so ive 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 online and found out you need a license but theres like three different levels? im not sure which one to go for first or if i even need to know morse code still. a friend told me theres an app to study but i cant remember which one he said. basically i just want to know the process for getting started, like do i have to go somewhere to take a test or can i do it online now. any help appreciated, im pretty clueless about all this

welcome to the rabbit hole lol. ok so the short version is you start with Technician class, thats the entry level and you dont need to know morse code at all, that requirement went away like 15 years ago. the question pool is public so you can literally study exactly what will be on the test. most people use HamStudy.org or the Gordon West book, i used hamStudy when i was studying and passed first try. the test itself is 35 questions and you need to get 26 right.

for actually taking the test, you can do it in person through a VE session which are run by volunteer examiners, most ham clubs run them pretty regularly. some are doing remote sessions online too now which is handy if theres nothing near you. just search the ARRL website for sessions in your area. the fee is usually like 15 bucks. honestly the tech exam isnt that hard if you put in a couple weeks of studying, dont overthink it

yeah i just did mine a few months ago so i remember what it was like being in your spot. i used the Ham Radio Prep app and thought it was pretty good, there might be a small cost for the full version but i think theres a free tier too. i also watched some youtube videos when i hit questions i didnt understand, especially the electrical theory stuff which trips a lot of people up. took me maybe 3 weeks of casual studying and i passed with room to spare. the test site i went to was super chill, the examiners were all friendly and encouraging, dont stress about it