Exam preparation classes
The License Class’s Registration for Winter-Spring classes is open. See each classes below for its last registration date.
The courses are described at https://rarclub.net/license/
We teach FCC license classes for all three levels of Ham license, Technician (first license class), General (second license class), and Extra (last license class).
The textbooks for all classes are listed om the table below. Check with the instructor to see if there is a special price. They range in price from about $32 to $45, depending on the course.
To register for any of the FCC license classes click here.
| Class | Why | When | Duration | Location | Textbook | Prerequisite | instructor(s) | Min | Max | In Class | Register and Pay by | Exam date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Technician | 1st license | Tuesday nights 630 to 8:30pm | 10 weeks 09/15/2026 to 11/17/2026 | Classroom 2205 at Bon Air United Methodist Church | Ham Radio School Technician License Course at https://hamradioschool.square.site/ about $30 | Knowledge of electronics helpful but not required | Dave White-W4IIA | 4 | 15 | 09/11/26 | Free RARC 11/142026 | |
| General | 2nd license | Thursday nights 630 to 8:30pm | 5 weeks 10/1/2026 to 10/29/2026 | Classroom at Bon Air United Methodist Church | Ham Radio School General License Course at https://hamradioschool.square.site/ about $30 | Must pass Tech to take General license | Dave Stevens-WB4DES | 4 | 15 | 09/18/26 | Free RARC 11/142026 | |
| Extra | Top license | Spring 2027 | 10 weeks March to May 2027 | Zoom mentoring after self-study videos + on line texts | RARC hosted group special offer – $44.95+tax after instructor verification | Must pass General to take extra license | Ron Bolton-WU4G | 4 | 10 | NA | NA |
A FREE exam test, to get your license, will be on Saturday 5/9/26 at 10 AM at the
Chesterfield Library Bon Air Branch
9103 Rattlesnake Rd
North Chesterfield, VA 23235
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Tuition is $22
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Registration and payment is online at https://rarclub.net/fcc-license-class-registration/
Seminars
The seminars are described at https://rarclub.net/license/
Winter-Spring seminar dates are in this table. See each seminar below for its last registration date.
To register for any of the Seminars classes click here.
| Class | Why | When | Duration | Location | Prerequisites | instructor(s) | Min | Max | In Class | Register and Pay by | Exam date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antenna Modeling | Use of EZNEC | Thursday 9/17/2026 – 6:30 to 8:30pm | 1 meeting | Classroom 2205 at Bon Air United Methodist Church | Windows 10 or 11 laptop | Robert Orndorff, W4BNO | 4 | 15 | 09/11/2026 | ||
| CW-Morse Code | Beginner to advanced | See calendar https://longislandcwclub.org/events/ | Varies | Zoom | Computer with internet and a key | Long Island CW Club (LICW) | 1 | ∞ | na | ||
| DMR | Education | On demand – mailto:helpdesk@rats.net | As needed | Phone and in person | DMR radio | RATS DMR team | 1 | na | NA | ||
| DMR Dstar Fusion hot spot | How to build and configure MMDVM | Saturday 9/26/2026 9am to 2pm | 1 meeting | Classroom 2205 at Bon Air United Methodist Church | See list in https://rarclub.net/license/ | Michael Miller, KN4VA | 4 | 8 | 09/18/2026 | ||
| Radiosport & Contesting 101 | Using logging & contesting tools | Saturday morning - Date to be announced | 1 meeting | Classroom 2205 at Bon Air United Methodist Church | None | Ron Bolton WU4G & Lauren Ware W4LEW | 4 | 15 | NA | ||
| Remote Controlled Station | Setup & operation | Wednesdays 9/30/2026 & 10/7/2026 7 to 9pm | 2 meetings | Zoom | Must be RARC member to use station-Windows computer or Android device | Bruce MacAlister, W4BRU | 2 | 8 | 09/25/2026 | ||
| Soldering workshop | soldering techniques and practice | Saturday 10/24/2026 9am to 1pm | 1 meeting | Classroom 2205 at Bon Air United Methodist Church | $10 addition charge for supplies | Ron Bolton WU4G- Dave Stevens WB4DES- Armand Hamel WA1UQO - Bruce MacAlister W4BRU | 3 | 8 | 10/09/2026 | ||
| VMWare for Ham Radio | Setting up a workstation | Saturday 11/07/2026 9am to 1pm | 1 meeting | Classroom 2205 at Bon Air United Methodist Church | See list in https://rarclub.net/license/ | Michael Miller, KN4VA | 4 | 15 | 10/23/2026 |
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Tuition is $10 per seminar
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Registration and payment is online at https://rarclub.net/seminar-registration-form/
- News seminars: send a note to school@rarclub.net to suggest a new seminar you want taught
Notes:
- Minimums allow students to drop out when life gets in the way and still have enough students for a class.
- Maximums are the limits of the classroom size.
- Tuition covers supplies for the instructors and donations to the church that does not charge for club use.
Questions:
Send an email note to school@rarclub.net