How to Use These Supplements
These items are organized to match the Technician License Course chapter and lesson structure. Peruse them after completing each lesson to deepen your understanding. Open any chapter below to explore its resources.
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Before We Begin...
Introduction & exam overview
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Dissecting Your Technician ExamArticle
A detailed breakdown of the 35-question exam format, sub-element structure, and what to expect on test day.
Find an Exam Session Near You (ARRL)External
Enter your zip code to find a Volunteer Examiner exam session in your local area.
1
Operating Your Radio
3 lessons — Transceivers, communication basics, repeaters
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1.1
Transceiver Basics
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Mode CharacteristicsAudio
Audio lesson covering the characteristics of different transmission modes.
Loads of ModesArticle
Overview of the many transmission modes used by ham operators — AM, FM, SSB, digital, and more.
Transceiver Form FactorsArticle
Comparing handheld, mobile, and base station transceivers — power levels, use cases, and trade-offs.
SSB Bandwidth AdvantageVideo
Video explaining the bandwidth efficiency advantage of Single Sideband over AM.
1.2
Ham Communication Basics
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Common Ham Radio TermsPDF
A reference sheet of common ham radio terms and abbreviations for new operators.
Ham-Speak: Learning the LingoArticle
Common ham radio jargon, abbreviations, and Q-codes explained for new operators.
Radio Horizon ConsiderationsArticle
How terrain, antenna height, and radio horizon affect VHF/UHF range with a handheld radio.
Polarization EffectsVideo
Video demonstrating the effects of antenna polarization on signal quality.
Practical Signal ReportsArticle
How to give and receive RST signal reports and what those numbers mean on the air.
Multipath DistortionArticle
How reflections from buildings and terrain create multiple signal paths causing distortion on VHF/UHF.
1.3
Repeater Basics
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Animated Repeater OpsVideo
Animated video illustrating how a repeater receives and retransmits signals.
Why Can't I Access the Repeater?Article
Common reasons a repeater won't respond — CTCSS tones, offsets, and troubleshooting steps.
Repeater Offsets on 2-meter BandArticle
Standard repeater offset frequencies for the 2-meter band and how to program them into your radio.
Introduction to RepeatersArticle
How FM repeaters work, why they exist, and how they extend the range of portable and mobile stations.
How to Choose a RepeaterArticle
Tips for selecting the right local repeater — coverage, activity level, club affiliation, and linking features.
2
FCC Rules & Regulations
4 lessons — FCC, station control, call signs, international ops
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2.1
The FCC and You
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Part 97 Regulations (eCFR)External
Official FCC Part 97 Amateur Radio Service rules — the complete regulatory text governing ham radio in the US.
FCC Universal Licensing System (ULS)External
FCC's online database for looking up amateur radio licenses and call signs.
FCC CORES RegistrationExternal
FCC Commission Registration System — required for paying your $35 licensing fee after passing the exam.
2.2
Controlling Your Station
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Transmitting Privileges (T1E04)Article
What third-party operators and unlicensed persons are permitted to transmit under your supervision.
2.3
Call Signs
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Standard Phonetic AlphabetArticle
The NATO phonetic alphabet used in ham radio — Alpha, Bravo, Charlie — and when to use it on air.
Get a Vanity Call SignArticle
How to apply for a custom vanity call sign through the FCC after earning your license.
2.4
Talking to the World
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Allowable International ContactsArticle
Which countries permit third-party traffic and international contacts with US amateur stations.
IARP Info (ARRL)External
International Amateur Radio Permit information for operating abroad — ARRL reference page.
CEPT Info (ARRL)External
CEPT agreement information allowing US hams to operate in European countries without a local license.
US Third-Party Nations (ARRL)External
List of countries with which the US has third-party traffic agreements for ham radio communications.
ITU HomeExternal
International Telecommunication Union — the UN agency that coordinates global radio spectrum allocation.
3
Things To Do!
Activities, operating events, emergency communications
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Maidenhead Grid Square LocatorExternal
Interactive map tool for finding your Maidenhead grid square locator — used in VHF contests and satellite work.
