CBRA_Patchv2 (2)
The weekly CBRA club net is held on Thursdays @ 20:00 (8pm) and is open to all licensed amateur radio operators. The net is held on the WA3SFJ 2 meter repeater, which operates on 146.850 MHz, standard negative offset, with a tone of 107.2. You may also join our net via AllStar on node 558300 or via Echolink on the WA3SFJ-R node 585690.
Chesapeake Bay Radio Association, Inc.
Home » Licensing
CBRA_Patchv2 (2)
The weekly CBRA club net is held on Thursdays @ 20:00 (8pm) and is open to all licensed amateur radio operators. The net is held on the WA3SFJ 2 meter repeater, which operates on 146.850 MHz, standard negative offset, with a tone of 107.2. You may also join our net via AllStar on node 558300 or via Echolink on the WA3SFJ-R node 585690.
- CBRA Committee
Chesapeake Bay Radio Association, Inc.
Home » Licensing

What you need to know to become an Operator

arrl_vec

How to successfully get your license and stay proficient:


  • |> Join a club like CBRA or one of the more reliable forms on the internet to help understand the content.
    • |
  • |> Take practice tests till you are confident enough to pass
    • |
  • |> Take the test and pass
    • |
  • |> Get active in a club, Like CBRA offers to the local and surrounding Cecil County, MD areas.

CBRA sponsored ARRL Volunteer Examiner Test Sessions


Testing Schedule for 2025


  • January 18

  • March 15

  • May 10

  • July 19

  • September 20

  • November 15


All test sessions start at 10:00 AM, and are held at the Rising Sun Branch Library located at 111 Colonial Way, Rising Sun, MD 21911.


The charge for each session is $15.00, or $5.00 for candidates younger than 18-years old. Proof of under 18 status is required at the session. We accept Cash or Check. Please make checks out to “ARRL-VEC”.


All persons taking any test MUST show their government-issued photo ID or passport.


The CBRA VE Team has now updgraded to HAM STUDY online testing! We supply tablets for taking the exam to all test applicants. To make this process as easy as possible, we ask that all license applicants PLEASE PRE-REGISTER AT https://hamstudy.org/sessions/CBRA. WALK-INS ARE STILL WELCOME! However, if the test session is crowded, pre-registered applicants will be given preference at test session, as we have a limited number of tablets (10). Anyone showing up to the take the test will get to take the exam, but there may be a wait for a tablet.


The CBRA VE Team wants you on the air as quick as possible. By using HAM STUDY for test administration, your test results will be submitted to the FCC before you leave the exam room! You should receive your new call sign or upgraded license by the following Monday or Tuesday evening.

Things To Do Before Signing Up For / Attending an Exam

Applicants must provide their FCC Registration Number (FRN) before taking any test. You can apply for a FRN at anytime before taking the exam at the following link: https://www.arrl.org/fcc-application-fee

Applicants must provide an email address before taking any test. This is a FCC requirement.
Licensed hams who are upgrading MUST bring a copy of their Amateur Radio License and/or CSE's.

 NOTICE! EFFECTIVE APRIL 19, 2022 AN ADDITIONAL FEE OF $35 WILL BE REQUIRED BY THE FCC BEFORE YOU RECEIVE YOUR LICENSE. This fee does not apply to license upgrades. This fee is NOT payable at the time of the test. Visit FCC www.arrl.org/fcc-application-fee for more information.

ARRL Youth Licensing Grant Program

The American Radio Relay League will cover the one-time $35 application fee for new license candidates younger than 18-years old for tests administered under the ARRL VEC program.
 The $35 FCC application fee will be reimbursed after the new license has been issued by the FCC.
Visit the ARRL website for the program instructions and reimbursement form at www.arrl.org/youth-licensing-grant-program For more information contact the CBRA VE Team at testing@wa3sfj.net