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New ham radio requirement, EmComm preparedness, Sprint to the Finish!
FCC Announces New Ham Radio Requirement
Must prove Morse Code proficiency while jogging!
The FCC has just announced a shocking new requirement for all amateur radio license exams — applicants must prove their Morse Code fluency while jogging on a treadmill. According to officials, the regulation aims to prepare radio operators for “emergency communication while on the move.”
“Too many hams are sedentary,” said spokesperson Dot Dashington. “We need operators who can tap out SOS while chasing their dog down the street or escaping a rogue Artificial Intelligence.”
The new “Element 5” requires applicants to successfully transmit and receive Morse Code at 5 words per minute while jogging at 5 mph. The FCC will provide complimentary sweatbands embroidered with the phrase “QRP ‘til I Drop” to those who pass the new Element 5 exam. So, you had better start practicing your code-sprinting skills now!
The new requirement goes into effect on April 1. April Fools!
Emergency Communication Preparedness
Are you ready to help?
 Ham radio is a critical tool in emergencies, offering reliable communication when traditional networks fail. Hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires can disrupt communication, and ham radio operators often step in to relay vital information.
The time to prepare is before the disaster, not during:
- Get connected: Join your local ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) and/or RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service) groups, which provide training and coordination.
- Get the Right Gear: A reliable HF/VHF/UHF radio, backup power (batteries/solar), and a good antenna are essential.
- Practice: Participate in simulated emergency tests and events, such as the ARRL Field Day, a nationwide exercise that simulates Emergency Communication (EmComm) scenarios to test preparedness and operational skills.
- Know Key Frequencies: Keep a list of local repeaters, emergency channels, and HF nets.
- Learn Digital Modes: Winlink, APRS, and NBEMS allow message transmission without internet access.
It's important (and fun!) to get involved and stay prepared:
- Attend local or regional training sessions.
- Take part in weekly emergency nets.
- Upgrade your license. While a Tech license is sufficient for local communications, a General class license is ideal for widespread disasters (like hurricanes). HF communications are quite different from local communications, and you need at least the General class license to exercise those skills!
When disaster strikes, ham radio operators are the first line of reliable communications. Get involved, stay prepared, and make a difference!
Sprint to the Finish
A new 1-month renewal option!
Are you one of our procrastinators? Perhaps you've let your subscription expire a couple of times, but never got the upgrade? A “Sprint to the Finish” is your best strategy.
Our most successful students are the ones who use “burst” mode, cramming all their studies into a short period, ideally less than a month. The problem with spreading your studies over months (or even years) is that you waste too much time relearning things you forget. Many students get bogged down and never take the exam.
Here's the “Sprint to the Finish” strategy:
- First, choose your exam session within the coming month. It's incredibly motivating to have an exam date quickly approaching!
- If your subscription has expired, purchase our new 1-month renewal for just $12.50.
- Follow our Study Tips to get the most out of your study time.
- Click Study, hit it hard, and reach a score of at least 85% in the course by your exam date.
- Pass your exam, and you're done forever!
For those who prefer to take it slow, we have lowered the prices of our 3-month, 6-month, and 1-year renewal options:
- 1-month renewal — $12.50 — for 1 month of access to all your previously purchased courses.
- 3-month renewal — $24.95 — 3 months for the price of 2 months! ($8.32/month).
- 6-month renewal — $42.95 — 6 months for the price of 3.5 months! ($7.16/month).
- 1-year renewal — $74.95 — 1 year for the price of 6 months! ($6.25/month).
Even after passing the exams, some students occasionally come back and refresh their memory, and study through new question pools that are released. To encourage ongoing learning, we offer these even more affordable long-term options:
- 2-year renewal — $124.95 — 2 years for the price of 10 months! ($5.21/month).
- 5-year renewal — $224.95 — 5 years for the price of 18 months! ($3.75/month).
- 10-year renewal — $299.95 — 10 years for the price of 2 years! ($2.50/month).
Note: You automatically get our course updates (at no additional charge) whenever new question pools go live.
Note: The NCVEC is not changing any question pools this year, so you don't need to worry about timing your exam around a changeover. The next update will be the Technician exam question pool in July 2026, 15 months from now.
Feel free to respond to this email with comments for the HamTestOnline™ team. We love feedback!
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