CARA

Calgary Amateur Radio Association

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How to Get Training in Amateur Radio

Are you interested in getting your Amateur Radio Certification? 

For information from Industry Canada's website, visit amateur-radio-operator-certification for a high level description and visit amateur-radio-operator-certificate-services/en for a more interactive view including downloadable files. 

News:   On May 30, 2025, Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) published three important documents related to the Amateur Radio examinations:   
ISED updated “RIC-1 – Guide for Examiners Accredited to Conduct Examinations for Amateur Radio Operator Certificates” which sets standards for Amateur Radio certificate examinations

This update to RIC-1 makes three important changes:

  1. ISED has given specific direction on the conduct of “virtual examinations,” that is, examinations conducted over the internet.
  2. ISED has dropped geographic restrictions for AEs. AEs in any province or territory may now examine candidates in any province or territory.
  3. ISED has clarified that both the candidate and the AE must be in Canada at the time of the exam.

On that same date, ISED published two new documents specifically for the Basic exam:

  1. A sheet of formulas and block diagrams. These are fully labelled. ISED is offering these for training purposes only.
  2. A very similar sheet of formulas and block diagrams with all labels and context removed. These may be used as approved reference material during all Basic examinations starting on July 15, 2025.

Previously announced on July 5, 2024, Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) posted the following announcement on its website:

“Working with the Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC), Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) plans to update the Basic Amateur Exam questions and answers in early 2025"

The Calgary in-person Basic Amateur Radio and CARA Advanced Amateur Radio classes (in Calgary) is expected to start again in Sept 2025. 

Note that these classes are based on training books (see below) that you need to purchase prior to the classes. 

The Basic class is based on the Canadian Amateur Radio Basic Qualification Study Guide, and the Advanced class is based on the Advanced Qualification Study Guide .    

If you have any questions, please Contact the training coordinator at training@caraham.org . 

Where else can I get training?

Meanwhile, there are also other options if you want to get your HAM Certificate on your own. 

Here are a few options:

On-line courses:

Various Courses available by geography:

Self-Based training:

In addition, there are community provided self-pace training websites that may be of interest.

Is getting an Amateur Radio Certificate difficult?   
The Certification testing objectives and practice exams are available on line at the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada ISED website
https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/amateur-radio-operator-certificate-services/en/amateur-radio-exam-generator.  

The Canadian Amateur Radio Basic Qualification Study Guide

The Coax Publications Canadian Amateur Radio Basic Qualification Study Guide includes all information required to pass the current ISED’s exam. The new 4th printing was reprinted and updated for the 2021 study season. 

Coax Publications Advanced Study Guide

Coax Publications also publishes the Canadian Amateur Radio Advanced Qualification Study Guide (2nd Edition, 2nd Printing). Written to the same high standards as the Basic Study Guide, this book covers all questions in the Industry Canada Advanced Qualification question bank while providing needed context.

Coax Publications Advanced Study Guide


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