BBS: TELESC.NET.BR Assunto: How long does it take? De: Daryl Stout Data: Tue, 3 Feb 2026 17:47:00 -0600 ----------------------------------------------------------- James, JG> How long does it typically take to get this license? To become JG> a ham radio op that is. It depends how much time you want to take to study the material. You can't just walk in off the street without some preparation. You will be tested on rules, regulations, frequencies, propagation, RF safety, and electronic theory (including Ohm's Law). In the United States and its territories, the National Council Of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC) generate a Question Pool, in the public domain, of a set of questions devised by licensed ham radio operators of these classes: General -- for the Technician exam Advanced -- for the Technician or General exam Amateur Extra -- for the Technician, General, or Amateur Extra exam. The Question Pools change every 4 years, depending on changes with rules, technology, etc. There are also schematic diagrams, where you have to identify certain components. The pools have to contain at least 10 times the number of questions on an exam. The Technician and General exam have 35 questions, and the Amateur Extra exam has 50 questions. So at minimum, if you decide to go for all 3 in one sitting (it can be done, but it's not easy), you have a minimum of 1200 questions (multiple choice) to know...and the total could be over 1700 questions. I personally recommend HamTestOnline (hamradiolicenseexam.com). While a fee based course (6 month subscription), they offer a money back guarantee if you fail the exam. Back in 2007, in studying 2 hours a day for 2 weeks (you will burn out if you do any more than that), I went from Technician to General in 14 days, and from General to Amateur Extra 13 days later. They cover not only the questions, but the concepts...so you are learning something, and not just memorizing answers. When you get to 80 percent studying, start taking practice tests. When you start scoring 85 percent or better on a regular basis, you are ready to take the exam, and will likely pass. Yet, as noted above, if after adequate study and practice tests, you still fail the exam, send them proof of the failure, and they will cancel your subscription, and refund your money. With "internet radio" (for those like myself with medical/health issues, or for those with antenna prohibitions), you can still talk to hams around the world with just a Technician Class license. Daryl Stout, N5VLZ, Volunteer Examiner Team Leader University Of Arkansas At Little Rock Ham Radio Club ... Do you, Ham, take Radio, to be your lawfully wedded spouse?? --- MultiMail/Win v0.52 Synchronet The Thunderbolt BBS -- Little Rock, Arkansas ----------------------------------------------------------- [Voltar]