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Amateur radio operator

{{Short description|Operator of radio waves}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}

File:ISS-24_Doug_Wheelock_uses_ham_radio_system_1.jpg, KF5BOC, Expedition 24 flight engineer, operates the NA1SS ham radio station in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station. Equipment is a Kenwood TM-D700E transceiver.]]

An amateur radio operator is someone who uses equipment at an amateur radio station to engage in two-way personal communications with other amateur operators on radio frequencies assigned to the amateur radio service. Amateur radio operators have been granted an amateur radio license by a governmental regulatory authority after passing an examination on applicable regulations, electronics, radio theory, and radio operation. As a component of their license, amateur radio operators are assigned a call sign that they use to identify themselves during communication. About three million amateur radio operators are currently active worldwide.{{cite book |title=Ham Radio for Dummies |first=H Ward |last=Silver |publisher=Wiley Publishing |location=Indianapolis |date=23 April 2004 |isbn=978-0-7645-5987-7 |oclc=55092631}}

Amateur radio operators are also known as radio amateurs or hams. The term "ham" as a nickname for amateur radio operators originated in a pejorative usage (like "ham actor") by operators in commercial and professional radio communities, and dates to wired telegraphy.{{cite magazine |title=Telegraph Talk and Talkers |magazine=McClure's Magazine |first=L. C. |last=Hall |volume=18 |issue=3 |pages=230–231 |date=January 1902}}{{cite web |title=Word Origins - Ham |url=https://earlyradiohistory.us/sec022.htm |website=United States Early Radio History |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115034734/http://earlyradiohistory.us/sec022.htm |archive-date=2019-11-15 |url-status=live}} The word was subsequently{{when|date=September 2021}} adopted by amateur radio operators.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

Demographics

class="wikitable sortable" style="border:1px grey; font-size:85%; margin-left:1em;" align="right"
Country

!Number of amateur
radio operators

!% population

!Year of
Report

!Source

{{USA}}

| align = "center" | 748,519

| align = "center" | 0.223

| align = "center" | 2024

|{{cite web |url=http://www.arrl.org/fcc-license-counts |title=FCC License Counts |work=arrl.com |access-date=2024-06-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607141726/http://www.arrl.org/fcc-license-counts |archive-date=2024-06-07 |url-status=live}}

{{JPN}}

| align = "center" | 381,899

| align = "center" | 0.304

| align = "center" | 2021

|{{cite web |url=https://www.hamlife.jp/2021/10/11/musenkyoku-kensaku20211011/ |title=Hamlife.jp Database Ministry of Communication |access-date=2021-10-13 |archive-date=11 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011135859/https://www.hamlife.jp/2021/10/11/musenkyoku-kensaku20211011/ |url-status=live }}

{{THA}}

| align = "center" | 101,763

| align = "center" | 0.147

| align = "center" | 2018

|{{cite web |title=MCMC Register Of Apparatus Assignments Search |url=https://www.mcmc.gov.my/en/legal/registers/register-of-apparatus-assignments-search?type=AARadio |access-date=2023-12-17 |archive-date=16 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216172037/https://www.mcmc.gov.my/en/legal/registers/register-of-apparatus-assignments-search?type=AARadio |url-status=dead }}

{{CHN}}

| align = "center" | 240,000

| align = "center" | 0.017

| align = "center" | 2024

|{{Cite news |url=https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/32-BxxqlutCqrESx2V_5pA |title=C类业余无线电台操作技术能力验证考核首次在济南举行 |author=CRAC |date=2024-06-30 |accessdate=2024-08-24 |language=zh-hans |archive-date=2024-08-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824102838/https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/32-BxxqlutCqrESx2V_5pA}}

{{GER}}

| align = "center" | 63,070

| align = "center" | 0.073

| align = "center" | 2019

|{{cite web |url=https://www.bundesnetzagentur.de/DE/Sachgebiete/Telekommunikation/Unternehmen_Institutionen/Frequenzen/SpezielleAnwendungen/Amateurfunk/amateurfunk_node.html |title=Amateurfunk |publisher=Bundesnetzagentur |date=2019 |access-date=13 January 2019 |archive-date=21 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221220732/https://www.bundesnetzagentur.de/DE/Sachgebiete/Telekommunikation/Unternehmen_Institutionen/Frequenzen/SpezielleAnwendungen/Amateurfunk/amateurfunk_node.html |url-status=live }}

