The ham test (exam) covers two major categories

Basically, the test makes sure you have a high-level knowledge of how ham radio works and how you should work with ham radio. You'll be tested for appropriate information on FCC rules that govern operation, including your privileges and responsibilities, and how radio works overall. You don't need a college degree, and you won't feel like you need one, when you take or study for the test.

Outline of the entire Technician test by topic

The Science Behind Amateur Radio Electrical Principles Electrical Basics Conductors and Insulators Electrical Quantities Voltage, Current, Resistance Metric (SI) Units Ohm's Law AC and DC Power Power Law Decibels Inductance and Capacitance Electrical Components Passive Components Resistor Inductor, capacitor Semiconductors Diode, transistor Other Components Transformer, lamp Antenna, ground Circuit Diagrams and Schematic Symbols Battery, fuse, potentiometer, LED Variable inductor, variable capacitor Radio Wave Principles Radio Waves Frequency and Wavelength The Electromagnetic Spectrum How Signals Travel VHF and UHF Waves HF Waves Radio Signals Modulation Modes AM, FM SSB, USB, LSB Bandwidth Digital Modes Packet, PSK31, RTTY, PACTOR III Antennas Types Polarization / orientation Feed lines Connectors SWR

The Person Behind Amateur Radio Safety AC Power Hazardous Voltages Fuses and Circuit Breakers Batteries Antennas Towers Power Lines RF Exposure Proximity to Antennas Safe Power Levels Station Control Station Accessories Interference and Grounding Operating Controls Equipment Receiver, Transmitter, Transceiver Repeater Offset, offset direction (shift) Tone (CTCSS, PL, DCS) Troubleshooting Basic Repair and Testing Using Test Equipment Soldering General Operation FM HF Public Serivces, Emergency Operations, Non-emergency Operations Amateur Satellite Fun with Amateur Radio Rules and Regulations ITU Regions Authorized Frequencies Frequency Allocations Operator Classes, Privileges, Call Signs Station Identification Authorized and Prohibited Transmissions Control Operator and Control Types You can download a study guide PDF of all the Technician class test material, including the answers to all the test questions You can also download a PPT for the four-day ham radio class I teach, that covers much of the ham test material

Recommended study method

Go to HamStudy.org and register for a free account (confirm by email) Log in as yourself (not as Guest) Select Technician Click Study Flash Cards At the top of the page click the All Questions dropdown and select T1 Answer each question in the flash cards for T1 until you've mastered the material Simply guess at the answers if you need to, but resist the temptation to click I don't know Move on to T2, etc. Once you've mastered all ten sub-elements, click the return arrow in the upper-left corner (not your browser Back button) Select Practice Test, and start taking the practice exams until you've achieved at least 92% on several in a row When you go to take the actual exam, and after you pass the Technician exam, you'll be offered to take the General exam free-of-charge, so it might be in your best interest to go over the General exam questions as well

Answer 26 out of 35 questions correctly to pass the test

The test is given at the ham testing center online by their computers, or on paper...your choice. You'll be presented with 35 multiple-choice questions for the ham test, and you must get 26 correct to pass the test. The test is not timed, so you can take as long as you need, until we turn the lights off and kick you out. You'll be permitted to use the Windows Calculator, but no other electronic device, including cell phones, are permitted during the test.

Who can take the ham test?

The ham test and subsequent license are available to any living person, regardless of age, and whether or not that person is a US citizen.

Where and when to take the ham test

The ham test is given at various places throughout the US. For those in Utah County the nearest ham test location might be the J. Reuben Clark Law School building of BYU campus. The test is administered there on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm. You'll need to go to HamStudy.org and obtain a PIN, then bring two forms of government ID and $14, but leave your calculator at home. Scratch paper is provided if you request it, but you'll need to bring your own pen or pencil, and you'll have to surrender your scratch paper when you complete your exam.

Is there a ham radio class I can take?

There is probably a ham radio course being taught near you. To locate a nearby course, go to the ARRL 'Find a Class' page and enter your ZIP code. If you live in Utah County, the City of Orem posts a schedule of $10 ham radio classroom instruction. Ham instructors also hold monthly ham classes you can take free-of-charge on the third Saturdays of every month (except during summer) at 8:00 am in the BYU J. Reuben Clark Law School building. You can sign up and reserve a spot by email. You might also be interested in viewing a PPT for the four-day ham radio class that I teach.

I heard that the ham test does or did require Morse Code

It did for decades, but Morse Code, or CW, is no longer required to pass the ham test. If you would like to learn 'code' anyway, there are a number of online study aids that can help get you started.