Your call,
N0CALL
November Zero Charlie Alpha Lima Lima
Refresher
Back on the air
Licensed, but it's been a while? Check your license, catch up on what changed, brush up on the basics, and rehearse your first call back.
1
Is your license still good?
Checked against the FCC license database. We only show your class and dates.
2
What changed while you were away
When were you last active?
- 2015
No paper licenses by default rules
The FCC stopped mailing paper licenses. You can download and print your official license from the FCC's license system.
- 2017
FT8 took over digital operating
The FT8 mode, released in WSJT-X, lets stations make contacts through weak conditions with low power. It became the most-used HF digital mode.
- 2017
Parks on the Air operating
POTA grew out of ARRL's 2016 National Parks on the Air event. Operators set up in parks while others hunt them from home. Technicians join on 10 m and local simplex.
- 2020
Email required rules
The FCC now requires an email address on license applications and sends your license by email.
- 2022
FCC fee rules
A $35 FCC fee now applies to new licenses, renewals and vanity call signs. Your exam team may charge its own small fee too.
- 2024
HF data speed limit replaced rules
The old symbol-rate (baud) limit for HF data was replaced by a 2.8 kHz bandwidth limit, which opened the door to faster digital modes.
- 2024
Logbook of the World outage tools
A cyberattack on ARRL took Logbook of the World offline for about six weeks. Keeping your own log backup is a good habit.
- 2024
Mesh radio boom tools
License-free LoRa mesh networks like Meshtastic became a popular side interest for hams.
- 2026
New Technician question pool rules
A new Technician pool took effect July 1, 2026 and runs through June 30, 2030. The General pool runs through 2027 and the Extra pool through 2028.
- 2026
HamClock went dark tools
The popular HamClock display stopped working after its creator died in early 2026. Several free web dashboards replaced it.
3
What your license lets you do
Pick your class, or check your license above to set it.
Your bands
HF
VHF · UHF
All modesPart of the band or some modesNot with this license
10 mCW and data 28.000–28.300 MHz. Voice (SSB) and CW 28.300–28.500 MHz.
Technician: every band from 6 m up, plus CW on 80, 40 and 15 m and voice on 28.300–28.500 MHz. 200 W PEP limit on HF.
Showing privileges for Technician.4
The basics, fast
The habits operators notice first.
Identify
Say your call sign at least every 10 minutes during a contact and when you sign off. On a weak signal, use phonetics. Many hams close with a friendly .
Repeaters
Set the offset and tone, then listen first. If it's quiet, say your call and “listening.” Pause a second before replying so others can break in.
Simplex
146.520 MHz is the national FM calling frequency. Make contact there, then move to another simplex frequency to chat.
Signal reports
On FM, describe it: “full quieting,” “a little noisy,” “breaking up.” On SSB and CW, give an RST report such as 59.
Nets
Net control runs the frequency. Check in with your call sign when asked, then wait to be called on.
Leave these out
CB phrases like “10-4” and “handle,” music, business talk, and coded messages meant to hide their meaning.
5
Rehearse your first call back
Practice with a friendly station before you key up for real.
Coming backBack on the airMake a listening call on a quiet repeater and chat with the local who answers.Next stepFirst net check-inNets are the easiest way back in. Rehearse checking in, then find a real one this week.After you rehearseYour welcome-back planThree small wins for your first week back, with steps you can check off.
Coming soon: radio setup guides by model, and a list of nets and active repeaters near you. Until then, the free CHIRP program sets up most handhelds.