.

Matt, you need to take the FCC test to obtain a HAM license.

You can join any club you wish with/without a license...but need one if you wish to use a club (or any) repeater or transmit simplex.

There are clubs in the area who over study classes to help get you prepared to take the test. It is pretty easy actually.

BARS also hosts VE sessions which is the FCC test for the various licenses. I'm not a member of that club but took the technician test with them.

Here is the BARS website. http://www.w1hh.org/

Good luck
 
BARS exam

BARS is a good club. Inexpensive to join and your first year of membership is granted to you if you take an exam with them. They host exams almost every month.

Next VE session is 7:00PM October 13th at

Matthews Memorial Church
128 Gorham St. (Route 3A)
East Chelmsford, MA 01824

FWIW:
1) Study but don't stress out. The tests are multiple choice. They are not difficult if you spend some time running practice tests.
2) Get an FCC FRN (federal registration number) before attending the exam, get one here: https://apps.fcc.gov/coresWeb/publicHome.do
3) Bring you FRN number to the exam. Bring $15 for the exam session fee. Bring several #2 pencils and a non-programmable calculator (probably won't need it to pass).

It will take a couple of weeks after the exam and then you'll be officially licensed for ten years!

If you really are into the HAM stuff, it's worthwhile to read and understand the underlying material (such as the ARRL books). Although, you really do not need to spend months studying to pass. A hour each night running practice exams between now and next Thursday should be sufficient to pass the tech exam. Perhaps, a bit more for the general and the extra, if so inclined. p.s. the exam question set changes every so many years, be sure to have the most up-to-date reference material.

Some good sites for practice (free!):

https://hamexam.org/
http://ars.nc4fb.org/tracked/nc4fb-exam-tracking-facility.html

Good luck, see you at BARS.
 
Dot Tavern Dorchester, Sullivan's Charlestown, Murphy's Law Southie, Kelley's Pub in Eastie...and...
(Huh? What's that?...Wrong thread?... Sorry, I saw "Any bar members?" and I naturally assumed it was an NES discussion about.... um.....oh never mind).
[emoji12]
 
enbloc said:
WTF? From the FCC-FRN app website:

NOTICE TO INDIVIDUALS REQUIRED BY THE PRIVACY ACT OF 1974 AND THE PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT OF 1995

The solicitation of the personal information requested in this form is authorized by the Communications Act, Sections 8 & 9, and the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996. P.L. 104-134. This form will be used primarily to capture information to maintain required accounts receivable, and collect fines and debts due the Commission. As part of the Debt Collection Improvement Act, agencies are authorized to refer specific Taxpayers Identification information which includes Employers Identification Numbers and Social Security Numbers to the Department of Treasury for further investigation and possible enforcement of a statute, rule, regulation or order. If we believe there may be a violation or potential violation of a FCC statute, regulation, rule or order, your application may be referred to the Federal, state, or local agency responsible for investigating, prosecuting, enforcing or implementing the statute, rule, regulation or order. In certain cases, the information in your application may be disclosed to the Department of Justice or a court or adjudicative body when (a) the FCC; or (b) any employee of the FCC; or (c) the United States Government, is a party to a proceeding before the body or has an interest in the proceeding. If information requested on the form is not provided, processing of the application/filing may be delayed or returned without action pursuant to Commission rules.

If you owe a past due debt to the Federal Government, the Taxpayer Identification Number (such as your Social Security Number) and other information you provide may also be disclosed to the Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service, other federal agencies and/or your employer to offset your salary, IRS tax refund or other payments to collect that debt. The FCC may also provide this information to these agencies through the matching of computer records when authorized.

We have estimated that each response to this collection of information will take, on average, 15 minutes. Our estimate includes the time to read the instructions, look through existing records, gather and maintain required data, and actually review and complete the form.

Remember--You are not required to respond to a collection of information sponsored by the Federal government, and the government may not conduct or sponsor this collection, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number or if we fail to provide you with this notice. This collection has been assigned an OMB control number of 3060-0917.

This notice is required by the Privacy Act of 1974, Public Law 93-579, December 31, 1974, 5 U.S.C. Section 552a(e) (3) and the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, October 1, 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3507.
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Yea, that's goofy. The long arm of the IRS. Just another WTF.

