AMATEUR RADIO LICENSES, EXAMS, AND CALLSIGNS -- UPDATED JULY 16, 2020
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Note that this is a rather lengthy document, and with posting into the selected message areas, it is split into several messages as a result.

This is being reposted due to updates as of July 1, 2020.

License Classes And Required Elements:
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Here are the current amateur radio license classes, and required test elements, for the United States, and its territories, as of the date noted above.

You MUST pass all "lower elements" before the license class privileges
of a "higher license" may be used. Those interested in amateur radio
license exam elements for Canada, or other countries, should contact the respective amateur radio licensing entity for that country for details.

Novice and Advanced Class licenses are NO LONGER ISSUED, as of April 15, 2000...but holders of these licensees may continue to use their license privileges, as long as their licenses are not expired, and they may renew
them at the appropriate time.

Also, Morse Code is NO LONGER REQUIRED for any class of U.S. Amateur
adio License, as of Feb. 23, 2007. You can learn, then use Morse Code on
the air, and many hams will continue to do so...but, you don't have to
prove that you know it.

You may download the appropriate license class element question pools,
and if applicable, accompanying graphics (in .PDF format) from the Ham
Radio Exams files area...or from either http://www.arrl.org/question-pools
or from http://www.ncvec.org on the Internet. The free Adobe Acrobat Reader (http://get.adobe.com/reader) is required to view the .PDF files. For a detailed list of license class privileges by amateur radio band, see the category "Band Plans".

Test Element:

2 Technician Theory -- Technicians have all amateur radio privileges above
50 Megahertz, including the popular 2 meter band. They also have the
following HF privileges, identical to the former Novice Class license:

80 meters: CW (Morse Code) only: 3.525 Mhz to 3.600 Mhz
40 meters: CW (Morse Code) only: 7.025 Mhz to 7.125 Mhz
15 meters: CW (Morse Code) only: 21.025 Mhz to 21.200 Mhz
10 meters: CW (Morse Code), RTTY, and data only: 28.000 Mhz to 28.300 Mhz
10 meters: SSB Phone Only: 28.300 Mhz to 28.500 Mhz

Technician Class or higher licensees may also use the Voice Over Internet protocol (VoIP) modes of Echolink, IRLP, WIRES-II, D-Star, D-Rats, CQ100,
DMR, HamSphere, etc.

The advantage with using Echolink as a Single User setup, D-Star via a
DV Dongle, CQ100, DMR, or with HamSphere, there are no additional antennas, rigs, cables, etc. required...just a computer with an Internet connection (preferably high speed, as dialup is too slow, and not recommended), and
a sound card interface...using either a headset microphone, or a desktop microphone and speakers. Smartphone apps for Echolink are available, but
one needs a valid Amateur Radio License to use the apps.

With these, they can still talk around the world. This is particularly
useful for those living in areas where amateur radio antennas, towers,
etc., are either restricted, or prohibited altogether.

CQ100 and HamSphere are "virtual ionospheres for amateur radio", as no
actual RF occurs. While Echolink is free, CQ100 and HamSphere each have a yearly fee. With HamSphere, there are both ham radio operators, and SWL'ers (Short Wave Listeners). With Echolink, D-Star, D-Rats, DMR, and CQ100, an appropriate amateur radio license is required, so ONLY LICENSED HAM RADIO OPERATORS are on these modes.

For details on CQ100, go to http://www.qsonet.com -- and for details on HamSphere, go to http://www.hamsphere.com on the Internet -- information
on pricing for each is on the respective websites.

The Technician Class license is now the ENTRY LEVEL license for amateur radio. Note that except as noted above, NO OTHER HF PRIVILEGES EXIST FOR
NOVICE OR TECHNICIAN CLASS LICENSEES.

3 General Theory -- must also have element 2 if wishing to gain access
to HF privileges, specific to the General class license. The General
Class license allows all amateur radio privileges, except for the 500
kilohertz of spectrum on the 80, 40, 20, and 15 meter bands, that the
Amateur Extra Class licensees have.

4 Amateur Extra Theory -- must also have elements 2 and 3 if wishing to
gain access to HF privileges, specific to the Amateur Extra class
license. which allows ALL amateur radio privileges...including some on
the 80, 40, 20, and 15 meter bands EXCLUSIVE to them.

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