Chapter 1: Introduction
Each section of the General Class License Manual has numerous links to resources, study aides and reference. Making use of the following links will help you study effectively.
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Exam practice helps you assess your readiness for the real event! Be sure to use the software provided with the ARRL manual to check your understanding of the content in each chapter as you prepare for the exam. You can flag questions that you miss so you can easily go back to review the relevant content in the study guide. And, to be extra confident, set aside some time to take some practice exams in advance of exam day.
If you would like to find out if any classroom instruction is being offered in your community, you can search our database to locate an opporunity that might be convenient for you.
Learn More -
- ARRL Hello! - Information about Amateur Radio and how to become a "ham" operator.
- ARRL New Ham Desk -This is the address for email when you need extra explanation on a topic or just have a question.
- ARRL Licensing Information
- Club Search Page - Find clubs in your area
- License Search - Look up other license holders in your area or search for your own call sign after passing your exam.
- Licensing Class - Find license classes in your area
- Exam Session Search - Locate upcoming exam sessions
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- ARRL Operating Manual - covers many ham radio operating topics
- Ham Radio for Dummies - your "desktop Elmer" covering operating and technical topics
- QST
- ARRL Bulletins - Bulletins on general news, DX, Propagation, satellite tracking information (Keplerian)
- W1AW - the ARRL's club station broadcasts bulletins and code practice all year long
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Quick Reference Operating Aids
- Amateur Radio Spectrum Band Chart – includes recent revisions for Technician privileges
- Communication Procedures, ITU Phonetic Alphabet, RST System, UTC Time Conversion Chart
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- AC6V's Amateur Radio and DX Reference Guide - Glossaries, links, and files on all facets of Amateur Radio
- eham.net - Web portal with news, email lists, and classified ads
- QRZ.com - Web portal and call sign database
- QSL.net - Numerous individual and club web pages
- Googlegroups - enter "ham radio" or "amateur radio" into the Search Groups window
- Groups.io - enter "ham radio" or "amateur radio" into the Search window
- Yahoo! groups - enter "ham radio" or "amateur radio" into the Search window
- Yahoo group for new hams
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- AMSAT - largest amateur satellite organization
- Handi-ham - resource for disabled hams and ham students
- QRP Amateur Radio Club Int'l
- TAPR - sponsor and organizer of digital communications initiatives
- YLRL - activities of interest to female operators
- YOTA (Youngsters On the Air) - Worldwide group for operators 26 years of age or younger
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- FCC Rules and Regulations - ARRL book containing all the rules with helpful interpretation and guidance
- Part 97 Rules
- FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau
- FCC Universal Licensing System
- ITU
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- ARRL Publications - The ARRL is the largest publisher of books and materials for hams and about ham radio.
- Glossary
- Ham Radio History - more information on how ham radio came to be the worldwide phenomenon it is today.
- List of Abbreviations
Licensing, Education & Training >> Edu Dept Home >> Getting Licensed - Step by Step >> General Prep Resource Library >> Chapter 1 Introduction copy