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What is Amateur (Ham) Radio?
There are over 750,000 US Amateur (Ham) Radio operators and millions worldwide. We talk wirelessly across town and the globe using less power than it takes to brighten a light bulb with no service providers or monthly fees. We learn from each other, assist the public at events and emergencies, have fun with contests, interact with space (satellites, atmosphere, ISS, etc.), monitor and report the weather, build equipment, exchange digital signals, and much more. We often place radios in our pockets, our cars, our homes and elsewhere so that we can enjoy a good conversation and be ready to assist others.

The Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club:
Over 100 licensed radio operators in and around Schaumburg enjoy our hobby with each other, our community, and the world. We have fun learning, exchanging ideas and having fun through the privileges we enjoy as licensed radio operators. We have so much to offer!

  • We host weekly communications ‘nets’ and monthly gatherings to exchange ideas, information, humor, learning, and assistance with other radio operators.
  • We participate in national & worldwide events & contests on the air allowing us to assist and communicate with wonderful people across the globe.
  • We connect with local youth to spark their interest in communications and science.
  • We host events to build equipment, enjoy bicycle rides, or just be social.
  • We lend our radio skills to help ensure the safety of our community at special events such as parades, marathons and the Schaumburg Fest.
  • We participate in readiness initiatives so we may quickly partner with local and national emergency service teams to provide communications in times of disaster or crisis.

We Invite You to Join the Fun!
It’s easy. Simply take a 35-question test with at least 26 correct answers ( 70%) and receive your Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license. Radios cost as little as $30. And we stand ready to help you study and take your test. From there, you are welcome to join our club and be part of all the fun we have to offer! Please reach out to us for more information. We would be very happy to talk with you.

W9RKK with the SSB Hexbeam W9RKK Photo

    Events RHG RHG Articles

    Schaumburg amateur radio club announces special class for those interested in getting their initial amateur radio license

    The Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club offers a free entry-level amateur radio class beginning September 13, 2025. There are more than 750,000 licensed amateur radio operators in the U.S., and the number is growing every day. If you are new to ham radio, or just thinking about getting your first license, the Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club can help you get started. The club is offering an entry level amateur radio course to prepare you for the Amateur Radio Technician Class license which allows you to operate on the UHF/VHF bands and a small portion of HF bands. In 10, two-hour classes, you’ll learn everything you need to successfully pass the Federal Communications Commission Technician license test. Because Morse Code proficiency is no longer required, we won’t be teaching it, but many ham radio operators still use it because it’s efficient and challenging.

    SCHAUMBURG AMATEUR RADIO CLUB ANNOUNCES SPECIAL CLASS FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN GETTING THEIR INITIAL AMATEUR RADIO LICENSE

    WHAT

    In response to a special request by the Village of Schaumburg Emergency Manager, the Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club has announced a ten session classroom training opportunity for anyone interested in obtaining their initial FCC amateur radio license. This training is open to the general public. This training prepares participants for taking the required FCC licensing test.

    WHEN

    Classes consist of 10 weekly sessions every Saturday beginning September 13th and concluding on November 15th. Each session will run from 9:30 am to noon, will be conducted by a licensed amateur radio operator and will cover all the material that makes up the FCC license exam.

    • Sep 13 : Class overview and structure
    • Sep 20: Welcome to Ham radio
    • Sep 27: Radio and signals fundamentals
    • Oct 4: Electricity, components and circuits
    • Oct 11: Propagation, antennas and feed lines
    • Oct 18: Amateur radio equipment
    • Oct 25: Communicating with other hams
    • Nov 1: Licensing regulations
    • Nov 8: Operating regulations
    • Nov 15: Safety

    WHERE

    The first class will be held at the Horizon room at the Schaumburg Community Recreation Center, 505 N Springinsguth Rd, Schaumburg, IL All other classes will be held in their Excellence room.

    COST

    Classes are free.

    COURSE BOOK

    It is highly recommended that each participant purchase the Ham Radio License Manual. See the information below on how to obtain this manual.

    REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

    Due to limited seating, you must complete an online registration form no later than September 1st (see details below). You will receive confirmation of your registration via email.

    FCC LICENSING TESTING

    Testing is not included in this class. The Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club regularly conducts testing the first Saturday of every month (See below for testing details and fees)

    REGISTRATION

    Each participant must must register to take this class. Please send the following information no later than September 1st via email to KD9WSV@gmail.com with the email subject line labeled

    You must include the following in that email:

    Subject: “September Licensing Class Registration”

    Name:

    Email address:

    Phone number:

    COURSE BOOK

    The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual 5th Edition contains all the information that will be presented in the class. It includes all the potential questions and answers on the exam with detailed explanations to help you pass your test and get on the air. While not required to take the class, it is highly recommended for those intending to get their license and serves as a valuable source of information used frequently by new Hams

    This manual may be purchased at Amazon. It costs $32.95 plus shipping or $19.99 if downloaded to Kindle.

    FCC LICENSE AND FEES

    FCC Amateur Radio License testing takes place on the first Saturday of the month at Schaumburg Park District’s Community Recreation Center (CRC) at 9:00 AM. Complete details on testing will be discussed at the end of the class or you can view it on our web site.

    • $14.00 in cash. This fee covers the cost of the exam materials and must be paid prior to taking the exam.
    • If you pass the exam and wish to apply for a license, the FCC will charge $35.00 for their processing. This fee will be paid directly at on-line application time

    Location

    Events News RHG RHG Articles

    SARC Bike Ride – Saturday August 16th @ 10:00a – Paul Douglas Trail

    By Tom N9GUN

    We have scheduled our next SARC group bike ride on Saturday, August 16th at 10:00a on the Paul Douglas Trail – Near Harper College

    The ride will start and end in Harper College’s parking lot (Lot #12). We’ll ride out from there to the trail about 2 blocks away and ride to the trailhead near Crabtree Nature Center and back. I estimate the ride is about 16 – 18 miles. Be sure to bring your water bottles and radios! We’ll use SARC Emcomm channel 4 (147.42 simplex) for the event!

    This is a group ride and not a race, so anyone who wants to come out and participate can ride with us. We will adjust speed and distance accordingly.

    Here is a map below with the trail and our starting point. We’ll meet at the parking lot #12, just north of the tennis courts at 10:00a.

    Map of route

    Map of meeting point

    Events News RHG RHG Articles

    CANCELLED – SARC Bike Ride – Saturday, July 19th @ 10:00a – Fox River Trail

    This event has been cancelled due to weather

    By Tom N9GUN

    We have scheduled our next SARC group bike ride on Saturday, July 19th at 10:00a on the FOX RIVER TRAIL.

    The ride will start and end in the parking area next to the Dairy Queen in East Dundee on Main Street, right on the trail. The DQ address is: 15 E Main St, East Dundee, IL 60118. We will ride down to St. Charles and back with the total mileage about 16 miles. Afterwards, I’m sure some (or all) of us will enjoy some Dairy Queen food and ice cream!

    This is a group ride and not a race, so anyone who wants to come out and participate can ride with us. We will adjust speed and distance accordingly.

    Here is the map below with the trail and our starting point. We’ll meet at the parking lot at 10:00a.

    Map of route