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Question 1

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What is the maximum transmitter power output allowed for General class licensees on most HF bands?

100 watts PEP

500 watts PEP

1000 watts PEP

1500 watts PEP

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: Ham Radio General Exam

35 Qs

Exam Questions

NCVEC/FCC

74%

Passing Score

26 out of 35 correct

$50

Total Cost

$15 VEC + $35 FCC

429

Question Pool Size

2023-2027 pool

10 yr

License Validity

FCC renewable

400K+

US General Licensees

FCC ULS estimate

The General class license exam has 35 multiple-choice questions requiring 26 correct (74%) to pass. The current question pool (2023-2027) contains approximately 429 questions across 10 subelements. Exam fee is $15 to the VEC plus a $35 FCC application fee. General class grants HF phone and digital privileges on 160-10 meters, a major upgrade over Technician. Over 400,000 US amateurs hold a General class license. The license is valid for 10 years.

Sample Ham Radio General Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Ham Radio General exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the maximum transmitter power output allowed for General class licensees on most HF bands?

A.100 watts PEP

B.500 watts PEP

C.1000 watts PEP

D.1500 watts PEP

Explanation: FCC Part 97.313 allows amateur stations to transmit with a maximum power output of 1500 watts PEP on most HF bands. General class licensees share this limit with Extra class. The exception is the 60-meter band, where power is limited to 100 watts PEP ERP.

2Which of the following frequency bands is available to General class licensees but NOT to Technician class licensees for phone (voice) operation?

A.2 meters (144-148 MHz)

B.70 centimeters (420-450 MHz)

C.20 meters (14.225-14.350 MHz)

D.6 meters (50-54 MHz)

Explanation: The 20-meter band (14.225-14.350 MHz for phone) is an HF privilege available to General class licensees but not to Technician class. Technicians have full privileges on 2 meters, 70 centimeters, and 6 meters (VHF/UHF), but only limited HF privileges on 10, 15, 40, and 80 meters with CW only on most.

3How long is an amateur radio license valid before it must be renewed?

A.5 years

B.7 years

C.10 years

D.Lifetime

Explanation: An FCC amateur radio license is valid for 10 years from the date of issuance. Licensees may renew within a two-year grace period after expiration, but they may not transmit during the grace period until the renewal is processed. Renewals are filed through the FCC's ULS system.

4What is the FCC application fee for a new amateur radio license as of 2024?

A.$15

B.$25

C.$35

D.$50

Explanation: As of April 19, 2022, the FCC charges a $35 application fee for new amateur radio licenses, renewals, and vanity call sign requests. This fee is paid directly to the FCC through CORES, separate from any VEC exam session fee. Administrative updates like address changes are exempt from this fee.

5Which ITU region applies to amateur radio operators in North and South America?

A.Region 1

B.Region 2

C.Region 3

D.Region 4

Explanation: ITU Region 2 covers North and South America, including the Caribbean. Region 1 covers Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Region 3 covers Asia and the Pacific. Amateur radio frequency allocations can differ between regions, which is why understanding your ITU region is important for HF operation.

6Under FCC rules, what types of one-way transmissions are permitted for amateur stations?

A.Broadcasting news and music

B.Transmitting encrypted messages for privacy

C.Beacon operation, telecommand of model craft, and brief transmissions for propagation testing

D.Commercial advertisements during contests

Explanation: FCC Part 97.111 permits certain one-way transmissions including beacon operation, telecommand of model craft, space station telemetry, and brief transmissions for propagation testing or adjustments. Broadcasting (transmissions intended for the general public) and encrypted transmissions (except for telecommand of space stations) are prohibited.

7What is the purpose of the Volunteer Monitor Program?

A.To collect license fees on behalf of the FCC

B.To encourage amateur radio operators to self-regulate and comply with FCC rules

C.To provide emergency communication training

D.To grade amateur radio license exams

Explanation: The Volunteer Monitor Program replaced the Official Observer program. Its purpose is to encourage amateur radio operators to self-regulate and comply with FCC rules. Volunteer Monitors assist in locating sources of interference, identify stations violating regulations, and work with the FCC to maintain orderly amateur radio operations.

8Under what circumstances may an amateur station transmit messages for hire or material compensation?

A.During contest operations

B.When relaying third-party traffic internationally

C.Under no circumstances

D.When operating under RACES activation

Explanation: FCC Part 97.113 prohibits amateur stations from transmitting communications in which the station licensee or control operator has a pecuniary interest, including communications for hire. Amateur radio is a non-commercial service. The only exception is that a teacher may receive compensation for teaching amateur radio classes while transmitting.

9Which of the following is required when a General class control operator permits a non-licensed person to transmit on their station?

