You may have been redirected here from www.ke0og.net/general. You’re in the right place! Here is a set of videos to help you upgrade from Technician Class to General Class. Does this method of video-aided self study work? Read the comments from users.
Studying for your General Class Ham Radio License
The General Class License is the middle level of amateur radio licenses and has vastly-increased privileges on the HF bands—you can use these to talk with the world!
Guided Self Study
Although the book is self study, sometimes it’s helpful to have a guide. That’s why I’ve created this video guide to your self study. It’s in convenient chunks of short videos followed by short sections of self study.
The Lesson Manual
This is the lesson manual. You really do need to get it: the videos are based on this book. The videos only introduce the material. You need the book! Be sure to get the 9th edition, valid from 1 July 2019 through 30 June 2023. You can use the link in the ad below to get the book from Amazon.
Each video introduces a section of the Manual, which you then study. Try out the test questions, then come back for the next session.
It’s actually somewhat less expensive on Amazon than at the ARRL website, and Amazon’s shipping charges are less too, which will save you a few dollars.
There’s a General Class License Manual Support Page on the ARRL website that provides additional material to supplement the manual.
If you have a question about any section, simply post a comment under that particular video. Others may have the same question! I’ll post my reply to every question.
All the videos
Each link takes you to YouTube. After you’ve viewed the video and perhaps read the comments (or left one yourself), return to this page. Be sure to keep track of where you are! The videos are numbered the same way the sections are numbered in the license manual. Good luck! All videos have been updated for the 9th (2019-2023) Edition
NOTE NOTE NOTE: These URLs are obsolete. New URLs are being prepared for video locations on the ARRL website at learn.arrl.org.
- 1.1 The General Class License and amateur radio (G1)
- 1.2 How to use this book (the License Manual) (G2)
- 1.3 The Upgrade Trail (G3),
- 2.1 HF Operating Techniques (G4)
- 2.2 Emergency Operation (G5)
- 3.1 Regulatory Bodies (G6)
- 3.2 Amateur Licensing Rules (G7)
- 3.3 Control Operator Privileges (G8)
- 3.4 Technical Rules and Standards (G9)
- 4.1 Power and Decibels (G10)
- 4.2 AC Power (G11)
- 4.3 Basic Components (G12)
- 4.4 Reactance and Impedance (G13)
- 4.5 Active Components (G14)
- 4.6 Practical Circuits (G15)
- 4.7 Basic Test Equipment (G16)
- 5.1 Basic Modes and Bandwidth (G17)
- 5.2 Radio’s Building Blocks (G18)
- 5.3 Transmitters (G19)
- 5.4 Receivers (G20)
- 5.5 HF Station Installation (G21). Special thanks to Lew French, now K0LMF, for demonstrating his mobile installation!
- 6.1 Basics of Digital Modes (G22)
- 6.2 Character-Based Modes (G23)
- 6.3 Packet-Based Modes and Systems (G24)
- 6.4 Receiving and Transmitting Digital Modes (G25)
- 6.5 Digital Operating Procedures (G26)
- 7.1A Dipoles, Ground-planes (G27A).
- 7.1B Antenna Basics—A Review (G27B). Okay for 2019-2023 Edition This video is a little longer and provides background for the entire Antenna section.
- 7.2 Yagi Antennas (G28)
- 7.3 Loop Antennas (G29)
- 7.4 Specialized Antennas (G30)
- 7.5 Feed Lines (G31)
- 8.1 The Ionosphere (G32)
- 8.2 The Sun (G33)
- 8.3 Scatter Modes (G34)
- 9.1 Electrical Safety (G35)
- 9.2 RF Exposure (G36)
- 9.3 Outdoor Safety (G37)
- Preparation to Take Your Examination (G38) Still current for 2019-2023 Edition
What do you do when you’re ready to take the test?
Go to www.arrl.org/exam_sessions/search, enter your zip code, and search for an examination session in your area. Good luck!
Yes I want your comments!
