Next step after GMRS

Ham radio exam prep.

Ready to go beyond GMRS? Here is how amateur radio licensing works and a six-week plan to pass the Technician exam.

GMRS versus ham radio

Both are fun. They are different services with different rules.

License: GMRS needs only an FCC application and fee. Ham radio needs you to pass an exam.
Who is covered: One GMRS license covers your immediate family. Every ham needs their own license.
Bands: GMRS is UHF around 462 and 467 MHz. Ham radio has dozens of bands, from HF to microwaves.
Equipment: GMRS uses certified radios. Hams may build, modify and experiment with equipment within the rules.
Use: GMRS is for family and personal communication. Ham radio is for hobby, experimenting, public service and emergency support.

Technician
The entry level. 35 exam questions. Gives you local VHF and UHF privileges and some HF.
General
Adds most HF bands for worldwide contacts. 35 exam questions.
Amateur Extra
Every privilege on every amateur band. 50 exam questions.

1
Week 1
Learn the basics: what radio waves are, frequency and wavelength, and the metric prefixes.
2
Week 2
Study the rules: licensing, privileges, station identification and operating practices.
3
Week 3
Electrical basics: voltage, current, resistance and Ohm's law, plus simple circuits.
4
Week 4
Antennas and propagation: how signals travel, feedlines, and common antenna types.
5
Week 5
Safety and equipment: RF exposure, grounding, lightning and station setup.
6
Week 6
Take full practice exams until you pass them with room to spare, then book a session.

Find a session: Volunteer Examiners run sessions in person and online. Search your area for the next one.
Bring what you need: Photo ID, the exam fee, and a calculator if you want one. Bring your FCC Registration Number if you have one.
Pass mark: For Technician and General you need 26 of 35 questions right. For Extra, 37 of 50.
Get your call sign: The FCC issues your call sign after you pass, usually within a few days.

Fees, session dates and question pools change, so confirm them with the exam organizers before you book.

Use the current question pool. The pools are updated every four years.
Learn the reasons behind answers instead of memorizing letters. It sticks better.
Take timed practice exams to get used to the format.
Listen to local nets to hear how real operators talk.
Ask a licensed operator to be your Elmer, a friendly mentor for new hams.