Ham radio is supported and organized through various regulatory, advocacy, emergency response, military, and industry-related bodies. These organizations play an essential role in licensing, education, technical standards, spectrum protection, and emergency preparedness. Here’s an overview of the most important ones in the United States.
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
- American Radio Relay League (ARRL)
- Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES)
- Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)
- Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS)
- National Weather Service (NWS) – SKYWARN
- AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation)
- International Amateur Radio Union (IARU)
- National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC)
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the U.S. government agency responsible for regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable.
FCC and Amateur Radio:
- Issues all amateur radio licenses in the U.S.
- Enforces operating rules and spectrum usage
- Manages the Universal Licensing System (ULS) for license applications, renewals, and vanity call sign requests
- Defines band plans and technical standards
The FCC does not provide direct training but relies on volunteer examiners (VEs) and accredited groups to administer licensing exams.
Website: https://www.fcc.gov
American Radio Relay League (ARRL)
Founded in 1914, the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the national association for amateur radio in the United States. It serves as the main advocacy and educational body for ham radio operators.
Key Roles of ARRL:
- Provides study materials, publications, and licensing guides
- Supports and coordinates local radio clubs and training sessions
- Advocates for amateur radio interests at the federal and international levels
- Organizes contests, field day events, and award programs
- Operates the ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) system for administering license exams
Membership includes access to QST magazine, technical resources, and ARRL Labs support.
Website: https://www.arrl.org
Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES)
The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) is a government-authorized program that uses amateur radio operators for emergency communications support.
What RACES Does:
- Provides backup emergency communications for civil authorities
- Operates under the authority of the FCC and local emergency management agencies
- Activates during declared emergencies when normal communication systems are disrupted
RACES operators are often dual-trained with ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) to coordinate both formal and informal emergency responses.
Participation typically requires registration with a local emergency management office.
More Info: https://www.ready.gov/races
Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)
The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) is an ARRL-sponsored program that trains and organizes ham radio operators to assist public service agencies during emergencies.
ARES Activities Include:
- Supporting hospitals, shelters, and emergency operations centers
- Participating in regular emergency preparedness drills
- Coordinating with RACES during declared emergencies
Membership is open to all licensed amateur radio operators who are willing to volunteer.
Website: https://www.arrl.org/ares
Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS)
MARS is a U.S. Department of Defense-sponsored program that trains civilian amateur radio operators to provide auxiliary communication support to the military.
MARS Contributions:
- Provides backup communication to the Department of Defense (DoD)
- Supports disaster relief operations and contingency planning
- Offers training in interoperability between civilian and military systems
MARS has two branches: Army MARS and Air Force MARS.
Website: https://www.mars.af.mil
National Weather Service (NWS) – SKYWARN
SKYWARN is a nationwide volunteer program with nearly 300,000 trained severe weather spotters. Many are licensed amateur radio operators.
SKYWARN Program Goals:
- Improve weather awareness and public safety
- Relay severe weather reports directly to the NWS
- Use ham radio networks to communicate during storm events
Website: https://www.weather.gov/skywarn
AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation)
AMSAT is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing amateur radio through satellite technology.
AMSAT Focus Areas:
- Designing, building, and launching amateur radio satellites (OSCAR series)
- Educating hams on satellite operation and tracking
- Promoting space-related amateur radio experimentation
AMSAT provides resources for getting started in satellite communication and offers satellite tracking tools.
Website: https://www.amsat.org
International Amateur Radio Union (IARU)
The IARU is a global federation of national amateur radio organizations.
IARU Responsibilities:
- Representing amateur radio interests to international regulatory bodies like the ITU
- Promoting global cooperation in amateur radio
- Coordinating emergency communication across borders
The ARRL represents the U.S. in the IARU.
Website: https://www.iaru.org
National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC)
The NPSTC is a federation of public safety communications organizations that provides input on spectrum policy and interoperability standards.
Relevance to Amateur Radio:
- Represents public safety interests in shared-spectrum environments
- Collaborates with ham radio organizations during emergencies involving interoperability
Website: https://www.npstc.org
These organizations form the backbone of the amateur radio community and its partnerships with military, emergency, weather, and industry sectors. Whether you’re getting licensed, advocating for spectrum rights, experimenting with satellite communication, or assisting during disasters, these groups ensure ham radio continues to be a vital and respected service. Exploring and engaging with them enhances your effectiveness as a ham operator and strengthens the amateur radio community as a whole.