New Hams

Amateur Radio Licensing

Monthly License Exam Sessions

LAXNORTHEAST conducts in-person amateur radio licensing exams 

➡️ Register for your upcoming licensing sessions here: 

https://hamstudy.org/sessions/laxne  ⬅️

Testing Information

Online Testing Alternative

You can also take exams from the comfort of your own home with GLAARG. For remote exam sessions through GLAARG see here.

Recommended Study Method

(Adapted from N0JI)

1. Sign up for a free account at HamStudy.org and confirm your email.

2. Log in (not as a guest) and choose "Technician" as your option.

3. Go to "Study Mode" and select "T1" from the "All Questions" dropdown at the top.

4. Go through all the T1 questions using flash cards until you know them well. It's okay to guess but try not to use the "I don't know" option.

5. After T1, proceed to T2, and so on, until you've learned all ten sections.

6. When done, use the return arrow at the top left to go back (don't use your browser's back button).

7. Choose "Practice Test" and do practice exams until you score at least 85% several times in a row.

8. You can find information on where to take the licensing exam with LAXNORTHEAST here, others here.

9. After passing the Technician exam, you'll have the chance to take the General exam for free, so consider studying for that too.

Your First Radio

Any radio you choose and make work is okay as far as we are concerned.  

⛲Activity Day

We invite you to join us for our Activity Day, every 4th Saturday of the month from 9:00AM to 12:00PM, where we can help you get on the air and program your radio. You can also meet fellow hams in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere. See our calendar for location information here.

New Ham Programs and Radios

Note: We do not endorse or benefit from any of the radios or programs mentioned below.  The recommendations are based on feedback from new hams.

QRZ New Ham Jumpstart Program

This program is designed to promote amateur radio to the masses, helping to eliminate a possible barrier to entry by providing new hams with everything they'll need to get on the air at a very reasonable price. Jumpstart Packages will be provided to new hams who meet eligibility requirements. 

New hams who have recently obtained their first license from the FCC may apply for a welcome package. Applicants must apply within 6 months of the license grant date per the FCC records.

Find out more here: https://www.qrz.com/jumpstart


Radios for Purchase

TYT TH-8000D/E

If you are looking to get started and are still unsure about the hobby we recommend the TYT TH-8000D/E.  They run between $75 - 85 on Amazon and other vendors, come with a programming cable that can be used with the free CHIRP software, an improved antenna and a charger.

The TYT TH-8000D/E also has a clean signal. It avoids the spurious emissions that plague the less expensive Baofeng radios and clones. Those emissions are one reason why the Bundesnetzagentur prohibits the sale of Baofeng radios in Germany, for example. Reducing spurious emissions is best amateur radio practice.

Yaesu Handheld Radios

For a little more money you can buy Yaesu handhelds that are higher quality and have clean signals.  

The FT-65r, FT-60r, FT-4xr are solid options that will last for years.  They range from $80 - $120.

You will have to buy a programming cable separately. 

Ham Radio Outlet (HR), Gigaparts, DX Engineering, RandL Electronics are some of the popular ham radio stores for high quality radios. 

Note: this video is provided as a courtesy reference. ARES LAX is not affiliated with Hamradiolife.org. The views are the channel authors'.

Frequencies

Time to get on the air! 

How to use CHIRP to Program Your Radio

 We recommend that beginners use a programming cable and the free CHIRP software to program their handheld radios.

Always save a copy of of your initial configuration before making changes! If anything goes wrong you can revert to the factory settings.

If you live in LA County and close to the San Gabriel Valley you are invited to use our CHIRP_SGV_ForNewHams file. It will get you up and talking in no time!

The CHIRP_SGV_ForNewHams file is a template. You cannot make any changes to the online template, but you can download it to your PC and then make changes. Note that the template also has Instructions and a listing of popular nets in San Gabriel Valley.

Open the CSV in CHIRP and then copy the frequencies you would like to your radio configuration file as shown below.

Save your Radio Configuration file and then upload it to your radio. Done!

Popular Nets in San Gabriel Valley