Interest in becoming a HAM?
You don't have to be a genius to get your ham radio license. But before you can get on the air, you need to be licensed and know the rules to operate legally. US licenses are good for 10 years and are renewable. In the US there are three license classes currently issued by the FCC; you start as a Technician, progress to General and then Extra. Each license level has more privileges, but they do come with additional knowledge requirements.
Before you can get on the air, you need to be licensed and know the rules to operate legally. Just like driving a car, you need to take a test to get your license.
The Villages Amateur Radio Club is active in education of HAMs and future HAMs of all ages. We hold four or more classes each year for people to become HAMs and HAMs to advance to a higher level. TVARC offers Technician (entry level), General Class and Amateur Extra Class license preparation classes that are free and open to the public. The only cost is a $30 text book available from online sellers in paperback and eBooks. The rest of the course material is free to download.
TVARC will hold a class anytime ten or more people signup. This normally results in classes during October to mid-November and mid-January to the end of February. Those who signup will be notified about classes by email as soon as classrooms are reserved. Later class information is posted on the TVARC website prior to class start.
Before you can get on the air, you need to be licensed and know the rules to operate legally. Just like driving a car, you need to take a test to get your license.
The Villages Amateur Radio Club is active in education of HAMs and future HAMs of all ages. We hold four or more classes each year for people to become HAMs and HAMs to advance to a higher level. TVARC offers Technician (entry level), General Class and Amateur Extra Class license preparation classes that are free and open to the public. The only cost is a $30 text book available from online sellers in paperback and eBooks. The rest of the course material is free to download.
TVARC will hold a class anytime ten or more people signup. This normally results in classes during October to mid-November and mid-January to the end of February. Those who signup will be notified about classes by email as soon as classrooms are reserved. Later class information is posted on the TVARC website prior to class start.
The Silver Springs Radio Club (SSRC) also provides monthly exams. The SSRC offers exams on the 2nd Tuesday of each ODD month in Ocala. For information, and to register for an exam, click here.
The Lake Amateur Radio Association (LARA) offers monthly exams in Leesburg. For information and to register, click here.
Don’t wait… Online Education is available now!
How Online Education works
Technician Class License Study Material (Entry Level)
ARRL Technician Class License Manual 4th Edition
ISBN: 978-1-62595-087-1 (for use July 2018 to June 2022).
Sold by: www.amazon.com and www.arrl.org
Dave Casler Technician Videos
Technician Class Notes Download PDF
General Class License Study Material (Intermediate Level)
ARRL General Class License Manual 9th Edition
ISBN: 978-1-62595-106-9 (for use July 2019 to June 2023)
Sold by: www.amazon.com and www.arrl.org
Dave Casler General Videos
General Class Notes Download PDF
Amateur Extra Class License Study Material (Advanced Level)
Extra Workshop Course Book Download PDF
Optional: ARRL Extra Class License Manual - 12th Edition
ISBN: 978-1-62595-131-1 (for use July 2020 to June 2024)
Sold by: www.arrl.org
Dave Casler Extra Videos
Practice Tests Apps for all License levels
How Online Education works
- Individual reading of chapter
- Watch the Class Lecture Videos, courtesy of Dave Casler
- Work chapter sample problems
- Use the Class Notes to supplement your reading
- Individual practice tests (Online or App)
Technician Class License Study Material (Entry Level)
ARRL Technician Class License Manual 4th Edition
ISBN: 978-1-62595-087-1 (for use July 2018 to June 2022).
Sold by: www.amazon.com and www.arrl.org
Dave Casler Technician Videos
Technician Class Notes Download PDF
General Class License Study Material (Intermediate Level)
ARRL General Class License Manual 9th Edition
ISBN: 978-1-62595-106-9 (for use July 2019 to June 2023)
Sold by: www.amazon.com and www.arrl.org
Dave Casler General Videos
General Class Notes Download PDF
Amateur Extra Class License Study Material (Advanced Level)
Extra Workshop Course Book Download PDF
Optional: ARRL Extra Class License Manual - 12th Edition
ISBN: 978-1-62595-131-1 (for use July 2020 to June 2024)
Sold by: www.arrl.org
Dave Casler Extra Videos
Practice Tests Apps for all License levels
Available for download in:
https://play.google.com/store/apps
https://www.apple.com/ios/app-store/
Practice Tests On-Line for all License levels
http://arrlexamreview.appspot.com/
https://hamexam.org/
https://hamstudy.org/
https://www.qrz.com/hamtest/
Guides to Amateur Radio Education for all License levels
Ham Radio for Dummies free PDF book
http://www.arrl.org/licensing-education-training
Ethics and Operating Procedures for the Radio Amateur free PDF book
https://play.google.com/store/apps
https://www.apple.com/ios/app-store/
Practice Tests On-Line for all License levels
http://arrlexamreview.appspot.com/
https://hamexam.org/
https://hamstudy.org/
https://www.qrz.com/hamtest/
Guides to Amateur Radio Education for all License levels
Ham Radio for Dummies free PDF book
http://www.arrl.org/licensing-education-training
Ethics and Operating Procedures for the Radio Amateur free PDF book
FCC Amateur License Exam Information (All levels)
License exam testing is sponsored by The Villages Amateur Radio Club (TVARC) and the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). Exam sessions are conducted by volunteers working under the direction of the ARRL, and FCC, by the local team in liaison with the American Radio Relay League Volunteer Examiner Program.
The fee for testing is $15 and paid directly to the Team Liaison (Test Session Manager) on the day of the exam.
The test session manager requests you bring exactly $15 CASH, as change is not available.
License exam testing is sponsored by The Villages Amateur Radio Club (TVARC) and the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). Exam sessions are conducted by volunteers working under the direction of the ARRL, and FCC, by the local team in liaison with the American Radio Relay League Volunteer Examiner Program.
The fee for testing is $15 and paid directly to the Team Liaison (Test Session Manager) on the day of the exam.
The test session manager requests you bring exactly $15 CASH, as change is not available.
- Please bring Photo-ID, CASH $15, copy of your current license (if you are upgrading), and a copy of any valid/current CSCE(s).
- You must provide a valid US Mailing address.
- A basic calculator with simple memory functions is allowed. Scientific and programmable calculators will not be allowed to be used.
- Exam Candidates are REQUIRED to register in the FCC CORES system and receive a Federal Registration Number (FRN) before exam day. To obtain an FRN you must go to the FCC CORES User Account and Registration page: https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin
If you are upgrading, insure that you have your FRN number with you. - If you want to take the next exam up from the one you passed at this session, you can on the same $15 fee, so long as we have the time to accommodate you. If you should fail an exam, and wish to re-take it, this would cost you an additional exam fee, as it would count as another exam candidate for processing, and this too, would be subject to remaining time available.
- If you have an expired amateur license that is beyond the 2 year renewable grace period, you can bring proof of your expired license (of any level), and by passing the current Element 2 Technician Class license exam, under certain circumstances, your original license privileges can be re-instated.