View source for 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|thumb|NASA astronaut Col. [[Doug Wheelock]], 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 Corporation|Kenwood]] TM-D700E transceiver.]]

An '''amateur radio operator''' is someone who uses equipment at an [[amateur radio station]] to engage in [[two-way communication|two-way]] personal communications with other amateur operators on [[Frequency|radio frequencies]] [[Amateur radio frequency allocations|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.<ref name="HamForDummies">{{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}}</ref>

Amateur radio operators are also known as '''radio amateurs''' or '''hams'''. [[Etymology of ham radio|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.<ref name="Hall1902">{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> 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<br />radio operators
!% population
!Year of<br />Report
!Source
|-
|{{USA}}
| align = "center" | 748,519
| align = "center" | 0.223
| align = "center" | 2024
|<ref name="ARRL_FCC">{{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}}</ref>
|-
|{{JPN}}
| align = "center" | 381,899
| align = "center" | 0.304
| align = "center" | 2021
|<ref>{{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 }}</ref>
|-
|{{THA}}
| align = "center" | 101,763
| align = "center" | 0.147
| align = "center" | 2018
|<ref name="iaru_table">{{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 }}</ref>
|-
|{{CHN}}
| align = "center" | 240,000
| align = "center" | 0.017
| align = "center" | 2024
|<ref>{{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=[[Chinese Radio Amateurs Club|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}}</ref>
|-
|{{GER}}
| align = "center" | 63,070
| align = "center" | 0.073
| align = "center" | 2019
|<ref>{{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 }}</ref>
|-
|{{CAN}}
| align = "center" | 70,198
| align = "center" | 0.187
| align = "center" | 2018
|<ref name="Hamdata">{{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 }}</ref>
|-
|{{ESP}}
| align = "center" | 58,700
| align = "center" | 0.127
| align = "center" | 1999
|<ref name="iaru_table"/>
|-
|{{UK}}
| align = "center" | 75,660
| align = "center" | 0.114
| align = "center" | 2018
|<ref>{{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}}</ref>
|-
|{{KOR}}
| align = "center" | 42,632
| align = "center" | 0.082
| align = "center" | 2012
|<ref name="KARL Report to IARU Region 3 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 }}</ref>
|-
|{{RUS}}
| align = "center" | 38,000
| align = "center" | 0.026
| align = "center" | 1993
|<ref name="iaru_table"/>
|-
|{{BRA}}
| align = "center" | 32,053
| align = "center" | 0.016
| align = "center" | 1997
|<ref name="iaru_table"/>
|-
|{{TUR}}
| align = "center" | 32,000
| align = "center" | 0.037
| align = "center" | 2023
|<ref>{{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 }}</ref>
|-
|{{ITA}}
| align = "center" | 30,000
| align = "center" | 0.049
| align = "center" | 1993
|<ref name="iaru_table"/>
|-
|{{IDN}}
| align = "center" | 27,815
| align = "center" | 0.011
| align = "center" | 1997
|<ref name="iaru_table"/>
|-
|{{FRA}}
| align = "center" | 13,500
| align = "center" | 0.019
| align = "center" | 2022
|<ref>REF preliminary callsign statistics</ref>
|-
|{{UKR}}
| align = "center" | 17,265
| align = "center" | 0.037
| align = "center" | 2000
|<ref name="iaru_table"/>
|-
|{{ARG}}
| align = "center" | 16,889
| align = "center" | 0.042
| align = "center" | 1999
|<ref name="iaru_table"/>
|-
|{{POL}}
| align = "center" | 15,805
| align = "center" | 0.041
| align = "center" | 2024
|<ref>{{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}}</ref>
|-
|{{AUS}}
| align = "center" | 15,448
| align = "center" | 0.060
| align = "center" | 2023
|<ref>{{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 }}</ref>
|-
|{{IND}}
| align = "center" | 15,679
| align = "center" | 0.001
| align = "center" | 2000
|<ref name="iaru_table"/>
|-
|{{SWE}}
| align = "center" | 12,790
| align = "center" | 0.113
