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Ham Classes

Getting an entry-level amateur radio “ham” license is much easier in the 2020s. Books are often bundled with audiobook listening options and links to online study tools. Multiple websites offer mock tests that allow students to self-test to check their progress with questions from the FCC exam.

“Read the book and take the exam” has been improved by workshops given by local radio clubs. Los Angeles County residents have the benefit of trainers active in emergency communications. They work to make learning the basics easier, fun, and PRACTICAL.

Once radio operators earn their licenses, instructors can offer tips on picking their first radio or finding a radio group close to home. Affiliations include the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Disaster Communications Service (DCS), ARRL’s Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), the American Red Cross, and the Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) of the LA City Fire Department.

Click to learn more about getting your license and related contacts.

Self-study

Fast Track Technician License bookStudents can self-start by reading one of the books on this flyer, using the book’s related learning tools, and using an online study site like HamStudy.org. See how self-study works for you.

Finding a class

ARRL’s “Finding a class” page https://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-class

The National American Radio Relay League (ARRL) search engine above or the contacts below can help you find an instructor-led class. The contacts will field questions about getting your license. They can also tell you about the groups they’re affiliated with.

Experienced help deciding your plan to get a license

ARRL Gordon West Technician license bookNorm Goodkin, hamclass@goodkin.net, affiliated with LA County Disaster Communications Service, classes, online testing, NW LA County.

Dennis Swink, dennisps1@msn.com, affiliated with LA County Disaster Communications Service (LACDCS), NE LA County.

Dan Romanchik, cwgeek@kb6nu.com, affiliated with ARES LAX NE LA County.

Marty Woll, n6vi@socal.rr.com, affiliated with ACS/LA City Fire and LACDCS.

Mark Chung, mchung@prodigy.net, affiliated with the American Red Cross.

If you use an instructor, use their preferred book that matches their lesson plan. The “Fast Track” and “Gordon West” books featured here are two of the most popular. Picking an in-person or Zoom-based workshop is all about scheduling and preference of Zoom or in-person sessions.

  • “Read the book” (Both Fast Track or Gordon West books are on Amazon)
  • Attend a workshop (Zoom or in person depending on the instructor)
  • Take the FCC exam (Zoom or in person)
  • Once you pass, get active and check into “radio nets” over the air

When you have your license, instructors can help you recommend an appropriate “first radio” and connect you with active radio groups local to you. The LA ham radio community is a welcoming one. Regular weekly “radio nets” are an easy way to get on the air with local operators. Or, reach out and attend a local event or field activity.