Ham Radio For Dummies, 3rd Edition

Chapter 4

Figuring Out the Licensing System

IN THIS CHAPTER

Finding out about the amateur service

Understanding license types

Studying the exam questions

Studying for and taking the license exam

Getting a call sign

Unlike some of the other types of radios available to the public, you can’t transmit on a ham radio without a license. Hams call it a “ticket” for good reason since it’s a ticket to enter all of what ham radio has to offer. Like most people, you’re probably familiar with the process of getting a license to drive your car, to fish, or to get married, but ham radio licensing is a little different. The process is easy to deal with when you know how it works, however.

Amateur radio is one of many types of services that use the radio waves to communicate. Other services include broadcast (AM and FM radio, television), public safety (police and fire departments), aviation, and even radar systems (radionavigation).

When the name of a specific service is capitalized, such as Amateur ...