So you want to be a Ham? (or take an UPGRADE EXAM?)

Ham Radio is a high-tech hobby that can be fun for anyone. Amateur Radio operators are people from all walks of life--no matter what age, gender or physical ability. Getting started in Amateur Radio has never been easier! You can usually find an amateur radio class in your area sponsored by friendly volunteers who will help you learn the ropes.  And, knowledge of the Morse Code is NO LONGER required.

There are many area clubs/groups here in Upstate NY that do training and VE license exams on a fairly regular basis. Check out the list of Upstate NY clubs by scrolling down on the right side toolbar on our website(www.UpstateHam.com).

For the latest pleas check the ARRL web page at http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session


We will try to keep an updated list of exams and training going here:


Ham Study, NY Ham Team, various in-person and online license study and testing: https://www.upstateham.com/2023/04/fast-and-easy-testing-for-amateur-radio.html

The Liverpool Amateur Repeater Club conducts VE test sessions on the 1st Tuesday of each month (except July & August) at the North Syracuse Community Center. Testing starts at 5:30pm. Walk-ins are welcome. All exam elements are offered. If  you plan to attend please bring two ID’s (one photo), a copy of your license or CSCE if you have one, and a black pen.

The next 2024 VE test sessions:

210 South Main St. North Syracuse
1st Tuesday of the Month
March 5; May 7; Sept 3; and Nov 12.


The cost to take the exam is $15. If you pass you can continue on to the
next level at no charge. Any re-takes cost another $15. Calculators are permitted. Cell phone/Smartphone calculator apps are not allowed. Contact Al May with any questions at 633-9280(before 9pm) or wa2kfv@w2cm.com.

LARC will also be sponsoring other licensing courses in preparation for the FCC Amateur Radio -  Licenses , contact: training@w2cm.com
link: http://www.w2cm.com/get-licensed/

The Albany/Troy VE Team (ATVET) is a joint effort of the Albany Amateur Radio Association (AARA), and the Troy Amateur Radio Association (TARA). We are affiliated with the ARRL/VEC, and have been proud to provide testing opportunities since 1984. If you have any questions, please feel free to phone (evenings and weekends) at 518-482-8700, or e-mail me at atvet@n2ty.org.
http://n2ty.org/atvet.htm

Another Albany area team; Hams-that-Care provides quarterly licensing training. Capital Area Radio Enthusiasts (CARE) Group provides weekend Technician Courses four times a year. Learn more at: http://hamsthatcare.com/

The Bear Bait Radio Club (Syracuse) conducts Amateur Radio Technician Classes and VE test sessions at the Clay Highway Building at 4483 RT. 31, Clay NY.

The next Tech VE class is Nov. 11 & 12, 2023 at the Clay Highway Building at 4483 RT 31 in Clay.  From 8 Am to 5 PM each day. Testing Sunday around 5 PM.   No charge for the class, open VE testing will be held immediately after the last class for a nominal fee of $14. Contact Scott WA2DTN at 315-247-8524 or by email; wa2dtn@arrl.net for questions or go to ARRL web site to sign up and register.

More information on the club website: www.bearbaitradioclub.com

Binghamton/Broome County: If anyone wants VE testing in the Broome county region, VE sessions are held the last Monday of each month at 7:00 PM at the Vestal Public Library, 320 Vestal Parkway East (Route 434) except when the Library is closed. Contact Norman wb2syq@gmail.com for details. There is no test session in July; in May the test is the Monday before memorial day.


The East Greenbush Amateur Radio Association will sponsor an FCC amateur license exam session in January at the East Greenbush Community Library.  The date is to be announced.
For more information contact email: kc2fcp@nycap.rr.com
Website exam link: https://www.egara.club/ve-exams-sessions
Website classes link: https://www.egara.club/licensing-classes

The Fulton Amateur Radio Club Exam Information - Take your license exam at the Fulton ARC:
Exams are given before the club meeting, on 4th Wednesday of the month at 6:00pm. Doors will open at 5:45pm for registration, with exams given at 6:00pm. NO WALK-IN APPLICANTS ARE ACCEPTED. Pre-registration must be made. Send an email to Garret Wickoff - Session Manager - my.news@gawikoff.net Please register by the Sunday prior to the Wednesday meeting (72 hours notice). Location: At the County Building, 200 North Second Street (Route 481), across from Mimi's Restaurant, in Fulton, N.Y. on the fourth Wednesday of each month (NO SESSION IN NOVEMBER).

- Madison-Oneida Amateur Radio Club (MOARC) sponsors monthly classes in Verona NY. VE sessions are given at the Madison-Oneida BOCES on the third Friday of every month at 7PM. Contact Leonard Popyack; WF2V at 315-853-8974

- Ontario County - Skenoh Island ARC  (SIARC) and Ontario County ARES/RACES Volunteer Examiner Team is proud to be a part of the Laurel-VEC and holds Amateur Radio Exam Sessions on the 2nd Wednesday of every other month (see schedule below).Walk-in applicants are welcome and the site is handicapped accessible.
We would be happy to schedule special group exam sessions to accommodate amateur radio classes.

SIARC Exam Schedule for 2024:
January 10th 2024
March 13th 2024 Starting at 6:15 for this month
May 8th 2024
July 10th 2024
September 11th 2024
November 13th 2024

Please Visit : https://www.siarc.us/vec/vec.html for more information and directions to the testing facility.

Rochester NY :

Rochester Amateur Radio Association (RARA) -  has  VE testing sessions on a regualr basis:
Rochester RARA courses/examshttp://www.rochesterham.org/LicCourses.htm
Rochester RARA examshttp://www.rochesterham.org/LicTesting.htm

Rome NY - Rome Radio Club - VE Exams are held at the Griffiss Institute located at 725 Daedalian Drive, Rome NY, on the second Tuesday of every month at 19:00 local time (7:00PM). see: https://www.romeradioclub.com/?page_id=23 for more information

Ithaca NY, Tompkins County Amateur Radio Assoc. (TCARA)- 2018-19 VE Exams, (see web-site) at the Tompkins County Department of Emergency Response, 92 Brown Road, near the Ithaca Airport.

Full  TCARA testing info link: https://tcara-ny.org/ve-testing/

Please bring signed copy of license if you have one,  social security number or FRN if you don't.
Also two forms of ID, (one with a photo),  $14 cash preferred, pen and pencil.

Contact Russ Moore (KD2HQX) 607-539-7442 or at kd2hqx@arrl.net with any questions.

Buffalo/East Aurora - Technician Level HAM RADIO Classes (WNY). Wednesday, October 7, 2015 from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM (EDT) Location: Empact America, 7615 Seneca Street, East Aurora, NY 14052. More details at: http://empactamerica.org/ham/


A few web sites for getting started or help in upgrading your Amateur Radio license:

https://www.w9uuu.org/classes/technician_class.php

https://www.kb6nu.com/study-guides/

https://www.whollyoutdoor.com/ham-radio-for-beginners/

http://www.eham.net/newham/

http://www.rochesterham.org/HamRadio101.htm

http://www.arrl.org/getting-licensed

http://www.hamuniverse.com/

http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Become_a_Ham_Radio_Operator

http://www.hamradioschool.com/


Web sites with practice exams:

http://www.eham.net/exams/

http://www.qrz.com/ht/www.qrz.com/exams

http://www.nc4fb.org/wordpress/nc4fb-exam-prep-tools/

http://hamexam.org/

(UPDATED 2/21/24)

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