HamCram!—Amateur Radio Technician License Review
and
FCC License Testing Session
TBD
(scroll down to pay by Paypal)
One-Day Ham Radio License!
You too can get your Amateur Radio license in a single day. No Morse code test is required!
HamCram! is a no-code AMATEUR RADIO TECHNICIAN LICENSE cram-session review in two, 3.5-hour sessions. We give the test at the end of the review, right there at the class!
Who Attends a HamCram!?
The HamCram! review is an easy way for people to get on the air:
What Can I Do with my Ham Radio License?
With an FCC (Federal Communications Commission) no-(Morse) code, Technician Class license, you can participate in Amateur Radio:
o Data (Morse code, RTTY radioteletype, packet, HamWAN)
o APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System)—geotracking, texting
o Video
The next review session is at South Kitsap Fire and Rescue Station 31 - 200 Tremont Street, in Port Orchard. Take your seats at 8:00 a.m. We begin promptly at 8:15 a.m. There is a 45-minute lunch break at 11:45 a.m. Bring lunch (there is a refrigerator) or visit the local restaurants.
Testing starts at 4:30 p.m. The VE team will accept testing walk-ins at 5:00 p.m. (you will pay the going-rate testing fee, see Testing, below).
Can I Pass the Test?
Yes. Thousands have gotten their licenses at similar events by studying actual questions and answers, some of which will appear on the FCC exam given at the end of the day. More than 90 percent of students pass their license exam on their very first try!
What Happens at the Review?
This review provides you with everything you need to know to pass the FCC Technician license exam. Every question in the question pool is covered. The instructors add material to enhance and cement the knowledge required by the FCC. You will see an operating amateur radio station.
This is a fast-paced course with these elements:
This is NOT a comprehensive ham-radio training course. However, you WILL gain more understanding of ham radio. And the best part of this adventure is this: YOU WILL BE LICENSED! From here, you will be able to learn from other hams at your own pace.
Mentors
We encourage HamCram! participants to line up a ham mentor in advance, if possible. If you live in and near the West Sound area in Pugetopolis, we have hams (“Elmers”) ready to assist you (see Registration, below).
What should I do before the review?
You should view and/or listen to excellent, available materials before attending. The in-class sessions will be MUCH MORE VALUABLE to you (check at your public library for free materials):
Registration
Cost for the one-day event is $35. This fee includes the testing session. The first year of West Sound Amateur Radio Club radio-club membership is included at no additional charge (a gift from WSARC members)! Preregistration and prepayment are required.
Scholarships are available on a case-by-case basis.
We encourage STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) and robotics students to attend.
Although ham radio is for all ages, persons less than 12 years old must have special permission to attend (sessions require a developed attention span). Contact the HamCram Administrator.
Testing
Walk-in Testing begins at 5:00 p.m. You will need the following:
The instructors have many years combined experience in amateur radio. We are young and enthusiastic teachers. We’ve taught classes and offered volunteer testing many times. We are very excited about helping you get your ham-radio license!
About West Sound Amateur Radio Club
WSARC is a non-profit Washington corporation. Our goal is to educate new and "experienced" hams in modern amateur-radio technique. We prepare our members for public-service communication using our home, mobile, and portable amateur-radio stations. We have building projects and we run hidden-transmitter hunts (Fox Hunts). We participate in Field Day (totally solar powered) with our club-station callsign N7IG (It’s Good!).
Information on HamCram! and on Testing
Contact the HamCram Administrator: Hamcram7@wsarc.club
Contact the VE Testing Liaison: VEtesting@wsarc.club
Credits
The name "HAM CRAM" was coined by George Dorner, at W9ZSJ, in 1993. We use material from W9PE, N5LDF, KB6NU, and the American Radio Relay League (ARRL).
If you have ever wanted to get your ham-radio license, NOW IS THE TIME!
Registration for HamCram! Technician License Review $35
• 7 hours of instruction
• Technician Class examination fee (FCC Element 2) included
• One-year membership in WSARC (our gift, no charge)
Fee is NOT refundable. If you miss you can use a credit for the next review.
You too can get your Amateur Radio license in a single day. No Morse code test is required!
HamCram! is a no-code AMATEUR RADIO TECHNICIAN LICENSE cram-session review in two, 3.5-hour sessions. We give the test at the end of the review, right there at the class!
Who Attends a HamCram!?
The HamCram! review is an easy way for people to get on the air:
- Emergency workers (paid and volunteer)
- CERT team members
- Search and rescue participants
- Service organizations (Red Cross, religious groups, etc.)
- Preppers and others who might use Amateur Radio in an emergency
- Makers and electronic hobbyists
- Computer geeks (wireless networking)
- STEM and robotics students
What Can I Do with my Ham Radio License?
With an FCC (Federal Communications Commission) no-(Morse) code, Technician Class license, you can participate in Amateur Radio:
- Use popular modes
o Data (Morse code, RTTY radioteletype, packet, HamWAN)
o APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System)—geotracking, texting
o Video
- Contact people around the world via satellite and “skip”
- Talk on local FM repeaters
- Learn electronics at your own pace
- Serve your community with emergency communications
- Enjoy full privileges on all HAM VHF/UHF frequencies above 50 MHz
- Use Novice/Technician Plus frequencies on HF, including world-wide SSB voice on 10 meters!
The next review session is at South Kitsap Fire and Rescue Station 31 - 200 Tremont Street, in Port Orchard. Take your seats at 8:00 a.m. We begin promptly at 8:15 a.m. There is a 45-minute lunch break at 11:45 a.m. Bring lunch (there is a refrigerator) or visit the local restaurants.