A.The non-licensed person must first pass a written exam

B.The control operator must continuously monitor and control the station

C.The non-licensed person may only transmit on VHF/UHF frequencies

D.Third-party communications are not permitted under any circumstances

Explanation: A control operator must be present and continuously monitor the station when a non-licensed third party is transmitting. The control operator is responsible for ensuring all transmissions comply with FCC rules, including proper identification. Third-party traffic is permitted domestically and with countries that have third-party agreements with the US.

10What is the maximum height above ground at which an amateur antenna structure does not require FAA notification?

A.100 feet (30.5 meters)

B.150 feet (45.7 meters)

C.200 feet (61 meters)

D.300 feet (91.4 meters)

Explanation: FCC Part 97.15 states that amateur antenna structures that exceed 200 feet (61 meters) above ground level, or that are near an airport, require FAA notification and may require environmental assessment. Structures at or below 200 feet generally do not require notification unless they are within certain proximity to an airport.

About the Ham Radio General Exam

The FCC Amateur Radio General Class License (Element 3) is the second tier of US amateur radio licensing. It grants extensive HF (high frequency) operating privileges on bands from 160 through 10 meters, enabling worldwide communication. The General exam covers 35 multiple-choice questions drawn from the 2023-2027 NCVEC question pool across 10 subelements including FCC regulations, HF operating procedures, radio wave propagation, electrical principles, antennas, and RF safety.

Questions

35 scored questions

Time Limit

No official time limit

Passing Score

74% (26/35)

Exam Fee

$50 ($15 VEC + $35 FCC) (FCC via Volunteer Examiners)

Ham Radio General Exam Content Outline

14%

Commission's Rules

Frequency privileges, antenna structure limitations, power limits, third-party rules, repeater and beacon regulations

14%

Operating Procedures

HF phone and CW procedures, DX operation, digital modes, emergency communication, Volunteer Monitor Program

Radio Wave Propagation

Ionospheric layers, MUF, sunspot cycles, K and A indices, HF scatter, NVIS

14%

Amateur Radio Practices

Station configuration, test equipment, grounding, interference, mobile and portable HF operation

Electrical Principles

Reactance, impedance, resonance, decibels, power and voltage calculations

Circuit Components

Semiconductors, diodes, transistors, regulators, integrated circuits

Practical Circuits

Power supplies, oscillators, mixers, filters, modulators, receivers

Signals and Emissions

SSB, CW, FM emission types, bandwidth, modulation, ALC

11%

Antennas and Feed Lines

Dipoles, verticals, Yagis, feedline types, SWR, impedance matching, baluns

Electrical and RF Safety

RF exposure evaluation, MPE limits, tower safety, grounding for lightning protection

How to Pass the Ham Radio General Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 74% (26/35)
Exam length: 35 questions
Time limit: No official time limit
Exam fee: $50 ($15 VEC + $35 FCC)

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Ham Radio General Study Tips from Top Performers

1Start with FCC rules (G1) and operating procedures (G2) — they account for 28% of the exam and are the most straightforward to learn

2Memorize General class band privileges for phone and CW on each HF band — expect 2-3 questions on this

3Understand ionospheric propagation basics: F2 layer for long-distance, D layer absorption, MUF concept, and sunspot effects

4Practice Ohm's law and power calculations — know P=VI, V=IR, and basic reactance formulas

5Learn the key antenna types: dipole (73 ohms), quarter-wave vertical (omnidirectional), Yagi (directional gain)

6Study RF safety: MPE limits, duty cycle effects, and the requirement to perform an RF exposure evaluation

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the General class ham radio exam?

The General class exam (Element 3) has 35 multiple-choice questions. You need at least 26 correct answers (74%) to pass. Questions are drawn from the NCVEC 2023-2027 question pool of approximately 429 questions across 10 subelements covering FCC rules, operating procedures, propagation, electrical principles, antennas, and RF safety.

What privileges does a General license give over Technician?

A General class license grants extensive HF (high frequency) operating privileges on bands from 160 through 10 meters, enabling worldwide voice, CW, and digital communication. Technicians have full VHF/UHF access but only limited HF privileges. With General class, you gain phone privileges on 80, 40, 20, 17, 15, 12, and 10 meters and CW/digital on all HF bands.

How much does it cost to get a General class ham radio license?

The total cost is approximately $50. You pay a $15 exam session fee to the Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) at the time of the exam, plus a $35 FCC application fee paid directly to the FCC online after passing. Some VECs like Laurel VEC do not charge a session fee, reducing the cost to just the $35 FCC fee.

Do I need a Technician license before taking the General exam?

You must hold a valid Technician class license or pass the Technician exam (Element 2) at the same session. Many VE teams allow you to take both exams consecutively in one sitting. If you pass both, you receive General class privileges directly. You must have an FCC Registration Number (FRN) before the exam.

What question pool is the General exam based on in 2026?

The current General class question pool was released by the NCVEC Question Pool Committee and is valid from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2027. It contains approximately 429 questions (after errata withdrawals) organized into 10 subelements. The pool is publicly available and all exam questions are drawn directly from it.