Tactical NetsArticle
How tactical nets work in emergency communications — net control, check-ins, and message handling procedures.
ARRL Field DayExternal
The largest amateur radio operating event in North America — operating portable stations in the field each June.
Radio Contest? Why?Article
Why ham radio operators participate in contests and what makes contesting a rewarding part of the hobby.
RACESExternal
Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service — the FCC-authorized emergency communications organization for civil defense.
ARES (ARRL)External
Amateur Radio Emergency Service — ARRL's volunteer emergency communications organization.
Summits on the Air (SOTA)External
International award program for activating and chasing amateur radio contacts from mountain summits.
How To Do a VHF SOTA Activation (KØNR)External
Bob Witte KØNR's practical guide to activating a SOTA summit using VHF equipment.
North American SOTA (groups.io)External
The North American Summits on the Air discussion group — tips, activations, and community for NA SOTA operators.
SSB on 2-metersArticle
Using SSB on the 2-meter band for weak signal DX work — a different world from FM repeater operating.
4
Wavelength, Frequency & Bands
2 lessons — Wavelength/frequency, bands & band plans
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4.1
Wavelength & Frequency
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US Frequency Allocation Chart (NTIA)External
The complete US radio frequency spectrum allocation chart — a fascinating full-spectrum view of all radio services.
Speed of Propagation (T3B11)Article
How the speed of light relates to radio wave propagation and wavelength-frequency calculations.
4.2
Bands & Band Plans
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What Frequency Do I Use on 2m?Article
Practical guide to 2-meter band plan — common calling frequencies, FM simplex, and repeater segments.
What Frequency Do I Use on 70cm?Article
Practical guide to the 70-centimeter band plan — FM simplex, repeaters, and satellite segments.
5
Signal Propagation
Radio wave behavior, solar effects, VHF/UHF propagation
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Sunspots and PropagationArticle
How solar activity and the sunspot cycle affect HF radio wave propagation through the ionosphere.
How Far Can I Talk with an HT?Article
Realistic range expectations for a handheld transceiver — direct simplex vs. through a repeater.
Spaceweather.comExternal
Daily solar weather reports — sunspot numbers, solar flux, geomagnetic activity, and propagation forecasts.
Sunspot Watch & PropagationExternal
Solar cycle tracking and propagation forecasting resource for ham radio operators.
DXMaps.com — Contact ReportsExternal
Real-time map of ham radio contacts being made worldwide — see current propagation conditions visually.
10m, 6m, 2m Over-the-Horizon PropagationArticle
Sporadic-E, troposcatter, and other mechanisms that enable VHF signals to travel beyond line-of-sight.
VHF Multi-mode TransceiverArticle
Using a multi-mode VHF transceiver for SSB weak-signal and DX work on the 2-meter and 6-meter bands.
Skip Signal Fade (T3A08)Article
What causes skip zone fading and why signals from distant stations can sometimes be stronger than nearby ones.
Chordal Hop PropagationArticle
How chordal hop propagation enables signals to travel very long distances with less loss than conventional skip.
6
Processing Signals
Modulation, SSB, FM, receivers, and interactive simulators
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Spectrum Analyzer & ViewsArticle
How a spectrum analyzer displays signal energy vs. frequency, and what different signal types look like.
Time & Frequency Domain FFT AnalyzerApp
Explore and view signals in both time and frequency domain visualizations.
Single Sideband AdvantagesArticle
Why SSB is favored for HF voice work — bandwidth efficiency and power advantage over AM.
SSB Transmit Power: Audio RequiredArticle
Why an SSB transmitter requires audio input to produce output power — unlike AM or FM carriers.
AM SimulatorApp
Interactive visualization of AM modulation — see how audio modulates the carrier wave in real time.
CW SimulatorApp
Interactive visualization of Morse code (CW) keying and its RF signal characteristics.
The Superheterodyne ReceiverArticle
How the superhet receiver uses frequency mixing and intermediate frequency stages to select and demodulate signals.
SSB Receive Filters (T4B09)Article
How receiver IF bandwidth filters affect SSB signal quality and selectivity in crowded band conditions.
