If you need help studying for the Ham Radio Technician Class exam or just want some more information about what the exam is like, you’ve come to the right place.
Click below to take a free Ham Radio Technician Class practice test!
Exam Eligibility
The Technician Class exam is an entry-level exam, so there are no special eligibility requirements you have to meet before you take it.
Once you pass, you’ll be set to take the General Class and Extra Class exams!
What’s on the Exam?
The Technician Class exam contains 35 multiple-choice questions, which are grouped into 10 sections. The questions in each section are pulled from a question pool, so each administration of the test contains a different set of questions.
There isn’t a set time limit, but it usually takes anywhere from 10 to 45 minutes to finish the exam.
Let’s take a closer look at the different sections.
1. Commission’s Rules
6 questions
The six questions in this category are pulled from a pool of 68 questions. The pool is split into six groups:
Group A
- Purpose and permissible use of the Amateur Radio Service
- Meanings of basic terms used in the FCC rules
- Phonetics
- RACES rules
- Operator/primary station license grant
- Interference
- Frequency coordinator
- Beacon
Group B
- Power output
- Emission modes
- Spectrum sharing
- Frequency allocations
- Transmissions near band edges
- Contacting the International Space Station
Group C
- Licensing
- Sequential and vanity call sign systems
- Classes
- Name and address on FCC license database
- Places where the Amateur Radio Service is regulated by the FCC
- Term
- Renewal
- Grace period
- Maintaining mailing address
- International communications
Group D
- Sale of equipment
- Authorized and prohibited transmissions
Group E
- Control operator
- Eligibility
- Designating
- Privileges
- Duties
- Location
- Required
- Control point
- Control types
- Automatic
- Remote
Group F
- Station identification
- Repeaters
- Third-party communications
- Club stations
- FCC inspection
2. Operating Procedures
3 questions
The three questions in this category are pulled from a pool of 37 questions. The pool is split into three groups:
Group A
- Station operation
- Choosing an operating frequency
- Test transmissions
- Calling another station
- Band Plans
- Repeater offsets
- Calling frequencies
Group B
- VHF/UHF operating practices
- FM repeater
- Simplex
- Reverse splits
- Access tones
- CTCSS
- DTMF
- DMR operation
- Resolving operational problems
- Q signals
Group C
- Emergency operations
- Applicability of FCC rules
- RACES and ARES
- Use of phonetics in message handling
- Net and traffic procedures
- Operating restrictions during emergencies
3. Radio Wave Propagation
3 questions
The three questions in this category are pulled from a pool of 35 questions. The pool is split into three groups:
Group A
- Radio wave characteristics
- How a radio signal travels
- Fading
- Multipath
- Polarization
- Wavelength vs. absorption
- Antenna orientation
Group B
- Electromagnetic wave properties
- Wavelength vs. frequency
- Nature and velocity of electromagnetic waves
- Relationship of wavelength and frequency
- Electromagnetic spectrum definitions
- UHF
- VHF
- HF
Group C
- Propagation modes
- Sporadic E
- Meteor scatter
- Auroral propagation
- Tropospheric ducting
- F region skip
- Line of sight and radio horizon
4. Amateur Radio Practices
2 questions
The two questions in this category are pulled from a pool of 23 questions. The pool is split into two groups:
Group A
- Station setup
- Microphone connection
- RF power meter
- Power source
- Computer
- Digital equipment
- SWR meter
- RF grounding
- Mobile radio installation
Group B
- Operating controls
- Frequency tuning
- Use of filters
- Squelch function
- AGC
- Memory channels
- Noise blanker
- Mic gain
- RIT
- Bandwidth selection
- Scanning function
- Digital transceiver configuration
- DMR code plugs and talk groups
5. Electrical Principles
4 questions
The four questions in this category are pulled from a pool of 50 questions. The pool is split into four groups:
Group A
- Current and voltage
- Terminology and units
- Conductors and insulators
- Alternating and direct current
Group B
- Math for electronics
- Decibels
- Conversion of electrical units
Group C
- Capacitance and inductance terminology and units
- Impedance definition and units
- Radio frequency definition and units
- Calculating power
Group D
- Ohm’s Law
- Series and parallel circuits
6. Electronic and Electrical Components
4 questions
The four questions in this category are pulled from a pool of 46 questions. The pool is split into four groups:
Group A
- Fuses
- Switches
- Capacitors
- Fixed and variable resistors
- Batteries
- Inductors
Group B
- Basic principles and applications of solid-state devices
- Diodes and transistors
- Gain
Group C
