I’ve found over the past few weeks that I remember enjoying radio communication and that I kind of miss it from my time in the Army. This thought was triggered by teaching myself about OTA TV signals and how I might receive them better thru scrounging random bits from my garage.
I found an ARRL handbook at the library from 2013 and I’d like to take the next step or three and get involved in a group and obtain my Tech license. I saw thru the ARRL website that you meet on the second Tuesday of every month about 10 minutes from my home in Round Rock.
I’d like to get moving on my license as soon as I can. I don’t want to rush the process by any means but I’d like to be in touch with personnel in the know. I’m not entirely sure of what questions to ask other than “how often to testing opportunities come along in our area? “
Please feel free to reach out to me via email or text with some questions that might need answering since I’m not really sure where a conversation should start for me..
administrator responded:
February 13, 2026 at 4:25 pm
Good morning Dennis,
I apologize in the delayed response to your comment.
There are several ways to get your Tech license….
1) Independent study — the questions pool changes every so many years so make sure you are studying the current book
2) LSARA is wanting to hold a technicians class but has not found the instructors yet, that said you might check ARRL periodically for classes offered in this area
3) Hamexam.org is a free website where you can take practice exams (if you can consistently make 85 on the practice exams you should be ready for the test)
HamTestOnLIne.org is subscription where you can practice exams online but offers more detail as to the correct answer than look on this page of the book.
There are many other online study options.
The Technician exams are offered at almost all “Swapfest” within the area. There are 2 groups that offer them monthly in the Austin area.
Hopefully, this has assisted with some of your questions.
You are always welcome to come to our meetings, even without a license. We meet on the second Tuesday of every month at the Williamson County Jester Center in Round Rock. Please stop in and say “Hi”. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at KF5PWN@arrl.net.
December 30, 2025 at 1:13 am
Good evening,
My name is Dennis Engdahl.
I’ve found over the past few weeks that I remember enjoying radio communication and that I kind of miss it from my time in the Army. This thought was triggered by teaching myself about OTA TV signals and how I might receive them better thru scrounging random bits from my garage.
I found an ARRL handbook at the library from 2013 and I’d like to take the next step or three and get involved in a group and obtain my Tech license. I saw thru the ARRL website that you meet on the second Tuesday of every month about 10 minutes from my home in Round Rock.
I’d like to get moving on my license as soon as I can. I don’t want to rush the process by any means but I’d like to be in touch with personnel in the know. I’m not entirely sure of what questions to ask other than “how often to testing opportunities come along in our area? “
Please feel free to reach out to me via email or text with some questions that might need answering since I’m not really sure where a conversation should start for me..
Very respectfully,
Dennis Engdahl
(702) 466-2757
February 13, 2026 at 4:25 pm
Good morning Dennis,
I apologize in the delayed response to your comment.
There are several ways to get your Tech license….
1) Independent study — the questions pool changes every so many years so make sure you are studying the current book
2) LSARA is wanting to hold a technicians class but has not found the instructors yet, that said you might check ARRL periodically for classes offered in this area
3) Hamexam.org is a free website where you can take practice exams (if you can consistently make 85 on the practice exams you should be ready for the test)
HamTestOnLIne.org is subscription where you can practice exams online but offers more detail as to the correct answer than look on this page of the book.
There are many other online study options.
The Technician exams are offered at almost all “Swapfest” within the area. There are 2 groups that offer them monthly in the Austin area.
Hopefully, this has assisted with some of your questions.
You are always welcome to come to our meetings, even without a license. We meet on the second Tuesday of every month at the Williamson County Jester Center in Round Rock. Please stop in and say “Hi”. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at KF5PWN@arrl.net.
Sincerely,
Gaye Lynn Bailey
KF5PWN