About Ham Radio License

What This Site Is

Ham Radio License is a free informational resource covering the complete FCC amateur radio licensing process — from choosing a license class through passing the exam, getting your call sign, choosing your first radio, and operating on the air. Every guide is written to answer one specific question completely, with the accuracy and depth that beginners actually need.

The site exists because most beginner ham radio resources are either fragmented (scattered across forums, Reddit, YouTube, and outdated PDFs) or designed to sell something (courses, membership, equipment). This site is neither. It is ad-supported, editorially independent, and focused on one thing: helping people get licensed and get on the air.

Who Writes This Content

Content on Ham Radio License is written and reviewed by licensed amateur radio operators with hands-on experience in the FCC licensing process, VHF/UHF operating, and beginner radio setup. Specific credentials and operating experience inform every procedural guide — particularly the post-exam FCC fee process, FRN registration, CHIRP programming, and repeater operation pages, which are consistently the most poorly explained topics elsewhere.

We cross-reference all regulatory information directly against FCC Part 97, the current FCC ULS system, and ARRL official publications before publication. When FCC fees, rules, or procedures change, we update affected pages promptly.

Editorial Standards

Every page on this site must pass a single test: does it completely answer the question a beginner would type into a search engine? Not partially. Not with caveats that require reading five other pages. Completely.

We do not publish thin content, templated pages, or AI-generated filler. We do not accept sponsored listings, paid product placements, or paid course promotions. Revenue comes from Google AdSense display advertising only. Where we recommend products, we say so clearly and explain exactly why.

We use Amazon affiliate links on product recommendation pages. This is disclosed at the bottom of relevant pages and in the site footer. It does not influence which products we recommend — our recommendations are based on what actually works for new ham operators at each price point.

What We Cover

Accuracy and Updates

FCC regulations change. Fees change. Procedures change. We monitor FCC Part 97 rule updates, ARRL announcements, and reader corrections to keep content current. If you find information on this site that appears outdated or incorrect, please use the contact form — we genuinely appreciate corrections and typically update within 24–48 hours of confirmed changes.

What We Are Not

Ham Radio License is not affiliated with the ARRL, FCC, or any Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC). We cannot process license applications, FRN issues, exam registrations, or FCC fee disputes. For official licensing matters, contact the FCC at fcc.gov or the ARRL at arrl.org.

We are not a substitute for the ARRL's official publications (which are excellent and worth owning), or for an Elmer — an experienced ham in your local community who can show you things no website can.