There is no fee as an individual amateur. They are saying that this agency (the FCC) may share any information collected with other agencies.

If you have a back IRS debt and are on the run from them (secret home address), then do not apply for an FRN. But, I suspect, this is not the case.

The other part of it has to do with operating outside of the FCC rules. For instance, if you are broadcasting as a pirate radio station (broadcasting commercial music), interfering with bands outside of the amateur bands (e.g. public safety/aircraft/navigation beacons), transmitting fraudulent distress calls on calling frequencies, etc. With the capability of the HAM gear, you have the potential to cause a lot of havoc. They frown on intentionally breaking of the rules (if they find you). Most of the rules are common sense, though.

One requirement for an FCC license is that your current station (home) address is kept up-to date with the FCC. If your address changes (and forget to tell them) or is invalid, they can revoke your FCC license. Whatever you decide do, as soon as you apply for an amateur license you'll eventually be assigned an FRN. Getting one now simply speeds up that process and reduces the chance for error.
 
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GlockJock said:
Dot Tavern Dorchester, Sullivan's Charlestown, Murphy's Law Southie, Kelley's Pub in Eastie...and...
(Huh? What's that?...Wrong thread?... Sorry, I saw "Any bar members?" and I naturally assumed it was an NES discussion about.... um.....oh never mind).
[emoji12]
Click to expand...

lol. If only the meetings weren't held in a church...
 
For those interested, a reminder that the BARS will be hosting the next Amateur Radio Licensing Exam on Thursday November 10th at 7:00PM.

Matthews Memorial Church
128 Gorham St. (Route 3A)
East Chelmsford, MA 01824

http://www.w1hh.org/?page_id=99

Session fee is $15. All three FCC qualification tests are available (consecutive): technician, general, and extra.

If you plan on attending:
1) Bring the exam fee of $15.
2) Get an FCC FRN (federal registration number) before attending the exam, get one here: https://apps.fcc.gov/coresWeb/publicHome.do Bring your FRN number to the exam.
3) Bring several #2 pencils.
4) Bring a non-programmable calculator.
5) Optional: try to study ahead of time using one of the online practice exams. You'll be a lot less stressed on exam day and will have a much greater chance at passing the first time. Perhaps, all three license classes...

Upon passing, the subsequently issued (within a couple of weeks) FCC license is good for ten years. From my understanding, BARS will sponsor your membership for a year as well.

Good luck!
 
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For those waiting in the wings, the next BARS hosted exam date is scheduled for December 8th at 7:00PM.

Same deal as the last exam, at:

Matthews Memorial Church
128 Gorham St. (Route 3A)
East Chelmsford, MA 01824

http://www.w1hh.org/?page_id=99

Session fee is $15 (covers material,postage,etc). All three FCC qualification tests are available (consecutive): technician, general, and extra.

If you plan on attending:
1) Bring the exam fee of $15.
2) Get an FCC FRN (federal registration number) before attending the exam, get one here: https://apps.fcc.gov/coresWeb/publicHome.do Bring your FRN number to the exam.
3) Bring several #2 pencils.
4) Bring a non-programmable calculator.
5) Optional: try to study ahead of time using one of the online practice exams. You'll be a lot less stressed on exam day and will have a much greater chance at passing the first time. Perhaps, all three license classes...

Some (free) practice exam resources include:

https://hamexam.org/
http://ars.nc4fb.org/tracked/nc4fb-e...-facility.html
http://www.ai1ee.com
... among others listed in the forum...

If you pass, the subsequently issued (within a couple of weeks) FCC license is good for ten years. From my understanding, BARS will sponsor your membership with them for a year if interested.

Good luck!
 
vicorjh said:
...One requirement for an FCC license is that your current [STRIKE=LINE]station (home)[/STRIKE] mailing address is kept up-to date with the FCC. If your address changes (and forget to tell them) or is invalid, they can revoke your FCC license.
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FTFY.

47 CFR §97.23 Mailing address.
Each license grant must show the grantee's correct name and mailing address. The mailing address must be in an area where the amateur service is regulated by the FCC and where the grantee can receive mail delivery by the United States Postal Service. Revocation of the station license or suspension of the operator license may result when correspondence from the FCC is returned as undeliverable because the grantee failed to provide the correct mailing address.
Click to expand...
 
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