| align = "center" | 2023
|<ref>SSA callsign statistics published in QTC 11/2023</ref>
|-
|{{NED}}
| align = "center" | 12,582
| align = "center" | 0.07
| align = "center" | 2018
|<ref>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 }}</ref>
|-
|{{MAS}}
| align = "center" | 11,273
| align = "center" | 0.03
| align = "center" | 2023
|<ref name="iaru_table"/>
|-
|{{DNK}}
| align = "center" | 9,079
| align = "center" | 0.152
| align = "center" | 2022
|<ref>{{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}}</ref>
|-
|{{SLO}}
| align = "center" | 6,500
| align = "center" | 0.317
| align = "center" | 2000
|<ref name="iaru_table"/>
|-
|{{AUT}}
| align="center" | 6,930
| align="center" | 0.077
| align="center" | 2022
|<ref name="www.fb.gv.at">{{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 }}</ref>
|-
|{{NZ}}
| align = "center" | 6,000
| align = "center" | 0.12
| align = "center" | 1994
|<ref name="iaru_table"/>
|-
|-
|{{RSA}}
| align = "center" | 6,000
| align = "center" | 0.012
| align = "center" | 1994
|<ref name="iaru_table"/>
|-
|{{NOR}}
| align = "center" | 6,818
| align = "center" | 0.125
| align = "center" | 2022
|<ref>Nkom callsign statistics</ref>
|-
|{{CZE}}
| align = "center" |5,332
| align = "center" |0.05
| align = "center" |2023
|<ref name="Czech Telecommunication Office">{{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 }}</ref>
|-
|{{POR}}
| align = "center" | 5,116
| align = "center" | 0.051
| align = "center" | 2023
|-
|{{FIN}}
| align = "center" | 5,000
| align = "center" | 0.090
| align = "center" | 2016
|<ref name="sral.fi_numbers">{{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}}</ref>
|-
|{{SRB}}
| align = "center" | 3,962
| align = "center" | 0.056
| align = "center" | 2020
|<ref name="Amateur Radio Union of Serbia">{{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}}</ref>
|-
|{{ROU}}
| align = "center" | 3,527
| align = "center" | 0.018
| align = "center" | 2017
|<ref name="ancom">{{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 }}</ref>
|-
|{{HUN}}
| align = "center" | 3,234
| align = "center" | 0.033
| align = "center" | 2023
|<ref name="nmhh.hu">{{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 }}</ref>
|-
|{{IRL}}
| align = "center" | 1,945
| align = "center" | 0.039
| align = "center" | 2020
|<ref name="comreg">{{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 }}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>
|-
|{{SVK}}
| align = "center" |1,745
| align = "center" |0.032
| align = "center" |2023
|<ref name="Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Postal Services">{{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 }}</ref>
|-
|{{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 [[Citizenship|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 [[bureaucracy|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,<ref name="IARUgender">{{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}}</ref> while approximately 15% of amateur radio operators in the United States are women.<ref name="ARRLgender">{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="ARRLetp">{{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}}</ref> 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. [[World Organization of the Scout Movement|WOSM]]'s annual [[World Scout Jamboree#Jamboree on the Air|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.<ref name="Scouting">{{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}}</ref>

===US amateurs by state===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! State !! Total !! % !! Rank !! Club
|-
| AA || 4 || 0.00 || 59 || 0
|-
| AE || 157 || 0.02 || 56 || 0
|-
| AK || 3847 || 0.46 || 45 || 80
|-
| AL || 13228 || 1.59 || 22 || 244
|-
| AP || 144 || 0.02 || 57 || 1
|-
| AR || 8914 || 1.07 || 31 || 129
|-
| AS || 25 || 0.00 || 58 || 3
|-
| AZ || 22166 || 2.78 || 12 || 249
|-
| CA || 115787 || 13.93 || 1 || 1528
|-
| CO || 20369 || 2.45 || 16 || 222
|-
| CT || 8178 || 0.98 || 32 || 188
|-
| DC || 587 || 0.07 || 52 || 54
|-
| DE || 1930 || 0.23 || 50 || 38
|-
| FL || 46856 || 5.64 || 3 || 610
|-
| GA || 20650 || 2.48 || 14 || 390
