Ham
Exams
What's going on with the impending elimination of the Morse Code exams?
Effective February 23, a demonstrated proficiency in Morse will no longer be a
requirement for any license class. This will change several aspects of the exams
and the exam process. You can find the answers to many of your questions in an
ARRL mailing to all ARRL VEs here.
This FAQ has been modified to eliminate references to the Morse Code test, as
there will be no such requirement at our next exam session. However, please be
aware that the old rules still apply until February 23 if you are taking an exam
elsewhere.
Welcome to the Mountain
Amateur Radio Club's web page for prospective and upgrading hams. The Volunteer
Examiner program was created by the Federal Communications Commission to permit
specially trained ham radio operators, who donate their time, to administer the
amateur radio exams that applicants are required to pass in order to become a
ham themselves or to upgrade their license class. The Mountain Amateur Radio
Club is one of several ham organizations in the area affiliated with the Laurel
Amateur radio Club VEC. This site attempts to provide answers to those questions
frequently asked of us by those unfamiliar with the VE program and our exam
sessions. Be aware that some of the information presented here is specific to
our particular program .
·
How do I
become a ham?
Before you can legally operate
an amateur station, you need to be licensed by the FCC to do so. To get such a
license, you must pass a comprehensive written exam to ensure you are
knowledgeable enough about the rules of ham radio to be a competent operator.
·
Tell me
more about these license classes and the tests necessary to obtain them...
There are currently three
levels of licensing: TECHNICIAN, GENERAL, and EXTRA. Each class has associated
with it a written test. The written tests are multiple choice exams consisting
of either 35 or 50 questions each. To obtain a TECHNICIAN class license, now the
entry level license, one must pass a single written exam. To obtain the
mid-level class, GENERAL, one may either upgrade from the Technician class,
which requires passing a more difficult written test, or the applicant may pass
all the Technician and General elements at one or more sittings. Obtaining the
license class with the most privileges, EXTRA, is done in a similar manner, with
the Extra class written exam being the most difficult test offered.
The complete question pools
from which the test questions are taken are published and are widely available.
The questions cover the rules pertaining to ham radio, theory, and things like
safety and good operating practice. None of these tests are trivial, and it is
unlikely they can be passed without the candidate committing to a dedicated
program of study beforehand. But, don't let the need for study dissuade you:
We've had 8-year-olds and 80-year-olds who have passed these tests with flying
colors.
·
OK, so how do I prepare for the exams?
Google
is your friend here. There are many web sites where you can find the current
question pools and sample test engines. Or you can go the ARRL web site, http://www.arrl.org,
and click on the Licensing tab to get started. You can find ham radio study
guides at many local bookstores. You may also wish to order a study guide from
the ARRL or Gordon West Publications.
·
I think
I'm ready to take an exam. Now what?
You need to find an exam
session. In the Cumberland tri-state area, you can call K3UEZ at 301-729-2544 or
email
·
Is their
a cost associated with these exams
Is anything free anymore?
Fortunately, yes. Taking the exams given by the LARC VEC are at no cost
· Unfortunately, I've read this far and still have a question...
We'd be happy to address it
personally. You can either drop us an email at [email protected] or contact us
by phone. Our team's applicant point-of-contact is William Tucker. He may also
be reached at 301-729-2544
·
Just curious: Tell me more about the Mountain Amateur Radio Club.
Feel free to visit our web
page at hamtalk.org to learn more
about the club.
Thanks for your interest in
ham radio and MARC sponsored VE sessions. Good luck with your studies and
your exams!
on your internet browser.
