How does one become a ham?

In the United States amateur radio operators are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). License examinations are administered by Volunteer Examiners (VEs), who are themselves licensed amateurs serving under the auspices of a Volunteer Exam Coordinator (VEC) operating pursuant to a formal agreement with the FCC.

Over the years, five basic license classes have evolved. The higher the license class, the greater the privileges available to the operator. To earn higher class licenses requires progressively more knowledge of the technology, rules and regulations, as well as proficiency at higher Morse code speeds.

Today, the "entry level" license for radio amateurs is the "no code" Technician class license, which requires passing a 55 question examination on radio theory, regulations and operations. The Technician class license gives access to millions of frequencies in the UHF and VHF bands, all modes of operation, and access to Amateur Radio Orbiting Satellites (OSCARS) which opens up communication world-wide and beyond.

The Novice class license requires passing a 30 question exam and basic Morse code test of five words per minute. Technician class licensees may also pass the Novice class Morse code test to earn additional privileges. Novice class licensees, and Technician class licensees who have also passed the Novice class Morse code test, have access to world-wide HF bands.

The General class license requires passing an additional 25 question exam and a 13 word per minute Morse code test, and greatly expands the radio spectrum available to the licensee.

The Advanced class license requires passing an additional 50 question examination, and grants still further operating privileges.

The Amateur Extra class license requires passing an additional 40 question examination and a 20 word per minute Morse code test, and carries with it all privileges available to amateur operators.

For information about testing opportunities, select from the following list: