Unlocking the Airwaves: How to Get Started with Ham Radio

Have you been curious about getting your ham radio license but feel intimidated by the process? I’ve been there. After two attempts at my Technician and General licenses and finally acing my Extra exam, I’ve learned exactly what works (and what doesn’t). This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get your ham radio license without the frustration I experienced along the way.

What You’ll Learn in This Guide

Why getting licensed is absolutely worth your time
The different license classes and which one to aim for first
My recommended study resources that actually work
How to find and register for exam sessions
What to expect on exam day
Money-saving tips for taking multiple exams
Next steps after you get your callsign

Why I Decided to Get My Ham Radio License (And Why You Should Too)

Let me be honest – I didn’t wake up one day and think, “I should become a ham radio operator!” Like many people, my journey started with a mixture of curiosity and practical concerns. I wanted a reliable way to communicate during emergencies when cell networks might be down, but I soon discovered ham radio is so much more than just emergency communications.

Ham radio connects you with a vibrant, helpful community of operators around the world. It’s a blend of technology, communication skills, community service, and even adventure when you start participating in activities like POTA (Parks On The Air) or Field Day. Plus, there’s something undeniably cool about having a conversation with someone across the country or even across the world using equipment you understand and can troubleshoot yourself.

Understanding Ham Radio License Classes

Before diving into study tips, it’s important to understand the license structure in the United States. The FCC authorizes three amateur radio license classes:

Technician Class – The entry-level license that gives you access to all amateur bands above 50 MHz and limited privileges on HF bands.
General Class – Mid-level license with significantly expanded HF privileges, allowing worldwide communications.
Amateur Extra Class – The highest level with full privileges on all amateur bands and frequencies.

Each license requires passing a written exam with multiple-choice questions drawn from a published question pool. And here’s something important to know: these question pools rotate on a regular schedule.

As of April 2025, the current question pool validity dates are:

Technician Class (Element 2): July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2026
General Class (Element 3): July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2027
Amateur Extra Class (Element 4): July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2024 (Note: A new pool will be implemented soon!)

My #1 Recommendation: Go for General Right Away

Here’s a pro tip: prepare for both your Technician AND General exams at the same time.

Why? Let me explain:

The question pools are somewhat related, with General building on Technician concepts
You can take multiple exam elements in a single session for little or no additional cost
General class privileges are SIGNIFICANTLY better than Technician
You’ll be able to fully participate in Field Day, POTA, and other HF activities right from the start

I initially only studied for my Technician license, but realized how limited my operating privileges would be. I couldn’t do many of the activities that had drawn me to ham radio in the first place! I knew I wanted to participate in HF activities so I went for both right off the bat.

The Study Resources That Actually Worked For Me

There are countless study materials out there, but after trying many of them, here are the ones that made the difference for me:

HamStudy App: My Secret Weapon

The HamStudy app was absolutely instrumental in my success, especially for passing my Extra exam on the first try. The app uses a proven spaced-repetition system that helps you learn and retain information efficiently.

What worked for me was using it consistently until I reached an aptitude level of 80-90% for the question pool. At that point, I knew I was ready for the exam. The app tracks your progress on each question and focuses on your weak areas. It also explains the “why” behind each answer, which helped me actually understand the material rather than just memorizing answers.

YouTube: Learn From the Pros

Two YouTube channels were game-changers for my understanding:

W4EEY offers excellent explanations of technical concepts in an approachable way. They often offer a license class over Zoom which is usually also streamed to YouTube.
Ham Radio Crash Course with Josh (KI6NAZ) provides practical demonstrations and real-world applications

Watching these channels helped concepts click in a way that reading alone never did. Josh’s enthusiasm is contagious, and his explanations made complex ideas feel accessible.

ARRL License Manuals

While online resources are great, I still found value in having the official ARRL license manuals. They provide comprehensive coverage of all exam material and serve as excellent references even after you’re licensed.

