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Comment by simonw | Hacker News Reader

I agree that understanding the restrictions on HAM usage - including the ban on encryption, and strict rules on what kind of material can be broadcast (since anyone can hear it) - is really important.

You don't have to pay ongoing fees: the initial outlay in the USA is $35 for the license (you have to pass the exam) plus the cost for your equipment (~$70 for the cheaper HAM radios on Amazon), but after that there are no ongoing charges.

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There is a renewal fee for the license, every 10 years. But it's negligible.

Does one have to take a test for renewal? Or is it a one and done type thing?

You don't have to take the test again. I believe you only have to take the test if your license expires at the end of the ten years AND you wait more than two years before renewing it again.

Thank you for your response.

I did get my novice license (or whatever the lowest license is called) but never got an old borrowed radio to actually transmit. Then life kind of got in the way.

I keep meaning to get back into it, the sstv and various data networks are really cool. I really dig the analog tech.

Yeah even if you move to another country you don't have to do the test again. You can just transfer your license.

Depends on country. In Holland the fee is substantial and yearly (60€ I believe).

In most other EU countries it's once off but the Dutch government wants money for everything.

What's your go-to ~$70 radio? I have a couple of Baofengs but you get what you pay for with those.

I have heard good things about the Quansheng UV-K5/8/99. Primarily because there is a hack firmware available.

If you want a "good" HT as an introduction to the hobby, then the Yaesu FT-65R or older FT-60R are both good.

A "do everything" (analog) radio might be the Yaesu VX-6R, which I previously owned. It excels on reception, and is a "tri-band" radio, but the extra band was not useful in my experience.

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