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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.
The Villages Amateur Radio Club welcomes and encourages all residents to become new ham radio operators. We have set aside the first 45 minutes
of each monthly meeting to provide mentoring, answer questions, or just to visit with new or potentential ham radio enthusiasts.
If you are new, be sure to sign in at the back, grab a cookie, and head to the table at the
front of the room. Club officers are there to meet with you and get you connected with other ham radio operators - whether your interest is in getting
your license, answering the 'which radio should I buy' question, about contesting, digital modes, satellite communications or other topics!
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 CLASSJanuary - 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
FALL 2025 CLASSTechnician Course (Entry Level) Fall 2025 Tentative - Class will be held if 16 or more people register
+-by August 1, 2025
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;
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.
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.
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