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 Back to - Interested in Becoming a HamGetting Your Ham Radio License with Online Learning
Advancement in technology has dramatically reshaped how people
become hams; moving beyond textbooks and blackboards
to today’s online resources, and personalized learning experiences, ultimately
making learning more accessible, engaging, and effective. During the COVID-19 pandemic,
all types of education nationwide rapidly shifted to taking classes online, making
the use of E-learning common place, including ham radio classes. Thanks to technology, potential hams now have access to a digital resource ranging from online courses, lecture series videos, practice quizzes, and even simulated FCC exams to enhance the learning process. Becoming a licensed ham radio operator opens up large areas of the spectrum for you to use for lots of different communications modes, but in order to become licensed, you need to take a test. Take time to consider your learning style (physical book vs. online), whether you prefer a comprehensive guide or a more focused approach. If you prefer to learn by reading and highlighting, you will find the books most used by our club members under; Books to learn about Amateur Radio listed below on this page. If you are more Ebook oriented you will find our members most liked interactive learning and practice tests below under the title; Apps for all License levels. Not sure which approach to learning is right for you then look at the ham radio license video courses listed below on this page under; Ham Radio License Video Courses. The videos are dedicated to ham radio education each in their own style. What You Need to Learn
A fair portion of the FCC exam involves radio theory. You’ll need to
learn the fundamentals about radio waves what
wavelength and frequency mean, and why one goes up when the other goes down.
Various concepts like modulation, propagation, and how antennas work also appear
on the exam. The idea is to ensure you know at least enough to safely operate your
radio equipment. Part of the testing, especially on the entry-level license is to ensure understanding of radio regulations and
etiquette. You should familiarize yourself with digital communications, FM
voice, satellites, and the other modes available to you. As part of that, you definitely need to learn which radio frequencies are
allocated for each mode of communication depending on your license level. Running a transmitter using the wrong technology on the wrong frequencies is a surefire way to alienate the amateur radio community and endanger your license. That same community, however, will be more than happy to help you learn how to respect the restrictions of your class of license. Ham Radio License Video Courses |
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Ham Radio Crash Course is a popular and well-regarded resource for anyone interested in ham radio, whether they are just starting out or are experienced operators. It's known for its engaging content, inclusive community, and focus on both technical knowledge and practical applications of the hobby |
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The free Amateur Radio Technician Class Course video lecture series follows the Gordon West's Technician Class Manual 2022-2026 Version; the demonstrations and examples are embedded in the videos. |
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Dave Casler Technician License Series This series of videos features Dave Casler, KE0OG, QST's “Ask Dave” columnist, who leads viewers through The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual 5th Edition. These videos supplement the manual and provide an overview of the sections you'll be studying, along with a few videos on how things work. |
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Master the basics of Ham Radio with our comprehensive and easy-to-understand Technician License Course Book. There is a fee for this course. |
| American Radio Relay League Both free and fee based online course are available from the ARRL (American Radio Relay League) that can help you prepare for the exam, and you don't need to be an ARRL member to use it. ARRL can help you find an Amateur Radio license preparation class in our database. For online classes, type "Online" in the keyword box and leave all other fields blank. |
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Gordon West Radio School Gordon West, WB6NOA, has organized the Q&A to follow the syllabus of his successful weekend ham radio course. Gordon West’s Technician Class prep book contains everything you need to learn to become a licensed amateur radio operator. Every exact question and answer that will appear on the written theory exam you will take for your ham license. |
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HamStudy.org HamStudy offers a free Technician Class HamBook covering everything you need to know to pass your Technician exam and start your exciting adventure in ham radio. From the basics of electricity and radio waves to operating procedures and FCC regulations, we’ve got you covered. The site is free, registration is required but they don’t SPAM you. |
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Ham Radio Prep |
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HamTestOnline This is website is not free, but it combines study materials and practice tests into one format. It uses a method of presenting material related to a particular topic, and then showing exam questions related to that topic. There are also different types of practice exams available, some of which are adaptive and will return to questions that you missed earlier to reinforce the correct answers. To use this course, you must pay a fee. |
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Books to learn about Amateur Radio |
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No-Nonsense Technician-Class License Study Guide The No-Nonsense Technician-Class License Study Guide (for tests given between July 2022 and June 2026). The No Nonsense Technician Class License Study Guide is available in several different formats. Download the PDF version for FREE! |
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Ham
Radio For Dummies Ham Radio For Dummies covers them all! In his signature friendly style, longtime ham Ward Silver (Call Sign NØAX) contributing editor with the American Radio Relay League patches you in on everything from getting the right equipment and building your station (it doesn’t have to be expensive) to the intricacies of Morse code and Ohm’s law. In addition, he coaches you on how to prepare for the FCC-mandated licensing exam and tunes you up for ultimate glory in the ham radio hall of fame as a Radiosport competitor! Download the PDF version for FREE! |
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Gordon
West Technician Class Amateur Radio License 10th Edition Gordon West’s Technician Class prep book contains everything you need to learn to become a licensed amateur radio operator. Every exact question and answer that will appear on the written theory exam you will take for your ham license. Gordon takes you through groups of questions that are logically arranged so you learn all of the material about each topic area—from how you earn your first license, to frequency privileges, to where you can operate, to how to use satellites and talk to the astronauts! Together, they tell you the right answer and explain in detail why the answer is correct. Technician Class is full of Gordon’s unique educational style that makes learning easy and fun. |
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ARRL Ham Radio License Manual 5th Edition ARRL's best-selling study guide includes all the questions and answers, with detailed explanations, for exams taken through June 30, 2026. Use it to ace the 35-question exam! When you have successfully passed the exam, The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual will serve as your reference as you explore the exciting world of amateur radio. |
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Online Practice Tests and Apps for all License levels The first step in preparing for your test is to understand the format. The Technician and General exams consist of 35 multiple-choice questions, and you will need to answer at least 26 of them correctly to pass. The Amateur Extra exam has 50 questions and you need to answer at least 37 to pass your exam. Every question in your exams is randomly selected from a publicly available pool of questions. Every examiner makes up their exams using the same method from the same pool of questions. All the questions are reviewed and question pools are updated every four years. This makes it essential for you to have a good understanding of all the topics covered in the latest pool. (i.e. the current Technician pool is valid for July 1, 2022 to Jume 30, 2026 exams) Be sure to take practice exams regularly to familiarize yourself with the exam format and question types. Join a ham radio club in your area to find valuable insights and motivation. Familiarize yourself with the types of questions, the format of the exam, and the passing score. The FCC makes the question pool publicly available and are the basis for the practice exams, so you can study with the real questions before taking the test. Utilize online resources listed to reinforce your learning. Regularly take practice exams to gauge your understanding and identify areas where you need more study. You're ready to take your ham radio exam when you've studied the question pool thoroughly, achieved a good proficiency level (around 95% or higher), and feel confident in your understanding of the material. You have to take a lot of practice tests to prepare for the exam, and it helps you identify areas where you need to focus your studies. By using an APP or signing up for online practice exams gives you feedback on the areas you need the most help. As practice tests reveal your individual trends, you will be able to identify the questions you get wrong and focus on learning them. By spending your study time focusing on where you can improve your scores, you’ll be better prepared to answer questions on the actual exam. |
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Android Practice Test APPs |
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Apple Practice Test APPs |
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Web Browser Practice Tests |
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Looking for In-Person Classes? Click Here Next up - Taking the Amateur Radio Exam |
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