No instructional course is ever complete, nor is it perfect. Please comment! Please put the comments right on the same post as the video you’re commenting about. Or, you can comment on the video on YouTube. Don’t worry, I see them all!
Have fun!
There’s probably a ham radio club near you (and with your Technician Class license, hopefully you’re a member of one!). Go to www.arrl.org/find-a-club to locate a club near you. Attend their meetings and introduce yourself. You’ll find yourself instantly among friends. And your new friends can provide assistance as you study for your test. After you pass your test, they can help you equip yourself for your new privileges, too. Enjoy!
how to proper connection 50watt hf amp to a hf 500watt amp and tuner’
Come visit us over at the Hamstudy booth!!…. 1901-1902 in the corner of the
Maxim building (building 1) directly (I think it is West…. hard to tell without the Mountains)
across from the ARRL Expo in the Tesla building (building 2)
I have wanted to meet you for some time.
Send me a text if you get lost.
801-420-8859
Yes. I hope to pick up the new book at Dayton, and will start upgrading videos after that. I hope to get them all updated quickly.
Greetings Dave,
Are you updating videos for the 2019 and beyond General Class?
Hi Dave! Thanks so much for your expansive wisdom! I am VERY new to the hobby. I’m set to take ALL THREE exams on Sat. 26 Jan 2019. I watched your video on creative antenna solutions for small spaces and restrictive HOAs. I live in an apartment in NYC and cannot modify the structure at all. I was hoping you could do a lesson on apartment dwellers and HAM shacks! 73 brother!
There is currently no thumb drive for the General videos.
I looked for a link to buy a flash drive with all the General videos on it. I did not find I… should I have found it….
Marlin
PS I bought the Extra flash drive, watched it, and passed. Now I am the “official teacher” for my club… since I’m a teacher already !!! I need that General flash drive.
Dave- I took my technician and general and passed both last weekend. I’m in Puerto Rico and decided to get my HAM license after Hurricane Maria left us 10 days with no communication. Finally got it done- now the real learning starts. Thanks for the resource- I know it takes a lot of time to produce these, and for the most part is thankless. I, for one, have appreciated the immense effort and the knowledge imparted.
I don’t have a General memory stick yet.
Is there a way to download these videos to my ipad so I can watch them while commuting and do not have wi-fi?
These are great.
K2WJS
David:
I am retired new ham; will be getting my General License soon with your help. Just want to tell you of my huge appreciation for your videos o General License training. Your teaching is clear, relevant, impactful, and loaded with information. You make learning enjoyable. Lew probably needs to put some real information into his section on electronics and not just encouragement, though. Fortunately I have some background in the material on chapter 4. Again, best wishes and many thanks. KD2NXD…73!
Passed the General Test tonight. Thank You!
Congratulations and welcome to amateur radio! I’m glad to hear my videos played a part. You have my best wishes for years of satisfaction from your newfound hobby.
You featured prominently in flashbacks multiple times during my technician and general license exams this week. As a non-engineer, your videos were immensely helpful to me in not only passing the exams, but also truly learning the fundamental concepts. I cannot express the satisfaction to having achieved a lifelong goal of amateur radio licensure. Hopefully my budget will accommodate its proper utilization. Hope to talk to you soon, perhaps on a ERC net?
Thank you so much for putting these videos together and providing them online! I am preparing for the technician and general license tests by reading the book and watching your material. There are many areas that your explanation was critical to understanding the book’s explanation. I look forward to chatting with you on air soon.
Many thanks for your excellent videos and tutorials! Passed both my Technician and General Class in one sitting today, scoring a perfect score on the technician and only missed one on the General. I credit your excellent visuals in your General Class series with really bringing home some of the concepts that were a little vague in the book!
Again, Thanks!
Thanks Dave, I didn’t run across that page before. I actually DO have a good friend that’s a HAM, but he’s only a Technician Class, and recently became active again after a few years off. He was the one that thought I should ask!
I’ll review your page of questions. As usual, thanks!