Earn your FCC Amateur Ham Radio
License in a Weekend
Saturday, November 14, 2026 – 8 am to 5 pm
Sunday, November 15, 2026 – 8 am to 2 pm
Testing to follow, Sunday afternoon
What can you do with Amateur Radio
- Talk with Amateurs around the world, wirelessly
- Communicate with voice, Morse Code, Digital, TV….
- Talk with Astronauts on the ISS
- Communicate through Satellites
- Help in emergencies or disasters and local events like the
Chicago Marathon - Build your own radios and antennas if you want, and experiment
- Join the 750,000 other hams, get your license, join a club
What do you need to do to get your FCC license?
To get a license, you must pass a test from the FCC (Federal Communications Commission).
To take an FCC Amateur Radio Exam, you need an FCC Registration Number (FRN). Visit the FCC CORES website, register at no charge, and complete the process to obtain your FRN.
We cannot register you for the Review Weekend nor give you an exam if you do not have a registered FRN.
https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do
There are 3 license levels: Technician Class, General Class, and Extra Class. There is a published question pool to study, and books, software, and online sites help you study. Start by passing the Technician class license test and you can get on the air.
How to ensure you pass on Sunday:
This weekend is an intensive review and exam prep sprint, not a zero-to-sixty lecture series. You must review the material before arriving on Saturday, November 14.
Here is how to prepare right away:
Review Target: Read through the material and take several 35-question practice tests. Do not worry about memorizing every schematic or calculation—our instructors will cover all 9 modules during the weekend to solidify tricky concepts.
Study the test material, then come and attend our two-day test review on Saturday, November 14th 8 am to 5 pm & Sunday, November 15th from 8 am to 2 pm, and then right after, on Sunday, take the exam
Acquire Study Material (Pick One):
Book: The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual (current edition) or Gordon West’s Technician Class study manual.
Free Online Prep: HamStudy.org (flashcards, explanations, and practice tests) or HamTestOnline.com.
You can walk out as a licensed radio amateur!
We expect that you will study the available material on the
Technician License exam questions before our Review sessions.
We will review all that material before your test on Sunday.
A suggested resource is the Ham Radio License Manual
published by the ARRL sixth edition –
Here are two links for obtaining the book – note Volume 6
https://home.arrl.org/action/Store/Product-Details/productId/2097393415
OR purchase from Amazon – click ‘Get book’
We also recommend online resources which will be helpful as you prepare for the FCC Exam
The weekend sessions are FREE;
there is a $14 exam fee
(required by our national amateur radio testing service – W5YI Group – administrative fee for exam administration)
Please note that upon successfully passing your FCC exam, and to obtain your FCC license, there is an additional fee to the FCC of $35 for a
ten-year license
Class meets in the meeting room at:
Elmhurst Fire Department – Training Facility
910 N Addison Street
Elmhurst, IL 60126
There will be a short break for lunch on both days. There are several
fast-food restaurants nearby or you may bring a sack lunch.
Also, please bring with you …
Pencil or pen
Note pad
Calculator (not programmable nor a cell phone)
Picture ID for Sunday’s testing session
Register by filling out the form below
Questions about getting your license and the weekend review sessions?
Lisa Soderlind, KD9ZEQ – lasoderlind@gmail.com
Todd W9YK – – mobile – 630-921-9990 email – w9yk@arrl.net