Ham Radio FCC Testing Session
2026-08-21 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
08/21/2026

Register at HamStudy.org. This will help streamline the process.

Sponsor: Motherlode VE TeamDate: August 21 2026 Time: 6:00-8:00 PM (Walk-ins allowed)Contact: Herb 408-483-7968Email: herbert_lewis@sbcglobal.netVEC: Motherlode VE TeamLocation: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints1111 E A StOakdale, CA 95361United States

MAP

1. MANDATORY BEFORE THE EXAM FCC Registration Number (FRN): Examinees are required by the FCC to submit your FRN with your license application form. New license applicants must create an FCC user account and register their Social Security Number (SSN) in the FCC Commission Registration System (CORES) before attending exam sessions. Registrants will be assigned an FRN which will be used in all license transactions with the FCC. For instructions on how to register your SSN and receive an FRN from the FCC, visit the CORES Registration page and the FCC’s Registration instructions page. Per FCC rules, a valid email address is also mandatory on the application form to receive FCC correspondence, including the official copy of your Amateur Radio license. 2. One legal photo ID (identification): a. State Driver’s License b. Government issued Passport c. Military or Law Enforcement Officer Photo ID card d. Student School Photo ID card e. State Photo ID card 3. If no photo ID is available, two forms of identification: a. Non-photo State ID card (some states still have them) b. Birth certificate (must have the appropriate seal) c. Social security card d. Employer’s wage statement or Minor’s work permit e. School ID card f. School or Public Library card g. Utility bill, bank statement or other business correspondence that specifically names the person; or a postmarked envelope addressed to the person at his or her current mailing address as it appears on the Form 605. 4. Students/minors without a photo ID need to bring only one of the above items if a legal guardian presents their photo ID; otherwise two non-photo IDs are required. ARRL will cover the one-time FCC application fee for new license candidates younger than 18-years old for tests administered under the ARRL VEC program. 5. If applicable, bring a printed copy of your Amateur Radio license or be able to show proof of the license in the official FCC database. Acceptable copies or printouts of licenses are available from the following sources: the official license or reference license printed from the FCC website or license data printed from the ARRL website or QRZ website. The original(s) and photocopy(s) of any Certificates of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) you may hold from previous exam sessions. If your license has already been issued by the FCC, the CSCE showing license credit is not needed. The candidate is require to show proof of the current license to the team but the team is no longer required to submit the proof to the VEC. Expired license proof must be submitted to the team and to the VEC for processing to FCC. These photocopies will not be returned. Instructions on how to obtain an official FCC license copy are on our Obtain License Copy web page. 6. Two number two pencils with erasers and a pen for in-person sessions. 7. A calculator with the memory erased and formulas cleared is allowed. You may not bring any written notes or calculations into the exam session. Slide rules and logarithmic tables are acceptable, as long as they’re free of notes and formulas. Cell phone must be silenced or turned off during the exam session and the phones’ calculator function may not be used. In addition, iPhones, iPads, Androids, smartphones, Blackberry devices and all similar electronic devices with a calculator capability, may NOT be used. 8. No need to bring a check, a money order or cash to cover the exam, since it is free. 9. Be aware that some information about you will be made publicly available on the FCC’s website (FCC Licensee Privacy) including a felony conviction status. All applicants must answer the Basic Qualification Question (felony conviction status question) on the 605 Form at the exam session. Applicants that answer “YES” for the question must follow these FCC procedures: FCC qualification question instructions

Tri-County Ham Picnic & BBQ!
2026-09-19 11:00 - 16:00 | Utica Park, 1075 Utica Ln., Angels Camp, California, 95222, United States
Calaveras Amateur Radio Society (CARS) and the Tuolumne County Amateur Radio and Electronics Society (TCARES) are having a joint picnic & BBQ on September 19, 2026 at Utica Park, Angels Camp, California, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

CARS will provide hot dogs, hamburgers, condiments, plasticware, as well as the BBQs. TCARES will provide waters, sodas, ice, sliced tomatoes and onions. Both CARES and TCARES members should bring side dishes and desserts.

Utica Park has a beautiful covered seating area and the event will happen RAIN or SHINE. A table will be provided for the swap meet, too, so bring something to sell!

If you have any questions, call Steven Airola, W6RXK, President of CARS, at 209.770.3263.

Training on How to Use Your Handheld Radio During an Emergency
2026-09-27 13:00 - 16:00
Held at the Sierra Flow Fitness Gym:21051 Crystal Falls Drive, Suite 4Sonora, CA 95370

THIS IS A FREE CLASS, limited to the first 25 people. REGISTER BELOW.

Learn how to use your handheld radio during a simulated emergency. This class will give you hands-on radio experience by simulating 2 different emergency situations: 1) your own family; and 2) your neighborhood/community. By the end of the class you will also learn more about how to get the best performance out of your handheld radio. Finally, you will develop a plan to take home with you, on how to use a handheld radio during an emergency, for your situation.

If you have a handheld radio (FRS/GMRS/Amateur (Ham)), bring it to the class. If not, we will have extra radios for use.

Hands-on skills training will get you up and transmitting right away, with instructions on emergency communication.

STAY INFORMED when cell phones are down and power outages occur.

RADIO CLASS AGENDA

Introduction to Planning for an Emergency – Developing a Personal/Family Plan

How to Get the Best Performance Out of Your Handheld Radio

Simulation of an Emergency Using Handheld Radios on Simplex (Radio to Radio)

Simulation of an Emergency Using Handheld Radios and a Local Repeater (Directed Net)

Discussion & Lessons Learned

Turn in a Copy of Your Personal/Family Plan

OPTIONAL: Tuolumne County has 6 GMRS, and 5 ham radio repeaters on hill tops that allow wide communications across the county and parts of the Central Valley. A GMRS and/or Amateur Radio license is required for repeater usage. Apply for your GMRS license today. One GMRS license will cover your entire extended family, even if they don’t live in the same home. There is NO TEST, only a FCC $35. application fee. Follow these step by step instructions to get your NO TEST GMRS License. FCC processing time usually takes one to three days and has a $35.00 fee. START NOW.

SEPT 27, 1:00 PM (~3 hours) Please check in by 12:15 PM, thanks!

Limited to the first 25 people

TBA

REGISTER NOW AND SAVE YOUR SEAT!

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TCARES Monthly Breakfast and Club Meeting
2026-10-17 09:30 - 10:30
All are welcome, JOIN US! Come to the back room around or just before 9 AM to order your breakfast…or just a cup of coffee. At 9:30 we will begin our formal agenda.

TCARES Monthly Breakfast and Club Meeting & RAFFLE
2026-11-21 09:30 - 10:30
All are welcome, JOIN US! Come to the back room around or just before 8:30 AM to order your breakfast…or just a cup of coffee. At 9:00 we will begin our formal agenda. This month we will raffle off a NanoVNA, donated by Dave, AD6AE! 5$ per ticket to raise funds for the club!

Additionally, Steve, N6VIN, will be giving a video presentation on his recent “Asia Dive Vacation” with his wife. Come enjoy the fun!

TCARES Board Meeting
2026-11-21 10:30 - 12:00 | My Garden Cafe, 14270 Mono Way, Sonora, California, 95370, United States
There will be a TCARES Board Meeting following the monthly club breakfast meeting. Feel free to attend!
