Testing

KARS has 18 VE's and can test candidates for Technician, General, and Extra Class licenses. Please register beforehand with our testing coordinator so we can ensure the correct Volunteer Examiners needed for your exam are present. Do not try to walk in.

Testing Coordinator

Greg Collins (K5KYR) is the current KARS testing coordinator. You may reach him via:
Email: testing@kb5tx.org
Phone: (713) 444-8394

Exam Candidates

The FCC now requires those wishing to test to register with the FCC first to obtain their FRN (Federal Registration Number) prior to their testing session. Go to CORES and click on the Register button under "Need a Username?". A candidate will not be able to participate in the test session without an FRN.

What To Bring

Please see the ARRL web page at What to Bring To An Exam Session for these details. The biggest detail is to have your FRN in hand. For those not yet licensed, bring a valid photo id, your FRN, completed 605 form and $15 in cash. For those candidates wishing to upgrade their license, bring a copy of your current license, a completed 605 form and $15 in cash.

Note: The NCVEC QUICK-FORM 605 APPLICATION form can be found on the ARRL website. Having this form filled out prior to arrival will speed up the process. We will also have blank form available for those to fill out at the test session.

Preparation

Start with the ARRL book store. Buy the reference manuals for license levels you will prepare for at Licensing Education and Training. Next, look at the web site area question pools which give "how to" information about the tests. You will need the study manual which will give you all the technical details behind the various questions, and the question pool which is available to download and for your Kindle. You will also need a simple hand held calculator with enough power to do square route calculations.

Our suggestion is to read the study manual, understand the materiel and how to work the mathematical problems. With this, then go through the question pool time and again. Download the question pool to your PC and, if you wish, to your Kindle.

Know the band plans and the segments authorized for the level of license you are to be examined.

For Technician, know Ohm's Law, how to use it and how to do the related math. The math will become more complicated as you test for General and Extra. Work the problems time and again until you know the answers by examination.

You will not be allowed to use a programmable calculator during the exam. We avoid any problem by having a simple calculator available for use by the examinee.

This is not hard! Follow these suggestions and you will be ready to take your license examination in a very short period of time.

Training

There are many sources for self-study materials for your first and successive Ham Licenses. Among the best are those offered by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). We will assign a mentor to help you select materials appropriate for the license class you wish or qualify for. This mentor will then help you through the materials, so you will feel confident when you feel you are ready to take the examination.