A Ham Radio Technician Class Exam Prep Course

 
This course is now complete but remains here for archival purposes.
Welcome to the Amateur Radio Technician Class exam prep course hosted by the Hamfesters Radio Club. This is a resource site to assist in a five week course that comprises a combination of thorough, instructional videos by David Casler, KEØOG, an e-mail support group to assist in your studies, and a weekly video conference meeting to ask and answer any questions you are having along the way. Your facilitators for this course are Brian, W9HLQ and Mike, K9ACM. Again, the bulk of the self-study material for this course is in the form of videos put together through the tireless work of Dave, KEØOG. He makes his videos available to the community at no cost. If you like them, consider adding something to his virtual tip jar.
Getting Started: How this Course Works

This is a support course to help you in your pursuit of the Amateur Radio Technician License. It is not designed to take the place of your own studying and preparation; however, it is designed to support you in your efforts, to offer further explanation of any concepts you find difficult, and to answer your questions as they arise.

Orientation Information

For a little introductory information that might be useful to you as you begin this course, please see the slides embedded below, or you can click the following link to open them in a new window: Introductory Information

course-info

Facilitators

Your course facilitators are Brian W9HLQ and Mike K9ACM. These are the guys who will be answering your e-mail and moderating the video meetings. They are both good hams and happy to work with you.


Brian, W9HLQ
Mike, K9ACM

Book

While there are many resources available to help you with your studies, we recommend the ARRL Ham Radio License Manual: Level 1, Technician 4th Edition. This is the de facto resource to prepare for the exam. The video series is organized around this book, section-by-section, and a common book will make for a smoother class experience. You can get yours from the ARRL here: ARRL Ham Radio License Manual 4th Edition.

Schedule

This five week course comprises self-study using the ARRL Ham Radio License Manual: Level 1, Technician 4th Edition, an e-mail support list for questions and answers throughout the week, and a weekly video meeting for discussion, additional explanation, and supplemental instruction. We will use the schedule below.

DateAssignments
9/20 READ: Ch 1, 2, 3
WATCH: Wk 1 Videos
SEND: Questions
ATTEND: Video Call
9/27 READ: Ch 4, 5
WATCH: Wk 2 Videos
SEND: Questions
ATTEND: Video Call
10/4 READ: Ch 5, 6
WATCH: Wk 3 Videos
SEND: Questions
ATTEND: Video Call
10/11 READ: Ch 7, 8
WATCH: Wk 4 Videos
SEND: Questions
ATTEND: Video Call
10/18 READ: Ch 9
WATCH: Wk 5 Videos
SEND: Questions
ATTEND: Video Call
Week 1: Welcome, Fundamentals, and Circuits

First read Chapters 1, 2, and 3. Then watch…

  1. Welcome to the Video Series · 1  (9:47)
  2. Radio Signals and Waves · 2.1  (14:50)
  3. Equipment Basics · 2.2  (6:30)
  4. Electricity · 3.1   (7:57)
  5. Components and Units · 3.2   (16:44)
  6. Radio Circuits, Oscillators, and Mixers · 3.3   (6:13)
Week 2: Antennas, Propagation and Modulation

First read Chapters 4 and 5 (5.1, 5.2). Then watch…

  1. Propagation · 4.1   (6:44)
  2. Antennas and Radio Waves · 4.2   (6:16)
  3. Feedlines and SWR · 4.3   (6:42)
  4. Practical Antenna Systems · 4.4  (3:03)
  5. Modulation · 5.1   (10:37)
  6. Transmitters and Receivers · 5.2   (11:02)
Week 3: Communication with Other Hams

First read Chapter 5 (5.3, 5.4) and Chapter 6. Then watch…

  1. Digital Communications · 5.3   (16:38)
  2. Power Supplies and Batteries · 5.4   (6:52)
  3. Band Plans · 6.1   (4:31)
  4. Making Contacts · 6.2   (6:58)
  5. Radio Repeaters · 6.3   (8:07)
  6. Radio Networks · 6.4   (8:14)
  7. Comms for Public Service · 6.5   (17:18)
  8. Satellite Operating · 6.6   (14:50)
Week 4: Licensing and Operating Regulations

First read Chapters 7 and 8. Then watch…

  1. Licensing Terms · 7.1   (14:07)
  2. Bands and Privileges · 7.2  (12:14)
  3. International Rules · 7.3  (5:37)
  4. Call Signs · 7.4   (8:35)
  5. Control Operators · 8.1  (4:43)
  6. Identification · 8.2   (7:37)
  7. Interference · 8.3   (7:39)
  8. Third Party Communications · 8.4  (4:21)
  9. Remote and Automatic Communications · 8.5  (4:14)
  10. Prohibited Transmissions · 8.6  (6:31)
Week 5: Safety and Review

First read Chapter 9. Then watch…

  1. Electrical Safety · 9.1  (9:14)
  2. Managing RF in Your Station · 9.2  (4:30)
  3. RF Interference · 9.3  (6:30)
  4. RF Exposure · 9.4  (19:47)
  5. Mechanical Outdoor Safety · 9.5  (3:45)
  6. Prepare to take the Exam (7:35)