Amateur radio testing

We periodically offer exams, see the RSVP form for the schedule of future exams and study sessions.

Local exams

ARRL VEC has a database of Other exam sessions are also available, searchable by location. The LAUREL VEC also has a list. There may be other exams given by other VECs not listed there.

The two local LAUREL exams are:

• OARC

• LMARS

The Amateur Radio Club at UCF currently is not doing exams.

Things you need to bring to the exam

The UCF club uses the ARRL VEC, which requires that you:

• Bring either a legal photo ID (driver license, passport, concealed carry permit, UCF ID, etc.) or
  • any two (2) of the following:
    • Non-photo ID/driver's license (some states still have them);
    • Birth certificate (must have the appropriate seal);
    • Minor's work permit, school report card, school ID card or library card;
    • Utility bill, bank statement or other business correspondence that specifically names the person; or
    • Postmarked envelope addressed to the person at his or her current mailing address as it appears on the Form 605.
• Bring FCC FRN: apply at https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do
• Bring the $15 required for the testing/processing fee.
• Bring a pen or pencil.
• You may bring a calculator; if it is programmable, the memories must be wiped.
• For upgrades: Bring the original and a copy of your current License and any CSCEs you may have.

Note: We strongly recommend that you try the practice exams (below) so you have a good idea of your chances of passing before you come to the session!

The paperwork required for the license needs your FCC FRN number if you have one, or your Social Security Number if you do not.

Visitor Parking Information

We usually hold exams in ENG 1 room 427.

We may meet in ENG 1-456A (the "shack") before the exam.

If you are already licensed or would like to listen, our repeater is on 443.375 Mhz; 103.5 ToneSql.

• http://parking.ucf.edu/permits/visitor-permits/
• http://parking.ucf.edu/maps/
• http://map.ucf.edu/locations/40/engineering-i/

Additional exam information

• ARRL Tech Prep Resource Library
• ARRL: Getting your technician license
• The ARRL handbook for the radio amateur (multiple copies available in the UCF library TK6550 .R18) (see also below)
• ARRL: Shared Resources and Study Guides

Study guides and online practice quizzes

Use these study guides, information sources, and practice tests to learn and pass the Amateur Radio licensing tests.

Practice exams

• HamStudy practice exams and flash cards. Formats well on mobile, too. Highly recommended.
• AA9PQ Amateur Radio Practice Pages
• QRZ practice exams
• eHam practice exams
• radioexam.org exam menu
• hamradiolicenseexam.com

Local study references

• Amateur radio glossary
• Radio Equations collection of useful equations

Note that the following may be partially (but not completely) out of date:

• T2006 Technician question pool study guide (still need to write this)
• G2007 General question pool study guide
• E2002 Extra question pool study guide

Question pools

• question pool

External study guides

• Band plans
• FCC part 97 rules (almost all the answers are here!)
  • FCC Amateur FAQ
• Other external tutorials
  • KB6NU Study Guides Free for the Technician level
  • http://www.arrl.org/licensing-preparation-exams
  • W5YI tutorials & stuff
  • Tutorials at hamquick.com
  • books
  • http://www.bloomfield-family.org/HamClasses/Ham_index.htm (power point slides?)
  • http://aa9pw.com/
• new user tips
• technician study syllabus

Other related FCC parts

Part 15	unlicensed low power and acceptable noise levels, intentional and unintentional radiators
Part 80	Marine / Maritime
Part 87	Aviation services / Aircraft band radios
Part 90	Land Mobile Radio Service / Business Band
Part 95	Personal Radio services, FRS, GRMS, CB, LPRS, Medical MICS and WMTS, R/C, IVDS
Part 97	Amateur Radio, of course

http://www.scc-ares-races.org/FCCpartstitles.html

Local tests

These locations in and near Orange and Seminole counties give Amateur Radio tests for licensing and license upgrades.

• search for exam sessions at ARRL
• LMARS testing sessions (this page lists all local sessions as well)
• OARC first Wednesday
• The ARC at UCF plans to schedule one or two exam sessions per semester, depending on demand.

You can search the ARRL database for an exam near you.

Local clubs

Here's a few of the local clubs...

• the Amateur Radio Club at UCF (us of course)
• Orlando Amateur Radio Club (sponsor of Hamcation)
• Lake Monroe Amateur Radio Society
• Orange County ARES Facebook page
• Seminole ARES/RACES Group
• 147.120 which has a large overlap with Linux Enthusiasts and Professionals of Central Florida
• Disney Emergency Amateur Radio Service (DEARS)

Books

If you'd rather not study from online material, the following books might be useful, and should be at most libraries.

ARRL Catalog: Licensing, Education, and Training

This is a list of books ARRL recommends. You can purchase most of these from any book seller, or directly from ARRL. Many can be found in libraries as well, but make sure they are newer editions that refer to the latest exam if they are specific.

The ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications 2018 ISBN 978-1-62595-072-7 2017 ISBN 1625950624; 2016 ISBN 1625950411 ([1])

(Any edition is OK.) This is a fairly comprehensive book of math, basic practical electronics, and amateur radio. The science behind many of the test questions can be found here. A great book for every ham to own.

KB6NU "No Nonsense" Study Guide ; ISBN 0692393439 Also, Free PDF link

ARRL Ham Radio License Manual ISBN 1625950136

All You Need to Become an Amateur Radio Operator (ARRL Ham Radio License Manual) (Paperback)

The ARRL Operating Manual ISBN 1625950594 (ARRL)

Ham Radio for Dummies ISBN 1118592115

This book is a good non-technical introduction to amateur radio, but it is only an overview, and not comprehensive enough to help you pass the exam without also studying other references.