What are the different levels of ham radio licenses?
The Federal Communications Commission licenses new hams in one of three classes: Technician, General and Extra. The Technician class is entry level, while General is the next step up. As you can guess, the Extra class license is the top shelf!
What are the 3 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 many extra class hams are there?
FCC License Counts
| State/Territory | Novice | Extra |
|---|---|---|
| California | 787 | 15678 |
| Colorado | 104 | 3719 |
| Connecticut | 130 | 1683 |
| Delaware | 20 | 408 |
What is advanced ham radio license?
Advanced class operators have passed the Advanced written exam, in addition to the old requirements for General (Novice, Technician, and General written exams, and a 13 wpm code test). Advanced class operators have additional HF operating privileges beyond those of Generals. Amateur Extra.
Can you transmit on a ham radio without a license?
You need a license to transmit on a ham radio, but not to listen. The penalties for transmitting on a ham radio without a license include seizure of equipment, fines, and civil/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.
What is 73 in ham radio?
73 is an old telegraph code that means “best regards”. 73, as well as 88 (which means “hugs and kisses”) are part of the language of ham radio.
How hard is it to get amateur Extra license?
Amateur Extra License The Amateur Extra license is the tertiary level license. It’s the most advanced and most difficult to obtain. Examinees will answer a 50-item multiple-choice exam from a pool of 500 questions. The passing rate for this exam is 74% which means you need to answer 37 questions correctly.
What is amateur Extra Class?
The top US license class is Amateur Extra Class. This license requires the same tests as General plus a 50-question multiple choice theory exam. Those with Amateur Extra licenses are granted all privileges on all US amateur bands.
Is ham radio traceable?
While enthusiasts are unlikely to trace you, another potential group that may attempt to locate a broadcast location is law enforcement. Under F.C.C. guidelines, it is possible to use HAM radios in an illegal manner, either through operating without a license or improper use of the radio.
How far can 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.