Help Your Community:
Get an Amateur Radio License!

Great! You're thinking of becoming a licensed ham radio operator. It’s an immensely rewarding skill to have during emergencies and for local communications. It's not hard and we're here to support you all the way!


Our club offers basic licensing classes and also administers license exams. This page provides some basic information to get you started. We'll support you all the way to getting on the air! We also offer exams for General or Extra licenses. Reach out to us at education@sc4arc.org for more information.


The Technician’s license is the entry-level choice for most new hams. It confers basic VHF /UHF privileges such as using a handheld radio to communicate with other hams on our local repeater network, participating in our Monday night ARES net, and taking part in ARES activations providing communication support during emergencies. Choose one of the following options to get your license.

Licensing Class and Exam are now full

Members from the Half Moon Bay and SC4 amateur radio clubs are hosting a two-day Technician Licensing Class April 27 and May 4, 2024 beginning at 10:00 AM at the Half Moon Bay Library Community Room. Both classes will be on a Saturday and will adjourn by 4:30 PM.

We are also hosting an in-person FCC Licensing Exam on Saturday May 11, 2024 from 10:15 AM until 2 PM in the Half Moon Bay Library Community Room.  All license class exams will be offered and it is not required that you attend the Licensing class.

The Half Moon Bay Library is located at 620 Correas St in Half Moon Bay (94019).

Please email 2024exams@hmbarc.org if you have any questions. 

Take a Class With SC4ARC

SC4ARC and HMBARC offer expert instruction through our two-day licensing classes, usually offered twice a year. The classes are followed by a license exam and a practical class to get you on the air. 

Study At Your Own Pace

There are many online offerings that can help you prepare for the Technician License exam. For example, you can purchase Gordon West’s 2022-2026 Technician Class  study manual and get an online app such as Hamstudy.org to study for the test or take practice exams. 

Find a Ham Cram

In-person licensing classes are offered nearby as one day HAM CRAMs where participants take the test right after the class. Check out BAEARS for more information about their next scheduled HAM CRAM.