Copyright and Credits on The HamStudy General Class HamBook (2023 - 2027)

Introduction

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Introduction #

Welcome to the HamStudy General Class License HamBook! Whether you’re ready to upgrade or still deciding what a General Class License could offer you, this book will help you understand the requirements and prepare for the exam.

To earn a General Class License, you must pass both the Technician and General exams. If you haven’t passed the Technician exam yet, start with the Technician HamBook. You can take both exams at the same session if you’re ready.

The General Class License

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The General Class License #

The Technician license is the usual starting point, getting you on the air and introducing you to the fundamentals of amateur radio. For many, however, the General Class License is the goal that originally drew them to the hobby.

Why Upgrade? #

The Magic of HF #

The most significant upgrade with a General Class License is broader access to the HF bands, including 80, 40, 20, 15, 12, and 10 meters, along with the 160-meter band just below HF. On these frequencies, the ionosphere can bend radio waves back toward Earth, allowing them to travel thousands of miles beyond the horizon. This propagation allows you to communicate directly with other hams across continents without relying on any man-made infrastructure like repeaters or the internet.

Understanding the General Exam

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Understanding the General Exam #

The US General Class Question Pool #

The General Class License exam is Element 3, based on the question pool valid from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2027.

The Numbers #

Format: 35 multiple-choice questions
Pool Size: 423 active questions in this edition
Passing Score: 26 correct answers (74%)

You’ll see 35 questions on your exam: one from each of the pool’s 35 question groups, which are organized into 10 subelements (major topics). These pool groups are different from the teaching sections in this book. This is the same structure as the Technician exam, but the topics dive deeper into technical concepts and focus heavily on HF (High Frequency) operations.

How to Use This HamBook

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How to Use This HamBook #

Structure of the HamBook #

This HamBook is divided into two main parts:

Part 1: Expanding on Radio Science #

This part expands on Technician-level electrical and radio principles:

Electrical Foundations: AC circuits, reactance, impedance, resonance, transformers, and power measurements.
Components and Circuits: RF components, amplifiers, power supplies, and digital circuits.
Signal Theory and Modulation: How radios create and receive signals, how modulation carries information, and how much bandwidth a signal uses.
Advanced Antenna Systems: Feed lines, impedance matching, and common HF antenna designs.
Understanding RF Propagation: How the atmosphere affects the path between stations.

Part 2: Expanding on Radio Operation #

This part covers the practical knowledge you’ll use with a General Class License:

Licensing Overview

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Licensing Overview #

The General Class License is the second step in the US amateur radio licensing structure, building upon Technician privileges. Here’s a quick look at the license classes and what lies ahead.

The Three US License Classes #

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issues three license classes to new applicants. Some operators still hold Novice or Advanced licenses, but those classes are no longer issued to new applicants.