HAM Radio Technician Class

Licensing Course
Chapter 1

Welcome to Amateur Radio

Angee Baune AC0EW

Don Baune AC0EX
 Introductions
 Don & Angee Baune
 DNS Stake Emergency Communications Specialists
 Have been HAMs for about 3 years
 Extra Class License
 Why are you taking this course?
 What do you know about ham radio?
 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 a Amateur
(Ham) Radio transmitter
 Steps to obtaining your license
 Study the material in the Ham Radio License Manual
 Review the questions in the back of the book
 Take interactive practice exams
 Pass a proctored 35-question multiple choice test
 Questions pulled directly from the question pool
 Need to answer 26 questions correctly
 Code is no longer required for any class license
 Obtaining A License
 All Exams are given by ham radio operators who are
certified volunteer examiners (VE)

 After passing the exam you will receive a “Certificate of

Successful Completion of Examination” (CSCE)

 After all the necessary paperwork is filed, license is granted

by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

 Call Signs will be posted to the FCC Universal Licensing

System (ULS) approx 10 days after completion of the
exams

 Paper License will be mailed a few weeks after successful

completion of the exam
 Testing Process
 Bring two Forms of identification, including at least one photo ID,
such as driver’s license, passport, or employer’s ID Card

 Know your Social Security Number (SSN)

 Bring Pens and Pencils (some forms must be filled out in Pen, but it
is best to take the test in Pencil)

 Simple Calculator (if programmable must be ale to show that the

memory is blank, no PDAs are allowed)

 Test Fee (Currently $15)

 Technician Test takes 15-45 Minutes after registration is complete

 Upon completion the VE will immediately grade the exams

 Question Pool
 The Technician Level License question pool was last
updated July 1, 2006 and is expected to be replaced in
2010

 On-line exams are available to test your knowledge and

preparedness to take the exam.
 One site is www.qrz.com (sample test) look on the left side
mid way down
 Focus on test 1-14

 All questions are printed in the back of your “The

ARRL Ham Radio License Manual”
Getting your Amateur Radio License
 The Technician License
 First license for most newcomers to ham
 More Technician Class licensees than any other class, nearly 50% of all hams
 No Morse code exam is required
 General Class
 More Privileges on the traditional HF or “Short Wave” Bands
 Amateur Extra Class
 Highest License Class available
 Additional Privileges on the HR bands

License Class Test Number of Questions Privileges

Element
Designation
Technician 2 35 (passing grade is 26 correct) All VHF & UHF
privileges
General 3 35 (passing grade is 26 correct) All VHF & UHF and
most HF privileges
Amateur Extra 4 50 (passing grade is 37 correct) All amateur privileges
 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 good will by connecting private citizens in
countries around the globe

 Through ham radio, you will become an ambassador for your

community and your country
 What do hams do?
 Communicate
 Participate
 Experiment
 Build
 Compete
 Serve their communities
 Life-long learning
What makes ham radio different?
 There are many un-licensed radio services
available
 Ham radio is authorized:
 Less restrictions
 More frequencies (channels or bands to utilize)
 More power (to improve range and quality)
 More ways to communicate
 It’s free to operate your radio
What Makes Amateur Radio Different
 Lots of other types of Radios
 Citizen’s Band
 Handheld FRS/GMRS “walkabouts”
 Marine Radio for boaters

 Amateur Radio provides a much larger variety of radio options

 Amateurs are forbidden from receiving compensation for their activities

Service Channels Intended use Range

Citizens Band (CB) 40 Private/business 10+ miles

Marine VHF 50 Maritime 20+ miles
Family Radio Service (FRS) 22 Personal 2 miles
Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS) 5 Personal 5+ Miles
 What is Amateur Radio
 Amateur Radio or “ham” radio is the most powerful
communications service available to private citizens anywhere on
Earth

 Amateur Radio is a recognized national asset, providing trained

operators, technical specialists and emergency communications

 Activities
 Technology and Science of Radio
 Competitive Events and Award Programs
 Support Emergency Relief efforts
 Keep in touch with family and friends
 Ham Radio Groups
 ARRL
 Public Service (ARES)
 Advocacy – voice for Amateur radio
 Education – recruiting new amateurs
 Membership benefits

 Boulder Radio Club

 BARC jr. (Ages 6-18)

 Denver Radio Club

 Colorado Connection (repeater network)

 Longmont Radio Club

 Ham Radio Today
 Wireless data networks

 Position Reporting Systems

 Radio Based E-Mail

 Voice hop between Internet and radio links

 Handheld transceivers less powerful than a

flashlight
 Ham Radio Today
 Ham Stations on the International Space Station

 When disaster strikes hams respond quickly

 Public Safety Agencies
 Relief organizations (such as Red Cross)
 Provide communications for Parades, sporting events and
festivals

 Important Part of many Emergency Communications

Plans
 Including the DNS and LDS Regional, National & Worldwide
Plans
 Oct 19, 2006 -- Amateur Radio volunteers
scrambled to provide emergency communication
and assist with relief efforts after earthquakes on
the "Big Island" of Hawaii. The initial jolt of the so-
called "Kona Earthquake" just after 7 AM local
time rousted many residents from sleep; another
followed soon after. Widespread power outages
as well as structural and highway damage
resulted throughout the Hawaiian Islands.
"ARES and RACES operators responded to
Hawaii State and Oahu Civil Defense Emergency
Operation Centers," reports Hawaii State RACES
Coordinator and ARRL State Civil Defense (SCD)
Emergency Coordinator Ron Hashiro, AH6RH.

ARES-RACES Activate After Severe Weather in Pacific Northwest (Dec 15,

2006) -- Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)/Radio Amateur Civil
Emergency Service (RACES) teams across Western Washington activated
December 14 after severe weather struck the Pacific Northwest, ARRL Western
Washington Section Manager Ed Bruette, N7NVP, told League Headquarters. Four
people died, and nearly 1.5 million homes and businesses in the region were left
without electrical power today in the wake of the strong winds and heavy rainfall.
Bruette said that the region took "a pretty good hit," the communications
infrastructure had pockets of no telephone service.
 With more privileges comes more
responsibility
 Because ham radios are much more capable and have
the potential of interfering with other radio services
 Because ham radios have unlimited reach-easily reach
around the globe and into space
 FCC authorization is required to ensure the operator is
qualified to operate the ham radio safely, appropriately,
and within the rules and regulation – that is why you
are here
 Who Can Be a HAM
 Anyone can become a HAM
 No Age Limit
 One restriction is being a representative of a foreign
government

 Who are HAMS

 Patti Loveless, KD4WUJ Country Superstar
 Joe Walsh, WB6ACU Guitarist for Eagles
 Joe Taylor, K1JT Nobel prize winner
 Joe Rudi, NK7U Major League outfielder, MVP
 Most Astronauts on the International Space Station