What are the different levels of ham radio licenses?

Three types of licenses for ham radio operators are being granted today: Technician, General, and Amateur Extra. By taking progressively more challenging exams, you gain access to more frequencies and operating privileges.

How much does ham radio license cost?

Practical assessment taken alone: $65 (under-18: $35) Regulations (Standard or Advanced licence grades): $70 (under-18: $35) Theory (Standard or Advanced licence grades): $70 (under-18: $35) Replacement certificate of proficiency: $10.

How hard is ham radio license?

The entry level Technician License Exam requires around 10 hours of study for most people. The Technician and General License exams each have 35 questions, and the Amateur Extra has 50. In order to pass the each test, you must get at least a 74%.

Can I take the ham radio license test online?

The simple answer: YES! The FCC released a public notice on April 30, 2020 confirming that the ham radio license exam may be held remotely.

What happens if you use ham radio without license?

Federal law generally prohibits radio broadcasts without a license issued by the FCC. Anyone found operating a radio station without FCC authorization can be subject to a variety of enforcement actions, including seizure of equipment, fines and other civil and criminal penalties.

Do you have to know Morse code to get a ham radio license?

Morse code is no longer required for earning an amateur radio license in the U.S. In a statement, the FCC joined an international trend by announcing the elimination of testing for proficiency in Morse code for all amateur radio license classes.

How far does a ham radio reach?

As I’ve mentioned, Ham radios have an average range between 2 miles and 18 miles. But, if you’ve recently purchased a Ham radio (especially a handheld unit), the manufacturer might claim that you can get substantially more range than 2-18 miles. In fact, many 2-way radio units claim as much as 36 miles of range.

Can you talk to a CB radio with a ham radio?

Can ham radio be used as a CB radio? Generally, the answer is no. If a licensed amateur radio operator wanted to speak on a CB frequency range, the operator would need to use a CB radio. That said, amateur radio can be used in many applications where people currently use CB radios.

How far can a HAM radio reach?

But, just how far can you talk with your Ham radio? You can realistically get about 2-18 miles of range with a handheld Ham radio unless you have a particularly powerful base station with a large antenna, in which case your range can be hundreds of miles.

What is a good ham radio for beginners?

Best Handheld Beginner & Pro Ham Radios

• 1 – Uniden Bearcat BC125AT Portable Design Radio – Best for Experts.
• 2 – BaoFeng UV-5R Dual Band Two Way ham Radio – Best for Beginners.
• 3 – BaoFeng BF-F8HP (UV-5R 3rd Gen) – Best Ham Radio for Outdoors.
• 4 – Yaesu FT-70DR Ham Radio.

Is Morse code still required for a ham license?

Are ham radios still used?

That doesn’t have to be sad. That’s normal.” Gramps’ radios are certainly still around, however. “Ham radio is really a social hobby, or it has been a very social hobby—the rag-chewing has historically been the big part of it,” says Martin F.

Can you operate a 10 Meter ham radio?

If you want to upgrade to further communications, then you can move up in the license class. With a technician class license, you can operate radios such as ham radios, 10-meter radios, and others that run on the VHF/UHF bands. A technician class license holder can also communicate around the world.

What kind of license do you need for a ham radio?

Access to VHF / UHF, great for starting with handheld radios. Open up access to many HF bands, which means nationwide and worldwide communication. The highest amateur class offered by the FCC. If you’re new to ham radio, then you have to pass the Technician License first.

What kind of license do I need for 10 meter radio?

Tech licensees may also transmit using voice on part of the 10 meter band and Morse code on some of the HF bands below 30 MHz. The test for this license consists of 35 multiple-choice questions on regulations and technical radio topics.

Do you need Morse code for a HAM license?

Morse code is not required for this license. With a Technician Class license, you will have all ham radio privileges above 30 MHz. These privileges include the very popular 2-meter band. Many Technician licensees enjoy using small (2 meter) hand-held radios to stay in touch with other hams in their area.