San Francisco Ham Cram

AERO is a disaster preparedness activity and this page tells about SF amateur radio licensing exams, tests, and study sessions.

CAUTION!

SF now enforces parking meters on Sunday afternoon (Noon-6PM). If you park at a meter, be sure to feed it.
You can put in coins in the AM, and they will not be used until charging starts in the PM.
At least that is what the city says.

CAUTION! Ham Cram room location is subject to change. Be sure to check the poster linked below just prior to the event.

Here is our latest poster. It has the latest, up-to-date info. See it to check on any late-breaking changes.

Please RSVP to dave1 at sfwcf dot com using NEXT HAM CRAM as the subject line if you can conveniently do so, we get an idea of how many are coming. If you can't RSVP, come anyway....

And some FAQ's:

Can I really earn my license in one day?

Sure, between 75-100% of our students do. And no previous knowledge or training is required. At the end of the day you may have passed the Technician exam, and if so, you will receive your license in a week or four. See below for processing details.

How much does it cost?

$14 FCC mandated VEC fee, $6 if you want the technicial (beginning) study guide.

$14 FCC mandated VEC fee for exam only.

Why this program?

What are the advantages over other programs?

Sounds great, when and where is the next exam?

CAUTION! The room location is subject to change. Be sure to check the poster linked below just prior to the event.

No future sessions are scheduled at this time. You can find the time, date and location of the next exam on our latest poster. READ BOTH PAGES!


Check back when the date approaches to make sure nothing has changed.

When do I get my new call sign?

How processing occurs: Within 24-48 hours of the exam we check over all paperwork yet again and post it to W5YI, the VEC we usually use. It takes 2-5 days for the post office to get it to Dallas, and for W5YI to pick it up from their box. W5YI then needs 2-7 working days to enter the data for transmission to the FCC, and the FCC needs about one day to put the data in their offline database. From this database, www.qrz.com puts the data in their "new hams" list in a few hours, and the FCC has it online the next working day. So the delay time can vary quite a bit, but the part that is under our control is short.

Our Venues:

San Francisco Jewish Community Center

You can park all day for $5 across the street at UCSF lot. Or free on Pine or Masonic Street. Enter at the front door and check the activities screen for our room. Public transportation includes the 1, 2, 3, 4 and 43 lines which stop right at the building. The 2, 3 and 4 connect to BART at the Montgomery Street Station.

Saint Mary's Hospital

There is a special AERO rate in the One Schrader building garage, $3 all day. Public transportation includes the 5, 21 and 33 lines which stop right at the hospital. The 5 and 21 connect to BART at the Civic Center Station. We meet in the Cafeteria on the B level (down two floors from the hospital lobby.

County Fair Building

The County Fair Building is convenient to public transportation. The MUNI Metro N line runs one block south, get off at 9th Avenue and Irving Street. The N connects to the other Metro lines and BART at the stations between Embarcadero and Civic Center. The site is also serviced by the 16, 44 and 71 right at 9th Avenue and Lincoln. Also the 6, 43 and 66 stop two blocks south at 9th Avenue and Judah. And if public transportation isn't for you, there is ample free parking in Golden Gate Park.

What do I need to bring?

Your money, of course, bag lunch or lunch money, 2 ids (at least one with picture), and several pencils or pens (pencils with good eraser are best).

If you are claiming credit for other exams passed previously (such as for an general, extra, or code exam) or for licenses currently held, bring a copy (which we will keep) of your proof (such as a copy of your CSCE or a license that requires the claimed elements) AND the original (which you keep).

What is your projected schedule?

Our 2013 dates are: no future dates scheduled at this time.

Be sure to check back as your date approaches to make sure the date hasn't been changed.

Who gives this exam?

The FCC has delegated amateur examinations to 17 Volunteer Exam Coordinators, this exam is given by W5YI-VEC.

What do I do next after I get my license?

Attend the meetings of your local amateur Radio Club. Find out about the SF Amateur Radio Club at sfarc.org

Do you have more advanced exams?

Yes, the Element 3 General class exam, and Element 4, the Extra class exam.

Do you have study guides for the other exams?

No, only for Element 2, the Technician class exam. There is a brand-new study guide and class. The study guide costs $6, and the exam ($14). For general candidates, we now recommend that you read a high school physics text, the parts on electricity (DC and AC). Or read the first four pages of http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_1/chpt_2/1.html

Questions? Email dave1 at sfwcf dot com

Last updated: May 20, 2013