{{CAN}}

| align = "center" | 70,198

| align = "center" | 0.187

| align = "center" | 2018

|{{cite web |url=http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2019/march/canada-amateur-radio-statistics.htm |title=News - Canada: Amateur radio statistics 2018 |work=Southgate Amateur Radio Club |location=Rayleigh, Essex, England |access-date=20 November 2020 |archive-date=3 March 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303141441/http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2019/march/canada-amateur-radio-statistics.htm }}

{{ESP}}

| align = "center" | 58,700

| align = "center" | 0.127

| align = "center" | 1999

|

{{UK}}

| align = "center" | 75,660

| align = "center" | 0.114

| align = "center" | 2018

|{{Cite web|url=http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2018/september/how-many-uk-radio-amateurs-are-there.htm|title=How many UK radio amateurs are there?|accessdate=25 June 2023|archive-date=15 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315145232/http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2018/september/how-many-uk-radio-amateurs-are-there.htm|url-status=dead}}

{{KOR}}

| align = "center" | 42,632

| align = "center" | 0.082

| align = "center" | 2012

|{{cite web |url=http://www.iaru-r3.org/15r3c/docs/019.doc |title=Triennial Report from KARL |work=iaru-r3.org |access-date=2012-11-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202022502/http://www.iaru-r3.org/15r3c/docs/019.doc |archive-date=2016-02-02 |url-status=dead }}

{{RUS}}

| align = "center" | 38,000

| align = "center" | 0.026

| align = "center" | 1993

|

{{BRA}}

| align = "center" | 32,053

| align = "center" | 0.016

| align = "center" | 1997

|

{{TUR}}

| align = "center" | 32,000

| align = "center" | 0.037

| align = "center" | 2023

|{{Cite web |title=Deprem sonrası amatör telsizci başvuruları arttı |url=https://www.trthaber.com/haber/gundem/deprem-sonrasi-amator-telsizci-basvurulari-artti-752885.html |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=www.trthaber.com |date=14 March 2023 |language=tr |archive-date=14 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414192232/https://www.trthaber.com/haber/gundem/deprem-sonrasi-amator-telsizci-basvurulari-artti-752885.html |url-status=live }}

{{ITA}}

| align = "center" | 30,000

| align = "center" | 0.049

| align = "center" | 1993

|

{{IDN}}

| align = "center" | 27,815

| align = "center" | 0.011

| align = "center" | 1997

|

{{FRA}}

| align = "center" | 13,500

| align = "center" | 0.019

| align = "center" | 2022

|REF preliminary callsign statistics

{{UKR}}

| align = "center" | 17,265

| align = "center" | 0.037

| align = "center" | 2000

|

{{ARG}}

| align = "center" | 16,889

| align = "center" | 0.042

| align = "center" | 1999

|

{{POL}}

| align = "center" | 15,805

| align = "center" | 0.041

| align = "center" | 2024

|{{Cite web|url=https://amator.uke.gov.pl/pl/individuals|title=UKE Radioamator|website=amator.uke.gov.pl|access-date=2024-06-07|archive-date=23 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923095341/https://amator.uke.gov.pl/pl/individuals|url-status=live}}

{{AUS}}

| align = "center" | 15,448

| align = "center" | 0.060

| align = "center" | 2023

|{{Cite web |title=ACMA Radiocomms license data |url=https://www.acma.gov.au/radiocomms-licence-data |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=acma.gov.au |archive-date=15 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115215326/https://www.acma.gov.au/radiocomms-licence-data |url-status=live }}

{{IND}}

| align = "center" | 15,679

| align = "center" | 0.001

| align = "center" | 2000

|

{{SWE}}

| align = "center" | 12,790

| align = "center" | 0.113

| align = "center" | 2023

|SSA callsign statistics published in QTC 11/2023

{{NED}}

| align = "center" | 12,582

| align = "center" | 0.07

| align = "center" | 2018

|Agentschap Telecom - Ministerie van Economische Zaken en Klimaat {{cite web | url=https://magazines.agentschaptelecom.nl/staatvandeether/2018/01/radiozendamateurs | title=Staat van de Ether 2018 | access-date=2019-10-23 | archive-date=23 October 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023202452/https://magazines.agentschaptelecom.nl/staatvandeether/2018/01/radiozendamateurs | url-status=dead }}