Understanding Single SidebandArticle
A clear conceptual explanation of how SSB suppresses the carrier and one sideband to concentrate power.
FM Bandwidth (T8A09)Article
Why FM signals occupy more bandwidth than AM or SSB, and the trade-off between bandwidth and audio quality.
FM SimulatorApp
Interactive visualization of FM modulation — see how audio frequency changes modulate the carrier.
7
Antennas
3 lessons — Antenna basics, SWR, coax & connectors
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7.1
Antenna Basics
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What Kind of Antenna Will I Need?Article
A practical guide to choosing your first antenna — considerations for VHF/UHF vs. HF, home vs. portable.
VHF/UHF Antenna for Home?Article
Options and considerations for installing a permanent VHF/UHF antenna at your home station.
How Many Antennas Do I Need?Article
Practical answer to a common new ham question — single multiband vs. dedicated antennas for each band.
Antenna Gain: dBi vs. dBdArticle
The difference between dBi (isotropic) and dBd (dipole) antenna gain references and how to convert between them.
Your First Dipole Antenna (HF)Article
Step-by-step guide to building and installing a simple HF dipole antenna — an excellent first antenna project.
A Simple View of ResonanceArticle
An intuitive explanation of antenna resonance and why antenna length matters for efficient radiation.
7.2
Standing Wave Ratio (SWR)
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SWR Wave SimulatorApp
Interactive visualization of forward and reflected waves on a transmission line — see SWR in action.
Trimming a Dipole AntennaArticle
How to adjust dipole antenna length to achieve resonance and minimize SWR on your target frequency.
SWR Perfect Match (T7C04)Article
What a 1:1 SWR reading means and why a perfect impedance match maximizes power transfer to the antenna.
Good SWR & ResonanceArticle
The relationship between antenna resonance and SWR — when good SWR indicates a well-matched antenna system.
7.3
Coax & Connectors
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Coaxial Losses (T9B05)Article
How coaxial cable loss increases with frequency and cable length — choosing the right coax for your installation.
What's That Connector on My HT?Article
Identifying the SMA, BNC, and PL-259 connectors commonly found on ham radio equipment.
What Coaxial Cable Should I Use?Article
Practical guide to selecting coaxial cable — RG-8, RG-213, LMR-400, and when to use each type.
8
It's Electric!
3 lessons — Electrical basics, Ohm's Law, measurements
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8.1
Electrical Basics
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Voltage Explained (YouTube)Video
Clear explanation of electrical voltage — what it is, how it's measured, and how it drives current through a circuit.
Current Explained (YouTube)Video
What electrical current is, how it flows, and the relationship between current, voltage, and resistance.
How Electricity Works (YouTube)Video
A comprehensive overview of how electricity works — from electrons to practical circuits.
8.2
Ohm's Law & Power Law
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Voltage Calculation (T5D02)Article
Worked examples of Ohm's Law voltage calculations — solving for V, I, and R in simple DC circuits.
Power Calculation (G5B03)Article
Calculating electrical power using the power law — P = IE and related formulas for ham radio applications.
8.3
Electrical Measurements
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Math Prefixes (T5B03)Article
Understanding metric prefixes — kilo, mega, milli, micro — used in electrical and RF measurements.
10 Uses for a MultimeterArticle
Practical applications of a digital multimeter in the ham radio shack — voltage, current, resistance, continuity, and more.
9
Hamtronics
2 lessons — Electronic components, transistors & circuits
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9.1
Electronic Basics
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Inductors (T6A06)Article
How inductors work, their role in RF circuits, and how inductance relates to coil construction.
Capacitors Explained (YouTube)Video
How capacitors store and release electrical energy, and their use in RF filtering and tuning circuits.
Series & Parallel CalculationsArticle
Calculating total resistance, capacitance, and inductance for series and parallel component combinations.
Series Circuits (YouTube)Video
How series circuits work — current, voltage drops, and total resistance calculations.
Parallel Circuits (YouTube)Video
How parallel circuits work — shared voltage, individual branch currents, and total resistance.
9.2
Transistors & More
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Transistors Explained (YouTube)Video
How transistors work as amplifiers and switches — the foundation of modern electronics.
