Interest in becoming a HAM?
The Villages Amateur Radio Club hosts classes covering the exam material for people to become HAMs and current HAMs to advance to a higher level.

If you would like to talk to someone about HAM Radio Classes CALL OUR INFORMATION LINE (352) 448-1150. Please leave a message and a Radio Club member will call you back.
You don't have to be a genius to get your ham radio license. Before you can get on the air, you need to be licensed and know the rules to operate. Just like driving a car, you need to take a test to get your license. HAM licenses are good for 10 years and are renewable. In the US there are three license classes issued by the Federal Communications Commission; you start as a Technician, progress to General and then Extra Class Amateur radio operator. Each license level has more privileges, but they do come with additional knowledge requirements.
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HAM Radio Classes
Getting your license requires passing one examination on radio theory, regulations and operating practices. To help you get your license The Villages Amateur Radio Club hosts classes covering the exam material for people to become HAMs and current HAMs to advance to a higher level. Our classes are always free and open to the general public. The only cost is a $35 text book available from the big book sellers in paperback and eBooks. The rest of the course material is free, see Resources for Class below for details. TVARC will hold a class anytime ten or more people register. Once registered you will be notified about classes information and updates on class schedules. 
To register for the next class with us, please click here.
February – March 2022 Amateur Extra Class License classes (Advanced Level)
Complete – Congratulations to the 12 new Extra Class Amateurs
September - October 2022 Amateur Technician Class License classes (Entry Level)
If you always interested in HAM radio but never had the time or someone to help pursue the hobby now is your chance and it is free. Learn about HAM Radio from mentors in a positive learning environment. Seven evening classes isn’t much time to learn the basics about radios and prepare for a test to get your license so we developed a strategy that works. In the classroom we use graphic presentations, diagrams, tailored handouts and maximize discussion time about how radios work. Homework each week; you are expected to read about 25 pages, watch a video and take practice tests. Text Book required: ARRL Ham Radio License Manual - 5th Edition (July 2022 to June 2026). In each class the material you studied during the week is reviewed, explained and discussed. Classes are free and open to public but YOU MUST REGISTER in advance!
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Fall 2022 Technician Classes on Monday Evenings 6:30 to 8:30 PM
    Date     Chapter(s)     Course Material
September 19   1       Welcome to Amateur Radio
September 26   2       Radio and Signals Fundamentals
October 3         3       Electricity, Components and Circuits
October 10       4       Propagation, Antennas and Feed Lines
October 17       5       Amateur Radio Equipment
October 24     6 & 7   Communicating with Other Hams & Licensing Regulations
October 31     8 & 9   Operating Regulations, Safety, & Course Review
November 7     -       FCC Amateur License Testing Open to all Levels
January - February 2023 Amateur General Class License classes (Intermediate Level)
Please register now as minimum signup has not been met
A General Class will be held from January 9th to February 27th 2023 subject to ten or more people signing up by mid-November 2022. Those who sign-up will be notified about classes by Email as soon as a quorum is met.
Winter 2023 General Classes on Monday Evenings 6:30 to 8:30 PM
    Date     Chapter(s)     Course Material
January 9       1 & 2   Introduction & Procedures and Practices
January 16       3       Rules and Regulations
January 23       4       Components and Circuits
January 30       5       Radio Signals and Equipment
February 6       6       Digital Modes
February 13     7       Antennas
February 20   8 & 9   Propagation, Safety, & Course review
February 27     -       FCC Amateur License Testing Open to all Levels
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Resources for Class
Our classes follow the ARRL Ham Radio License Manuals available from the big book sellers in paperback and eBooks. You are encouraged to use every study resource that works for you. In general people retain more details from a hard copy document. Use the TVARC study guide, write on it, underline or highlight the text for reference later. Other books are not required but if you do have questions from other sources, they will be discussed during the open review at the end of each class. The following are helpful sources of information;
Free Dave Casler KE0OG Videos lectures
Dave KE0OG Technician Class Lectures
Dave KE0OG General Class Lectures
Dave KE0OG Amateur Extra Class Lectures
The class use the ARRL Ham Radio License Manuals as reading assignments that are aligned with the Dave Casler KE0OG videos as a more in-depth reinforcement to get you going in the right direction.
ARRL Ham Radio License Manuals
Available at Amazon Books or ARRL Books (class text book)
ARRL Technician Class License Manual 5th Edition, July 2022 to June 2026
ARRL General Class License Manual 9th Edition, July 2019 to June 2023
The ARRL Extra Class License Manual 12th Edition, July 2020 to June 2024
If you would like to talk to someone about HAM Radio Classes CALL OUR INFORMATION LINE (352) 448-1150. Please leave a message and a Radio Club member will call you back.
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.
  • 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.
  • Bring one (or two) #2 pencils. The exam is completed on an answer sheet not unlike what we used in school where your answers are recorded by filling in a bubble that indicates your choice. Bring a good eraser should you change your mind with an answer as the exam is now graded by camera.
  • Exam Candidates are NOW 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
    Here is a video that may help how to register and create the FRN: www.fcc.gov/rofrn
    Here is a Users Guide with lots of information: Users Guide
    If you are upgrading, insure that you have your FRN number with you. Hint: it is on your current license.
  • 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 will cost you an additional exam fee, as it would count as another exam candidate for processing, and this too, would be subject to the 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.
  • Beginning with our August 31, 2021 Exam Session, candidates must be "Pre-Registered" . The VE team is transitioning to an electronic format for all paperwork/documents, and grading of the exams by software controlled camera.
  • To Pre-Register a candidate will need to go to https://hamstudy.org/sessions/nd4g
  • ​Bring a printout copy of the Email you receive from HamStudy.org as proof of your pre-registration. On it is a pin number you will use to take your exam(s).
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.