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Question

At what age did you receive your first Amateur Radio license?

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Survey Comments

Licensed at 16

Had a 1937 ARRL Amateur Handbook, and the then current
ARRL Licensing Maual - no elmer (rats!). Memorized a lot
and then, as I operationally encountered various things
mentioned on the test, would say to myself, "OH, so THAT'S
what that meant!" Started as tech, 14 yrs later upgraded to
Advanced, then after another 8 years (38 y-o) upgraded to
extra for the short callsign (WA2VMS to ND2X).
Posted by ND2X on 2002-11-15

First licensed at 12

I was 12 when I learned the code and got my novice class ticket. I made exactly two QSO's in my first year (on my "Elmer's" rig) and somehow got my General class in 1960 at age 14. Having only an old S-40B rcvr, The hobby waned, especially when I went to college. Ten years later, as a USAF navigator, I re-entered ham radio by re-taking the general class. This time I also constructed a station. Two years later, I felt confident enough to take the Advanced test, and by 1985 (the first year they published the answers along with the questions) I got my Extra class. With the present system of study guides and testing, the only real challenge was the code test. Too bad that like everything else, this too has been "dumbed down". CB'ers will still be CB'ers, 'though. It also took a long time for humans to evolve from Neanderthal to Cro-magnon. Another 10,000 years might do it - then again, maybe not.
Posted by NZ5L on 2002-09-26

Never too old!

I was licensed at age 69 and have been an avid DXer as I upgraded. I'm still putting up antennas at age 74 and intend to get DXCC in 2003. Age makes do difference in this great hobby, it only get's better as you get older.

73 de Bob W0ZPE, Huntersville, MN.
Posted by W0ZPE on 2002-08-03

Learned Morse Code at 13

I was a(n) SWL from as far back as I can remember and taught myself Morse code at the age of 13. [Came in handy on the waterfront at Boy Scout camp across the reservoir from a Girl Scout camp--flashlight speak--if you get my drift] Didn't get my first ticket until 1981 when I was stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi with the Air Force. The K5TYP crew was participating in Field Day about 200 yards from my house. A phone call in June of 1981 to Betty (K5QQT) at the club, and classes by Paul, ND2X (then WA2VMS) and in November I finally had my ham ticket and call sign of KA5MWD at age 24. Eight months later I upgraded to General--N1CLS. A year later Advanced--KB1LW. Then in 1990 to Extra Class--WK1V after returning from a one year stint as HL9ZF at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. In 2001 I was granted my late Uncle's call of W6ZF (what an honor!) but then most recently gave it up to get my own call back...WK1V.
Oh, at 46 I just purchased my first HF amplifier. Yee Haw! :)

Posted by WK1V on 2002-08-03

I got licensed at 14 (May 99) with a tech. jumped to tech plus that August. General September of that same year. Extra (at age 17) in Nov '01.

Matthew
KC2FDQ
Posted by KC2FDQ on 2002-08-03

need a radio!

I got my license at the age of thirteen (i am still thirteen). I suppose sometimes age really does matter because it's been a few monthes later and i still need a radio (i dont have the money to get one). Oh well, i suppose I'll just keep looking for one on ebay.
-David-
Posted by KG6LQA on 2002-08-03

Still Young

I got my callsign this year at the age of 15 and i am 16 on monday 5/8/2002.

Peter, M3PHP
Posted by M3PHP on 2002-08-02

As young as I could be

I got my first licence at the age of 14. In the UK at that time (1979) it was the youngest that you could hold a licence. Realistically I could not have held a licence before the age of 13 because I didn't have the understanding of electrical theory that was needed for the exam. The licence I got was by passing the full licence exam as we had no Novice licence then.

I passed my morse test about nine months later when I was 15 and upgraded to a "full" licence. However my love was and is VHF and up so that upgrade was not that important.

I have been licenced now for 23 years and I am still only 37 years old, frightening.

Jonathan HB9DRD/G4KLX

Posted by HB9DRD on 2002-08-01

What does this mean?

Very young: not much involvement
Reach dating age: the most hams licensed
Reach driving age: a drop off
Reach drinking age: another drop off
Reach "parenting" age: a big jump up
Reach "kids soon in college" age: a drop off
Approach retirement: old dog = "no new tricks"
Posted by KG9QM on 2002-08-01

Baby Boomer Ham

I was a freshman in high school 40 years ago when I got my license. We had no Q&A manuals, no Elmers, a stupid little ARRL License Manual, and we had to drive 150 miles to the nearest FCC examining office. Young hams have it a little bit better these days and I can see why the statistics show that there are more young people getting their ham tickets. It's too easy! But the real question is.....DO THEY STAY WITH THE HOBBY? I would like to see a survey ask this question!
Posted by N9ADJ on 2002-07-31

licensed at 12

Got my tech plus when I was 12, upgraded to extra within 7 months in 1994 (was 13 at the time). I couldn't even afford my own hf rig until after I had my general. I mostly operate CW and digital.

Because of high school and college, I had a few years where I was pretty inactive. However, I broke that streak back in March.

73. Mike N8YO
Posted by N8YO on 2002-07-31

first licensed

I first got interested when my dad was SWL'ing and we heard Tom Christian on Pitcarin island (this would probably be in the late 50's ) on an old hammerlund receiver, or maybe it was a hallicrafters, a big old grey box. I got my license (finally) in 1978.

I was 30 at the time, I was working on my novice and a friend was going to the FCC in San Francisco, and I hitched a ride with him and his dad, he was 13 or 14, my study pal. Any ways I passed the code at 5 wpm (I don't know how to this day, I was so nervous)and then took a 70 question test for my 2 meter tech license (combo of novice and general I belive) and actually passed it .


