Amateur Radio License Preparation Courses and Testing
The Vintage Radio and Communications Museum of CT conducts regularly scheduled Amateur Radio Exam Sessions. Our Amateur Radio Club has a team of volunteers who conduct and administer exam sessions for the Technician, General and Extra Class license. Exam sessions coincide with our museum Swap Meets. See the “Events Calendar” for dates and time.
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The meaning of “Amateur:” You don’t get paid for your radio communication skills, just as Amateur Athletes do not get paid for their skills. The purpose is to use Amateur Radio as two-way radio for fun, science exploration, social education and international good will. Radio has no boundaries. The knowledge gained and the people met through Amateur Radio often opens new avenues of life.
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You are never too young, or too old to become a Radio Amateur, but first, you will need a place to start. It’s not with us, but with the National Organization for Amateur Radio; the American Radio Relay League. The “ARRL” represents the Amateur Radio Service before US and International governing commissions: https://www.arrl.org/getting-licensed
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At this time, the VRCMCT ARC does not offer in-person training and study courses for Amateur Radio License exams. However, we are now partnered with the Westchester Emergency Communications Association (WECA). There VE Team Leader, Larrie Sutliff, W2UL, conducts ZOOM training sessions for each license class. Our Amateur Radio Club thanks Larrie and WECA for their dedication to Amateur Radio.
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Check out the Events Calendar for scheduled exams.
The W1VCM Ham Radio club at the Vintage Radio & Communication Museum conducts amateur radio license VE testing sessions at every Museum "Swap Meet" to assist people who are trying to achieve their Amateur radio operators license. Check the Events Calendar for the next available test date.
An exam, authorized by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is required for all three levels of the Amateur Radio license. These exams are administered by Volunteer Examiners, accredited by the FCC-recognized Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) system.
The Technician Class and General Class written exams consist of 35 multiple-choice questions, drawn randomly from a pool of at least 350. To pass, 26 of the 35 questions must be answered correctly. The Amateur Extra Class exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and you must also have passed all previous license class written examinations.
MANDATORY BEFORE THE EXAM DATE
FCC Registration Number (FRN): Examinees are required by the FCC to submit your FRN with your license application form. New license applicants must create an FCC user account and register their Social Security Number (SSN) in the FCC Commission Registration System (CORES) before attending exam sessions. Registrants will be assigned an FRN which will be used in all license transactions with the FCC. For instructions on how to register your SSN and receive an FRN from the FCC, visit the CORES Registration page and the FCC's Registration instructions page or these instructions from the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) https://www.arrl.org/fcc-cores-registration-instructions . Per FCC rules, a valid email address is also mandatory on the application form to receive FCC correspondence, including the official copy of your Amateur Radio license.
ON EXAM DAY
The test session starts at 10 am and you should be prepared with your FRN number, photo ID, $15 cash or check made out to the ARRL VEC, and - IF applicable - a printed copy of any existing amateur radio license. You will find the information at https://www.arrl.org/what-to-bring-to-an-exam-session will help you to be prepared.
If you are under the age of 18, special programs are available to reduce the cost of obtaining a license and that information can be found here: https://www.arrl.org/youth-licensing-grant-program
Candidates are welcome to walk-in or may pre-register by calling the museum at 860-683-2903 or send an email to radioclctr@aol.com
