Amateur Radio Technician License Class
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Welcome to AADARC Technician License Class
The Acton Agua Dulce Amateur Radio Club (AADARC) will be conducting a Technician License class that will prepare you to take and pass the FCC written test for your own Technician license.
Amateur Radio is a fascinating hobby offering many aspects for enjoyment. Amateur operators range from everyday folks to Nobel prize winners. Amateurs often enjoy more than one aspect of the hobby that includes helping with emergency communication, building equipment, conducting experiments, or simply communicating with others locally or around the world.
Here are the important details.
Where:
Acton Agua Dulce Library
When:
The first class is January 21 2025. Followed by classes on:
January 28, February 4, February 11 and February 18.
The exam will be held on February 25, 2025.
All classes will start at 6PM and should run to about 8:30PM.
Cost:
The cost of the study guide is about $30.00 and is available from various resellers. See list below. There is a modest cost for the exam which can range from $10 to $20. The exam fee is due the night of the exam. Only checks or cash can be accepted for payment. The cost of your license from the FCC is $35 payable directly to the FCC and that will require a credit card.
Next Step:
Contact us and reserve a seat for the class. When you register, please provide us your complete contact information including phone and email address. Reserving a seat in advance is the only way we can ensure space at the library.
Once you have reserved your place purchase the study guide and begin preparing for the first class. Please read pages 1-32. This will provide a background and history of Amateur Radio along with what you can do with your Technician License. This is a quick but interesting read. Next you will want to read the questions that we will cover on the first night, pages 33-67. These are the exact questions that will appear on the test and while the pool of questions is over 400, the actual test will only be 35. But you won't know which 35 questions will be on your exam since they are selected randomly. Don’t be concerned if you don’t understand every question or answer. We will cover these questions in our first night. The point is, before each class you need to have read the questions that will be covered before the class. We will provide a reading list at our first class that covers the other class meetings or see the link below.
The study guide can found at the following retailers:
Please make sure the book you purchase says 2022-2026 on the cover. The FCC changes the test questions every few years which makes the older books obsolete.
FCC Registration - Obtaining an FRN Number:
To conduct business with the FCC, and should be done when you register for the class, you must register through FCC COmission REgistration System (CORES) and be assigned an FCC Registration Number (FRN). This number will be used to uniquely identify you in all transactions with the FCC. You will need the FRN in order to take the exam. Don't wait to start this process. The FCC can be slow at times.
License Application Form 605:
This form is “fillable” – you can download it to your computer, then, using Adobe Reader, you can fill it out and print it. Please don't fill this out by hand. Using the computer to fill in the form eliminates mistakes that can cause delays in getting your license. Once complete, print out the form but do not sign it yet. Bring the filled out form to the exam session. You will sign the form in the presence of the examiner.
What to Bring to the Exam Session:
1. One legal photo ID (identification):
a. State Driver’s License
b. Government issued Passport
c. Military or Law Enforcement Officer Photo ID card
d. Student School Photo ID card
e. State Photo ID card
2. If no photo ID is available, two forms of identification:
a. Non-photo State ID card (some states still have them)
b. Birth certificate (must have the appropriate seal)
c. Social security card
d. Employer's wage statement or Minor's work permit
e. School ID card
f. School or Public Library card
g. Utility bill, bank statement or other business correspondence that
specifically names the person; or a postmarked envelope addressed
to the person at his or her current mailing address as it appears on
the Form 605.
Students/minors without a photo ID need to bring only one of the above items if a legal guardian presents their photo ID; otherwise two non-photo IDs are required. Minor children (under the age of 18) may be accompanied in the room by an adult during the test.
If applicable, bring a printed copy of your Amateur Radio license or be able to show proof of the license in the official FCC database. Acceptable copies or printouts of licenses are available from the following sources: the official license or reference license printed from the FCC website or license data printed from the ARRL website or QRZ website. The original(s) and photocopy(s) of any Certificates of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) you may hold from previous exam sessions. If your license has already been issued by the FCC, the CSCE showing license credit is not needed. The candidate is required to show proof of the current license to the team but the team is no longer required to submit the proof to the VEC. Expired license proof must be submitted to the team and to the VEC for processing to FCC. These photocopies will not be returned.
Two number two pencils with erasers and a pen for in-person sessions. A calculator with the memory erased and formulas cleared is allowed. You may not bring any written notes or calculations into the exam session. Slide rules and logarithmic tables are acceptable, as long as they're free of notes and formulas. Cell phone must be silenced or turned off during the exam session and the phones' calculator function may not be used. In addition, iPhones, iPads, Androids, smartphones, Blackberry devices and all similar electronic devices with a calculator capability, may NOT be used.
Class Teaching and Study Schedule:
The class schedule can be found here.
YouTube Videos:
There are many resources available to learn more about Amateur Radio starting with this AADARC website. If you prefer YouTube, there are some entertaining Amateur Radio content creators that are worth checking out.
Practice Exams:
FCC Part 97 Rules:
Have any questions? Let us hear from you.