Ham Radio Licensing
Undisputed King of Emergency Communications
Amateur Radio is a fun and rewarding hobby, that can also be used to serve your community and help provide critical communications in the event of an emergency. Getting licensed is your key to success.
Amateur radio has been around for over 100 years with the first formal list of stations (call signs) produced in 1909. Radio enthusiasts have made significant contributions to science, engineering, industry and social services. Research by operators has founded new industries and saved lives in time of emergency. Understanding radio and basic electronics (goes hand in hand) is a great skill to learn and a fun way to be involved.
Why is Amateur Radio Considered the Undisputed King of Emergency Communications?
It is easy to run and frequently tested on backup or emergency power
Ease of use for both local and long-distance communications
Does not require external infrastructure for use
Licensing is easy and inexpensive
The equipment is flexible and powerful
After the equipment there are no additional costs (subscriptions fees for example)
3 levels of licensing, Technician, General and Extra, testing is easy, and all the test questions are readily available
Where Do I Start?
This is a very common question. One of the great things about the hobby is that there are so many aspects of it and information is readily available. This is also a problem, as it can lead to the question of where to start. A first easy step is to take a Technician level licensing class, which will introduce you to the language of Amateur Radio, get you started on some basic concepts and point you in the right direction for your interests and getting licensed.
What Can I Do with Amateur Radio?
Local and long-distance voice and data communication, without the use of the internet
Make contacts around the world
Contact the International Space Station (ISS)
Use Amateur Radio Satellites
Bounce signals off the Moon
Build your own equipment
Really the sky (or space) is the limit depending on what you want to do, which makes it such a fun and rewarding hobby.
July 20th Start
Licensing Classes
The next Technician Licensing class will be held in July. Watch this space for details, click the contact button to get your name on the mailing list for future classes.
Resources
ARRL.org is a great resource to get started (click the logo to go to the site
Hamstudy.org is a great place to get test material
Technician Class
5th Edition
Question Pool good to June 30, 2026
General Class
10th Edition
Question Pool good to June 30, 2027
Extra Class
13th Edition
Question Pool good to June 30, 2028