Frequently asked questions
Questions people ask before or during getting licensed, and questions about how this site itself works. For the exam content itself, every question page already has its own explanation, that's a better answer than a generic FAQ entry could give.
Getting licensed
Do I need to know Morse code to get a ham radio license?
No. The FCC eliminated the Morse code testing requirement for every US amateur license class in a Report and Order that took effect February 23, 2007. None of the three current exams, Technician, General, or Amateur Extra, test code proficiency in any form.
How much does it cost to get licensed, all in?
Two separate fees, from two different organizations. A VE team charges a session fee (commonly around $15, set by the VEC running that session, not the FCC) at the exam itself, and the FCC charges its own $35 application fee separately, paid online through CORES after you pass.
Can I take the amateur radio exam online instead of in person?
Yes. Several VECs, including ARRL VEC, run remote, video-supervised exam sessions using on-screen testing software instead of a paper booklet, alongside their regular in-person sessions. You still need a working webcam, a stable internet connection, and the same FRN and photo ID an in-person session requires. Not every VEC or local team offers a remote option, so check the specific session listing rather than assuming one is available near you.
What happens if I fail the exam?
Nothing beyond that attempt. There's no penalty, no mark on your record, and no FCC-imposed waiting period before trying again. If you were also attempting a higher element in the same sitting on the strength of passing a lower one, failing the higher element doesn't undo a lower element you already passed.
How soon can I retake a failed exam?
Often immediately, in the same session. No FCC rule sets retake timing, it's up to the VE team, but most teams will regenerate a fresh exam from the same pool and let you retest on the spot, typically for an additional fee since a retest counts as a separate attempt. Some teams waive that fee; ask before the session if it matters to your plans.
How long is a ham radio license valid, and do I need to renew it?
Ten years from the date it's issued or last renewed. You can file for renewal starting 90 days before expiration, and the FCC allows a two-year grace period after expiration during which you can still renew, though you're not authorized to operate until the renewal is actually granted. Let the full two years lapse and the license is canceled outright; at that point you'd need to pass the Technician exam again from scratch.
What's the difference between Technician, General, and Amateur Extra?
Technician has no prerequisite and covers mostly VHF/UHF privileges plus a narrow slice of HF. General opens up most of the HF bands, the license most people get if they want to talk across the country or overseas. Amateur Extra adds a handful of exclusive voice sub-bands and requires passing all three exam elements.
Do I need a license just to listen to ham radio?
No. FCC rules only require a license to transmit, the station-license requirement in 47 CFR 97.5 governs operating a transmitter, not receiving. Plenty of people listen to the ham bands for months as a shortwave listener before ever sitting for an exam, and it's a genuinely good way to get a feel for the hobby first.
Do I need my own radio to take the exam?
No. All three exams, Technician, General, and Extra, are entirely written, multiple-choice tests. You don't need to own a radio, demonstrate any operating skill, or bring equipment of any kind to a VE session, just photo ID, your FRN, and the session fee.
What is a VE, and why do volunteers run a federal license exam instead of the FCC?
A Volunteer Examiner (VE) is a licensed ham accredited to administer amateur radio exams; at least three must be present to give and grade a session. Congress amended the Communications Act in 1982 to let the FCC accept volunteer examiners, largely a budget decision to stop running exams itself out of its own district offices, and the VEC system that coordinates VEs nationwide has run every US amateur exam since 1984. The FCC still owns the question pools and grants every license; VEs and VECs just administer the process.
Using 73·STUDY
Is 73·STUDY really free?
Yes, for the core study loop. Every question in the pool, every original explanation, and practice mode for all three license classes are free, with no account and no paywall. There's no limited trial that cuts off after a handful of questions.
What's the difference between the free version and the paid unlock?
Free covers practice mode and per-subelement study across the entire pool, no restrictions. The paid unlock adds full simulated exam mode (the real one-question-per-group draw the actual NCVEC exam uses) and the spaced-repetition review queue for questions you keep missing. It's a one-time purchase, not a subscription.
Is the question pool current and official?
Yes. Every question, answer choice, and figure is transcribed directly from the current NCVEC public-domain pool for that license class, the same source every VE team draws real exam questions from. When NCVEC issues an errata revision, we re-parse the pool from the updated document instead of hand-editing individual questions, so what you study here should match what's in the exam room. Each class hub page shows that pool's version and effective date.
How are the explanations written, and are they accurate?
Every explanation is original writing, composed from the underlying FCC rule or technical concept, never copied or paraphrased from a manual or another study site. Where a question tests a specific rule, the explanation cites the rule section; where it tests a concept like Ohm's law or propagation, it walks through the reasoning instead of just naming the correct letter. If we get something wrong, we correct it and say so rather than quietly editing it away.
Do I need to create an account to use this site?
No. There's no account, no login, and no backend database of any kind. All your practice history and progress live in your browser's local storage, which is also why clearing your browser data or switching devices resets your tracked progress.
Is my progress saved, and could I lose it?
It's saved automatically as you practice, but only in that browser's local storage, not to an account or a server. Clearing your site data, switching browsers, or moving to a new device starts your tracked progress over from zero. A paid unlock is separate from that and isn't affected; re-enter your license key on the new browser or device to restore full access.
How does the unlock code work if I switch devices or clear my browser?
Your license key is checked directly against Lemon Squeezy, the payment processor; we never see or store your payment details. Enter the same key again on a new browser or device and it re-activates, up to five browsers or devices per purchase. Clearing your browser data or moving to a new device doesn't use up a separate purchase, it just re-activates the same key, though it won't restore your practice history, which is unrelated, unsynced local data.
General ham radio questions
What is POTA (Parks on the Air)?
Parks on the Air is a popular operating activity where a licensed ham, called an activator, sets up a portable station inside a park or other public land unit on POTA's official list and logs at least 10 contacts in a day to complete a valid activation. Other hams, called hunters or chasers, try to work as many different parks as possible from home. It isn't tested on any license exam, POTA is a voluntary program built on top of a license you already hold, but it's one of the most active corners of the hobby right now and a common early goal once you're licensed.
What are Q codes in ham radio?
Q codes are three-letter codes starting with Q, created originally for Morse telegraphy, that compress common questions and statements into fixed shorthand ("QTH?" means "what is your location?", "QRZ?" means "who is calling me?"). Two of them survive as everyday ham vocabulary well outside CW: QSO (a contact between two stations) and QSL (confirmation that a contact happened).
Published 2026-08-28 · Last updated 2026-08-28 · Getting licensed involves more steps than fit here, see the fullhow to get your ham radio license guide, or jump straight intoTechnician practice.