The Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club offers a free entry-level amateur radio class beginning September 13, 2025. There are more than 750,000 licensed amateur radio operators in the U.S., and the number is growing every day. If you are new to ham radio, or just thinking about getting your first license, the Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club can help you get started. The club is offering an entry level amateur radio course to prepare you for the Amateur Radio Technician Class license which allows you to operate on the UHF/VHF bands and a small portion of HF bands. In 10, two-hour classes, you’ll learn everything you need to successfully pass the Federal Communications Commission Technician license test. Because Morse Code proficiency is no longer required, we won’t be teaching it, but many ham radio operators still use it because it’s efficient and challenging.
SCHAUMBURG AMATEUR RADIO CLUB ANNOUNCES SPECIAL CLASS FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN GETTING THEIR INITIAL AMATEUR RADIO LICENSE
WHAT
In response to a special request by the Village of Schaumburg Emergency Manager, the Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club has announced a ten session classroom training opportunity for anyone interested in obtaining their initial FCC amateur radio license. This training is open to the general public. This training prepares participants for taking the required FCC licensing test.
WHEN
Classes consist of 10 weekly sessions every Saturday beginning September 13th and concluding on November 15th. Each session will run from 9:30 am to noon, will be conducted by a licensed amateur radio operator and will cover all the material that makes up the FCC license exam.
- Sep 13 : Class overview and structure
- Sep 20: Welcome to Ham radio
- Sep 27: Radio and signals fundamentals
- Oct 4: Electricity, components and circuits
- Oct 11: Propagation, antennas and feed lines
- Oct 18: Amateur radio equipment
- Oct 25: Communicating with other hams
- Nov 1: Licensing regulations
- Nov 8: Operating regulations
- Nov 15: Safety
WHERE
The first class will be held at the Horizon room at the Schaumburg Community Recreation Center, 505 N Springinsguth Rd, Schaumburg, IL All other classes will be held in their Excellence room.
COST
Classes are free.
COURSE BOOK
It is highly recommended that each participant purchase the Ham Radio License Manual. See the information below on how to obtain this manual.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
Due to limited seating, you must complete an online registration form no later than September 1st (see details below). You will receive confirmation of your registration via email.
FCC LICENSING TESTING
Testing is not included in this class. The Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club regularly conducts testing the first Saturday of every month (See below for testing details and fees)
REGISTRATION
Each participant must must register to take this class. Please send the following information no later than September 1st via email to KD9WSV@gmail.com with the email subject line labeled
You must include the following in that email:
Subject: “September Licensing Class Registration”
Name:
Email address:
Phone number:
COURSE BOOK
The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual 5th Edition contains all the information that will be presented in the class. It includes all the potential questions and answers on the exam with detailed explanations to help you pass your test and get on the air. While not required to take the class, it is highly recommended for those intending to get their license and serves as a valuable source of information used frequently by new Hams
This manual may be purchased at Amazon. It costs $32.95 plus shipping or $19.99 if downloaded to Kindle.
FCC LICENSE AND FEES
FCC Amateur Radio License testing takes place on the first Saturday of the month at Schaumburg Park District’s Community Recreation Center (CRC) at 9:00 AM. Complete details on testing will be discussed at the end of the class or you can view it on our web site.
- $14.00 in cash. This fee covers the cost of the exam materials and must be paid prior to taking the exam.
- If you pass the exam and wish to apply for a license, the FCC will charge $35.00 for their processing. This fee will be paid directly at on-line application time