{{MAS}}

| align = "center" | 11,273

| align = "center" | 0.03

| align = "center" | 2023

|

{{DNK}}

| align = "center" | 9,079

| align = "center" | 0.152

| align = "center" | 2022

|{{cite web|url=https://frekvensregister.ens.dk/Search/Search.aspx?|title=Energistyrelsen Frekvensregister|website=frekvensregister.ens.dk|access-date=15 May 2022|archive-date=22 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222015655/https://frekvensregister.ens.dk/Search/Search.aspx|url-status=live}}

{{SLO}}

| align = "center" | 6,500

| align = "center" | 0.317

| align = "center" | 2000

|

{{AUT}}

| align="center" | 6,930

| align="center" | 0.077

| align="center" | 2022

|{{Cite web |url=https://www.fb.gv.at/dam/jcr:78fda5c9-4e40-45b4-a48c-36d14d7b7692/Rufzeichenliste_AT_Stand_010222.pdf |title=Rufzeichenliste österreichischer Amateurfunkstellen |access-date=2022-02-15 |archive-date=10 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810204451/https://www.fb.gv.at/dam/jcr:78fda5c9-4e40-45b4-a48c-36d14d7b7692/Rufzeichenliste_AT_Stand_010222.pdf |url-status=dead }}

{{NZ}}

| align = "center" | 6,000

| align = "center" | 0.12

| align = "center" | 1994

|

{{RSA}}

| align = "center" | 6,000

| align = "center" | 0.012

| align = "center" | 1994

|

{{NOR}}

| align = "center" | 6,818

| align = "center" | 0.125

| align = "center" | 2022

|Nkom callsign statistics

{{CZE}}

| align = "center" |5,332

| align = "center" |0.05

| align = "center" |2023

|{{cite web |url=https://www.ctu.cz/vyhledavaci-databaze/databaze-pridelenych-radiovych-kmitoctu-podle-vydanych-pridelu-a-individualnich-opravneni/amateri |title=Individual licenses and call signs of Radio Amateur Service stations |work=ctu.cz |access-date=2023-09-21 |archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005153657/https://www.ctu.cz/vyhledavaci-databaze/databaze-pridelenych-radiovych-kmitoctu-podle-vydanych-pridelu-a-individualnich-opravneni/amateri |url-status=live }}

{{POR}}

| align = "center" | 5,116

| align = "center" | 0.051

| align = "center" | 2023

{{FIN}}

| align = "center" | 5,000

| align = "center" | 0.090

| align = "center" | 2016

|{{Cite web |url=http://www.sral.fi/info/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040601133035/http://sral.fi/info/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2004-06-01 |title=Mitä radioamatööritoiminta on? |website=SRAL.fi |access-date=2016-03-06}}

{{SRB}}

| align = "center" | 3,962

| align = "center" | 0.056

| align = "center" | 2020

|{{cite web |url=http://callbook.yu1srs.org.rs/list/operator |title=YU Amateur Radio Call Book |work=yu1srs.org.rs |access-date=2020-03-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190917051420/http://callbook.yu1srs.org.rs/list/operator |archive-date=2019-09-17 |url-status=live}}

{{ROU}}

| align = "center" | 3,527

| align = "center" | 0.018

| align = "center" | 2017

|{{Cite web |url=http://www.ancom.org.ro/radioamatori_2899 |title=ANCOM Callbook Radioamatori |website=ancom.org.ro |access-date=11 January 2018 |archive-date=11 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111165515/http://www.ancom.org.ro/radioamatori_2899 |url-status=live }}

{{HUN}}

| align = "center" | 3,234

| align = "center" | 0.033

| align = "center" | 2023

|{{Cite web |url=https://nmhh.hu/amator/call_sign_book.xml |title=call_sign_book.xml |website=nmhh.hu |access-date=28 March 2023 |archive-date=28 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328114201/https://nmhh.hu/amator/call_sign_book.xml |url-status=live }}

