Start Your Journey
Joining the world of amateur radio starts with getting licensed. The Leon County Ham Radio Club is here to guide you every step of the way — from your first study session to passing your exam and getting on the air.
View Exam Dates {TBD} Study on HamStudy.orgLicense Classes
The FCC offers three license classes, each unlocking more frequency privileges and operating capabilities. Most new hams start with Technician and work their way up. There's no age limit — anyone can get licensed!
Entry Level — 35-Question Exam
The Technician license is your gateway to amateur radio. It grants full operating privileges on all amateur frequencies above 30 MHz, including popular VHF/UHF repeater networks used for local emergency communications and everyday contacts.
Intermediate — 35-Question Exam
Upgrade to General and unlock worldwide HF communication. Talk to operators across the globe, participate in DX contests, and explore shortwave bands that bounce signals around the Earth via the ionosphere.
Advanced — 50-Question Exam
The Amateur Extra is the highest license class, granting all amateur radio privileges. It opens exclusive frequency segments and is required to serve as a Volunteer Examiner (VE) and administer license exams to others.
Study Resources
You don't need to buy expensive courses. These trusted, free resources have helped thousands of new hams earn their licenses. We recommend starting with HamStudy and supplementing with the ARRL Handbook or a local club study session.
The most popular free study platform for amateur radio exams. HamStudy uses spaced-repetition technology to focus your study time on questions you need the most practice with. Track your readiness score and know when you're ready to test.
Ham Radio Prep offers structured video courses that explain the why behind each question — not just the answers. Their free tier includes a full Technician course and practice exams with detailed explanations.
The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) publishes official license manuals for all three license classes. These books cover every topic in depth and are widely considered the gold standard for exam preparation.
The Leon County Ham Radio Club periodically hosts free in-person and virtual study sessions led by our licensed Elmer volunteers. Get your questions answered in real time and connect with fellow prospective hams in North Texas.