so i've been interested in ham radio for a while now, my neighbor has a big antenna setup and it got me curious. i looked it up and apparently you need a license to actually transmit? i didnt realize there were different levels either like technician and general and whatever the top one is. anyway i have no idea where to start studying or how the test even works. do you just walk in somewhere or do you have to schedule it ahead of time. also is it hard, like how much do i actually need to know going in. i dont have any electronics background at all if that matters

welcome to the rabbit hole haha. okay so the Technician exam is honestly not that bad, especially if you put a week or two into studying. the question pool is public — like the actual questions that can show up on your test are all published online, nothing is hidden. most people use HamStudy dot org or the ARRL study guide book, i personally just used HamStudy and drilled practice exams until i was consistently passing and then went and took the real one. the test is 35 questions, multiple choice, you need 26 right to pass. for scheduling you want to find a VE session near you, the ARRL website has a lookup tool for that. some clubs do walk-ins but most want you to register ahead. you dont need any morse code anymore either in case you read something old that says otherwise

i was in the same spot like 8 months ago, zero background in electronics. i used the Gordon West book and also watched some youtube videos when i got confused on the electricity stuff. the math questions scared me at first but honestly there are only a few formulas you need and once you memorize those it clicks. took me maybe 3 weeks of studying on and off and i passed first try. just do a ton of practice tests thats really the main thing