Get Your HAM Radio License
If you are interested in adding Amateur Radio to your certifications, let CRI help. We can point you to excellent books and free, interactive practice tests on-line.
Next Training for Technician license for Amateur Radio:
Dates:TBA
Times: TBA
Testing: TBA
Location: TBA
Cost: $15 test fee
*Pre-registration requested by email to radio@criout.com.
The test will only take about 30–45 minutes. It is made up of 35 questions and if you get 26 correct you pass. You can test again, immediately, but we are required to charge another test fee.
There are free practice tests available online: Click Here
If you have any questions, please email radio@criout.com.
CRI Ham & Eggs Meeting:
A breakfast meeting of HAM & Eggs is held the second Saturday of the month for those interested in Amateur Radio.
Email radio@criout.com for more info.
Amateur Radio License Levels and Requirements
In the US, there are three license levels, or “license classes” which are Technician class, General class and Extra Class. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) grants these licenses. With only 3 License Classes, getting started in ham radio has never been easier!
LEVEL 1: Technician Class License
*EXAM REQUIREMENT: 35-question Technician Written Exam (Element 2); No Morse Code Exam
*PRIVILEGES: All VHF/UHF amateur bands (frequencies above 30 MHz). Limited operations in certain HF bands.
The most popular license for beginners is the Technician Class license, which requires only a 35 question multiple-choice written examination. The test is written with the beginner in mind. The exam covers basic regulations, operating practices, and electronics theory, with a focus on VHF and UHF applications. Morse Code is not required for this license. With a Technician Class license, you will have all ham radio privileges above 30 megahertz (MHz). These privileges include the very popular 2-meter band. Many Technician licensees enjoy using small (2 meter) hand-held radios to stay in touch with other hams in their area. Technicians may operate FM voice, digital packet (computers), television, single-sideband voice and several other interesting modes. You can even make international radio contacts via satellites, using relatively simple station equipment. Technician licensees now also have additional privileges on certain HF frequencies. Technicians may also operate on the 80, 40, and 15 meter bands using CW, and on the 10 meter band using CW, voice, and digital modes.
LEVEL 2: General Class License (upgrade from Technician)
*EXAM REQUIREMENTS: 35-question General Written Exam (Element 3); No Morse Code Exam
*PRIVILEGES: All VHF/UHF amateur bands and most HF privileges (10 through 160 meters).
Technicians may upgrade to General Class by passing a 35-question multiple-choice written examination. The written exam covers intermediate regulations, operating practices, and electronics theory, with a focus on HF applications. Non-licensed individuals must pass Element 2 and Element 3 Written Exams to earn a General License. The FCC grants exam element 3 credit to individuals that previously held certain older types of licenses. Valid Forms of Examination Element Credit can be found on the Web.
The General Class is a giant step up in operating privileges. The high-power HF privileges granted to General licensees allow for cross-country and worldwide communication. Some people prefer to earn the General Class license as their first ticket, so they may operate on HF right away. In addition to the Technician privileges, General Class operators are authorized to operate on any frequency in the 160, 30, 17, 12, and 10 meter bands. They may also use significant segments of the 80, 40, 20, and 15 meter bands.
LEVEL 3: Extra Class License (upgrade from General)
*EXAM REQUIREMENT: 50-question Extra Written Exam (Element 4); No Morse Code Exam.
*PRIVILEGES: All amateur privileges.
General licensees may upgrade to Extra Class by passing a 50-question multiple-choice examination. No Morse code test is required. In addition to some of the more obscure regulations, the test covers specialized operating practices, advanced electronics theory, and radio equipment design. Frankly, the test is very difficult, but others have passed it, and you can too. Non-licensed individuals must pass Element 2, Element 3 and Element 4 Written Exams to earn an Extra License. The FCC grants exam element 3 credit to individuals that previously held certain older types of licenses. Valid Forms of Examination Element Credit can be found on the Web.
The HF bands can be awfully crowded, particularly at the top of the solar cycle. Once one earns HF privileges, one may quickly yearn for more room. The Extra Class license is the answer. Extra Class licensees are authorized to operate on all frequencies allocated to the Amateur Service.