Ham Radio Prep

Frequently Asked Questions

Ham Radio License FAQ

Ham Radio, or Amateur Radio, is good for communicating in your local community, across the world, and even outer space without the need for your phone, internet, or the electric grid. It’s for these reasons that Amateur Radio is popular amongst emergency responders, preppers, and folks looking to tinker around with radios.
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Well for one its the law. You don’t need a license to operate a CB radio, but you do need one for Ham Radio. The law also regulates what sort of power can go into a CB Radio vs. a Ham Radio. For example, the power of a Ham Radio can be almost 300x more powerful than CB radio and thus can reach far greater distances.

No! It is illegal to transmit (or talk) on an amateur radio without a license. Doing so will warrant a visit from the FCC as you’d be breaking the law. One important thing to note is you don’t need a license to listen to amateur radio.

The Technician Class Exam consists of 35 multiple choice questions with a minimum passing score of 74%. You can miss every single math question on the exam and still pass. The test covers a wide variety of topics like basic electrical theory, proper radio techniques, and the laws governing Amateur Radio.
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The FCC states that “An applicant must provide sufficient information for the FCC to determine whether there is new material and substantial question of fact regarding whether the applicant has the character qualifications to be a Commission licensee.”

Long story short its not a guarantee to be issued a license upon the successful completion of your license exam, but its worth a shot depending on your individual circumstances.

It depends. Typical starter radios like the BaoFeng UV-5R have a range of about 5 miles without the use of local repeaters. When you are able to connect one of these little handheld radios to a repeater, you vastly increase the range by hundreds of miles.

If you’re using an HF radio, and have a General Class license, you can regularly talk 500+ miles or more with a simple set up.

The simple answer: YES. The FCC released a public notice on April 30, 2020 confirming that amateur radio license exams may be held remotely. Check out our complete guide on online testing to learn more.

The FCC charges a standard $35 fee to file your license. Additionally, most testing centers charge about $10 to sit and take the exam. One important thing to note however is that you can take multiple exams at the same time. For example, if you passed your Technician exam, you’d be able to sit for your General exam for no extra charge. Because of this a lot of folks tend to study for multiple exams at the same time to save money.
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No! Morse code was eliminated from all license exams in 2007 by the FCC as a testing requirement. Most new operators, however, tend to learn CW (morse code) anyways as its another fun way to test out the hobby.
  1. Two forms of identification, including at least one photo ID, such as a driver’s license or employer’s identity card.

  2. Your Social Security number or FRN (You can obtain a Federal Registration Number on the FCCs website)

  3. A couple of #2 Pencils (mechanical is fine)

  4. A calculator (optional)

What Is Ham Radio Good For?

Ham Radio, or Amateur Radio, is good for communicating in your local community, across the world, and even outer space without the need for your phone, internet, or the electric grid. It’s for these reasons that Amateur Radio is popular amongst emergency responders, preppers, and folks looking to tinker around with radios.
Learn more

What is the Range of Ham Radio?

It depends. Typical starter radios like the BaoFeng UV-5R have a range of about 5 miles without the use of local repeaters. When you are able to connect one of these little handheld radios to a repeater, you vastly increase the range by hundreds of miles.

If you’re using an HF radio, and have a General Class license, you can regularly talk 500+ miles or more with a simple set up.

What is the Difference Between CB Radio and Ham Radio?

Well for one its the law. You don’t need a license to operate a CB radio, but you do need one for Ham Radio. The law also regulates what sort of power can go into a CB Radio vs. a Ham Radio. For example, the power of a Ham Radio can be almost 300x more powerful than CB radio and thus can reach far greater distances.

Can You Take Your Ham Radio License Online?

The simple answer: YES. The FCC released a public notice on April 30, 2020 confirming that amateur radio license exams may be held remotely. Check out our complete guide on online testing to learn more.

Can I use Ham Radio Without a License?

No! It is illegal to transmit (or talk) on an amateur radio without a license. Doing so will warrant a visit from the FCC as you’d be breaking the law. One important thing to note is you don’t need a license to listen to amateur radio.

How Much Does Your Ham Radio License Cost?

The FCC charges a standard $35 fee to file your license. Additionally, most testing centers charge about $10 to sit and take the exam. One important thing to note however is that you can take multiple exams at the same time. For example, if you passed your Technician exam, you’d be able to sit for your General exam for no extra charge. Because of this a lot of folks tend to study for multiple exams at the same time to save money.
Learn More

What Type of Questions Are On the Ham Radio Exam?

The Technician Class Exam consists of 35 multiple choice questions with a minimum passing score of 74%. You can miss every single math question on the exam and still pass. The test covers a wide variety of topics like basic electrical theory, proper radio techniques, and the laws governing Amateur Radio.
Learn More

Do I Need to Learn Morse Code?

No! Morse code was eliminated from all license exams in 2007 by the FCC as a testing requirement. Most new operators, however, tend to learn CW (morse code) anyways as its another fun way to test out the hobby.

Can Someone With a Criminal Record Get a Ham Radio License?

The FCC states that “An applicant must provide sufficient information for the FCC to determine whether there is new material and substantial question of fact regarding whether the applicant has the character qualifications to be a Commission licensee.”

Long story short its not a guarantee to be issued a license upon the successful completion of your license exam, but its worth a shot depending on your individual circumstances.

What Do I Need to Bring With Me To Take the Exam?

  1. Two forms of identification, including at least one photo ID, such as a driver’s license or employer’s identity card.
  2. Your Social Security number or FRN (You can obtain a Federal Registration Number on the FCCs website)
  3. A couple of #2 Pencils (mechanical is fine)
  4. A calculator (optional)

Get ready for your exam with Ham Radio Prep! Check out our courses:

Level 1

Technician License Course

Technician License Course (Level 1)
Level 2

General License Course

General License Course (Level 2)
Level 3

Amateur Extra License Course

Extra License Course (Level 2)

Our #1 mission here at Ham Radio Prep is to advance the art of amateur radio and to keep the history of it alive and thriving as well. We want to pave the way for an even brighter future for all of those interested in Ham Radio for many years to come!

Reminder: It is illegal to transmit on amateur radio frequencies without an FCC license. Always follow FCC regulations when operating on amateur radio.

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