Amateur Radio Licensing
Amateur Radio Licensing
2nd and 4th Thursday Testing Session Prefer pre-registration...however Walk-Ins Welcome
2nd and 4th Thursday Testing Session Prefer pre-registration...however Walk-Ins Welcome
Testing sessions are held by VEs, volunteer examiners for Amateur Radio Licenses and General Radio Operator (GROL)Licenses.
Testing sessions are held by VEs, volunteer examiners for Amateur Radio Licenses and General Radio Operator (GROL)Licenses.
Amateur Radio Testing is held on the 2nd and 4th Thursday evenings of the month at 7pm at the Radio Club House. (Except November and December Testing 2nd Thursday Only)
Amateur Radio Testing is held on the 2nd and 4th Thursday evenings of the month at 7pm at the Radio Club House. (Except November and December Testing 2nd Thursday Only)
TESTING INFO
TESTING INFO
Congratulations, you’ve mastered the materials to get your license or upgrade to the next level! We offer testing in-person.
Congratulations, you’ve mastered the materials to get your license or upgrade to the next level! We offer testing in-person.
Here are the things you’ll need to take your license exam.
Here are the things you’ll need to take your license exam.
Register for free, then use the Study Mode until you are proficient.
Register for free, then use the Study Mode until you are proficient.
Once proficient, use the Practice Tests to determine your overall readiness.
Once proficient, use the Practice Tests to determine your overall readiness.
When you can consistently pass the practice tests, you’re ready for the real thing.
When you can consistently pass the practice tests, you’re ready for the real thing.
A government-issued Photo ID: Driver’s License or Passport
A government-issued Photo ID: Driver’s License or Passport
An FCC Federal Registration Number (FRN).
An FCC Federal Registration Number (FRN).
$15.00 for the exam fee, payable in cash, check, credit card or PayPal at the exam.
$15.00 for the exam fee, payable in cash, check, credit card or PayPal at the exam.
The test fee is per session, during which you can take multiple tests, time permitting.
The test fee is per session, during which you can take multiple tests, time permitting.
So long as you pass the prior element and are prepared, you can challenge the next element.
So long as you pass the prior element and are prepared, you can challenge the next element.
Scheduling:
Scheduling:
Find a session with our club at hamstudy.org/sessions/cowtown to determine a time, date, and registration.
Find a session with our club at hamstudy.org/sessions/cowtown to determine a time, date, and registration.
Walk-ins can usually be accommodated, however we prefer you register for a test session using the above link to ensure there will be a space for you .
Walk-ins can usually be accommodated, however we prefer you register for a test session using the above link to ensure there will be a space for you .
Day of the test:
Day of the test:
Be prepared: Have your Photo ID and FRN.
Be prepared: Have your Photo ID and FRN.
If you pre-register we’ll have your FRN and PIN.
If you pre-register we’ll have your FRN and PIN.
Arrive 15 minutes before test time, register, find a testing tablet and sit down.
Arrive 15 minutes before test time, register, find a testing tablet and sit down.
Turn off your cell phone and put it away for the duration of the test.
Turn off your cell phone and put it away for the duration of the test.
A test will be generated from Exam Tools on the tablet provided for you at the testing location.
A test will be generated from Exam Tools on the tablet provided for you at the testing location.
Take the test.
Take the test.
Complete post-test “paperwork”. At the completion of the exam, your VEs will help you navigate Exam Tools, complete the electronic forms and sign with your electronic signature.
Complete post-test “paperwork”. At the completion of the exam, your VEs will help you navigate Exam Tools, complete the electronic forms and sign with your electronic signature.
If this is your initial license exam, (i.e. Technician), and you pass the test, we will submit the results to the VEC. The VEC will send the results to the FCC, and within 1 or 2 business days, the FCC will email you with instructions to pay a $35.00 registration fee. Be sure to check your junk mail.
If this is your initial license exam, (i.e. Technician), and you pass the test, we will submit the results to the VEC. The VEC will send the results to the FCC, and within 1 or 2 business days, the FCC will email you with instructions to pay a $35.00 registration fee. Be sure to check your junk mail.
When you receive the FCC payment instructions, you have ten (10) days to log on to the FCC website and pay.
When you receive the FCC payment instructions, you have ten (10) days to log on to the FCC website and pay.
You DO NOT need to wait for the email from the FCC to pay your fees. Once your successful exam is submitted to the FCC, you may login to the FCC CORES site https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/paymentFrnLogin.do and pay your fees BEFORE receiving the FCC email!
You DO NOT need to wait for the email from the FCC to pay your fees. Once your successful exam is submitted to the FCC, you may login to the FCC CORES site https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/paymentFrnLogin.do and pay your fees BEFORE receiving the FCC email!
If you don’t receive an email from the FCC within a few business days contact us.
If you don’t receive an email from the FCC within a few business days contact us.
It’s IMPORTANT that you pay within 10 days, or your application will be dismissed and will have to resubmitted (contact us).
It’s IMPORTANT that you pay within 10 days, or your application will be dismissed and will have to resubmitted (contact us).
VEC is Volunteer Examination Coordinator. There are many VECs in the U.S. In our club, you will test with ARRL VEC.
VEC is Volunteer Examination Coordinator. There are many VECs in the U.S. In our club, you will test with ARRL VEC.
Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
Well-prepared candidates typically complete in 13-18 minutes. Testing is VERY efficient!
Well-prepared candidates typically complete in 13-18 minutes. Testing is VERY efficient!
Remember, your exam is never timed, so grab a cold drink, get comfy, relax, breathe and prepare for a smooth experience. You got this!
Remember, your exam is never timed, so grab a cold drink, get comfy, relax, breathe and prepare for a smooth experience. You got this!
Psst! It’s OK to be nervous! Try thinking of this as a ‘Practice Test’ that is simply observed! We love seeing applicants like you succeed!
Psst! It’s OK to be nervous! Try thinking of this as a ‘Practice Test’ that is simply observed! We love seeing applicants like you succeed!
If you had recently passed a test and have not had license issued yet, you need to bring the CSCE form given to you by the examiners when you passed the previous test.
If you had recently passed a test and have not had license issued yet, you need to bring the CSCE form given to you by the examiners when you passed the previous test.
Contact the coordinator of volunteer examiners Brian Head N5UWP or Bud Leavell AF5YT for questions or to confirm the scheduled test time or call the club phone (605) 269-8696 - leave a message.
Contact the coordinator of volunteer examiners Brian Head N5UWP or Bud Leavell AF5YT for questions or to confirm the scheduled test time or call the club phone (605) 269-8696 - leave a message.
GROL testing is held as needed on the 2nd and 4th Thursday evenings of the month, but must be scheduled in advance with Kevin Vickers
GROL testing is held as needed on the 2nd and 4th Thursday evenings of the month, but must be scheduled in advance with Kevin Vickers
Practice test generators are available on the web...They will allow you to generate practice tests for your Amateur Radio License and GROL testing. This will prove invaluable as you prepare for your test.
Practice test generators are available on the web...They will allow you to generate practice tests for your Amateur Radio License and GROL testing. This will prove invaluable as you prepare for your test.