|-
| GU || 334 || 0.04 || 54 || 13
|-
| HI || 4386 || 0.53 || 43 || 117
|-
| IA || 6993 || 0.84 || 35 || 119
|-
| ID || 10404 || 1.25 || 28 || 85
|-
| IL || 21467 || 2.58 || 13 || 367
|-
| IN || 16798 || 2.02 || 18 || 303
|-
| KS || 7953 || 0.96 || 33 || 143
|-
| KY || 10376 || 1.25 || 29 || 147
|-
| LA || 6823 || 0.82 || 37 || 166
|-
| MA || 14641 || 1.76 || 21 || 272
|-
| MD || 12139 || 1.46 || 25 || 184
|-
| ME || 4980 || 0.60 || 41 || 81
|-
| MI || 22834 || 2.75 || 9 || 375
|-
| MN || 12520 || 1.51 || 23 || 185
|-
| MO || 16699 || 2.01 || 19 || 262
|-
| MP || 353 || 0.04 || 53 || 18
|-
| MS || 5849 || 0.70 || 39 || 131
|-
| MT || 4450 || 0.54 || 42 || 63
|-
| NC || 23549 || 2.83 || 8 || 337
|-
| ND || 1729 || 0.21 || 51 || 53
|-
| NE || 4083 || 0.49 || 44 || 81
|-
| NH || 6035 || 0.73 || 38 || 112
|-
| NJ || 14834 || 1.78 || 20 || 295
|-
| NM || 7237 || 0.87 || 34 || 131
|-
| NV || 8918 || 1.07 || 30 || 112
|-
| NY || 29588 || 3.56 || 6 || 531
|-
| OH || 30148 || 3.63 || 5 || 511
|-
| OK || 10701 || 1.29 || 27 || 152
|-
| OR || 22242 || 2.68 || 10 || 354
|-
| PA || 26132 || 3.14 || 7 || 437
|-
| PR || 5117 || 0.62 || 40 || 108
|-
| RI || 2143 || 0.26 || 48 || 71
|-
| SC || 10844 || 1.30 || 26 || 147
|-
| SD || 2122 || 0.26 || 49 || 33
|-
| TN || 20416 || 2.46 || 15 || 261
|-
| TX || 58415 || 7.03 || 2 || 737
|-
| UT || 19513 || 2.35 || 17 || 116
|-
| VA || 22217 || 2.67 || 11 || 298
|-
| VI || 298 || 0.04 || 55 || 27
|-
| VT || 2307 || 0.28 || 46 || 59
|-
| WA || 37494 || 4.51 || 4 || 515
|-
| WI || 12178 || 1.47 || 24 || 215
|-
| WV || 6854 || 0.82 || 36 || 78
|-
| WY || 2281 || 0.27 || 47 || 37
|}
'''NOTE:'''<ref name=AmateursState>[http://hamdata.com/states.html Amateurs by State] generates a SSL_ERROR_UNSUPPORTED_VERSION error message</ref><br />
AA..US Armed Forces Americas<br />
AE..US Armed Forces Africa/Canada/Europe/Middle East<br />
AP..US Armed Forces Pacific<br />
AS..American Samoa<br />
GU..Guam<br />
MP..Mariana Islands<br />
PR..Puerto Rico<br />
VI..US Virgin Islands

===Canadian amateurs by province===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Province !! Total !! Rank
|-
| AB || 7700 || 4
|-
| NL || 1473 || 10
|-
| ON || 23270 || 1
|-
| YT || 214 || 12
|-
| BC || 18827 || 3
|-
| NS || 2647 || 5
|-
| PE || 311 || 11
|-
| ZZ || 1774 || 7
|-
| MB || 2161 || 6
|-
| NT || 95 || 13
|-
| QC || 19039 || 2
|-
| NB || 1688 || 8
|-
| NU || 28 || 14
|-
| SK || 1624 || 9
|}
'''NOTE:'''<ref name=AmateursState /><br />
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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> The [[Prosigns for Morse code|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,<ref name="SK">{{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 }}</ref> 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==
<gallery>
File:Hz1sk-28012005-pic4.JPG|An operator working [[High frequency|HF]]
File:Aadi.jpg|An operator working [[High frequency|HF]]
File:SV8QG.jpg|Amateur Radio station equipped for reception of [[Very low frequency|VLF]] signals.
File:Indian amateur students.jpg|Amateur radio students
</gallery>

== Notable amateur radio operators ==
<!-- anyone with a RetroWikipedia article that includes mention of their amateur radio activities -->
{{Alumni|people|date=October 2021}}
{{columns-list|colwidth=10em|
* [[Judica-Cordiglia brothers|Achille and Giovanni Battista]]
* [[Alan Moller]]
* [[Albert Gerald Sayre]]
* [[Albert II, Prince of Monaco]]
* [[Alfred J. Gross]]
* [[Allen Fairhall]]
* [[Alvin Devane]]
* [[Alvino Rey]]
* [[Andy Sannella]]
* [[Andy Thomas]]
* [[Anthony W. England]]
* [[Armas Valste]]
* [[Arnie Coro]]
* [[Art Bell]]
* [[Arthur A. Collins]]
* [[Arthur Godfrey]]
* [[Artie Moore]]
* [[Attilio Gatti]]
* [[Augie Hiebert]]
* [[Barbara Morgan]]
* [[Barry Goldwater]]
* [[Bdale Garbee]]
* [[Bhumibol Adulyadej]]
* [[Bob Heil]]
* [[Bob Tanna]]
* [[Bob Tomalski]]
* [[Brian Rix]]
* [[Brice Phillips]]
* [[Bruce Perens]]
* [[Carl Bødtker]]
* [[Carl Sassenrath]]
* [[Carver Mead]]
* [[Catherine Coleman]]
* [[Cathryn Mitchell]]
* [[Charles E. Apgar]]
* [[Charles E. Brady Jr.]]
