Licensing

An amateur radio license issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is required before an individual can transmit on any of the frequencies allocated to the Amateur Radio Service by the FCC.  There are three classes of amateur licenses currently being issued by the FCC: Technician, General and Extra.  The Technician license is the entry level into ham radio and may be obtained by passing a 35-question examination administered by a local team of volunteer examiners (VE's).  Passing a Morse code test is no longer a requirement for any of the three license classes.

The Owensboro Amateur Radio Club's Volunteer Examiner Team is sanctioned by the ARRL/VEC and offers periodic license examinations for any individual wishing to obtain an Amateur Radio license and for Amateurs who want to upgrade their license class.  Walk-ins are welcome, but pre-registration is encouraged.  Contact VE Team Leader, Steve Morgan, W4NHO, by e-mail for information or to pre-register for an exam.  The Owensboro Amateur Radio Club places current exam preparation manuals at the Daviess County Public Library that can be checked out for study.  Study aids are also available online on the ARRL (American Radio Relay League) website and practice exams may be taken on the QRZ.com website.

The 2013 ARRL/VEC test fee is $15.00, and is charged once, no matter whether taking any one, two, or all three test elements, one time.  Retests of an element failed at the same test session will require payment of an additional test fee.  Applicants should bring a current government-issued photo identification (driver's license, passport, etc) or two other forms of ID that will confirm the applicants identity and address.  Amateurs upgrading to a higher license class should bring a photocopy of their current FCC-issued Amateur Radio license and photocopies of any CSCE's (Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination) previously issued for exam credit toward the new license class.

OWENSBORO AMATEUR RADIO CLUB VE TEST 2013 SCHEDULE

Sat., Apr 27, 2013   9:00 a.m. CT     Bass 'n More Bait & Tackle's multi-purpose room, 1308 Triplett St., Owensboro, 42303

Sat., Sep 28, 2013   9:00 a.m. CT     Community Room at the Owensboro Police Dept., 222 E 9th St., Owensboro, 42303

Sat., Nov 9, 2013     9:00 a.m. CT     Community Room at the Owensboro Police Dept., 222 E 9th St., Owensboro, 42303

OARC VOLUNTEER EXAMINER TEAM

NOTE:  If you are a certified Volunteer Examiner and would like to join the OARC/ARRL VE Team, contact team leader Steve Morgan at JLIB_HTML_CLOAKING or Jim Mason, JLIB_HTML_CLOAKING .