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Privileges Allowed With An Extra Amateur Radio License

admin — Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

The Amateur Extra license is the highest class of Amateur radio license given out by the FCC. In order to qualify for this license, you will either have to upgrade your license from the General class license by passing a timed 50 question multiple-choice test concentrating on advanced radio theory, electronics design, and High Frequency radio operations or you will need to take and pass the 35 question Technician’s license test and the 35 question General class license test before taking the 50 question advanced test. After you pass the Extra exam with a score of 70% or better, then you will be granted all of the privileges allowed to the Extra class, which is access to work all of the frequencies allowed to the amateur radio operators by the FCC and a shorter callsign. While that might not sound like very much of a reward to you, Ham radio operators know that the HF bands are always crowded with chatter. So getting more frequencies to broadcast on that aren’t available to the General class license or below is really a valued reward. The 3 letter / 1 number callsign of the Extra license is a status symbol among hams.

Privileges Allowed With A General Amateur Radio License

admin — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

The General Class amateur radio license is the intermediate grade of license granted by the FCC for passing Elements 2 and 3 of their written exams. On air operating privileges for the General Class ham cover the bulk of available frequencies with only a few minor segments reserved for Extra Class license holders.

General have full operating privileges on the entire 160, 30, 17, 12 and 10 meter amateur radio bands and all but small 25 kHz segments on the 80, 40, 20 and 15 meter bands. These exceptions are an incentive to upgrade from the General Class license and provide access to exclusive CW, SSB and DX portions of these bands.

All grades of license enjoy unrestricted access to the full VHF and UHF frequencies, which include the popular two-meter FM voice band. Many hams find the General Class license provides all they need to enjoy the ham radio hobby.
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Basics of Amateur Ham Radio Licenses Around The World

admin — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Amateur, or Ham Radio, is a hobby that is enjoyed by enthusiasts around the world. To be involved in amateur radio, one has to have a license. Coordinated worldwide by the International Telecommunications Union, amateur radio is governed by individual countries. Licensing, technical and operational issues and call signs are regulated by the operator’s home country. Those that want to become ham radio operators have to study the basics of electronics and the nation’s telecommunications regulations in regards to radio operations. Then to get a license, one has to pass a test.

Testing is given in many localities in the US, Canada, and Japan. Here, licenses are given in progressive levels: Technician class, General Class and Amateur Extra Class. In the UK and Australia, potential operators must take a course for practical knowledge and then pass a written test. Some countries only offer testing once or twice a year. Some countries, such as Iran, require security approval, which may be difficult to get. Licensing of citizens is currently not possible in Yemen and North Korea. Studies can begin online. The best way to start the process is to check with a licensed operator in one’s nation or contact a local Amateur Radio Club.

Privileges Allowed With A Technician With Morse Code License

admin — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0000

There have been several changes in amateur radio license requirements over the years, and at one time all license levels required some proficiency in Morse code. In the United States, none of the three levels of amateur radio license requires a Morse code test. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which licenses hams in the United States, dropped the Morse code requirements in 2007 in order to comply with International Telecommunication Union radio regulations. After the Morse code requirements were abandoned, applications for amateur radio licenses increased.

While it is no longer necessary to know Morse code to obtain an amateur radio license, there are benefits to learning how to use it.The whole story can be found at http://www.beadinggem.com/2012/03/make-morse-code-name-or-word-necklace.html Knowing Morse code will increase your ability to use your radio operation to participate in activities such as moon bouncing and communicating with hams across long distances, or DXing. In the event of a natural disaster or terrorist attack when some amateur radio bands may be unavailable and cell phone and other communications systems could fail entirely, Morse code may be the best way to for hams to communicate. Morse code can be heard through static and interference and across long distances much better than voice communication. Amateur radio operators use many abbreviations, such as the well-known SOS, to communicate via Morse code. Knowing those abbreviations and the code will allow you to communicate with hams all over the world without having to learn another language.

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Privileges Which Are Allowed With A Technician Radio License

admin — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0000

The technician radio license is the entry level license for amateur radio operators, known as ham radio operators. In order to obtain the license an applicant must pass an exam administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which includes operating practices, electronic theory focusing on UHF and VHF applications, and basic regulations. Once the exam is completed certain privileges will be afforded the technician radio operator.

The licensed technician is allowed to operate radio rated above 30 MHz. The very popular two meter band is also included in this certification. This band is popular because it is small and can be handheld, allowing the operator to stay in touch with other operators in their area.Want more? Click here{{/tag} The technician will also be allowed to operate digital packet, also known as computers. Television and single sideband are also modes that are included in the license. In addition, the technician will have privileges on certain HF frequencies including the 80, 40, and 15 meter bands. The 10 meter band can be accessed as well using CW, digital, and voice modes. International contact may also be made via satellite.

These privileges will allow the amateur radio operator the practice that is needed to move on to higher levels of licensing.

Basic Of Amateur Ham Radio Equipment, Supplies And Accessories

admin — Tue, 29 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

If a person is thinking about getting into the amateur ham radio hobby, then it is helpful to research a bit on the equipment needed to start with. Sometimes, a good starting point is to acquire a short wave radio receiver. With this inexpensive start, a person can listen in on a variety of ham radio frequencies. This will give insight into the communications that are ongoing in the ham radio community. Going to the next level requires more equipment and training. If a person wants to transmit as well as receive they will need to obtain a license. A ham radio operating license, for operators in the USA, is issued by the Federal Communications Commission or (FCC). There are study guides available which a person can study before taking the required test. Several licenses are available. The beginner can start with a Novice license. The power output and frequencies are reduced for this license. A transceiver will be needed. This radio equipment has a receiver and transmitter build into one unit. A feed line and antenna complete the basic system. The feed line conducts the radio signal back and forth between the receiver and antenna. The antenna is where the radio waves are conveyed.

Amateur Ham Radio Exam Courses Available Online And Locally

admin — Sat, 26 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

People are required to take the amateur ham radio exam if they never possessed a ham license, their license has expired past the grace period, if they have a pre-1987 technician license or have a license from another country.

Online test sites should offer exams for several classes of operation. They should offer Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advance and Extra. Each class carries different privileges to perform certain tasks. The Technician license is the one used by operators of local communications and gives the holder the privilege of VHF and UHF. The General license is necessary for emergency communications.The full explanation can be found at http://queerlandia.com/2012/01/30/ham-radio-operator-gay-theres-a-club-for-that/ The courses should cover regulations, operation practices, propagations and antennas. The exams should increase in level of complexity with each class of operator. Most online classes use multimedia materials to prepare students for the tests.

Taking a test in person is better for the first time ham operator. Students need the ability to communicate with teachers on difficult questions. You can contact an amateur radio club in your area for the location and time of tests. If you lack a radio club you can look online. There are websites with zip code locators that can tell you the closest test sites.