How to Get an Amateur Radio License in the US
Get a study manual out of your library. Some popular ones are The Ham Radio License Manual by the ARRL and Technician Class by Gordon West. Many useful study materials may also be found online. Consider downloading an app to your portable device. Some can help you work through all of the possible questions systematically and assist you to focus on areas where you need more study time.
Use the study method recommended at the front of the book to study for the 35-question FCC exam.
Use the exam search feature on the ARRL website to locate an upcoming exam session in your area. Some are given monthly, some only annually. The exam fee is currently $15 for many locations, but depending on your location, it may be free. Check the information on the ARRL website for further details. You will need two valid forms of ID, at least one of which must have your photograph. You will also need your Social Security Number or an officially issued FCC Registration Number (FRN) that you can obtain online [1] X Research source .
Take the exam. Passing score is 70 percent, meaning 25 correct out of 35. If you don't pass, don't worry; you can take it again soon, if not at that very session!
Find a local
radio club. Members can answer questions, help you study for the first or later exams, and sometimes even lend you a radio to start out with.
Amateur Radio is a hobby that is enjoyed by millions of "hams" worldwide. Getting an Amateur Radio license in the US is as easy as getting a driver's license; Morse Code is no longer required. "Hams" enjoy communicating with each other using various types of radio signals, like voice, digital modes with computers, and even Morse code, and may provide essential communication services during emergencies or special events.