Extra lettuce, Extra class.
Amateur radio explained. No license required to read this. A license is required for everything else.
Amateur radio (ham radio) is a licensed radio service that allows individuals to communicate using designated radio frequencies for non-commercial purposes. Governed by the FCC under Part 97 of its rules, amateur radio spans a vast range of frequencies from shortwave (HF) to microwave, enabling everything from local conversations to worldwide communication and even Earth-to-space contacts.
Unlike commercial radio services, amateur radio exists for self-training, experimentation, and public service. Operators build their own equipment, develop new communication techniques, provide emergency communications when other systems fail, and connect with fellow operators around the world.
The FCC issues three classes of amateur radio license, each granting progressively more operating privileges. All licenses are valid for 10 years and can be renewed for free.
The entry-level license. The Technician exam (Element 2) consists of 35 multiple-choice questions drawn from a public question pool. You need 26 correct to pass.
The General exam (Element 3) is 35 questions; you need 26 correct. You must already hold a Technician license (or pass both exams in one session).
The Extra exam (Element 4) is 50 questions; you need 37 correct. You must hold a General license. This is the highest class of amateur license.
| Class | Exam Questions | Pass Score | HF Access | VHF/UHF Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Technician | 35 | 26 (74%) | Limited (CW + 10m SSB) | Full |
| General | 35 | 26 (74%) | Most HF bands | Full |
| Extra | 50 | 37 (74%) | All HF bands (full) | Full |
Cost: $0 FCC fee (since 2024) · Term: 10 years · Exam fee: $0–$15 (varies by VEC) · License: Individual only
All exam questions come from a publicly available question pool, which is updated on a 4-year cycle. You can study the actual questions you'll be tested on.
You can take multiple exam elements in a single session. Many people pass Technician and General on the same day. If you pass one element, you can immediately attempt the next. There's no waiting period between license classes.
After getting your initial sequentially-assigned callsign, you can apply for a vanity callsign through the FCC ULS. Vanity callsigns are free. The format of callsign you can request depends on your license class — Extra class operators have access to the shortest 1x2 and 2x1 formats (e.g., W1AW, AA1A).
Look up any amateur callsign using our license search, or search QRZ.com for operator profiles and contact information.
Amateur radio operators have access to frequency allocations across the radio spectrum, from below the AM broadcast band to above the microwave region. Each band has unique propagation characteristics that determine how far your signal will travel and under what conditions.
HF is where the magic happens for long-distance communication. These frequencies can bounce off the ionosphere (skywave propagation) and travel thousands of miles, depending on solar conditions and time of day.
| Band | Frequency | Wavelength | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| 160m | 1.800–2.000 MHz | ~160 meters | Nighttime band, regional to continental. The "Top Band." Challenging — large antennas, high noise. |
| 80m | 3.500–4.000 MHz | ~80 meters | Nighttime workhorse. Regional at day, continental at night. Popular for nets and ragchewing. |
| 60m | 5 channels | ~60 meters | 5 specific channelized frequencies. Shared with government. 100W ERP max, USB only. |
| 40m | 7.000–7.300 MHz | ~40 meters | Day and night band. Regional by day, worldwide at night. One of the most popular HF bands. |
| 30m | 10.100–10.150 MHz | ~30 meters | CW and digital only (no phone). Narrow but excellent for FT8, WSPR, and CW. A hidden gem. |
| 20m | 14.000–14.350 MHz | ~20 meters | The DX band. Worldwide daytime propagation. The most popular HF band, always active. |
| 17m | 18.068–18.168 MHz | ~17 meters | Daytime DX band. Less crowded than 20m. Good propagation during solar maximum. |
| 15m | 21.000–21.450 MHz | ~15 meters | Daytime DX. Excellent during high solar activity, quiet during solar minimum. |
| 12m | 24.890–24.990 MHz | ~12 meters | Daytime. Similar to 15m but narrower. Sporadic E openings possible. |
| 10m | 28.000–29.700 MHz | ~10 meters | Wide band. Dead during solar minimum, spectacular during solar maximum. Sporadic E in summer. Technicians get SSB privileges here (28.300–28.500). |
| Band | Frequency | Character |
|---|---|---|
| 6m | 50–54 MHz | The "Magic Band." Line-of-sight normally, but sporadic E and other propagation modes can open it up for long-distance contacts unexpectedly. |
| 2m | 144–148 MHz | The most popular VHF band. Widely used for repeaters, simplex, satellite, and weak-signal work. Every ham's first band. |
| 1.25m | 222–225 MHz | Less crowded than 2m. Some repeaters, mostly in urban areas. Limited radio selection. |
| Band | Frequency | Character |
|---|---|---|
| 70cm | 420–450 MHz | Second most popular band after 2m. Heavily used for repeaters, digital voice (DMR, D-STAR, Fusion), ATV, and satellite. |
| 33cm | 902–928 MHz | Shared with ISM devices. Some repeaters and experimenting. |
| 23cm | 1240–1300 MHz | Microwave beginner band. ATV, D-STAR DD mode, point-to-point links. |
Band plans: Within each band, operators follow voluntary band plans that designate sub-bands for specific modes (CW, SSB, digital, FM repeaters, satellites, etc.). The ARRL Band Plan charts are the standard reference.
