Ham radios are a great way to communicate with other people all over the world, and they can also be used for emergency situations.
In order to use a ham radio, you need to have a license.
This article will explain why you need a license.
If you want to use the ham radio frequencies legally then you need to have a license. A license demonstrates that you have a basic level of knowledge and understanding of radio and that you are a responsible individual who will be a good advocate for the activity and will act responsibly.
What happens if I use a ham radio without a license?
Ultimately you can be prosecuted and fined. You may believe that this is unlikely but in order to use ham radio you need to have a callsign that will be provided by your country’s licensing body.
If you attempt to operate without a callsign then you will be ‘found out’ quickly and reported by licensed operators.
Thinking about using someone else’s callsign?
The ham radio community is just that a ‘community’ and many amateur radio operators are good friends with other people that are on the air.
If you do use someone else’s callsign then, eventually, you will encounter another operator that knows the real identity of the person that possesses that callsign.
Who knows? You might even encounter the holder of that callsign during your nefarious activities.
Can I use any part of ham radio without a licence?
In most parts of the world no, you are not permitted to use amateur radio without a license.
In the event of an emergency however, you would be very unlucky if you used a ham radio as an unlicensed operator, for example, to contact emergency services or to get help, raise the alarm etc.
Ham radio operators can transmit internationally
One of the main factors in ham radio licensing is that amateur radio operators are able to transmit over massive distances.
Even when running on low power most radio hams are able to contact other operators hundreds or even thousands of miles away.
Conversations between amateurs across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans occur daily which means that operators are ‘using’ the radio frequencies of other countries which may be used in a different way to that of the operator’s home country.
This potential to interfere with radio internationally is another reason for licensing to ensure that operators understand their responsibilities and act accordingly.
Who can use a ham radio?
In most countries you only need to be 16 years old to apply for a license.
It is possible in some countries to get a license when you are 14 but this varies from country to country.
In addition, it is becoming more common that children under the age of 18 require parental consent when applying for a licence.
Even if you are not a young person, an amateur radio license is suitable for anyone.
If you have a keen interest in radio and technology then it can be a great hobby to get into.
You will find that there are plenty of other people on the air who share your interests and passions.
What do I need to do to get a ham radio license?
In most countries, you need to attend a course and pass an examination.
It is usual that the course and examination fee combined cost around $100-$150 USD.
The training can be done by your local amateur radio club or by some commercial organisations that will run the course for you.
These courses tend to last a few days and, in some countries, the training is run on an evening or weekend.
The length of the course does vary from country to country but it is not too difficult to get yourself equipped with the knowledge you need after a few evening’s study.
Most license examinations are taken at your local radio club or where you live.
Do I need to take out a licence before operating my radio equipment?
This depends. In the UK, for example, you are not permitted to use any form of ham radio equipment unless you hold a licence.
Legislation does vary from country to country and it is always recommended that you check with your local radio licensing agency on local requirements.
Final Words
A simple answer to why do you need a ham radio license would be because it’s the law, but this would be unhelpful.
Ham radio is a global activity that uses shared radio bands across multiple nations which, if it were not regulated, could cause a wide range of problems with communications.
Having a ham radio license shows that you have a level of competency and standards of behavior that are necessary to safely use the ham radio bands.
Read Next
- What is amateur radio?
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- How far can you talk on ham radio?
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- Can I listen to ham radio online?
- Can ham radio interfere with tv reception?
