Reference material, study guides, and links for hams of all experience levels.
The FCC amateur radio license comes in three classes, each building on the last. The ARRL's licensing resources are the gold standard for exam preparation.
The Technician license is your entry point into amateur radio. It covers basic radio theory, FCC regulations, and operating practices. With a Tech ticket you'll have full access to all VHF/UHF frequencies — including the K4EG repeater — and limited HF privileges. Most people pass with a few weeks of focused study.
The General class license opens up the majority of HF privileges, allowing you to work DX (long-distance contacts) across the globe on amateur bands from 160 meters to 10 meters. It's the natural next step after Technician and dramatically expands what's possible from your shack.
The Amateur Extra class is the top tier — it unlocks all HF frequency allocations including exclusive Extra-class-only segments, often the least crowded portions of the bands. The Extra exam is the most challenging, but the rewards are worth it. Extra class operators have access to every privilege the FCC grants.
AARC members can help connect you with upcoming exam sessions in the Burlington/Alamance County area. Reach out through the contact page or join our groups.io list and ask — someone will point you in the right direction.
The national organization for amateur radio. Regulations, technical resources, license study guides, operating awards, and advocacy for the hobby.
Find repeaters anywhere in North America. Search by location, frequency, or callsign. The K4EG repeater (146.670 MHz) is listed in their North Carolina database.
Look up any callsign in the world. Build your QRZ page to let other operators learn about you, your station, and your antenna setup. Also has forums and logbook features.
The official FCC Universal Licensing System. Look up any amateur radio license, check expiration dates, and manage your own license renewals directly with the FCC.
North Carolina's premier DX and contesting club. A great resource for HF operators interested in working rare entities, chasing awards, and improving their contesting skills.
The coordination body for repeaters in the Southeastern United States. The K4EG repeater (146.670 MHz) is a SERA-coordinated machine.
The AARC club mailing list. Where members post announcements, discuss radio topics, coordinate events, and stay connected between meetings. Free to join.
Two tables every ham should know cold — the phonetic alphabet and common Q-codes.
| Letter | Phonetic | Letter | Phonetic |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Alpha | N | November |
| B | Bravo | O | Oscar |
| C | Charlie | P | Papa |
| D | Delta | Q | Quebec |
| E | Echo | R | Romeo |
| F | Foxtrot | S | Sierra |
| G | Golf | T | Tango |
| H | Hotel | U | Uniform |
| I | India | V | Victor |
| J | Juliet | W | Whiskey |
| K | Kilo | X | X-ray |
| L | Lima | Y | Yankee |
| M | Mike | Z | Zulu |
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| QRZ | Who is calling me? / You are being called by… |
| QSL | I confirm receipt / Can you confirm? (Also: a confirmation card) |
| QSY | Change your frequency to… / Shall I change frequency? |
| QRN | Static or natural interference is causing me trouble |
| QRM | Manmade interference is affecting my reception |
| QSB | Your signal is fading / Signals are fluctuating |
| QTH | My location is… / What is your location? |
| QRV | I am ready to receive / Are you ready? |
| QRP | Reduce power / I am operating at low power |
| QRT | I am closing my station / Shall I stop transmitting? |
| QRX | Stand by / I will call you again at [time] |
| 73 | Best regards (the classic ham farewell) |
Amateur radio plays a vital role in emergency communications across North Carolina. The NC ARES/RACES network coordinates emergency communicators at the county and state level, and AARC members are trained to serve Alamance County during activations.
146.520 MHz
The national VHF FM calling frequency. When you don't know what repeater to use, or when repeaters are unavailable, 146.520 MHz is where hams listen for simplex contacts. Monitor this frequency during emergencies.
146.670 MHz
The K4EG repeater is the primary coordination point for AARC members during local emergencies. It is equipped with emergency backup power and covers approximately 40 miles from Burlington. CSQ — no tone required.
For more information about ARES/RACES participation in Alamance County, contact the club or ask on the Sunday Evening Net.
In amateur radio, an Elmer is an experienced operator who mentors a newcomer — offering guidance, answering questions, and helping new hams find their footing in the hobby. The tradition goes back to the earliest days of amateur radio, and at AARC it's alive and well.
Whether you're studying for your first exam, struggling to get your antenna to resonate, trying to make sense of digital modes, or just not sure where to start — AARC's Elmers are here for you. We believe strongly that the best thing an experienced ham can do is share what they know with the next generation of operators. Don't hesitate to reach out.
New hams who connect with an Elmer early tend to get on the air faster, make more contacts, and stick with the hobby longer. There's no substitute for a patient, experienced voice walking you through something for the first time.