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2.0 Amateur Licensing Info

In the past, getting licensed as an amateur radio operator could be a daunting task, and the requirements to master the morse code kept more than a few away from the hobby. Recently, the FCC in the USA abolished the code requirements, and restructured the licensing levels to just three: Technician, General, and Amateur Extra.

Those previously licensed and holding other license levels, such as Technician Plus, Novice or Advanced, still hold those licenses with the privileges attached. But newcomers to the hobby will be licensed according to the new levels.

In Canada, there are three different levels: Basic, Morse Code, and Advanced.
(More information here: »www.rac.ca/regulatory/begin.htm)

Obtaining an amateur radio license requires passing a 35 question written test for Technician and General, 50 question written exam for
Amateur Extra.

Again, in earlier times this actually meant making an appointment with the regional FCC office and sometimes traveling a fair distance, but today testing is done by Volunteer Examiners at Amateur Radio Clubs throughout the country, and there is one near you.

(Note: During the current COVID-19 pandemic situation, amateur radio testing has become more difficult to find. As a result, virtual online testing has become well-established and it is possible to take all licensing exams via a virtual testing system in the comfort of your own home. See »glaarg.org for one such system which offers virtual exams for anyone, anywhere.)

There is ample help to study and prepare for these tests, both locally from friendly amateur radio clubs and online, through programs to study. One such online site is ARRL, the Amateur Radio Relay League: »www.arrl.org

Another is HamTestOnline: »www.hamtestonline.com/
This site is not free, but it is widely used and makes studying easy. It offers study for the Canadian tests also. There are several others on line, and really, getting licensed today is not a big hassle at all.

Check your national ham radio association for links to find local clubs in your area.
The Canadian equivalent is: »www.rac.ca/

by KeysCapt See Profile
last modified: 2021-08-08 10:43:36


When an individual passes the initial licensing test, a call sign is issued by the licensing entity, such as the FCC. These are generally issued in sequence, and in the US, they contain a number corresponding to the area of the country the new Ham resides in. An initial number in the US might look like KJ4ABC. The "4" indicates the southeast US.

General or Technician class licensees can seek a 1x3 call sign (beginning with prefix N, K or W), or 2x3 call sign (beginning with prefix letter K or W). Novice licensees also have access to Vanity calls. General class operators may shorten their call sign by one digit, but must still have a number. There is much additional information on vanity call signs at these sites:
radioqth.net/vanity
or
ae7q.com

by KeysCapt See Profile
last modified: 2021-03-07 12:14:01