Ham Radio Guides

Guides and resources curated to help you in your amateur radio journey.

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It's easy to get started with ham radio.

Why Do You Need a Ham Radio License?

How To Get Your Ham Radio License

Can You Take the Ham Radio License Test Online?

Level 1: Technician License Course Free Lesson

Why Do You Need a Ham Radio License?

How To Get Your Ham Radio License

Can you take the ham radio test online?

Level 1: Technician License Course Free Lesson

Getting Licensed

Everything you need to get your ham radio license.

Best Way To Study For Your Ham Radio License

In this ham radio study guide, we discuss the benefits and why an online course is the best way to study for your ham radio license exam.

Ham Radio Licenses: Which is right for you?

Here are the different types of ham radio licenses and the privileges you receive when you get licensed as a technician, general or amateur extra licensee.

How To Get Your Ham Radio License

How can you finally get your ham radio license? It’s easier than you think. Follow these 3 steps to finally get your license and get started in ham radio.

Can You Take the Ham Radio License Test Online?

The FCC released a public note confirming that ham radio license test session may be held remote / online.

Why Do You Need a Ham Radio License?

Wondering if you should get a ham radio license? Here are the top reasons why every American should get an amateur radio license.

10 Hardest Questions on Technician License Exam

These are some of the hardest questions on the FCC Ham Radio Technician License Exam that most people get wrong.

Renew Your Ham Radio License

Ham radio licenses are good for ten years, but it’s easy to forget to renew your license. Fortunately, renewing a license is easy to do.

Schedule Your Exam: Online or In-Person

Here is how you can schedule your amateur radio license exam – online or on-site. Let’s get you your amateur radio license!

Find an Exam Near You

Find an Ham Radio License Exam near you using our tool. Taking the in-person exam is the last step to get your ham radio license. Search now!

How Many Questions Are on The Ham Radio Test?

How many questions should you expect on your amateur radio license exam?

About Ham Radio

Everything you have to know about ham radio.

What is Morse Code?

Less than 1 percent of the population can actually read Morse Code. That is because Morse code is used by only a percentage of amateur radio operators today.

Ham Radio Q Codes

On a local repeater, you’ll often hear someone use terms like QTH or QSY. These hams aren’t using some secret code; secret codes aren’t allowed on the ham bands. They’re using Q-signals.

Talking to Satellites on Ham Radio

One of the other cool things you can do with a Technician Class license is work the “birds,” otherwise known as amateur radio satellites.

What does '73' mean and why do ham radio operators say it?

At the end of a contact with a friend, most hams will call out a hearty “73.” So, what does ’73 mean’ and why do ham operators say it?

Ham Radio Call Signs

One of the things about amateur radio that non-hams find amusing is how we use our call signs to identify one another rather than our names. It makes sense, though, doesn’t it?

The Range of Ham Radio

One of the most frequent questions that new ham operators ask is, “How far can you talk on ham radio? One answer is “all around the world.”

The Different Types of Ham Radio Antennas

There are many different types of ham radio antennas out there and choosing the right one for your radio can make a big difference in how it performs.

These are the two most popular radio services in the US. There are significant differences between CB radio and ham radio, and knowing these differences will help you choose the one that’s right for you.

History of Ham Radio

Ham radio can be anything you want it to be. You can communicate over the airwaves much like amateurs did decades ago.

What is Ham Radio?

Ham radio operators use radio frequencies to communicate locally or around the world.

Ham Radio in Action

Learn how to use your ham radio and ways to use it.

APRS for Ham Radio

Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) is a digital communication system utilized by amateur radio operators to exchange messages and track locations utilizing GPS.

Winlink

Winlink allows hams to send email over radio frequencies.

GO Box Pi: Emergency Go Kit Guide

Few years ago, I received a SmartiPi-Touch case as a gift. It’s a case on a stand that houses a Raspberry Pi along with a 7 inch touchscreen.

Why you need a ham radio license to operate FPV Drones?

Learn about flying FPV drones and why you might need a ham radio license to fly one.

Ham Radio Guide for Disaster Prepping

Ham radio is there when emergency communication systems fail.

Ham Radio Emergency Communications Guide

One of the reasons ham radio exists is for emergency communication.

Choosing a Ham Radio

Pick up the right ham radio equipments for yourself.

The Best Handheld Ham Radios

We handpicked the best handheld ham radios. These are recommended and used by hundreds of ham radio operators across the nation.

Why you should consider a Baofeng Handheld for Ham Radio

Despite the controversy, it may be a perfect starter radio

News & Updates

Get the latest ham radio news and updates.

Did the Air Force shoot down a ham radio club’s balloon?

A balloon launched by an Illinois ham radio club might have been the balloon shot down over Canada recently by U.S. Air Force fighter jets.

Fourth Amendment Rights When You Get a Ham Radio License

You do not forfeit your Fourth Amendment right to unreasonable search and seizure by getting a ham radio license.

Congress introduces two bills to enhance Ham Radio experience

The US House of Representatives will have at least two proposals related to Amateur Radio to review in the 2023-2024 session.

LA Times declares that "If China declares war, these ham radio enthusiasts could be crucial"

In the face of a looming conflict with one of the largest global superpower’s, Taiwan’s citizens have been forced to prepare for the worst.

Ham Radio Prep Releases New Video Course for Technician License Exam 2022-2026

Ham Radio Prep releases a new video course covering the technician license exam questions that are updating starting on July 1st, 2022. The new questions will be valid through 2026.

Ham Radio Prep teams up with FliteTest crew for high-powered radio control video

Ham Radio Prep recently partnered with FliteTest in a video to promote the use of ham radio for high-powered hobby flights as well as the use of activities such as drones, technology, engineering and mathematics education.

Ham Radio Prep submits questions for next Technician class exam pool

Ham Radio Prep has submitted 25 suggested questions to the NCVEC, for use on the upcoming revision of the amateur radio Technician class examination pool set to go into effect next year.

When will the new $35 license fee take effect?

There has been a lot of confusion as a result of the Federal Communications Commission’s publication on March 19 in the Federal Register that the agency will begin charging for amateur radio licenses and vanity call signs.

Ham Radio Prep comments on the value of amateur radio for STEM education

Amateur radio is a valuable resource for the US, serving as a training ground for young people and providing communications assistance in the event of emergencies.

Ham Radio Prep Review

Ham Radio Prep is a cutting-edge FCC license exam study tool. Long gone are the days of buying a book and reading it five times, hoping you pass the FCC exam.