Home >> Hobbies >> Ham Radio

How to Acquire an FCC License

The radio and television waves that travel across America on a daily basis are governed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Federal regulators make sure that obscenities and other indecent material are not broadcast across public airwaves. To keep tabs on who is broadcasting, the FCC requires a legitimate station to acquire a license. If the radio or television station disobeys the rules or airs questionable material, its license is subject to revocation. Operating without a license is illegal and will cost the broadcaster $10,000 per day, according to FCC regulations.

Things You'll Need

Radio equipment
Transmission tower
Computer
Telephone

Instructions

- 1
  Purchase radio transmission equipment and erect a transmission tower. If you're applying for a ham radio license, you'll need to pass the FCC radio test.
- 2
  Apply for an FCC registration number through the agency's website at fcc.gov. The number can be found through the Universal Licensing System page. License renewals are treated as a new license application, but you can use your existing registration number.
- 3
  Follow the steps provided to complete your online application. If you don't have a computer or Internet access, call the FCC's forms distribution center at 1-800-418-3676 to have them mailed to you. Mail them back to the FCC to complete the process.
- 4
  Pay the fees associated with the cost of the license application. These start at around $450, but can go up to $100,000, depending on the size of the business.

Ham Radio