Finding and Registering for Exam Sessions

Once you feel prepared (aiming for that 80-90% consistent score on practice exams), it’s time to find an exam session. Here are the main options:

In-Person Exams

ARRL Exam Search
Laurel VEC (often offers free testing)

Remote Exam Options

Remote exams became popular during the pandemic and remain a convenient option, especially if you live far from testing locations.

Exam Tools remote ham radio license test

My Personal Experience: Learning From Failure

Let me share something that might make you feel better about your own journey: I failed my first attempts at both Technician and General exams. Yep, despite studying what I thought was “enough,” I wasn’t adequately prepared.

What changed? I stopped passively reading and started active learning. I used HamStudy religiously, took practice exams until I could consistently score well above passing, and watched videos to fill knowledge gaps. For my Extra exam, I reached that 80-90% aptitude level on HamStudy before scheduling my test, and passed on the first try.

Don’t get discouraged if you struggle initially. This isn’t about being “smart enough” – it’s about finding the right study methods and putting in consistent effort.

Exam Day: What to Expect

Whether testing in-person or remotely, here’s what you’ll need:

Identification – A government-issued photo ID
Payment – Typically $15 per session (though some sessions, especially through Laurel VEC, are free)
FRN Number – Get this from the FCC before your exam to avoid using your SSN
Basic supplies – Pencil, calculator (if allowed), and any permitted reference materials

For remote exams, you’ll also need:

A computer with webcam
Stable internet connection
A clean desk area that you can show to the examiners
The ability to screen share

During the exam, you’ll answer multiple-choice questions:

35 questions for Technician
35 questions for General
50 questions for Extra

The passing score for each is 74% (26/35 for Tech/General, 37/50 for Extra).

The Money-Saving Hack: Multiple Exams in One Session

Here’s where my advice about preparing for multiple elements comes in. Most exam sessions allow you to take additional elements at little or no extra cost if you pass the preceding exam. This means:

Pay for your Technician exam
Pass it
Immediately take the General exam (often at no additional charge)
If you pass General and feel ambitious, you could even attempt Extra

This approach saved me money when I finally took my Extra exam. I only paid one session fee instead of scheduling and paying for a separate session.

After You Pass: Getting On The Air

Congratulations! You passed your exam(s). Now what?

Wait for your callsign to appear in the FCC database (typically 1-14 days)
Complete the FCC registration and pay the $35 fee (required since 2021)
Start with simple equipment – a handheld dual-band radio is perfect for beginners
Join local clubs and nets to practice and learn from experienced operators
Consider activities like POTA, Field Day, or contesting to build skills

Why Getting Your General Class License Makes All The Difference

Let me emphasize again why pushing for at least your General license is so important. With just a Technician license, you’re primarily limited to VHF/UHF bands, which means mostly local communications through repeaters.

With General, suddenly the world opens up:

Access to most HF bands where global communication happens
Ability to participate in worldwide contests
Full participation in Field Day operations
POTA and SOTA activations on nearly all bands
Emergency communications capabilities regardless of local infrastructure

My ham radio experience transformed completely once I upgraded to General. What was primarily a local hobby became global, and the learning opportunities expanded exponentially.

My Final Piece of Advice

Don’t rush the process, but don’t procrastinate either. Set a target exam date that gives you enough time to thoroughly prepare, then stick to a consistent study schedule. I found that 15-30 minutes of focused study daily was far more effective than cramming for hours right before the exam.

And remember – the licensing exam is just the beginning. The real learning happens once you get on the air and start making contacts. Every experienced ham operator started exactly where you are now, and most are incredibly willing to help newcomers.

So what are you waiting for? Download HamStudy, set a goal date, and take the first step toward joining this amazing community. I can’t wait to hear your callsign on the air!

Have questions about getting your ham radio license? Drop them in the comments below, and I’ll do my best to answer them from my own experience or connect you with resources that can help!