Test Figure T-1 QuestionsArticle
Explanation of the circuit diagram used in Technician exam Figure T-1 questions — component identification.
Transformers (YouTube)Video
How transformers use electromagnetic induction to change AC voltage levels — used in power supplies and antenna matching.
Soldering with WØJAKVideo
Video demonstrating proper soldering technique for ham radio construction projects.
10
Digital Modes
2 lessons — Digital basics, digital networks
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10.1
Digital Basics
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FSK Digital Mode SimulatorApp
Interactive visualization of Frequency Shift Keying modulation — see how digital data modulates the carrier.
Digital Signal ProcessingArticle
Introduction to DSP in ham radio receivers — how digital processing improves filtering, noise reduction, and demodulation.
PSK31 Varicode (G8C08)Article
How PSK31's Varicode character encoding works and why it makes this digital mode efficient on narrow bandwidth.
Digital Auto Repeat Query (ARQ)Article
How ARQ error-correction systems request retransmission of corrupted digital data packets in ham radio links.
10.2
Digital Networks
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IRLP Node StatusExternal
Real-time status of Internet Radio Linking Project nodes worldwide — find active IRLP repeaters near you.
EchoLink HomeExternal
EchoLink allows licensed hams to connect to repeaters and other stations worldwide via the internet.
Digital Voice PrimerArticle
Introduction to digital voice modes — D-STAR, DMR, Fusion/C4FM — how they work and how to get started.
11
Space Contacts
Amateur satellites, ISS contacts, satellite tracking
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Making Satellite ContactsArticle
How to make your first amateur satellite contact — equipment, tracking, Doppler correction, and operating tips.
ARISS — Amateur Radio on the ISS (ARRL)External
ARRL's ARISS page — info on contacting the International Space Station and school contact programs.
AMSAT — Amateur SatellitesExternal
The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation — news, satellite status, and resources for amateur satellite operation.
Heavens-Above Satellite TrackingExternal
Real-time satellite pass predictions for your location — ISS, amateur satellites, and more.
12
Avoiding Interference
RFI, interference types, grounding, and station setup
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QRM and Receive Filtering SimulatorApp
Interactively explore realistic SSB and CW receive filter effects with interfering signals in the band.
Filter SimulatorApp
Explore various filter shapes and bandwidths applied to stock and custom-recorded audio signals.
Ignition Interference in Mobile StationsArticle
How vehicle ignition noise couples into mobile ham installations and practical suppression techniques.
Part 15 DevicesArticle
FCC Part 15 unlicensed devices — what they are, their power limits, and how they can cause interference to ham radio.
Types of RF Interference (T7B03)Article
The different categories of RFI — conducted, radiated, intermodulation, and harmonic interference — and how to identify each.
RF Ground Conductors (T4A08)Article
Why RF grounding differs from electrical safety grounding and how to properly ground your station for minimum RFI.
Receiver Signal Discrimination (T7A04)Article
How receiver selectivity and dynamic range determine a radio's ability to reject unwanted signals.
13
Safety
3 lessons — Electrical, antenna/tower, RF exposure
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13.1
Electrical Safety
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Electrical Shock ProtectionArticle
How electrical shock occurs and the protective measures required in amateur radio station installations.
13.2
Antenna & Tower Safety
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Tower Grounding (T0B08)Article
Proper tower and antenna grounding methods to protect your station from lightning and static discharge.
RF Burns (T0C07)Article
How RF energy can cause burns and injury, and safe practices for working around transmitting antennas.
13.3
RF Exposure Safety
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RF Exposure Factors (T0C04)Article
The factors that determine RF exposure levels — power, frequency, duty cycle, distance, and antenna gain.
RF Exposure Calculator (Hintlink/VP9KF)External
Online calculator for determining RF power density and MPE compliance for amateur radio stations.
RF Safety Information (ARRL)External
ARRL's RF safety resources — FCC rules, exposure limits, and evaluation tools for amateur stations.
Signal Time & Frequency DomainsArticle
Understanding the time domain and frequency domain views of RF signals — how the same signal looks in each representation.