Questions tagged [license]

Questions related to the licensing of amateur radio operators and stations. Please also tag your question with the relevant location.

Filter by
Sorted by
Tagged with
6 votes
1 answer
1k views

License problem in Spain

I am from the UK and live in the Canary Islands. I am told I have to take my ham radio license test in Spanish, but I don't speak Spanish. Is there a way around this somehow? Maybe take the UK one (...
Stewart Astley's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
64 views

Calculating dB increase given power ratio

I'm reading a book about Ham radio questions and it has this line: A two-time increase in power results in a change of 3dB higher And is followed by the these examples: 1- The power output from a ...
Dan's user avatar
  • 311
2 votes
1 answer
109 views

Is morse proficiency required for UK ham license?

I am an Extra Class license holder who has just moved to Scotland. I am working through online training to obtain my license for here. I’m curious if Morse proficiency is a requirement for licenses ...
W7TKE's user avatar
  • 21
7 votes
1 answer
137 views

Is it possible to remove the previous callsign information?

I had a name change some years ago and had a new callsign generated. But the FCC keeping a record of my previous callsign puts me at risk of an abusive ex finding me. Is it possible to disassociate ...
MuffintopBikini's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
140 views

Could a non-licensee transmit to a licensed person remotely, if the licensed person ensures they follow laws?

Let's suppose that Person A, who does not have a license, would like to contact Person B, who is licensed, over an amateur radio frequency. I know that under certain circumstances, Person A would be ...
Blue Herring's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
178 views

Can an American General licensee operate in Portugal during a visit?

I am an American and I have an American General License (k8axf), and I tried to make sense of all the legal documents to see if I can operate while visiting Portugal and I think I can under a CEPT CAT ...
Alan K8AXF's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
69 views

Is transmitting digital data just like transmitting voice signals?

I would like to find a free shortwave frequency and start transmitting digital data ( from 1 to 10 Mhz ) . I will be just transmitting binary data for couple of hours , and i won't use it for voice-...
Alessandro Mini's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
91 views

How do you map old FCC license classes to the new 3-class system?

A lot of resources, including this ubiquitous (and otherwise very useful) band chart from the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) refer to the older FCC license system which had Novice, Technician, ...
Hack-R's user avatar
  • 255
6 votes
2 answers
499 views

Extra class first?

I want to get my ham license. The first 2 exams are not bad but the 3rd one is really hard. I heard it's best to start with the 3rd license because one can get a good call sign. Is this true and is it ...
Ownt's user avatar
  • 61
6 votes
1 answer
359 views

Romanian amateur radio license

Romanian amateur radio license Hello. I am wondering how to get a amateur license in Romania, and whether there is any material on this. I am licensed in the US, am a Romanian citizen, and can speak ...
smarnav's user avatar
  • 73
2 votes
6 answers
161 views

Extra Class Requirements and Study Guides for a General Class operator

I've had my general class license for 20 years. I never progressed farther. This was back when you had to learn morse code at 13 WPM for General. I'm just curious what the procedures are to upgrade ...
Monroe Mann's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
187 views

If I upgrade my USA license before moving to Spain, will it transfer?

KK4UOT... I'm moving from Nashville, to Barcelona area Spain. My current license is for a technician, which I know is not enough to obtain an EU transmit operators, but I am curious, if I upgrade my ...
KK4UOT's user avatar
  • 21
5 votes
2 answers
100 views

What are the steps to become an amateur operator in Canada?

A little background. My uncle devoted part of his late life to ham radio, he had his callsign and would go install/fix radio systems all the time,travel across the country and would teach newcomers ...
marc-andre benoit's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
92 views

Is a Foundation or Intermediate license from the UK recognised in the US?

I know that a Full license is recognised in the US, but is the same true for a Foundation or Intermediate license? On the surface they look equivalent to the US Technician and General licenses, so are ...
Yuri's user avatar
  • 13
4 votes
2 answers
94 views

License document requirements

Are there any requirements to post, carry, or have available an official paper copy of one's radio license in order to operate in the U.S.? Do any states require physical possession of a printed ...
hotpaw2's user avatar
  • 13.2k
2 votes
2 answers
881 views

In Canada, does a person need to be licensed to buy amateur radio equipment?

