How Much Does Ham Radio License Cost

Amateur radio, otherwise known as ham radio, is used to communicate anywhere you want in the world, and even into space without the aid of the internet. However, you will still need to have a license to be allowed to operate. A ham radio license is a gauge that a ham knows the rules for operating legally in the US. So, how much is the ham radio license fee?

Average Cost of a Ham Radio License

The ham radio license price is actually free. However, you need to pass the test to get one. And since the examination is administered by the ARRL, they charge around $15 for the service.

The American Radio Relay League, or ARRL, offers various license manuals in order to pass the Federal Communication Commission, or FCC, test. These study materials average around $35.

After obtaining your initial license, simple start–up equipment usually costs less than $200. You could find a lot of flea markets for this radio paraphernalia, so you could start communicating with other hams.

Ham radio starter packs may cost from around $27 to $270, which should be considered as part of the cost of a ham radio license. You may also want to allocate a budget of around $100 to $150 for the power supply.

What is Included?

Ham radio is often compared to the General Mobile Radio Service, or GMRS, as ham radio typically operates through voice communication on a hand-held radio. It can also be done through computerized messages that are transmitted via satellite to reach out to anywhere you want.

What is nice about ham radio is that you can set up the station anywhere you want. These radio stations operate on radio frequencies known as amateur bands, allocated by the Federal Communication Commission, or FCC.

A ham radio license is valid for 10 years in the USA.

Where to Obtain a Ham Radio License

Beside knowing how much does ham radio license cost, you may want to prepare for the examination prior to taking it. The ARRL offers an Amateur Radio License Class locator for your convenience.

But there are also classes for license preparation that are offered online if you have issues with proximity to the areas offering these classes. To apply for a ham radio license, visit the FCC website.

To familiarize yourself with anything about amateur radio, it is always wise to talk to hams personally, as they are usually more than willing to share their knowledge about this hobby. Or better yet, find yourself an Amateur Radio Club in your area that you can join and mingle with.

Types of Ham Licenses

There are three license classes in the country. These are the following:

• Technician

The Technician license class is the first license that new operators should get, as this is the entry–level license. This requires you to pass an examination of 35 questions covering radio theory, operating practices, and general radio regulations.

Once passed, you will be given access to all amateur radio frequencies above 30 megahertz. This will allow you to communicate locally and within North America and will also give you some limited privileges on the shortwave or HF bands that are used in international communications.

Below are the frequencies available under the Technician license:

Band	Frequencies (In MHz)	Mode	Notes
80 Meters	3.525 – 3.600	CW	200-watt limit
40 Meters	7.025 – 7.125	CW	200-watt limit
15 Meters	21.025 – 21.200	CW	200-watt limit
10 Meters	28.100 – 28.300	CW, RTTY, Data	200-watt limit
10 Meters	28.300 – 28.500	CW, Phone, Image	200-watt limit
	Above 50 MHz		All amateur privileges

• General

The General license class gives you some of the operating privileges on all amateur bands and operating modes. This gives you access to worldwide communication and is not just limited to the North American coverage that the technician license offers.

Below are the frequencies available under the general license:

Band	Frequencies (In MHz)	Mode
160, 60, 30 Meters	All amateur privileges
80 Meters	3.525 – 3.600	CW, RTTY, Data
	3.800 – 4.000	CW, Phone, Image
40 Meters	7.025 – 7.125	CW, RTTY, Data
	7.175 – 7.300	CW, Phone, Image
20 Meters	14.025 – 14.150	CW, RTTY, Data
	14.225 – 14.350	CW, Phone, Image
15 Meters	21.025 – 21.200	CW, RTTY, Data
	21.275 – 21.450	CW, Phone, Image
17, 12, 10 Meters	All amateur privileges
Above 50 MHz	All amateur privileges

To earn this license, you need to pass the examination for this particular license and the prerequisite written examination for the technician.

• Extra

The Amateur Extra license is the mother of all ham radio licenses. This allows you to enjoy unlimited privileges available for US Amateur Radio operation on all bands and all modes.

To get this, you must pass the Extra licensing examination, consisting of 50 questions. You also must have passed the previous two licensing examinations.

Additional Information

It is said that Ham Radio got its name from some commercial operators referring to amateur operators as “Hams” to mean poor operators that jam the signals.

The basic difference between Ham Radio and the GMRS is that the latter operates on a single band at very low power. While on ham radio, you get lots of bands and lots of power.

That is why it is stricter to get licensed in amateur radio than in the GMRS, where you only have to pay a minimal fee, in contrast to the price of a ham radio license, which is free of charge but you need to pass a test.

The American Radio Relay League, or the ARRL, is the largest and is considered the national association for amateur radio in the United States. It is a non-profit organization offering support, information, license manuals, continuing education, and even holding special operating events for its members.

The use of Morse code may be preferred by many hams, but it is actually not required for acquiring a license.

The FCC conceptualized this licensing service to create a pool of experts who can provide backup to the government in terms of emergencies and calamities when the lines of communications are down. These include landlines and mobile phones as well as the internet.