Practical Tips for Passing Your Ham Radio License Exam

Posted by Amitava Sarkar on July 11th, 2016

Anyone under the age of 25 may have a hard time identifying a ham radio. While it’s possible that they’ve seen them in old movies or television series, odds are they’ve never been in the presence of an actual ham setup. In light of how niche this particular hobby has become, the younger generation’s lack of familiarity with it is hardly surprising. Long before the advent of the Worldwide Web, people used ham radios to connect with one another and broadcast their thoughts and opinions. In many respects, this served as the precursor to online chat rooms and message boards.

While it’s true that ham radio operation is no longer as popular as it was in decades past, the hobby has not gone away entirely. There are still millions of ham operators across the globe, and in recent years, ham radio has experienced something of a retro resurgence. However, ham radio isn’t exactly a hobby you can dive right into. In order to legally operate a ham radio unit, you’ll need to acquire a U.S. amateur radio license. These licenses come in three different varieties: technical class, general class and amateur extra class. Regardless of which type of license you’re aiming for, the following tips are sure to help you pass the qualification exam with flying colors.

Use the Right Reference Books

When studying for your exam, reputable reference books are an absolute necessity. In the ham radio community, it’s widely agreed that the ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications is the best study aid an aspiring ham operator can have at her side. Authored by the American Radio Relay League, this informative text contains a bevy of practical information about the inner workings of ham radios and how to operate them. Additionally, make sure to pick up a copy of the ARRL Operating Manual, which will provide you with detailed rundowns of various pieces of ham radio equipment. For best results, make sure to pick up the most recent editions of both manuals.

Watch a Master at Work

If you’re a hands-on learner, it behooves you to watch an experienced ham operator in action prior to taking your exam. If you know a licensed ham radio enthusiast, watch her operate her unit and connect with other hammers. Ideally, this person will have a high-end setup, complete with directional couplers from Werlatone. While observing this person, remember to take detailed notes and ask questions about any points on which you’re unclear.

Don’t Let the Math Questions Stress You Out

The exams for each type of license contain math questions. However, even if math isn’t your strong suit, you should still be able to pass your exam with relative ease. For starters, there are a multitude of materials online that will tell you what type of math questions you can expect to find on the various exams. Additionally, depending on the license class you’re going for, your exam may only contain as little as two math questions. Since you can miss up to nine questions and still pass, there’s no need for mathematically-challenged examinees to get upset.

Taking a ham radio exam without properly preparing isn’t likely to work out in your favor. Fortunately, provided you put the aforementioned study tips to good use, you should have no trouble earning your U.S. amateur radio license. If you’re determined to walk away a licensed ham radio operator, remember to procure the right study aids, watch an experienced operator in action and not get hung up on the math portion of your exam.

About the Author:  Clarissa Hobs is a college robotics professor and longtime ham radio enthusiast. Whenever one of her units needs a new directional coupler, she pays a visit to Werlatone’s online store.