* [[Charles Simonyi]]
* [[Charles Tart]]
* [[Charuhasan|Chaaru Haasan]]
* [[Chet Atkins]]
* [[Chuck Forsberg]]
* [[Clarence C. Moore]]
* [[Clarence D. Tuska]]
* [[Clay T. Whitehead]]
* [[Clifford Stoll]]
* [[Clive Meredith]]
* [[Curtis LeMay]]
* [[Dalton Pritchard]]
* [[Daniel C. Burbank]]
* [[Dave Rowntree]]
* [[David Boggs]]
* [[David L. Mills]]
* [[David M. Brown]]
* [[David Packard]] (HP) W6YX<ref>{{cite web | url=https://w6yx.stanford.edu/images/Talks/David_Packard_and_Amateur_Radio_sm.pdf | title=David Packard and Amateur Radio | publisher=Stanford University | accessdate=15 September 2021 | archive-date=25 July 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725082852/https://w6yx.stanford.edu/images/Talks/David_Packard_and_Amateur_Radio_sm.pdf | url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Dean Spratt]]
* [[Diana Eng]]
* [[Dick Rutan]]
* [[Dick Smith (entrepreneur)|Dick Smith]]
* [[Don Lancaster]]
* [[Donald Howard Menzel]]
* [[Douglas Mackiernan]]
* [[E. W. Bedford]]
* [[Ebbe Hoff]]
* [[Ed Iskenderian]]
* [[Edward K. Beale]]
* [[Edward S. Rogers Sr.]]
* [[Emily Calandrelli]]
* [[Eric Cole (British Army officer)|Eric Cole]]
* [[Ernest Lehman]]
* [[Ernst Krenkel]]
* [[Florence Violet McKenzie]]
* [[Francesco Cossiga]]
* [[Francis G. Rayer]]
* [[Fred Judd]]
* [[Friedhelm Hillebrand]]
* [[Garry Shandling]]
* [[George Fischbeck]]
* [[George Sassoon]]
* [[George Sweigert]]
* [[Gladys Kathleen Parkin]]
* [[Glen P. Robinson]]
* [[Gordon Eugene Martin]]
* [[Gordon Pettengill]]
* [[Gordon S. Marshall]]
* [[Greg Walden]]
* [[Grote Reber]]
* [[Guglielmo Marconi]]
* [[Haakon Sørbye]]
* [[Hans Peter Anvin]]
* [[Hans Schlegel]]
* [[Harold A. Zahl]]
* [[Harold Dorschug]]
* [[Harold E. Taylor]]
* [[Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper]]
* [[Helen Sharman]]
* [[Henri G. Busignies]]
* [[Henry Bourne Joy]]
* [[Henry Feinberg]]
* [[Herbert Hoover Jr.]]
* [[Hiram Percy Maxim]]
* [[Hiroshi Amano]]
* [[Howard Gerrish]]
* [[Howard Hughes]]
* [[Howard J. Brewington]]
* [[Hugo Gernsback]]
* [[Hussein of Jordan]]
* [[Ian Orr-Ewing, Baron Orr-Ewing|Ian Orr-Ewing]]
* [[Jacob Beser]]
* [[Jack Kilby]]
* [[James Harvey Brown]]
* [[Jamie Dupree]]
* [[Jan Dahm]]
* [[Jason Morrison (radio broadcaster)|Jason Morrison]]
* [[Jay Maynard]]
* [[Jean Shepherd]]
* [[Jeff Pulver]]
* [[Jenean Hampton]]
* [[Jeri Ellsworth]]
* [[Jerry Lawson (engineer)|Jerry Lawson]]
* [[Jimmy Treybig]]
* [[Joe Barr]]
* [[Joe Rudi]]
* [[Joe Walsh]]
* [[John Ambrose Fleming]]
* [[John Baldacci]]
* [[John H. DeWitt Jr.]]
* [[John Gilmore (activist)|John Gilmore]]
* [[John Lees (musician)|John Lees]]
* [[John Quade]]
* [[John Scott Redd]]
* [[John W. Campbell]]
* [[Johnny Donovan]]
* [[Johnny Kwango]]
* [[Josaphat Chichkov]]
* [[Joseph Hooton Taylor Jr.]]