One of ham radio's greatest strengths is the variety of communication modes available. From voice to Morse code to digital protocols, each mode has its own character and community.
Morse code (CW, for "continuous wave") is the oldest mode in amateur radio and still one of the most effective. A CW signal can be copied under conditions where voice would be unintelligible. Morse code proficiency is no longer required for any license class, but many operators learn it by choice. CW has a dedicated and passionate following, particularly among contesters and DXers.
A repeater is an automated station, usually located on a hilltop, tall building, or tower, that receives a signal on one frequency and simultaneously retransmits it on another. Repeaters dramatically extend the range of low-power handheld and mobile radios, turning a signal that might reach 5 miles into one that covers 50 miles or more.
Most repeaters require a CTCSS tone (a sub-audible tone sent along with your transmission) or a DCS code (a digital code) to activate. This prevents the repeater from being triggered by interference or signals from distant repeaters on the same frequency.
You must program the correct tone into your radio to access a repeater. The repeater listing will specify the required tone. Common CTCSS tones include 100.0, 103.5, 107.2, 110.9, 114.8, 123.0, 127.3, 131.8, 136.5, 141.3, 146.2, 151.4, 156.7, 162.2, and 167.9 Hz, among others.
Ham radio equipment ranges from $25 handhelds to $15,000 contest stations. Here's what each category of gear is for and what to consider when choosing.
The most common first radio for new hams. An HT is a self-contained handheld radio with a built-in antenna, battery, and speaker. Most cover 2m and 70cm, and many include a wideband receiver for listening to public safety, weather, and aviation frequencies.
Designed for vehicle installation with 25–75W output power and an external antenna. Much better performance than an HT for repeater access and simplex work.
HF radios are your gateway to worldwide communication. They range from portable QRP (low-power) rigs to full-size base stations.
The antenna is the single most important component of your station. A modest radio with a good antenna will outperform an expensive radio with a poor antenna every time.
Amateur radio has well-established conventions for making contacts, exchanging information, and operating in various situations. Learning these practices will make you a more effective and welcome operator.
Used to spell out callsigns and other information clearly, especially on HF where signals may be weak or noisy.
| Letter | Word | Letter | Word | Letter | Word |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Alfa | J | Juliet | S | Sierra |
| B | Bravo | K | Kilo | T | Tango |
| C | Charlie | L | Lima | U | Uniform |
| D | Delta | M | Mike | V | Victor |
| E | Echo | N | November | W | Whiskey |
| F | Foxtrot | O | Oscar | X | X-ray |
| G | Golf | P | Papa | Y | Yankee |
| H | Hotel | Q | Quebec | Z | Zulu |
| I | India | R | Romeo |
The RST system is used to report signal quality:
On phone (voice), you give an RS report like "5-9" (loud and clear). On CW, you add the tone: "599." In practice, most casual contacts exchange "59" or "599" regardless of actual signal quality. In contests, the exchange is almost always 59/599.
A typical HF SSB contact follows this pattern:
"73" means "best regards" — it's the universal ham radio sign-off. Never say "73s" (it's already plural in meaning).
A net is a scheduled, organized on-air meeting directed by a net control station (NCS). Nets serve many purposes: traffic handling, emergency drills, club business, ragchewing, and technical discussion. When checking into a net, wait for the NCS to call for check-ins, then give your callsign. Follow the NCS's instructions for the flow of the net.
Contesting and award programs give operators goals to work toward, whether it's making as many contacts as possible in a weekend or confirming contacts with every US state or country in the world.
Ham radio contests are timed events where operators try to make as many contacts as possible, often across a weekend. Each contact earns points, with multipliers for working different states, countries, or zones. Contests sharpen your operating skills, push your station to its limits, and are genuinely exciting.
Contest calendars: ContestCalendar.com and the ARRL Contest Calendar.
When hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, and other disasters knock out cell towers, internet, and power, amateur radio operators are often among the first to establish communication. Ham radio's independence from infrastructure makes it uniquely valuable in emergencies.
Organized by the ARRL, ARES consists of licensed operators who volunteer their skills and equipment for public service communications during emergencies. ARES groups operate at the local (county/city) level and coordinate with emergency management agencies, the Red Cross, hospitals, and shelters.
RACES operates under the direct authority of local, state, or federal civil defense agencies. During a declared emergency, RACES operators communicate only with other RACES stations and authorized government stations. Many operators are registered with both ARES and RACES.
The National Weather Service's Skywarn program trains volunteers (many of them ham operators) to report severe weather observations. During storms, Skywarn nets activate on local repeaters, with trained spotters providing real-time reports of tornado sightings, hail size, wind damage, and flooding directly to the NWS.
Getting involved: Contact your local ARES group through the ARRL or ask at your nearest amateur radio club. Participate in drills, complete FEMA ICS courses (IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800), and practice operating on battery power with portable antennas. The time to prepare is before the emergency, not during it.
You've passed your exam and have a callsign. Now what? Here's a practical roadmap for your first weeks and months as a licensed amateur radio operator.
The most important thing: Get on the air. The hobby is about communicating, experimenting, and connecting with people. No amount of reading or equipment shopping replaces the experience of making your first contact. CQ CQ CQ.