Amateur Radio
Technician Exam
Preparation Course
1
Amateur Radio Technician
Exam Prep Course
Module 1
Welcome to Amateur Radio
1.1 What is Amateur Radio
1.2 The FCC and Licensing
1.3 Amateur Radio Activities
1.4 Getting Your Ham Radio License
2
Introductions
• Instructor
• Dudley White
• Callsign W4CKP
• UVa BSEE 1976, MEEE 1977; SMU 1977 – 1979 (DEEE); UVa PhD 1979 - 1981
(ABD)
• TI 1977 – 1979 (TS Navy), TASC 1981 – 1987 (Intelligence), Zeta Associates
(1987 – 2018)
• Students
• Name, phone, E-mail (pass around signup)
3
Instructors’ Expectations
• Classes 6pm – 7pm, Tuesdays, 10/8 – 12/3 (9 classes, 9 modules)
• Could do a different time, or twice/week
• May be some exceptions
• End of classes 12/6
• SEAS Exams 12/9 – 12/17
• Next amateur radio proctored exam at PVCC 12/14
• Instructor will be prepared for each topic
• Students should attend consistently
• Weekly lesson slides will be put on Discord
4
Recommended action items for students
• Register with the FCC, login, and get your FRN
• Needed to take exam (bring documentation with you)
• [Link]
• Associate user name to FRN
• Amateur (HA) new license fee $35 – PRAM
• Will be assigned a call sign
• Join ARRL (American Radio Relay League)
• [Link]
• Join AARC (Albermarle Amateur Radio Club)
• [Link]
• Get a copy of the ARRL Ham Radio License Manual (for Technician)
5
Course Overview
1. Welcome to Amateur Radio 6. Communicating With Other
2. Radio and Signals Hams
Fundamentals 7. Licensing Regulations
3. Electricity, Components, and 8. Operating Regulations
Circuits 9. Safety
4. Propagation, Antennas, and 10. Examination time (what you
Feed Lines may not know)!
5. Amateur Radio Equipment
6
Let’s Get Started
• Our goal during this class is for each of you to achieve the Technician
class Amateur Radio license!
• The license will authorize you to operate an Amateur Radio (ham
radio) transmitter.
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What is Amateur Radio?
• Amateur (or Ham) Radio is a personal radio service authorized by the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
• To encourage the advancement of the art and science of radio
• To promote the development of an emergency communication capability to
assist communities when needed
• To develop a pool of trained radio operators
• To promote international goodwill by connecting private citizens in countries
around the globe
• Through ham radio, you will become an ambassador for your
community and your country
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More About Amateur Radio …
• The Amateur Radio Service is governed by Part 97 of the FCC Rules
and Regulations *
• Anyone can be a ham radio operator, there is no age limit
• Amateur Radio operators cannot accept payment of any type for
operating their radio, whether money or other goods or services **
* The exact reference is “Title 47 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 97” or 47 CFR Part 97
** What if I want to get paid! You can … get a Commercial Radio Operator License …
[Link]
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What Do Hams Do?
• Communicate
• Experiment
• Build
• Compete
• Serve their communities
• Engage in lifelong learning
10
What Makes Ham Radio Different?
• There are many unlicensed radio services available (FRS, GMRS, etc.)
• Amateur Radio is very flexible…
• Fewer restrictions
• More frequencies (channels or bands)
• More power (to improve range and quality)
• More ways to communicate
• It’s FREE to operate your radio!
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With More Privileges Comes More Responsibility
• Ham Radios are much more capable and have the potential of
interfering with other radio services
• Ham radios have unlimited reach, they easily reach around the globe
and into space
• FCC authorization is required to ensure the operator is qualified to
operate safely, legally and appropriately – this is why you are here
12
Steps To Obtaining Your License
• Study the material in the Ham Radio License manual (make sure you
have the current edition)
• Review the question pool (back of the book)
• Take practice exams
• [Link]/examreview
• [Link]
• Practice a proctored 35 question multiple choice test
• Questions pulled directly from the question pool
• Need to answer 26 questions correctly (miss 9)
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END OF MODULE 1
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