Testing starts at 4:30 p.m. The VE team will accept testing walk-ins at 5:00 p.m. (you will pay the going-rate testing fee, see Testing, below).
Can I Pass the Test?
Yes. Thousands have gotten their licenses at similar events by studying actual questions and answers, some of which will appear on the FCC exam given at the end of the day. More than 90 percent of students pass their license exam on their very first try!
What Happens at the Review?
This review provides you with everything you need to know to pass the FCC Technician license exam. Every question in the question pool is covered. The instructors add material to enhance and cement the knowledge required by the FCC. You will see an operating amateur radio station.
This is a fast-paced course with these elements:
- Learning—we will teach you something
- Memorization—commit some items to memory (use your recall memory)
- “Looks-right!” method—the answer that “looks right” usually is (use your short-term, recognition memory)
This is NOT a comprehensive ham-radio training course. However, you WILL gain more understanding of ham radio. And the best part of this adventure is this: YOU WILL BE LICENSED! From here, you will be able to learn from other hams at your own pace.
Mentors
We encourage HamCram! participants to line up a ham mentor in advance, if possible. If you live in and near the West Sound area in Pugetopolis, we have hams (“Elmers”) ready to assist you (see Registration, below).
What should I do before the review?
You should view and/or listen to excellent, available materials before attending. The in-class sessions will be MUCH MORE VALUABLE to you (check at your public library for free materials):
- "The ARRL Ham License Manual Revised 3nd Edition # 0222" ($29.95) from the ARRL at 1-888-277-5289 (toll-free, US only) or click to order from the ARRL on-line store.
- Gordon West at WB6NOA has a good guide: "Technician Class 2014-18, FCC Element 2 Radio License Preparation" 8th Edition
- Read the “KB6NU No-Nonsense Technician Study Guide” before class begins. A copy can be downloaded for no charge here: Study Guide
- Read the Part 97 rules, found here: Part 97 Rules
- Print a copy of the ARRL Band Plan, found here: ARRL Band Plan
- Take as many practice tests as you can, found here:
Registration
Cost for the one-day event is $35. This fee includes the testing session. The first year of West Sound Amateur Radio Club radio-club membership is included at no additional charge (a gift from WSARC members)! Preregistration and prepayment are required.
Scholarships are available on a case-by-case basis.
We encourage STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) and robotics students to attend.
Although ham radio is for all ages, persons less than 12 years old must have special permission to attend (sessions require a developed attention span). Contact the HamCram Administrator.
Testing
Walk-in Testing begins at 5:00 p.m. You will need the following:
- Testing walk-ins only: $15.00 test fee; cash preferred (no 50s or 100s), checks okay to "ARRL/VEC." No debit or credit cards.
- If you are upgrading, you need to bring the ORIGINAL and a COPY of your existing unexpired license (we do not have the ability to make copies at the test site). If you DO NOT have an original copy of your license, contact us BEFORE the exam session. If you have a CSCE (Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination) you must bring the ORIGINAL and a COPY of the CSCE. Your original documents will be returned to you after the VE team verifies the copies.
- If you are claiming Element 3 credit for a Technician license issued prior to March 21, 1987 please contact the team liaison BEFORE the exam session.
- Everyone: Bring ID; driver license, passport, or military ID. If you are a minor or you do not have one of the IDs mentioned, then bring your birth certificate and school picture ID, or birth certificate and Social Security card.
- Everyone: provide a Federal Registration Number (FRN) or a Social Security number (FRN is preferred). You can register and obtain your FRN here: FRN Number. Follow the NEW USERS -> REGISTRATION -> INDIVIDUAL buttons. Make sure you copy your FRN password—you will need this password whenever you access your license info on the FCC ULS (Universal Licensing System) website.
- Calculators can be used IF the VE team can verify that all memories and programs have been erased. Because of the ability to store and retrieve information, the use of a cell phone, smart phone, PDA or other similar device will not be allowed. If you need a calculator, the Texas Instruments TI-30Xa includes all of the functions needed for the Technician, General, and Extra Class examinations and is available for less than $15 at Walmart. If you prefer a calculator with RPN (reverse Polish notation {Editor: my favorite!}), the Hewlett Packard HP 35s is a good choice for under $60.
The instructors have many years combined experience in amateur radio. We are young and enthusiastic teachers. We’ve taught classes and offered volunteer testing many times. We are very excited about helping you get your ham-radio license!
About West Sound Amateur Radio Club
WSARC is a non-profit Washington corporation. Our goal is to educate new and "experienced" hams in modern amateur-radio technique. We prepare our members for public-service communication using our home, mobile, and portable amateur-radio stations. We have building projects and we run hidden-transmitter hunts (Fox Hunts). We participate in Field Day (totally solar powered) with our club-station callsign N7IG (It’s Good!).
Information on HamCram! and on Testing
Contact the HamCram Administrator: Hamcram7@wsarc.club
Contact the VE Testing Liaison: VEtesting@wsarc.club
Credits
The name "HAM CRAM" was coined by George Dorner, at W9ZSJ, in 1993. We use material from W9PE, N5LDF, KB6NU, and the American Radio Relay League (ARRL).
If you have ever wanted to get your ham-radio license, NOW IS THE TIME!
Registration for HamCram! Technician License Review $35
• 7 hours of instruction
• Technician Class examination fee (FCC Element 2) included
• One-year membership in WSARC (our gift, no charge)
Fee is NOT refundable. If you miss you can use a credit for the next review.
FCC license Testing Only - $15
Test fee for persons arriving at 5:00 p.m.
• Testing on FCC elements
• Bring ID and FRN
• Bring two copies of present license
• CSCE original and copy (if you have one)
• Join WSARC