- Circuit diagrams
- Basic structure
- Use of term schematic
- Schematic symbols of basic components
Group D
- Component functions
- Rectifiers
- Indicators
- Voltage regulators
- Transformers
- Relays
- Meters
- Integrated circuits
- Resonant circuit
- Shielding
7. Practical Circuits
4 questions
The four questions in this category are pulled from a pool of 44 questions. The pool is split into four groups:
Group A
- Station equipment
- Transceivers
- Receivers
- Transverters
- RF preamplifiers
- Transmitter amplifiers
- Basic radio circuit concepts and terminology
- Selectivity
- Oscillators
- Sensitivity
- Modulation
- Mixers
- VFO
- PTT
Group B
- Symptoms, causes, and cures of common transmitter and receiver problems
- Distortion
- RF feedback
- Overload and overdrive
- Interference and consumer electronics
Group C
- Antenna and transmission line measurements and troubleshooting
- Cause of feed line failures
- Measuring SWR
- Effects of high SWR
- Use of dummy loads when testing
- Basic coaxial cable characteristics
Group D
- Using basic test instruments
- Ohmmeter
- Voltmeter
- Ammeter
- Soldering
8. Signals and Emissions
4 questions
The four questions in this category are pulled from a pool of 47 questions. The pool is split into four groups:
Group A
- Basic characteristics of FM and SSB
- Choice of emission type
- Use of SSB for weak signal work
- Selection of USB vs. LSB
- Use of FM or VHF packet and repeaters
- Bandwidth of various modulation modes
- Fast-scan TV
- SSB
- FM
- CW
Group B
- Amateur satellite operation
- Satellite tracking programs
- Modulation mode selection
- Spin fading
- Setting uplink power
- Basic orbits
- Doppler shift
- Transmitter power considerations
- Beacons
- Telemetry
- Definition of “LEO”
- Uplink and downlink mode definitions
- Operating protocols
Group C
- Radio direction finding
- Contests
- Linking over the internet
- Exchanging grid locators
Group D
- Digital and non-voice communications
- Error detection and correction
- WSJT modes
- Image signals and definition of NTSC
- Packet radio
- PSK
- CW
- Amateur radio networking
- APRS
- DMR
- Broadband-Hamnet
9. Antennas and Feed Lines
2 questions
The two questions in this category are pulled from a pool of 23 questions. The pool is split into two groups:
Group A
- Antennas
- Definition and types of beam antennas
- Relationships between resonant length and frequency
- Concept of antenna gain
- Vertical and horizontal polarization
- Antenna loading
- Dipole pattern
- Common portable and mobile antennas
Group B
- Feed lines
- Attenuation vs. frequency
- Types
- Selecting
- Antenna tuners
- RF connectors
- Weather protection
- Selecting
- SWR concepts
10. Safety
3 questions
The three questions in this category are pulled from a pool of 36 questions. The pool is split into three groups:
Group A
- Lightning protection
- Power circuits and hazards
- Grounding
- Hazardous voltages
- Electrical code compliance
- Fuses and circuit breakers
- Battery safety
Group B
- Antenna safety
- Installing antennas
- Tower safety and grounding
- Antenna supports
Group C
- RF hazards
- Recognized safe power levels
- Radiation exposure
- Radiation types
- Proximity to antennas
- Duty cycle
How to Register
To get register, you’ll need to visit the ARRL® website to locate a testing session near you, which will provide you with the necessary contacts, time, and location of available testing appointments.
Before you can actually take the exam, you’ll also need to register with the FCC and get an FCC Registration Number (FRN).
Ham Radio Technician Class Study Guide and Flashcards
Get practice questions, detailed study lessons, and complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts.
Exam Scores
To get a passing score, you’ll need to get a score of at least 74%, which means you answered at least 37 questions correctly.
You should be given your final score report as soon as you finish the exam. When you pass, you become eligible to take the General Class exam.
Retaking the Exam
If you didn’t get a passing score on your first try, that’s okay! You can retake the test as many times as you need to, and you can even retake it on the same day as your first attempt.
Keep in mind that the questions you receive on retakes will be different than on your first attempt.
FAQs
How many questions are on the Ham Radio Technician Class exam?
The exam contains 35 questions.
What is the time limit for the Ham Radio Technician Class exam?
There isn’t a strict time limit, but it usually takes less than an hour to complete.
What is the passing score for the Ham Radio Technician Class exam?
You’ll need to get a final score of at least 74% to pass.
How much does the Ham Radio Technician Class exam cost?
The testing fee varies, but it usually costs around $15.
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