The Brookings-Harbor area FCC Amateur Radio License Test sessions are scheduled for the 3rd Saturday of odd numbered months at the Harbor Fire/Water District Meeting Room. Testing starts at 9:30am and we have to be out of the room before 1pm. You’ll need to bring 2 forms of ID, one official with your picture such as your driver’s license, and a copy of your FRN. An FCC Registration Number is now required in advance of the exam session. An SSN can no longer be accepted. (Check here: https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/support/universal-licensing-system-uls-resources/getting-fcc-registration-number-frn ) A picture of those documents is taken to keep on confidential record temporarily, just in case there are any questions later.
The cost is $14 for two tests. Exact cash preferred, but if you are running late we can make change. If you need to take the Technician twice you’ll need to pay $14 again for the General if you’d like to take that, and so on. A few people I know have taken all three tests, Technician, General & Extra, on the same day and walked away with their Extra. There is a lot of overlap in the study. The spacing between test sessions seems to give most people about the right amount of time for a quick break and then getting back into their studies for the next exam. Individual study styles vary quite a bit. There are quite a few books available to help study for the license exams on Amazon. Studying with just the FCC’s Q&A list at http://www.ncvec.org/page.php?id=369 and the “Ham Test Prep” free app from the Google Play Store may be enough to pass the Technician. There is a great Tech & General 12 week class in the Medford area. Check out their presentation material at https://www.carehamradio.com/license-classes.html. Going through their presentation materials without taking the class, plus a bit of study and practice testing does wonders.
Please remember to send an email RSVP to VEC at pelicanbayarc.com at least a week or so before the test date to verify you are ready and that you have your FRN in hand. That gives us enough time to get our group of examiners together and to insure we have enough tests made up for the session. The certificate we give you is for passing the test, but does not allow you to transmit on the air yet. The FCC call sign is usually awarded within 2-4 weeks, but recent applicants received it much sooner. Processing time depends on how far the FCC are backed up. When you receive your license notification from the FCC, you may start transmitting.
The FCC has implemented a $35 fee, payable directly to them, to receive your license and call sign. That fee is supposed to start as of 2021-06-01, to be required to file your application. You’ll probably be watching the FCC License site daily for a while to see when your call sign becomes available at https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchLicense.jsp. Perform the search with your new FRN.
You are encouraged to listen in on the local weekly Nets beforehand! Check your local Amateur Radio Club’s website for details. The Brookings PBARC sites are http://pelicanbayarc.com/home/ and https://www.facebook.com/pelicanbayarc/. If you are interested in coming to the monthly PBARC business meeting also held at the Harbor Fire/Water District meeting room, the last Friday of the month at 6:30pm you could meet a few members, check out how the club operates and you would be welcomed with open arms. Many of the club members and local HAM’s get together Friday mornings 8am at the Beach Front Bistro where you would also be welcome. The Del Norte Area Radio Club in Crescent City https://www.w6hy.org/ have their meetings the 1st Monday of the month at 6pm at the Fire Station on Washington. Almost everyone at any of these meetings will be happy to talk equipment, antennas and transceivers with you. Connecting with the members is a great way to get information on how to get your new equipment configured so you can hear and be heard on the local repeaters.