Do I Need a License for Ham Radio?

Ham radio, also known as amateur radio, is perhaps one of the most friendly and global hobbies in the world. As a radio ham for several decades with my license, I have talked with and met thousands of fellow amateur radio operators from around 200 countries.

Do I Need a License for Ham Radio? Yes. Ham radio operators are licensed to use the radio waves by the regulator in their home country. The levels of ham license and how to obtain one varies from country to country. Having an amateur ham radio license gives you access to worldwide radio frequencies to communicate.

When I was first licensed as a radio ham, my license in the UK restricted me to VHF and higher frequency bands only. In those days, I also needed to take a morse test; but this is no longer the case in most parts of the world. Obtaining a ham radio license where you live can be quite straightforward with a little effort. There is plenty of help available for you as well. Let me explain.

Why Do I Need a Ham Radio License?

Authorities the world over control the radio airwaves and frequencies. Each regulator will issue broadcasting licenses for anything from ham radio to a music FM radio station.

The principal reason why you need a license to transmit is so you understand how not to interfere with other users of the radio spectrum.

For instance, if you were unaware of the right frequencies to use or adjusted your equipment badly, you could cause interference to an emergency service. This could prevent despatch of a fire truck and put a life in danger. This may sound an extreme example, but it shows why there is a learning curve before you take to the airwaves with a ham radio license.

Part of the training to hold a license is for your own personal safety and the safety of your equipment. During an amateur radio course, you’ll discover safety for yourself, your equipment and other people.

Radio amateurs are often involved in providing emergency communication in times of crisis. In the third world, after a major event, frequently the first contact with the region affected comes from radio hams. Your license and ham station could be the first to be in contact with the stricken region and be a lifeline for those affected.

A ham radio license is essentially the ‘rules of the airwaves’ when it comes to the radio spectrum.

Part of the hobby is self-learning and experimentation. Some hams push the boundaries in very high microwave frequencies, which could be dangerous if care isn’t taken. Sometimes, special permissions need to be added to your license for these frequencies.

Your radio license also shows you have gained competence in a new hobby and that will be recognized by fellow hams the world over.

When you receive your first license, it is a thrilling experience and a day to remember as you make that very first contact.

How Do I Become a Radio Ham?

Regulators across the world need you to learn enough to take an examination showing sufficient competence and understanding before being issued with your ham radio license.

You can learn from books, online and from courses run by local ham radio clubs in your area.

Once you have your license, your callsign and buy some equipment, you can take to the air and have your first amateur radio contacts. These could be with another country, the other side of the world, or simply across town.

What Types of Ham Radio Licenses Are There?

This depends on where you live in the world.

In the United States, there are three levels of amateur ham radio licenses:

Technician License
General License
Extra License

Each U.S. license gives different levels of access and transmitter power to the ham bands, from shortwave up to microwave frequencies. As you work through the various levels of licenses, you will learn more and have access to the full range of transmitter powers and frequency bands available to ham radio.

In the United Kingdom, there three levels of ham license:

Foundation License
Intermediate Licence
Full Licence

Each UK license level gives different power limits and frequency bands. For example, the Foundation Licence limits your power to 10 watts and restricts exactly which part of the ham band you can access. With an Intermediate Licence, powers increase to 50 watts and access to all the frequency bands. Finally, a Full Licence gives maximum band privileges and output power.

Other countries have similar or different levels of license depending on their local radio regulator, with others having just a single style of license.

What is a Ham Radio Examination?

Each local regulator has a different approach to license examinations.

In the United States, initial levels of the license can be taken online. In the United Kingdom, local clubs often run multiple choice answer question papers several times a year and you’ll know the result almost immediately.

To pass the basic levels for a license entails some hours of study, but the requirements to start are not onerous. As you progress, the examinations cover topics in more depth and your studies are rewarded with the maximum level of license.

Learning some basic technical knowledge of equipment and antennas will provide an understanding of how to get the best out of your ham station. Operating procedures are often part of the exam, to test whether you understand the principals of being on the air.

Morse code used to be a requirement for top levels licenses, but this was removed almost everywhere in the world to encourage people to join the hobby.

How Much Does a Ham Radio Licence Cost?

There is no set answer to this question, as the cost is different in almost every country. Some countries, such as the United Kingdom, make no charge at all for life.

In the United States, the actual license is free, but there is generally a fee to cover local expenses when you take your license exam. To hold a special vanity callsign in the US costs (2019) $16.10 for ten years.

In Australia, (2019) you can expect to pay A$78 for your first year and then A$53 for each annual renewal.

Whatever your view on license fees, they are insignificant when you consider the range of activities you can enjoy on the ham bands.

Can I Use Ham Radio Without a License?

Curiously, this is both a yes and a no answer.

On the no side, to have your own transmitting station you do need a ham license. This provides you with a unique call-sign – mine is G4KIU. After you have passed your license exam, your call sign will be issued, and you can go on-air.

The yes is a two-part answer. To listen to ham radio and to own ham radio equipment doesn’t require any form of license, providing you don’t transmit. There are exceptions to this rule in some countries, but they are not numerous.

The second yes that means you don’t need a license, is in some many countries local amateur radio clubs put on special exhibition ham stations, to showcase our hobby. At most these ham radio exhibition stations, you’ll be able to hold the microphone and send a greeting message to the person at the distant end. In this case, the license to transmit is held by the club and they have permission to allow you as a guest to send a message.