{{IRL}}

| align = "center" | 1,945

| align = "center" | 0.039

| align = "center" | 2020

|{{Cite web|title=COMREG Licensing Database|url=https://www.comreg.ie/industry/radio-spectrum/licensing/statistics/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-18|website=www.comreg.ie|date=7 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024032222/https://www.comreg.ie/industry/radio-spectrum/licensing/statistics/ |archive-date=24 October 2017 }}{{Cite web|title=Population and Migration Estimates April 2020 - CSO - Central Statistics Office|url=https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/pme/populationandmigrationestimatesapril2020/|access-date=2021-04-18|website=www.cso.ie|date=20 August 2020|archive-date=24 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824172240/https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/pme/populationandmigrationestimatesapril2020/|url-status=live}}

{{SVK}}

| align = "center" |1,745

| align = "center" |0.032

| align = "center" |2023

|{{cite web |url=https://www.teleoff.gov.sk/data/files/204.doc |title=List of Slovakia Radio Amateur call signs |work=teleoff.gov.sk |access-date=2023-09-21 |archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005153656/https://www.teleoff.gov.sk/data/files/204.doc |url-status=dead }}

{{EST}}

| align = "center" | 700

| align = "center" | 0.052

| align = "center" | 2020

Few governments maintain detailed demographic statistics of their amateur radio operator populations, aside from recording the total number of licensed operators. The majority of amateur radio operators worldwide reside in the United States, Japan, and the nations of East Asia, North America, and Europe. The top five countries by percentage of the population are Slovenia, Japan, the United States, Canada, and Denmark. Only the governments of Yemen and North Korea currently prohibit their citizens from becoming amateur radio operators. Although not officially outlawed, it is effectively impossible to become licensed in Eritrea as well, and there are no licensed operators in Eritrea. There are also very few if any operators in Turkmenistan and Myanmar. In other countries, acquiring an amateur radio license is difficult because of the bureaucratic processes or fees that place access to a license out of reach for most citizens. Most nations permit foreign nationals to earn an amateur radio license, but very few amateur radio operators are licensed in multiple countries.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

=Gender=

In the vast majority of countries, the population of amateur radio operators is predominantly male. In China, 12% of amateur radio operators are women,{{cite conference |url=http://www.jarl.or.jp/iaru-r3/12r3c/docs/057.doc |title=The Current Status of Amateur Radio in the Mainland of China |book-title=Proceedings of the International Amateur Radio Union's Region 3 Twelfth Regional Conference |author=Chinese Radio Sports Association |year=2004 |id=Document No. 04/XII/057 |access-date=2 June 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060306192403/http://www.jarl.or.jp/iaru-r3/12r3c/docs/057.doc |archive-date=6 March 2006 |url-status=dead}} while approximately 15% of amateur radio operators in the United States are women.{{cite news |url=http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2005/03/15/1/?nc=1 |title=A Study of Amateur Radio Gender Demographics |work=ARRL.org |first=Kenneth E |last=Harker |date=15 March 2005 |access-date=13 July 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070223193600/http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2005/03/15/1/?nc=1 |archive-date=23 February 2007}} The Young Ladies Radio League is an international organization of female amateur radio operators.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

A male amateur radio operator can be referred to as an OM, an abbreviation used in Morse code telegraphy for "old man", regardless of the operator's age. A single female amateur radio operator can be referred to as a YL, from the abbreviation used for "young lady", regardless of the operator's age. A licensed married female is sometimes referred to as an XYL. The term "XYL" also often means the wife of a licensed amateur oprator, whether or not she is herself licensed.

=Age=

Most countries do not have a minimum age requirement in order to earn an amateur radio license and become an amateur radio operator. Although the number of amateur radio operators in many countries increases from year to year,{{Citation needed|date=September 2007}} the average age of amateur radio operators is relatively high. In some countries, the average age is 68 years old.{{Citation needed|date=April 2016}}

The unfavourable age distribution has led to a slow decrease in amateur operator numbers in most industrialised countries due to attrition, but in countries which do not apply yearly licence fees, the effects are not immediately noticed. It has been estimated from German statistics, which are considered the most reliable, that the net decrease currently is in the order of 1 to 1.5% per year.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}} The average age of most amateur radio operators is approaching 70 in most European countries.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}

