At CARS, our mission is simple: grow amateur radio through ongoing education, training, and community support. Whether you’re brand‑new to the hobby or working toward your next license upgrade, we’re here to help you succeed.
What We Offer Entry‑Level License Classes We provide structured Technician‑level classes designed to help new operators understand the fundamentals of amateur radio, prepare for the exam, and get on the air with confidence.
Upgrade Classes For licensed hams looking to expand their privileges, we offer:
General Class upgrade courses
Amateur Extra preparation classes
These sessions help operators deepen their technical knowledge and unlock new opportunities across the HF bands.
Local VE Test Sessions CARS hosts regular Volunteer Examiner (VE) test sessions throughout the year, giving you convenient local opportunities to:
Earn your first FCC amateur radio license
Upgrade to General or Amateur Extra
Renew your enthusiasm for learning and operating
Our testing environment is friendly, supportive, and focused on helping you succeed.
📝 About Our Volunteer Examiners While CARS is not an accredited VEC organization, many of our members serve as certified Volunteer Examiners through W4VEC.org, one of the recognized National Volunteer Examiner Coordinators.
This partnership allows us to:
Offer reliable, FCC‑compliant testing
Support both paper‑based and computer‑based exam formats (as available)
Maintain a consistent schedule of local test sessions
Provide a smooth, professional experience for all candidates
Our VE team is dedicated to upholding the integrity of the exam process while making the path into amateur radio as welcoming as possible.
Why We Do It Every new license earned strengthens the amateur radio community. Every upgrade expands the pool of skilled operators. Through education and testing, CARS helps:
Bring new hams into the hobby
Support operators as they grow
Build a stronger, more resilient amateur radio presence in our region
Whether you’re taking your first step or your next step, we’re excited to be part of your journey.
