License Launchpad
This section is for beginners and upgraders alike who prefer free or low-cost downloadable materials to prep for their Technician, General, or Extra exams. Whether you're a visual learner, love flashcards, or want a cheat sheet to keep on your desk, this list has you covered.
Official Question Pools (PDFs)
Every license exam draws from a published pool of multiple-choice questions. These are updated periodically (usually every 3–4 years). You can download the full pool for free. All ham radio license exams in the U.S. are multiple choice and based on publicly available question pools, each of which includes:
All potential test questions
Correct answers
Distractors (wrong options)
Each question is tagged by subelement (a topic group like “Rules,” “Operating Procedures,” or “Electronics”).
Technician (2022–2026)
General (2023–2027)
Extra (2020–2024)
Flashcards & Mobile Apps
If you learn best by repetition, flashcards are your friend.
Online & App-Based Flashcards:
HamStudy.org – https://hamstudy.org
• Clean interface, tracks your learning progress
• Includes explanations, not just answers
• Great for all license levels
Anki Flashcard Decks –
You can search for decks like “Technician 2022” or “General License Ham Radio”
https://ankiweb.net/shared/decks/ham%20radio
Ham Radio Prep App (Android/iOS) –
Interactive quizzes and flashcards with visual aids.
Not free, but highly reviewed.
cheat sheets & one-pagers
Cheat sheets condense need-to-know info into digestible, often visual formats—perfect for last-minute cramming.
Free downloads:
KB6NU’s No-Nonsense Study Guides
Simple, conversational language
Covers all three licenses
Free PDFs available
KB6NU’s Technician Class Cheat Sheet - View PDF
Ham Radio Technician's Exam Cheat Sheet by Avryhof
A handy reference covering essential formulas and information for the Technician exam.
Ham Radio Reference Cheat Sheet by G7KSE
Includes Morse code, common frequencies, and Q-codes for quick reference.
Amateur Radio General Class License Study Guide by W8BR
Covers all topics for the General Class license exam, effective July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2027.
arrl Resources
The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the official national association for amateur radio in the U.S.
what they offer:
License Manuals for all levels
(Comprehensive books with explanations, sample questions, and more)
Online Store:
https://home.arrl.org/action/Store
ARRL Learning Center:
Online courses and exam prep
ARRL PDF Downloads:
ARRL Study Guide for Exam Questions
A comprehensive guide aligned with the ARRL Ham Radio License Manual.
Bonus: Free Online Courses
AmateurRadio.com Study Guides
Often links to free prep books and tools.
https://www.amateurradio.com/category/study-guide/
LCWO.net (Learn Morse Code Online)
If you’re curious about CW (Morse), this is a great place to start.
YouTube Playlists
Channels like:
Dave Casler (KE0OG)
Ham Radio Crash Course
The Tech Prepper
They break concepts down visually, often aligned to specific test elements.