Amateur radio operator
Licensed two-way communicators on amateur radio frequencies worldwide.
An amateur radio operator holds a license from a government authority, obtained by passing exams on regulations, electronics, radio theory, and operation. They use their own station equipment to communicate directly with other licensed operators on frequencies set aside for the amateur radio service. Each operator receives a unique call sign for identification during transmissions. Worldwide, roughly three million people are currently active in this hobby. These individuals are also called radio amateurs or hams. The nickname "ham" originally came from commercial and professional radio operators as a derogatory term, similar to "ham actor," and dates back to the era of wired telegraphy. By the 1920s, amateur radio operators had adopted the term themselves.
Demographic data on amateur radio operators is sparse; most governments only track total license counts. The largest populations are in the United States, Japan, and across East Asia, North America, and Europe. By percentage of population, the top five countries are Slovenia, Japan, the United States, Canada, and Denmark. Only Yemen and North Korea outright ban amateur radio. While not officially illegal, getting a license is effectively impossible in Eritrea, which has no licensed operators. Turkmenistan and Myanmar also have very few, if any. In many other nations, bureaucratic hurdles or high fees make licensing difficult for most citizens. Most countries allow foreigners to obtain a license, but very few operators hold licenses in multiple countries.
In nearly every country, the vast majority of amateur radio operators are male. In China, 12% of operators are women; in the United States, about 15%. The Young Ladies Radio League is an international group for female operators. A male operator is often called an OM, Morse code shorthand for "old man," regardless of his age. A single female operator is called a YL, from "young lady," regardless of her age. A married female operator is sometimes called an XYL, a term that also commonly refers to the wife of a licensed operator, whether or not she holds a license herself.
Most countries set no minimum age for getting an amateur radio license. Although the total number of operators rises each year in many places, the average age is quite high—68 in some countries.
- Active operators worldwide
- about 3 million
- Top countries by percentage of populatio
- Slovenia, Japan, United States, Canada, Denmark
- Countries prohibiting amateurs
- Yemen, North Korea
- Female operators in china
- 12%
- Female operators in united states
- approximately 15%
- Average age in some countries
- 68 years old
- Estimated annual net decrease in germany
- 1 to 1.5%
Lore & Background
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. The word was, in the 1920s, adopted by amateur radio operators. When referring to a person, the phrase Silent Key, and its abbreviation SK, is a euphemism for an amateur radio operator who is deceased. The procedural signal 'SK' (or 'VA') has historically been used in Morse code as the last signal sent from a station before ending operation, 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.
Reader's Guide
Amateur radio operators form a global community of licensed individuals who communicate on assigned radio frequencies. The majority of operators worldwide reside in the United States, Japan, and the nations of East Asia, North America, and Europe. 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 bureaucratic processes or fees. Most nations permit foreign nationals to earn an amateur radio license, but very few amateur radio operators are licensed in multiple countries. The population is predominantly male, with 12% female in China and approximately 15% in the United States. The average age is relatively high, approaching 70 in most European countries, leading to a slow decrease in operator numbers in most industrialised countries due to attrition, estimated from German statistics at 1 to 1.5% per year. Some national radio societies have responded by developing programs to encourage youth participation, such as the American Radio Relay League's Amateur Radio Education and Technology Program and the World Wide Young Contesters organization. A strong tie also exists between the amateur radio community and the Scouting movement, with the World Organization of the Scout Movement's annual Jamboree on the Air being Scouting's largest activity.
Did You Know?
- About three million amateur radio operators are currently active worldwide.
- The term 'ham' originated as a pejorative nickname from commercial and professional radio operators, dating to wired telegraphy.
- The average age of amateur radio operators in some countries is 68 years old.
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