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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.
Spring 2026 Technician Licensing Class and Exams
May 2nd, 9th, and short 23rd class sessions
Exams also on May 23rd
Members of the Half Moon Bay and SC4 Amateur Radio clubs will be conducting a 2-1/2 day Technician Licensing Class on May 2nd and 9th 2026 beginning at 10am at Half Moon Bay Library. There will also be a short final class on May 23rd from 10am to 11:30 am followed by the FCC exams.
To register for the class or have questions, please email licensing@hmb.org
We will also hold an in-person FCC Licensing Exam on Saturday May 23rd, 2026 from 11:30am - 2pm at the HMB Library. All license class exams will be offered (Technician, General, Extra), and it is not required that you attend the Licensing class.
To register for the exam, please do so before May 16th using this link:
https://ham.study/sessions/6930cccaafdb6521de784469/1
Nov. 2025 Exams
The General class and November exam session were a great success. The pass rate at the exam session was 100%!!
The General class and November exam session were a great success. The pass rate at the exam session was 100%!!
Congratulations to all the new and upgrading licensees, and thanks to all the instructors and examiners.
Congratulations to all the new and upgrading licensees, and thanks to all the instructors and examiners.
BAEARS Licensing Sessions
Bay Area Educational Amateur Radio Society recently completed a session in Fremont with a 100% pass rate. They have 11 new hams and three upgrading to General. As this was just after the Federal shutdown, these folks are still waiting to get their licenses actually issued.
Their next session is Saturday January 17, 2026 in San Francisco. They are taking reservations but due to the shutdown, people that already have an FRN will have no problem registering. If they don't have an FRN, and wish to register, they can put in 0s (ten of them) in the FRN box. Once they get an FRN, thay can update their registration.
Take a Class With SC4ARC
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
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
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.
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