I have studied for and am ready to take my amateur radio license test but there are currently no licensed instructors available in my region to administer the test. Can I start acquiring ham radio ...
Bond Keevil's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
557 views

How do I find when my license expires?

I have a general license but I do not know when it expires, please help.
Diane Hughes's user avatar
1 vote
4 answers
483 views

What are these serial number pileups on 20m and 40m?

Every so often while shortwave listening I’ll come across a frequency where tons of hams are talking all over each other giving a call sign and a six digit number only (not a QSO). I imagine these ...
Jeremy Gilbert's user avatar
6 votes
4 answers
1k views

What nations still require Morse code testing for Amateur radio license?

Going a bit further I'll ask, for which licenses (all or just for licenses for HF operation) and at what speed (5 WPM, 10 WPM, none specified)? The reason I ask is because every so often I'll see ...
MacGuffin's user avatar
  • 329
2 votes
1 answer
100 views

Would the same callsign be issued after a license has fully lasped?

My license is set to expire in a couple of days. I know there is a grace period but I'd like to know if I were to take an exam after the grace period I would be reassigned the same callsign or a new ...
hrokr's user avatar
  • 121
1 vote
1 answer
545 views

When are licenses required for 900 MHz operation in the US? When are they not required?

Forgive me if this is not the proper forum, but I am an electrical engineer and a total radio novice. I am designing a product that may contain off-the-shelf industrial radios that act as repeater ...
Bort's user avatar
  • 111
0 votes
3 answers
179 views

Virtual Testing | How would it be done

How would testing be done on Zoom? Or would testing be pushed off until after COVID-19?
hopefulhacker-Reinstate Monica's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
100 views

Podcasts for Technician Test

Is there a podcast to listen to that teaches in-depth the technician class questions? All I could find is podcasts that just read the questions and answers. Is there a podcast that goes in-depth to ...
hopefulhacker-Reinstate Monica's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
190 views

How do you find a test location?

I'm new to ham and I'm wondering how to find test locations/study guides. I heard about this from a friend.
jackdonaldson's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
314 views

What does a License look like?

What does the HAM license look like? Is it a card? A document? All I could find on google is ham radio license plates.
hopefulhacker-Reinstate Monica's user avatar
12 votes
4 answers
4k views

Can a ham license be used for a job?

If you get a ham license, can you, later on, get a job with that license, or at least display it on a resume? Or are there further licenses after ham radio licenses?
hopefulhacker-Reinstate Monica's user avatar
5 votes
3 answers
543 views

Getting Started In Ham Radio

I'm 13 years old. I hear all the fuss about ham radio how awesome it is. I really want to join, but I hear you have to get a certification. How much does it cost? How long does it take? How much does ...
hopefulhacker-Reinstate Monica's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
5k views

How long does it take the FCC to process vanity requests?

How long does it take for the FCC to process vanity callsign applications? My application shows as Pending in license manager but oddly does not show up at all in Application Search.
user16809's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
2k views

how do get a duplicate of my radio amateur license KP4CSJ

My call KP4CSJ (general) I will like to get a copy or duplicate of my license. I lost my and i will like to to hang it in may shack. I am an old timer ham radio over 50 years. Thanks for your help
Miguel A Rivera's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
5k views

What are the regulation requirements for running a repeater?

When I try to find information on the requirements to run a repeater, I just see a lot of results related to building one. But I'm wondering about USA regulations. Does one need a particular license?...
Bort's user avatar
  • 215
3 votes
4 answers
3k views

GMRS Call Sign for Technician

I have a GMRS License and am currently studying for my Technician License. Once I pass the exam, can I use my GMRS Call Sign?
ThePGH's user avatar
  • 31
6 votes
2 answers
545 views

How to check HAM license status - India - Grade One License?

I got my HAM Radio License (Grade-One) License issued on 2005 year (New Delhi, India). Unfortunately Date of Termination of the license is missing. Tried reaching Helpdesk via E-Mail but not much help....
Vasanth Subramanian's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
831 views

Ham Radio Exam in English in West Europe

Is the Ham Radio License exam conducted in English in any of the western European Countries?
Azeus 's user avatar
  • 21
10 votes
3 answers
5k views

Is it legal for a non-profit to use ham radios for emergency purposes?