* [[Jure Šterk]]
* [[Karl Rothammel]]
* [[Kenneth D. Cameron]]
* [[Kevin Alfred Strom]]
* [[Kevin Mitnick]]
* [[Kurt Carlsen]]
* [[Larry Ferrari]]
* [[Laurel Clark]]
* [[Laurie Margolis]]
* [[Lawrie Brown]]
* [[Lelia Constantza Băjenescu]]
* [[Len Jarrett]]
* [[Leo Beranek]]
* [[Leo C. Young]]
* [[Leo Laporte]]
* [[Leonard Danilewicz]]
* [[Leslie R. Mitchell]]
* [[Lester Dent]]
* [[Lester Picker]]
* [[Linda M. Godwin]]
* [[Loyd Sigmon]]
* [[Ludomir Danilewicz]]
* [[Manuel J. Fernandez]]
* [[Marlon Brando]]
* [[Marshall D. Moran]]
* [[Martin Block]]
* [[Martin F. Jue]]
* [[Martin J. Fettman]]
* [[Matthew Sands]]
* [[Maximilian Kolbe]]
* [[Michael Bloomberg]]
* [[Naomi Uemura]]
* [[Nariman Printer]]
* [[Nevil Maskelyne (magician)|Nevil Maskelyne]]
* [[Nigel Roberts]]
* [[Otakar Batlička]]
* [[Owen Garriott]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ariss.org/uploads/1/1/1/6/111680627/2021-04-16_hams_in_space.pdf|title=List|website=ariss.org|access-date=25 June 2023|archive-date=5 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005153656/https://www.ariss.org/uploads/1/1/1/6/111680627/2021-04-16_hams_in_space.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Palden Thondup Namgyal]]
* [[Paul Flaherty (computer scientist)|Paul Flaherty]]
* [[Paul Horowitz]]
* [[Paul Tibbets]]
* [[Percy Jones (musician)|Percy Jones]]
* [[Pertti Kärkkäinen]]
* [[Phil Karn]]
* [[Qaboos bin Said al Said]]
* [[Rajiv Gandhi]]
* [[Ray Szmanda]]
* [[Red Blanchard (radio personality)|Red Blanchard]]
* [[Richard Garriott]]
* [[Richard Lindzen]]
* [[Rik Jaeken]]
* [[Robert C. Michelson]]
* [[Roberto Vittori]]
* [[Rod Holt]]
* [[Ron Przybylinski]]
* [[Ronald Parise]]
* [[Ronnie Milsap]]
* [[Ross Gunn]]
* [[Rudy Van Gelder]]
* [[Rupert Goodwins]]
* [[Sandra Magnus]]
* [[Serena Auñón-Chancellor]]
* [[Sergei Avdeyev]]
* [[Sergei Krikalev]]
* [[Serhii Rebrov]]
* [[Seth Shostak]]
* [[Seymour Kneitel]]
* [[Sidney Wilcox McCuskey]]
* [[Stan Gibilisco]]
* [[Stanley Jungleib]]
* [[Steff Gruber]]
* [[Steve Jobs]]
* [[Steve Wozniak]]
* [[Steven R. Nagel]]
* [[Parijnanashram III|Swami Parijnanashram III]]
* [[Ted David]]
* [[Tim Allen]]
* [[Tim Samaras]]
* [[Titu-Marius Băjenescu]]
* [[Tom Baugh]]
* [[Tom Christian]]
* [[Tony Randel]]
* [[Tsuneyoshi Yamano]]
* [[Tyrteu Rocha Vianna]]
* [[Ulrich L. Rohde]]
* [[Victor Poor]]
* [[W. A. S. Butement]]
* [[Wacław Łukaszewicz]]
* [[Walter Cronkite]]
* [[Ward Cunningham]]
* [[Warren B. Offutt]]
* [[Wasil Ahmad]]
* [[Wau Holland]]
* [[Wayne Green]]
* [[William B. Bridges]]
* [[William Elvin Jackson]]
* [[William Campbell James Meredith]]
* [[William I. Orr]]
* [[Yoritake Matsudaira]]
* [[Yuri Gagarin]]
* [[Yvette Pierpaoli]]
* [[Fritz Maytag]] K6FLM<ref>{{cite web | url=https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/license.jsp?licKey=3030625 | title=ULS License - Vanity License - K6FLM - Maytag, Frederick L | access-date=30 April 2022 | archive-date=5 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005153656/https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/license.jsp?licKey=3030625 | url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://rigreference.com/ Amateur radio reference guide] - Technical specifications and manuals

{{Amateur radio topics}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Amateur radio|Operator]]