Are you going for your amateur radio technician license?
Congrats! You’re about to dive into an incredible hobby that will grow with you for years to come. When I decided to get my license, I honestly had no idea where to start, so I did what most people do when searching for information: I turned to Google (and YouTube).
I wasn’t sure whether to buy a study book, pay for an online course, or just watch YouTube videos. I ended up browsing forums, reading reviews on test prep materials, and checking out blogs from others who shared their study experiences. Unsurprisingly, everyone seemed to have a different approach, which makes sense—people learn in different ways. That’s why I want to preface this by saying: this method might not work for everyone, but it worked for me.
Main Study Activity: Ham Radio Crash Course
While I used to be an avid reader, I’ve found that spending too much time on social media has made it harder for me to focus on traditional study methods (something I need to work on). Plus, a lot of the test prep books out there resemble dry textbooks… yawn. So, where did I turn?
I had already been watching Josh over at Ham Radio Crash Course on YouTube and stumbled across his playlist specifically for the technician exam. Jackpot! The playlist includes 10 videos, each covering a different section of the test. What I loved most was that he focused only on the correct answers—because honestly, who needs to go over the wrong ones? This approach helped me memorize the answers quickly.
Josh does explain some of the concepts behind certain questions, but not all. If you’re looking for a deep dive into every topic, this playlist might not be the right fit. But if your goal is to pass the exam efficiently, it’s an excellent resource.
Applying and Practicing: HamStudy.org
After going through the playlist a few times, I moved on to HamStudy.org, which is a fantastic all-in-one platform for exam prep. The site lets you scroll through the question pool or use “study mode,” where you’re presented with questions and can immediately see whether you got them right or wrong. You can also flip the question cards to read detailed explanations.
When you’re ready, you can take practice tests. My favorite feature is the progress chart, which shows how well you’re performing in each exam section. If you notice you’re struggling in a particular area, you can revisit the Ham Radio Crash Course playlist and focus on that section.
Wait a Second—You Just Memorized the Test?
Basically, yes. Some might argue that you should truly learn the material before taking the exam, and while I agree to an extent, memorizing the test questions is the most efficient way to pass.
You could spend months reading books packed with rules, regulations, and technical details, but focusing on the exact test questions is what will help you succeed. Once you’re licensed, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the hobby and learn the deeper material as you go.
I’ve noticed that no ham knows everything—this hobby is a lifelong learning process. My advice? Pass the test first, then start learning by doing. After all, you can’t operate a radio without a license, and hands-on experience is one of the best ways to learn. Just be sure you have at least a base understanding before you key that mic, especially the applicable laws.
The Test
Once you’re consistently scoring 80% or higher on practice tests, you’re ready for the real thing. If you want to feel extra confident, keep practicing until you’re comfortable.
Next, find a local test group. Most radio clubs offer testing sessions, which are administered by volunteer examiners (VEs). Some charge a small fee to cover materials, but others, like my local club, may offer free testing.
Be sure to bring:
- A calculator (smartphones usually aren’t allowed).
- Scratch paper and a pencil.
- Your FCC FRN number (you’ll need to set this up before the test).
- A copy of your driver’s license.
The test itself is straightforward if you’ve prepared. All the questions will be familiar, and if you’re unsure about an answer, leave it blank and come back to it—you might find clues in other questions.
Once you’ve completed your test, the VEs will grade it on the spot. My group even handed out a signed form showing I had passed, which was a nice touch.
The Wait Begins
After the testing session the lead VE will send in all of the paperwork to the FCC. The FCC will process it and send you an email to pay your $35 application fee. For me, this happened the very next day. I took the test at 6:00pm and had the payment email in my inbox at 8:00am the next morning. Once you pay that fee you’ll wait for it to go through, then the FCC will grant your license and send you an email with a link to it. They used to send out a physical copy, but I guess a couple of years back they switched to digital. This process took about 24 hours for me. I submitted my payment at around 8:30-9am and got my license the next morning around the same time.
I was excited to get my license like a lot of people and checked the FCC website probably 100 times over the 48 hours it took me to get my license in hand. In hindsight, that was unnecessary. The FCC will email you, I promise. It doesn’t help that their website is ancient and requires you to get a code emailed to you to log in making it even harder than just refreshing over and over. You do you though! When I go for my general I’m just going to wait it out and save myself the hassle.
Now What?
Get out there and get on the air! If you don’t have a radio now is the time to start doing some research (or do it while you’re waiting for that sweet sweet FCC email). I would also take some time to watch some YouTube videos about different parts of amateur radio to see what you may be interested in. Is it satellites? Digital mode? How about making your own antennas or coding your own software to interface with your radio? There are so many possibilities. Answering this question can also help you decide on what radio(s) you need. Why not start studying for your general while you’re at it?
If you have any questions about the test or anything I mentioned on this page please don’t hesitate to reach out at KF8DEF@gmail.com or I would also suggest you join the Ham Radio Crash Course Discord. That was my first stop when trying to find an online community that I could ask questions in. There are tons of people in there that know way more than I do AND they do online exams if you find it hard locating an in-person exam near you which is pretty cool.
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