I've been tasked to help update my organization's emergency contingencies and ham radios were brought up. We provide residential services to the mentally handicapped and we are looking at ways to make ...
Michael Ramirez's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
157 views

Amateur Radio License classes in Central Iowa

I'm looking for an amateur radio license class in central Iowa, near Des Moines. I've been unable to locate anything through web searches.
Mike's user avatar
  • 21
1 vote
4 answers
293 views

How do I get a ham radio license in my country?

What is the best way to get an amateur radio license in different countries? This question is a community wiki, which means that it's sort of a placeholder, an index of answers. More info Answers are ...
4 votes
3 answers
4k views

What Frequencies Are Open To People Without A License?

I am in rural Alaska and I am very far from anywhere that gives Ham Exams. I got a Ham Radio and I want to operate it and talk to people. However, I read that frequencies are not allowed to be ...
Neo1009's user avatar
  • 141
4 votes
2 answers
1k views

If I cancel my amateur license, will my address be removed from the FCC database?

When my university encouraged me to apply for an amateur radio license, they never mentioned the fact that my address would be listed on the public FCC database, for anyone who Googles my name to ...
Anon's user avatar
  • 41
2 votes
1 answer
69 views

To obtain operating privileges after the 2 year grace

I have been under medically supervised treatment for the past few years. I have been on heavy meds. I presently am showing signs of improvement from cognitive issues which were troubling me. I ...
Les Milks's user avatar
-4 votes
4 answers
81 views

what is a good way to study for the tech test

I took the test last week but I failed it I was in a program that went through all the chapters but I just very bad at taking tests is there a way to go around the test
eric wang's user avatar
1 vote
4 answers
162 views

Can a foreign student take a US license exam in the US and use that license in China?

The event I'm currently attending hosts Ham exams, and it's kind of likely that the student would pass on first attempt; would it make sense for him to take the exam? Can he just go home to China and ...
Marcus Müller's user avatar
4 votes
4 answers
1k views

Can a person in Portugal get an amateur radio license in another country?

In Portugal, to transmit, one must take the category 3 exam, then wait for 2 years to take the category 2 exam. While these 2 years go by, one cannot emit on his station. I find this rather annoying. ...
Jorge Canelhas's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
782 views

Can I use my US callsign to transmit while in El Salvador?

I am traveling to El Salvador later this fall, and was wonder if there is any reciprocal agreement that would let me use a US callsign while there? If so, what privileges would I have there based on ...
natevw - AF7TB's user avatar
9 votes
2 answers
694 views

Can I use a amateur license to experiment with radar?

If I get a German Amateurfunklizenz, will I be allowed to experiment with non-communication radio technologies like radar? Obviously, I'd still adhere to using allocated ham bands, stay within power ...
Marcus Müller's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
467 views

Would a ham license allow me to use an uncertified radio on other (non-ham) bands I have permission to use?

I just purchased a UV-5R to hopefully integrate into business class radios my company uses. Do I need a technician or other class FCC license to operate these only on the frequencies I already access ...
Trevor's user avatar
  • 41
13 votes
3 answers
622 views

Testing blind license applicants

My friend is blind and would like to take the amateur radio license exam. I understand that the question and the four possible answers can be read to them, and that is fine. The one question that we ...
peter's user avatar
  • 131
4 votes
3 answers
148 views

How can I get a license to build broadcast transmitters?

I am in the United States. The title pretty much says it all. I am really into to building transmitters. It's even more fun for me than using them. I really have a lot of skills and would like to ...
Synaps3's user avatar
  • 425
2 votes
3 answers
193 views

How can I get started with Amateur Radio?

I would love to get involved with amateur radio, but I'm not sure how. My community recreation center hosts a class to get a Technicians license for a reasonable price ($10), and I know a little bit ...
Ben Gubler's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
206 views

Why do some of the amateur radio license names imply something different than what it actually is?

What is the nomenclature behind the license Amateur Extra? The term amateur in front of extra is what makes it sound as if it were less than what it was supposed to be. General is somewhere in ...
HeavenlyHarmony's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
211 views

Amateur wanting to re-enter ham radio legally

I'm an Amateur Radio enthusiast from way back; mostly CB and 10 meters. I have a couple of hand-held Baofengs that I want to use for family communications and as a backup link in case of emergencies. ...
Sid Saxon's user avatar