Getting Started In Amateur Radio

 Before you can get on the air, you need to be licensed and know the rules to operate legally. US licenses are good for 10 years before renewal and anyone may hold one except a representative of a foreign government. In the US there are three license classes—Technician, General and Extra. 

 The Technician class license is the entry-level license of choice for most new ham radio operators. To earn the Technician license requires passing one examination totaling 35 questions on radio theory, regulations and operating practices. The license gives access to all Amateur Radio frequencies above 30 megahertz, allowing these licensees the ability to communicate locally and most often within North America. It also allows for some limited privileges on the HF (also called "short wave") bands used for international communications. 

 The General class license grants some operating privileges on all Amateur Radio bands and all operating modes. This license opens the door to world-wide communications. Earning the General class license requires passing a 35 question examination. General class licensees must also have passed the Technician written examination. 

 The Amateur Extra class license conveys all available U.S. Amateur Radio operating privileges on all bands and all modes. Earning the license is more difficult; it requires passing a thorough 50 question examination. Extra class licensees must also have passed all previous license class written examinations. 

• Exam Requirement: 35-question Technician Written Exam (Element 2).
• Privileges: All VHF/UHF Amateur bands (frequencies above 30 MHz).
  Limited operations in certain HF bands.
  

The FCC Technician License 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 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.

• Exam Requirements: 35-question General written exam (Element 3). 
• License Privileges: All VHF/UHF Amateur bands and most HF privileges (10 through 160 meters).

The General Class license is the second of three US Amateur Radio licenses. To upgrade to General Class, you must already hold a Technician Class license (or have recently passed the Technician license exam). Upgrading to a General license--which conveys extensive HF privileges—only requires passing a written examination. Once you do, the entire range of operating modes and the majority of the amateur spectrum below 30 MHz become available to you. The FCC grants exam Element 3 credit to individuals that previously held certain older types of licenses. 

• Exam Requirement: 50-question Extra written exam (Element 4).
• License Privileges: All Amateur band 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. 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.

 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. 

The FRN sets out to improve collection of delinquent government debts. As a result of the DCIA, the FCC and other executive agencies collect the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) from each individual or organization doing business with a federal agency, including applicants for, or recipients of, a federal license or permit.

You register your information in the FCC’s Commission Registration System (CORES) and are immediately issued an FCC Registration Number (FRN) and password that is tied to the TIN you provided.

 You need an FRN if you are “doing business with the FCC.” To get an FRN, you need to complete FCC Form 160. The easiest way to complete FCC Form 160 is online 

The W4VEC Sevierville Team works with Sevier County Amateur Radio Society  to provide quality testing for all who are interested in obtaining their  amateur radio license . We have provided many years of amateur radio testing and mentoring for all ...

The W4VEC team test every 3rd Thursday of the month at the King Family Library , 408 High St, here in Sevierville TN..

Required When Taking The Test :

FRN, Copy of your FCC license if upgrading, State Photo ID, cost is $12.00 Exact Cash, Test starts at 6:00 pm  we ask that you do come at least 15 minutes early to fill out all paperwork, if you have any questions please contact N4JTQ  Rick Sr Session Manager ... We also test at our Hamfest  or any special event type if requested in Sevier County. Contact n4jtq@live.com  to pre register if required or any questions ...

Test on Thursday and get your license  Friday the next day 99% of the time... No long waiting !!   

Just got your license, check out how to get your 1st contact award!

Sevier County Amateur Radio Participates In 1st Contact Award 

Make A Contact With One Of Our Members!!

At the national association for Amateur Radio we have always felt that the local radio club is where the learning takes place.  The local radio club is where the newcomer begins the journey of discovery and the seasoned veteran keeps informed of the latest technology. Regardless of where we are on our ham radio journey our local radio club is where we find our friends.

The term "Elmer" means someone who provides personal guidance and assistance to would-be hams. The term first appeared in QST in a March 1971 "How's DX" column by Rod Newkirk, W9BRD (now also VA3ZBB). Newkirk called them "the unsung fathers of Amateur Radio."

As you can see, the term is not very old. Prior to the first use of Elmer as the one who guided and encouraged us, what were these folks called? We have received a lot of suggestions; teacher, mentor, tutor, guide, helper, sage? All are appropriate but my guess would be that first and foremost they were called friend.