Amateur radio is also called a Ham Radio. This is a reception and radio transmission that is done by private parties and over short waves and other assigned frequencies.
The ones operating amateur radios are called “radio ham” or simply “hams”. In order to operate a ham radio, one must have a license.
Kinds of licenses:
Technician class
This is also known as a Tech license. If you have a technician license, you are allowed access to all ham bands. You are allowed access to frequencies over 50 MHZ.
Tech licence holders can also transmit using voice on part of the 10 meter band.
General Class
This license gives hams full privileges on most of the amateur frequencies. There are only some High frequency (HF) bands that remain off limits.
Amateur Extra Class
This licence gives access to hams to even the lowest segments of several HF bands.
Those who are interested in contacting rare foreign stations need to get an Amateur Extra licence.
Grandfathered license
Types:
Novice
This was introduced in 1951. Novices are restricted to segments of the 7, 3.5,28,21,1296 and 222 MHZ amateur bands.
Advanced
Those who have this licence receive frequency privileges between those of the general and Amateur Extra licensees.
How to get an Amateur Radio License in the US?
- Prepare for the Exam
Study some manuals and other materials. Some popular manuals are The Ham Radio License Manual by the ARRL and Technician Class by Gordon West.
You might also want to consider downloading an app to your portable device. This can help you work through all the possible questions.
Some apps also assist you to focus on areas where more study time is needed.
- Use study methods recommended at the front of the book
This will help you study for the 35 question FCC exam.
- Use the Exam Search Feature found on the ARRL website.
This will assist you to locate any upcoming exam session in your area.
Some exams are given monthly and others are given annually.
- Prepare needed documents for the exam
You need two valid IDs, Social Security number, or an officially issued FRC Registration Number. The FRC number can be obtained online.
- Take the Exam
For tech license
It includes 35-multiple choice questions on technical radio topics and regulations. You have to get a score of 26 or higher to pass.
For General Class
The exam includes same questions like in the tech exam but in more detail. The exam has new topics that experienced hams are expected to understand.
To pass, you have to get 26 or more correct answers.
For Amateur Extra
The exam consists of 50 multiple choice questions. The exam covers additional regulations and rules. These are associated with sophisticated operating and several advanced technical topics.
To pass, you need to have 37 or more correct answers.
- Find a local radio club
Members of the club can help you study for the exams, answer your questions about amateur radios, and some can even lend you a radio to start.
How to get an Amateur Radio License Essex Foundation?
Practical Test
All hams who want a license need to do a practical test. They will demonstrate how to connect and use an amateur radio transmitter and antenna.
The practical assessments will be done in front of a Registered Assessor.
The practical tests include:
- Connecting a radio, antenna and power supply
- Adjusting a dipole antenna
- A short transmission on a VHF or UHF amateur band
- Sending and receiving a short phrase in Morse code
- Basic Radio operation- changing frequency, tuning in, and transmitting
- A short transmission on an HF amateur band
Examination
The next part is to take the exam. The questions are in the following categories:
- Operating practices- 3 questions
- Technical basics- 4 questions
- Amateur radio and License rules- 6 questions
- Feeders and Antennas- 3 questions
- EMC (Avoiding interference) – 3 questions
- Transmitters and receivers- 3 questions
- Operating Practices- 3 questions
- Safety- 2 questions
The exam lasts for 55 minutes. To pass the exam, you have to get 19 correct answers.
License and Call Sign
The exam paper is normally marked after the exam. This is to give you an idea of whether you passed.
If you pass, the RSGB (Radio Society of Great Britain) will send you a Pass certificate post.
Your details will be passed on to the UK regulator. This means you’ll be able to apply for your license and call sign.
How to get an Amateur Radio license in Canada
Prepare for the exam
Look for materials and manuals online and study them. There is a computer program that helps amateur hams in preparing for the exam.
The program will give questions that are possible to come out in the exam.
Take the exam
There are series of exams that will be done. This will be supervised by a licensed examiner.
There is also another exam. The practical one is where you will be tested on how you operate an amateur radio.
Who needs to have an amateur radio license?
Amateur Radio operators or Hams are not the only ones who need a license.
FPV pilots also need to have an amateur radio license before they are allowed to fly. FPV stands for First-person view. It is an airborne radio with a small camera mounted on it.
Why is an amateur license needed?
In the US, it is necessary to have a license; this is for the ham to send messages over different frequencies. The hams will be able to send codes or messages especially during calamities. These calamities include hurricanes and earthquakes.
In other countries, it is illegal to operate an amateur radio without a license. This could get you fined or imprisoned.
For FPV pilots, if they operate an FPV without a license, they will be imprisoned. The jail time will depend on how far the pilot used the FPV.
Remember that the procedures on getting a license vary in different countries. It is best to check the steps in your location.
