Do you want to become an Amateur Radio Operator (Ham)?
Get on the Air: You can become a licensed amateur radio operator with the help of WECA’s education program! All ham radio operators in the US are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to operate on a unique set of radio frequencies that allow them to initiate both local and worldwide communications with other hams. WECA provides free Zoom and In-Person license test preparation classes each year for the three levels of amateur license: Amateur Technician, Amateur General and Amateur Extra. The Amateur Technician license course, which starts in mid-September each year, will prepare you for the first test you must take; this license will allow you to use many of the frequencies authorized for amateur use. Click here for the most recent Technician class flyer. WECA also provides an FCC license testing session at the conclusion of the course. You may contact WECA’s education director at Education@WECA.org with any questions.
Upgrade Your License: For those hams that already have a Technician license, WECA provides a free Zoom and In-Person Amateur General license test preparation course beginning in March each year (click here for the General class flyer) and an amateur Extra class beginning in early January (click here for the Extra class flyer). Flyers providing dates and details for each class will be posted on this website well in advance of the beginning of each course.
Courses and Study Texts: You may also find other organizations offering classes by looking at the American Radio Relay League (ARRL- the national organization for amateur radio) website at http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-class. We suggest you just enter your state (no other entries) and click the Search button (then try other nearby states). The ARRL also provides license preparation texts for each level. The current Technician manual can be ordered at https://home.arrl.org/action/Store/Product-Details/productId/2003373064 .
Individual Help: For hams needing help getting started on the air and selecting equipment for a station, WECA provides a program where you will be connected with an Elmer (ham talk for an experienced ham who will help you learn what you need to know) and, if needed, loan equipment to get you going.
Join Us at Our Monthly Meetings: WECA holds monthly meetings at 7 PM via Zoom or at the County Center in White Plains , typically on the second Monday of the month, September through June (please be sure to click here to check this website as sometimes the schedule varies). This is a great opportunity to become acquainted with hams and learn about ham radio.
Listen In: If you have a police scanner, tune into 147.06 MHz to listen to our repeater system located in Valhalla, NY. The best time to listen is during morning drive time (7:00 - 9:00 am), afternoon drive time (4:30 - 6:00 pm) and at night when there is a directed "Net" at 9:30 pm.
Some interesting Ham Radio websites:
The ARRL website http://www.arrl.org
The QRZ Ham Radio callsign lookup service at www.qrz.com
The Tucson Packet Amateur Radio group at www.tapr.org
The Electronic Ham Radio operators at www.eham.com
The Ham Radio Magazine "CQ" at www.cq-amateur-radio.com.
Nuts and Volts Magazine at http://www.nutsvolts.com/
The Radio Amateur Information Network (R.A.I.N.) at http://www.rainreport.com/
Ham Radio Outlet (HRO) at http://www.hamradio.com/
Visit the home pages of local Ham Radio clubs
Local Ham Radio exam dates in greater Westchester: Exams
Last updated on November 18, 2023