HAM/SSB Cert

[brokesailor]

I am looking for instruction leading to cert in Maryland/Va area. I tried contacting the Baltimore Amateur Radio Club, The Local Power Squadron and Anapolis School of Seamanship but no one answered emails. Does anyone out there know where to go?

[Minnewaska]

For the SSB, all you need to do is fill out the application for a Restricted Radio Operators License and send it to the FCC. No test or training required (unfortunately). Your boat needs a Radio Station License. Both can be done online, but its ridiculously and unnecessarily complicated.

[aa3jy]

Not sure what you mean "..leading to cert." on HF/SSB..

But here is a starting point..

Offshore Store - FCC License

ARRL | Licensing, Education & Training | Getting on the Air

[Minnewaska]

aa3jy..... the Offshore Store instructions are great. They should be a sticky somewhere.

They contain the process and the codes that are not explained well on the website itself. Great checklist.

[SVAuspicious]

Brokesailor -

The Offshore Store link above is a good one.

If you are interested in a ham license in particular the ARRL web site has a page Find an Amateur Radio License Class in Your Area that will identify the nearest available class. I know the Anne Arundel Radio Club has classes in Davidsonville ( http://www.w3vpr.org ) but there may well be something closer to you in Solomons.

If you don't find what you are looking for -- ham or marine -- send me a note and I'll help you.

73 es sail fast, dave KO4MI

[velero]

Brokesailor,

I could not find a class in NVA/MD, got a couple of books but they were dense. I dont want to design or fix a radios, I just want to be able to use the ham/SSB frequencies.

I finally used HamTestONline and after a couple of weeks I was able to take the General exam and was successful. The reason this method worked for me is that the questions come from a pool of 600 and repetition is the key to get the right answer on the test. YMMV

[zedboy]

Anybody looking for ham contacts in NoVA can PM me, my dad lives in Arlington and is a pretty active ham, MARS and ARRL member.

[brokesailor]

The Offshore store link does not say anything about a test. Are you required to pass a test or just apply?

[kd3pc]

for the ham license there is a test, number of multiple choice questions depends on the test..

one test for each class, the questions are specific to the class you are testing for

[velero]

You have to take 2 tests to be able to use SSB frequencies. FCC Licesensing

First you have to take the Technician test to ge the Technician License and a second test to get a General License. When I took my General test I did take the Extra test but failed becuase I did not study for it, so there is a possibility that you can take both test the same day depending on the testing Volunteer Examiners. You also have to create an account w/FCC Universal License System (ULS). This will help you manage your license profile.