Some national radio societies have responded to the aging ham population by developing programs specifically to encourage youth participation in amateur radio, such as the American Radio Relay League's Amateur Radio Education and Technology Program.{{cite web |url=http://www.arrl.org/FandES/tbp/ |title=The ARRL Amateur Radio Education & Technology Program |work=ARRL.org |access-date=2007-07-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070625204553/http://www.arrl.org/FandES/tbp/ |archive-date=2007-06-25 |url-status=live}} The World Wide Young Contesters organization promotes youth involvement, particularly among Europeans, in competitive radio contesting. A strong tie also exists between the amateur radio community and the Scouting movement to introduce radio technology to youth. WOSM's annual Jamboree On The Air is Scouting's largest activity, with a half million Scouts and Guides speaking with each other using amateur radio each October.{{cite web |url=http://www.scout.org/en/information_events/events/jota/all_about_jota |title=All about JOTA |work=Scout.org |date=September 2006 |access-date=2008-04-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509184558/http://www.scout.org/en/information_events/events/jota/all_about_jota |archive-date=2008-05-09 |url-status=dead}}

=US amateurs by state=

class="wikitable sortable"
StateTotal%RankClub
AA40.00590
AE1570.02560
AK38470.464580
AL132281.5922244
AP1440.02571
AR89141.0731129
AS250.00583
AZ221662.7812249
CA11578713.9311528
CO203692.4516222
CT81780.9832188
DC5870.075254
DE19300.235038
FL468565.643610
GA206502.4814390
GU3340.045413
HI43860.5343117
IA69930.8435119
ID104041.252885
IL214672.5813367
IN167982.0218303
KS79530.9633143
KY103761.2529147
LA68230.8237166
MA146411.7621272
MD121391.4625184
ME49800.604181
MI228342.759375
MN125201.5123185
MO166992.0119262
MP3530.045318
MS58490.7039131
MT44500.544263
NC235492.838337
ND17290.215153
NE40830.494481
NH60350.7338112
NJ148341.7820295
NM72370.8734131
NV89181.0730112
NY295883.566531
OH301483.635511
OK107011.2927152
OR222422.6810354
PA261323.147437
PR51170.6240108
RI21430.264871
SC108441.3026147
SD21220.264933
TN204162.4615261
TX584157.032737
UT195132.3517116
VA222172.6711298
VI2980.045527
VT23070.284659
WA374944.514515
WI121781.4724215
WV68540.823678
WY22810.274737

NOTE:[http://hamdata.com/states.html Amateurs by State] generates a SSL_ERROR_UNSUPPORTED_VERSION error message

AA..US Armed Forces Americas

AE..US Armed Forces Africa/Canada/Europe/Middle East

AP..US Armed Forces Pacific

AS..American Samoa

GU..Guam

MP..Mariana Islands

PR..Puerto Rico

VI..US Virgin Islands

=Canadian amateurs by province=

class="wikitable sortable"
ProvinceTotalRank
AB77004
NL147310
ON232701
YT21412
BC188273
NS26475
PE31111
ZZ17747
MB21616
NT9513
QC190392
NB16888
NU2814
SK16249

NOTE:

ZZ..Canadian amateurs outside of Canada

Silent Key

When referring to a person, the phrase Silent Key, and its abbreviation SK, is a euphemism for an amateur radio operator who is deceased.{{cite web|url=https://www.arrl.org/silent-key-submission-guidelines|title=Reporting a Silent Key|publisher=Amateur Radio Relay League|access-date=6 January 2017|archive-date=7 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107204558/http://www.arrl.org/silent-key-submission-guidelines|url-status=live}} The procedural signal "{{overline|SK}}" (or "{{overline|VA}}") has historically been used in Morse code as the last signal sent from a station before ending operation,{{cite web |url=http://www.ac6v.com/morseaids.htm |title=CW Operating Aids |publisher=AC6V |access-date=6 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228194724/http://www.ac6v.com/morseaids.htm |archive-date=28 February 2017 |url-status=dead }} usually just before shutting off the transmitter. Since this was the last signal received by other operators, the code was adopted to refer to any amateur radio operator who is deceased, regardless of whether they were known to have used telegraphy in their communications.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

Gallery

File:Hz1sk-28012005-pic4.JPG|An operator working HF

File:Aadi.jpg|An operator working HF

File:SV8QG.jpg|Amateur Radio station equipped for reception of VLF signals.

File:Indian amateur students.jpg|Amateur radio students

Notable amateur radio operators

{{Alumni|people|date=October 2021}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=10em|

}}

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • [https://rigreference.com/ Amateur radio reference guide] - Technical specifications and manuals

{{Amateur radio topics}}

{{Authority control}}

Operator