Interested in becoming a Ham?
The Villages Amateur Radio Club hosts classes covering the exam material for people to become hams and current hams to advance to a higher level.

You don't have to be a genius to get your Amateur (ham) radio license. Before you can get on the air, you need to be licensed to operate. Just like driving a car, you'll need to learn the rules and take a test to get your license. Amateur Radio licenses are good for 10 years and are renewable. In the US there are three license classes issued by the Federal Communications Commission.  The entry level is Technician, progress then to General and then Extra Class Amateur radio operator. Each license level has more privileges, but they do come with additional knowledge requirements.​
Ham Radio Classes
Getting your license requires passing one examination on radio theory, regulations and operating practices. To help you get your license The Villages Amateur Radio Club hosts classes covering the exam material for people to become ham radio operators and for current hams to advance to a higher level. Our classes are always free and open to the general public. The only cost is a $35 text book available from the big book sellers in paperback and eBooks. The rest of the course material is free, see Resources for Class below for details. TVARC will hold a class anytime 16 or more people register. Once registered you will be notified about the class information and updates on class schedules. 



SPRING 2025 CLASS


January - March 2025 Amateur General Class License course (Intermediate Level)
Class meets on Monday Evenings 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Eisenhower Regional Recreation Center, 3560 Buena Vista Blvd., The Villages, FL 32163
Date Assignment Topic of Class
Jan 13th Chapter 1 & 2 Introduction & Procedures and Practices
Jan 20th Chapter 3 Rules and Regulations
Jan 27nd Chapter 4 Components and Circuits
Feb 3rd Chapter 5 Radio Signals and Equipment
Feb 10th Chapter 6 Digital Modes
Feb 17th Chapter 7 Antennas
Feb 24th Chapters 8 & 9 Operating Regulations, Safety, & Course Review
Mar 3rd -------- FCC Exam (all are welcome - Registration for testing will open in the spring)
To register send your full name, address and phone number to freehamradioclass@gmail.com


FALL 2025 CLASS


Technician Course (Entry Level) Fall 2025

Tentative - Class will be held if 16 or more people register by August 1, 2025
Class meets on Monday Evenings 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Eisenhower Regional Recreation Center, 3560 Buena Vista Blvd., The Villages, FL 32163

DateAssignmentTopic of Class
Sep 8 Chapter 1 Welcome to Amateur Radio
Sep 15 Chapter 2 Radio and Signals Fundamentals
Sep 22 Chapter 3 Electricity, Components and Circuits
Sep 29 Chapter 4 Propagation, Antennas and Feed Lines
Oct 6 Chapter 5 Amateur Radio Equipment
Oct 13 Chapters 6 & 7 Communicating with Other Hams & Licensing Regulations
Oct 20 Chapters 8 & 9 Propagation, Safety, & Course Review
Oct 27 ------ FCC Exam (all are welcome - Registration for testing will open in the Fall)
Nov 3 ------ First radio setup & new operator hands-on
Resources for Class
Our classes follow the ARRL Ham Radio License Manuals available from the big book sellers in paperback and eBooks. You are encouraged to use every study resource that works for you. In general people retain more details from a hard copy document. Use the TVARC study guide, write on it, underline or highlight the text for reference later. Other books are not required but if you do have questions from other sources, they will be discussed during the open review at the end of each class. The following are helpful sources of information;
Free Dave Casler KE0OG Videos lectures
Dave KE0OG Technician Class Lectures
Dave KE0OG General Class Lectures
Dave KE0OG Amateur Extra Class Lectures
The classes use the ARRL Ham Radio License Manuals as reading assignments that are aligned with the Dave Casler KE0OG videos as a more in-depth reinforcement to get you going in the right direction.
                 ARRL Ham Radio License Manuals
Available at Amazon Books or ARRL Books (class text book)
​
ARRL Ham Radio License Manual 5th Edition, July 2022 to June 2026
ARRL General Class License Manual 10th Edition, July 2023 to June 2027
The ARRL Extra Class License Manual 12th Edition, July 2020 to June 2024
Technician Class Help
ARRL Overview of FCC Registration Instructions
FCC Registration System Video Tutorials
FCC Registration Number (FRN) Create New Account
My 1st Radio - What Radio Should I Buy?

FCC Amateur License Exam Information (All levels)
License exam testing is sponsored by The Villages Amateur Radio Club (TVARC) and the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). Exam sessions are conducted by volunteers working under the direction of the ARRL, and FCC, by the local team in liaison with the American Radio Relay League Volunteer Examiner Program. 
The fee for testing is $15 and paid directly to the Team Liaison (Test Session Manager) on the day of the exam.
​The test session manager requests you bring exactly $15 CASH, as change is not available.
  • Please bring Photo-ID, CASH $15, copy of your current license (if you are upgrading), and copies of any valid/current Certificates of Successful Completion of Examination(s).
  • You must provide a valid US Mailing address.
  • A basic calculator with simple memory functions is allowed. Scientific and programmable calculators will not be allowed to be used.
  • Bring one (or two) #2 pencils. The exam is completed on an answer sheet not unlike what we used in school where your answers are recorded by filling in a bubble that indicates your choice. Bring a good eraser should you change your mind with an answer as the exam is now graded by camera.
  • If you want to take the next exam up from the one you passed at this session, you can on the same $15 fee, so long as we have the time to accommodate you. If you should fail an exam, and wish to re-take it, this will cost you an additional exam fee, as it would count as another exam candidate for processing, and this too, would be subject to the remaining time available.
  • If you have an expired amateur license that is beyond the 2 year renewable grace period, you can bring proof of your expired license (of any level), and by passing the current Element 2 Technician Class license exam, under certain circumstances, your original license privileges can be re-instated.
FCC Preregistration
  • Exam Candidates are NOW REQUIRED to register in the FCC CORES system and receive a Federal Registration Number (FRN) before exam day. To obtain an FRN you must go to the FCC CORES User Account and Registration page: https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin
    Here is a video that may help how to register and create the FRN: www.fcc.gov/rofrn
    Here is a Users Guide with lots of information: Users Guide
    If you are upgrading, insure that you have your FRN number with you. Hint: it is on your current license.
Test Preregistration
  • All candidates must be "Pre-Registered" in the testing system. 
  • A candidate will need to go to HamStudy.org
  • The VE team uses all electronic formats for all paperwork/documents, and grading of the exams by software controlled camera.
  • ​Bring a printout copy of the Email you receive from HamStudy.org as proof of your pre-registration. On it is a PIN you will need to take your exam(s).
The Silver Springs Radio Club (SSRC) also provides exams. The SSRC offers exams bi-monthly, on the 2nd Tuesday of each ODD month in Ocala. For information, and to register for an exam, click here.
The Lake Amateur Radio Association (LARA) offers monthly exams in Leesburg. For information and to register, click here.