Education
The FCC has three Amateur Radio licenses available to new licensees; Technician, General, and Amateur Extra. The FRRL offers multi-week classes throughout the year at no charge for individuals wishing to prepare for their first amateur radio license or for a license upgrade.
For more information contact our education chair at: education [at] frrl.org
The official ARRL Manuals are used for our classes.
Before purchasing a manual in advance be aware of the "current thru" date.
Books are available for purchase via the club at a discounted rate.
Please contact education [at] frrl.org for more information.
Level 1:
Technician
Current thru
June 30, 2026
Level 2:
General
Current thru
June 30, 2027
Level 3:
Amateur Extra
Current thru
June 30, 2028
Morse Code:
While a Morse Code (CW) test is no longer required for any class of Amateur Radio License, it is still a popular mode. A former FRRL president put together an excellent series on learning code, it is available here: Morse Code Tutor Project.
Upcoming Classes:
Upcoming classes start on regular intervals. There is an annual Technician License Class conducted via Zoom that starts every September and runs for 10 weeks on Wednesdays from 6:30pm until about 9:00pm.
We alternate annually the General Class (via Zoom on Wednesday Evenings) with the Amateur Extra Class (in person on Saturdays at the Messenger Library in North Aurora). These classes typically start in late February / early March and run for 10 weeks.
The next Technician class will start on 9/16/26. Please email education [at] frrl.org and Dan WA9FRY will get you signed up for the class.
The next Amateur Extra class will start on Saturday 3/6/2027. This class requires a minimum of 6 participants to be scheduled. Maximum class size is limited to 12. Please email education [at] frrl.org and Dan WA9FRY will get you signed up for the class.
The Fox River Radio League (FRRL) presents regular training classes focused toward new Amateurs interested in gaining their Technician class license or upgrading to the General and Extra class licenses.
These are free courses where you will learn everything you need to receive or upgrade to the appropriate FCC radio license.
The textbook for the class will be the official ARRL License Manual. Books are available for purchase via the club at a discounted rate by emailing education [at] frrl.org.
Classes are instructor-led, and you can expect engaging conversations to ensue around the topics of discussion.
In addition to our regularly scheduled bi-monthly testing we will be scheduling a dedicated VE session after discussing best availability with the class participants. For more information on VE sessions, please see VE Test Sessions.
CLASS REGISTRATION:
Classes are free but to get a head count and send you a zoom link if required we are asking that you register in advance.
Registration:
education [at] frrl.org