BEGINNER LEVEL - TECHNICIAN LICENSE
This ONLINE or IN-Person ham radio class will get you ready to take the Ham Radio TECHNICIAN license exam, the FIRST of three certification levels.
Geared toward adults, as well as junior high, high school, and home-school students. Yes, we give online and in-person ham radio exams, too! (See below)
This is a FULL course taught by a 40-yr veteran teacher, not a discussion group or video service. You will learn much more than just watching a video or buying a book.
You get a full 12 hours of instruction over four 3-hour classes. Take the course from anywhere – it’s ONLINE!
Topics range from the science of radio electronics to the FCC rules governing the radio spectrum. Optional text: ARRL Technician Class License Manual, 5th edition, for exams through June 30, 2026, (purchase on ARRL website). Regular practice and study is necessary to get the best results from this course.
Amateur radio (or “ham radio”) is used by people all over the world to communicate over radio waves. Some people use ham radio for emergency preparedness, to provide communications support for community events, to report on severe weather and natural disasters, as a social activity, and even occasionally to contact crew members on the International Space Station!
Included with course: You will get downloadable lecture study guides and charts, FREE access to our weekly Online Radio Shop Talk sessions, FREE enrollment in any of our Morse Code classes, and a guest pass to the Sci-Tech Radio Rooms and online radio club meetings for 3 months.
Students Free: This course is FREE for students in college, high school, or younger by using the code ARISS22 when you check out from your shopping cart. New England students who pass the FCC license exam will get a free hand-held amateur radio. Those who met us at the Big E multi-state fair may also use the ARISS22 code to take the course for free.
Family Free: Additional members of the same family may join this course at no extra charge, if sharing one computer and zoom screen.
System Requirements: For ONLINE course, computer or Chromebook capable of running ZOOM Meeting, either by Zoom app or through a web browser, a web camera/mic, and a printer.
Zoom Link: Approximately 2 days before the session begins you will receive an email with instructions to access the course details, documents, Zoom link for ON-LINE viewing, and directions for IN-PERSON participation. If you don’t see the email, check your spam filter. If you still don’t see it, call or email us.
Please be aware of our Cancellation and Refund Policies. For questions, e-mail info@nescitech.org or call 508-720-4179.
School and Scout Groups: Ask about scheduling a session just for your youth group at youth-friendly times, perhaps in smaller sessions spread over two weeks.
LICENSE EXAMS
Our exam team gives exams on alternating Tuesdays and Sundays, so you can schedule your FCC exam within a week of finishing the course. We give IN-PERSON exams in Natick, MA. (Click here if you need an ONLINE exam.) Note that we must collect the standard $15 exam fee for the ARRL VEC separately from the course fee. (Fee is $15 across the country.) (Note: We will pay the exam fee for any full-time student in high-school or younger.)
We administer ham radio exams both online and in-person, having proctored nearly 2,000 exams over the past decade. We’ve taught amateur radio classes for over 15 years with tremendous success. Hundreds of people have taken our classes with 99% having passed the exam to become licensed operators. We offer classes for all three levels of ham radio licenses: Technician, General, Amateur Extra, as well as Morse Code.