Also, buy a cheap VHF/UHF walkie talkie and listen to you local repeater to learn what ham radio is like in real life.
Bitcoiners Guide to Getting a US Ham Radio License (2026 updated links)
1. Use HamStudy.org:
HamStudy is a free website that provides practice tests for all ham radio licenses. It can help individuals prepare for their exams and find online or in-person test sessions.
www.hamstudy.org.
Check Out W4EEY on YouTube:
W4EEY on YouTube offers excellent ham radio tutorials. He has playlists covering all ham radio license levels and occasionally conducts live classes. This resource can be valuable for learning ham radio concepts.
Here are the playlists for the various licenses:
• Tech Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYIFVi1uA3jGGEniNTxwsRKLUO55z9uO3
• General Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYIFVi1uA3jE2WIuosncC4v-CQyAj9XTv
• Extra Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYIFVi1uA3jFzzSqPFPHKBeeig9StFmIN
Become an ARRL VE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB8jXXmxPTg
Explore ARRL and Local Clubs:
The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) website can help individuals find local ham radio clubs. These clubs often have information about local repeaters, club meetings, and ham radio "nets" (radio meetups). It's a good way to connect with other ham radio enthusiasts in your area. (https://www.arrl.org/find-a-club)
Test Prep Links:
www.HamStudy.org
https://www.youtube.com/@W4EEY/playlists
Register with FCC for FRN:
Find a Test Site:
https://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session
Discussion
If you can pick up an analog repeater with traffic… that’s my issue right now is I don’t have a dmr radio and my closest analog repeater with any traffic is 35 miles away… which sometimes I can receive from home