Harrisburg Radio Amateurs’ Club provides numerous opportunities each year for those who require assistance with administrative actions to correct existing licenses, obtaining their first license, upgrading a current license, or taking action to renew an expired license. As a team of VEs authorized to conduct test sessions on behalf of the Laurel VEC, we are proud to offer this service entirely free of charge. We want to help you, but we also need your help to make testing sessions smoother and more efficient for you and for us! We require pre-registration for exams. This helps us ensure that we have the level of staffing required to conduct an exam. If you are seeking your first license and have not previously transacted business with the FCC and do not already possess a Federal Registration Number (FRN), we require that you first obtain an FRN in advance of registering for an upcoming exam. Please work your way vertically through the expanding Frequently Asked Questions to the right. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us for more information.
Step One: Prepare for the test. Study the theory, Study for the test. Books and online tutorials are available. Check out newsletter if we are or other clubs are offering classes. Another good resource is the Getting Licensed (arrl.org) page.
Step Two: If you do not have an FRN Number, GET ONE. To request the FRN number, go to the https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/support/knowledge-base/universal-licensing-system-uls-resources/getting-fcc-registration site.
Step Three: Select the testing session and fill out the form to register for one of our sessions. Usually the third Saturday in February, April, June, August, October, December.
Step Four, be prepared, gather yourself and the things to bring. What do I need to bring?
Required Materials
- Two legal forms of identification (one with a photo)
- Original Amateur License (if licensed)
- Copy of Amateur License (if licensed)
- Original of any CSCE (if upgrading)
- Copy of any CSCE (if upgrading)
- FCC Registration Number (FRN)
The following information should help assure that you have everything needed when you attend our test session: Application forms will be supplied.
1. Bring a pen and a pencil.
2. Bring two forms of identification, to be sure. At least one of these should, if possible, be a photo ID such as a driver’s license. If you currently hold a valid Amateur Radio license, the original (not a copy) of this license can serve as one of these IDs. At least one of these IDs should show your current mailing address.
3. If you are currently licensed, bring the original of your current license as well as a copy that we may keep.
4. If you plan to submit a valid “Certificate Of Successful Completion Of Examination” (CSCE), or any other acceptable documentation for credit toward an upgrade, bring the original of the documentation as well as a copy for us.
5. If you have conducted business in the past with the FCC, you may have been assigned an FCC Registration Number (FRN). Several possibilities, but not the only ones, are that you may already hold an Amateur Radio License, a General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) License or a Commercial License. If you are currently a holder of an Amateur License, the FRN may appear on the actual license. Visit the FCC Universal Licensing System (ULS) at http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls. Please see the appropriate FAQ for information on how to obtain your FRN number if you do not already have one. We need your FRN at the time of pre-registration for an exam.
6. If you plan to use a calculator for your written exam, do not bring one that is unnecessarily complex. You will not be permitted to use it unless you can satisfy the VEs that all memory is completely cleared.
7. If you are handicapped and will require special attention, we must be informed of the circumstances ahead of time so that appropriate preparations can be made.
If you have questions about the above requirements and anything else about the session, please check the exam session faq.
HRAC Testing Times and Location
TEST SESSIONS BEGIN AT 9:00 AM and CHECK-IN Starts at 8:30 AM UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
Test sessions are held at the Vietnam Veterans of America, 8000 Derry Street, Harrisburg, PA 17111.
