two Saturday mornings as negotiated at registration between the instructor and the students.

Radio Sport & Contesting 101

Available on a tee at teepublic.com

• What contesting offers regardless of license class
• What a radio contest is and basic requirements
• Radio Orienteering – Non-contact RadioSport
• High level participation
• Scoring explained
• Equipment, antenna, and logging software considerations – what’s most popular
• Entry categories explained
• Strategies vs Goals
• Logging and scoring
• How to get started – A detailed review of an actual contest’s rules as published
• Live voice contest exercise
• Practicing between contests
• Operating Techniques – Running vs Search & Pounce

Station Setup 101

At some tables around the room are the basics of a VHF-UHF station. This is aimed at new hams with a Technician license. There are lists and links for local activities, a chance to discuss what new hams want in a transceiver, how to pick transceivers, how to build or buy good antennas, and the mysteries of the transmission from the radio to the antenna. The often mysterious words hams use when communicating will be demonstrated and discussed.

For those who just got their General license, we show HF gear. Defining what the new “generals” want to do on the air is key to selecting a transceiver so the group will discuss it. Antennas and overcoming home owner association restrictions is an important topic. Key resources and links to HF nets, contests, etc. will be provided. Some examples and translations of rapid-fire HF exchanges will be covered.
Finally, from those gathered we will cover other issues they want to cover.

See class schedules