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Communications · Regional and long-distance: amateur radio and satellite · comms-11

Get an amateur licence and join an emergency radio group

Amateur (ham) radio is the main way households can talk regionally and worldwide with no grid, mobile or internet. RSGB notes amateur radio runs on battery power when phones and internet fail.

How

  1. Pick at least one, ideally two, household members to train. US example: Technician (35 questions, 26 to pass), General and Amateur Extra classes, licence valid 10 years, no Morse test. UK example: Foundation, Intermediate and Full exams run by the RSGB; online Ofcom applications are free; lifetime licence, but details must be revalidated with Ofcom at least every five years.
  2. India example: amateur licences come from the WPC wing of the Department of Telecommunications after the ASOC exam (ARSI). Japan example: pass a national exam or a JARD training course; there are four classes (JARL).
  3. Study from the published question pools and local club courses.
  4. Join a local club and an emergency group. US example: ARES (an ARRL programme) supports agencies under formal agreements; UK example: RAYNET-UK has over 100 local groups that work with emergency services.
  5. Ask about AUXCOMM training (US), which CISA created so amateurs can work alongside public safety staff.
  6. Find the local repeaters, nets and their schedules, and add them to the channel card.

Sources

  1. Amateur Radio Service: Operator Class. US Federal Communications Commission (FCC), accessed 2026-11
  2. Getting Your Technician License. ARRL, the US national association for amateur radio, accessed 2026-11
  3. Guidance: how to become a radio amateur. Ofcom (UK), accessed 2026-11
  4. ARES fact sheet. ARRL, accessed 2026-11
  5. Emergency communications (RAYNET). Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB), accessed 2026-11
  6. Auxiliary Emergency Communications. CISA, accessed 2026-11
  7. Amateur radio licensing: statement on reform proposals (lifetime licences and revalidation). Ofcom (UK), accessed 2026-11
  8. Frequently asked questions about amateur radio for Indians (ASOC exam and licence grades). Amateur Radio Society of India (ARSI), accessed 2026-11
  9. Amateur Radio License (Japan). Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL), accessed 2026-11
  10. Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006, section 48: interception and disclosure of messages. UK legislation (legislation.gov.uk), accessed 2026-11

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