I waited for about forever,(6weeks??) and finally it came in the mail, N6AJR, and I still have the same call today. I became inactive for a while but have come back with a bang.

Last year I was grandfathered in as a general when I found out about it and a week and a day later I got my extra. It was always the code that held me back, but no more.

And last Fall I worked Tom Christian on Pitcarin island on 10 meters.. what a long strange trip its been..

73 tom N6AJR (all junk radio)
Posted by N6AJR on 2002-07-31

Age

Took and passed Novice test April, 1956, age 16. Took nine weeks to receive the ticket, arriving in June, 1956. Added the (old) Technician class ticket in October, 1956. General August, 1957. Advanced November 1968 and Extra January 1970. Glad I climbed the mountain. So I'm in the bottom of the 16-20 bracket. Continuously licensed ever since, but there were times I couldn't be active, or was limited in activity.

Posted by W5HTW on 2002-07-31

Half the story

Too bad we cannot create a survey (on eHam anyway) that reveals more of the story - how old when you got licensed AND how old you are now...

Mike N2MG
licensed at 14 in 1973
Posted by N2MG on 2002-07-30

Other surveys

Other surveys that might be interesting are "How long have you been licensed?" and "How many hours per month do you operate?". Since 1968, I've had a ball with every class of license the FCC issued (Novice, Technician, Conditional, General, Advanced & Extra). The only one I missed was Tech-Plus, I had my General before it existed. Each time I upgraded, I found some new friends that make this hobby what it is -- a world community. 73 -- Neal -- WB4YRE
Posted by WB4YRE on 2002-07-30

licensed at 10

hey everyone i was licensed at 10 w/ my novice. Now im 14 and have had my license a little over 4 years .its been fun do a lot of CW. right now thought ive been busy w/ friends and cross country and karate so havent been active but that will change soon I hope. im also a general.
~Keith~
Posted by KC2DUA on 2002-07-30


Posted by K4NO on 2002-07-30

Licensed at 12

I got my original Novice at age 12 and upgraded to Tech plus in less than a year. I have been working on General ever since. I'm 20 now. Work and school allows just enough time to get on the radio and play with some digital stuff. But, I never seem to get around to study.
73's
Jason KE4NYV
www.ke4nyv.com
Posted by KE4NYV on 2002-07-30

ages

Got novice at 14 and upgraded through extra (all 5 classes) by age 16.
Posted by N3GWZ on 2002-07-29

concerned

I find that with 50% being under 20 at time of first license AND that most respondants were older hams, I wonder about how many people 20 and under NOW will get a ham ticket. Computers and internet activities have lessened interest in ham radio in the past 10 years. A different question would be " IF you were licensed in the past 8 years, how old were you at the time?". Lets take the old timers out of the equation to see what the trend is NOW.. The future of ham radio depends on guys coming into the hobby NOW . . . I think the age of getting into ham radio is slowing increasing compared to the 1960s and 1970s. Thanks for reading.
Posted by K5YY on 2002-07-29

Young Hams

I was first licensed at 12. Recd my General at 13, Advanced at 14 and Extra at......34. My son was first licensed at 8 years old. We are still active and find it a great hobby. We enjoy camping and setting up field stations. It has been a great tool for his learning. He is a much better reader, he comprehends what he reads and he is a good test taker to boot. It has been a great father son relationship builder as well. Now I see him tinkering, exploring, destroying and building things....just like I did.
Posted by WX4USAEXN3LI on 2002-07-28

Whenever you get it...

I got my ticket at 38 in 1989 after my dad told me he had gotten his tech (old style) at 64! I figured if he could get one, so could I! I did beat him to Advanced through.. :) (4 months later). My daughter got her Novice at 8, now a tech KF4YOQ, and my wife got her tech+ so we could use the 2M mobile rigs, N4MMG. Never too late!
-73 Rick N4XMX
Posted by N4XMX on 2002-07-28

Boom and Doom

Hooray for the baby boom! But in another 20 years the HF bands will literally be "dead"... :-(
Posted by NB6Z on 2002-07-26

First Licensed

I was 13 in 1976 and received my Novice, at 14 my cousin and I went to Buffalo at the Federal building and took the test for general, I paased and my cousin took the advance he passed also. This has been a hobby I love and always will. Thanks to my elmer and a lot ham friends in the county east of Buffalo, Orleans county.
73's, Good Luck in the contest.
Craig WA2TWF

Posted by WA2TWF on 2002-07-26

Age

I was thirty-one when the FCC created No Code Technician, and that was the age I finally became a ham. I remember all the hoopla back then about how the bands were going to go the way of CB because of the No Code, and that very few amateurs would upgrade to a coded license.
Well, here it is, eleven years later. I am a General now...and many of the people that became licensed back in 1991 are either Generals, Advanced, or Extras. Though there are some scary moments (tongue in cheek), I still take a lot of pleasure and pride in being in Amateur Radio. It was one of the best decisions I made in my life. The bands won't be dead...remember, there is strength in numbers. 73 to all!
Posted by K2KOH on 2002-07-26

He who controls the purse strings...

I got my ticket last year at the age of 30. A good friend had been trying to get me involved in radio since jr. high school. Why did I wait so long? It's simple: my Dad told me that he thought is was a great thing to do, but I had to fund it on my own. I wish I had known at the age of 13 what I know now about homebrewing and #14 wire!

See you on the radio.
73
Michael
KD5QZB

Posted by KD5QZB on 2002-07-25

Surprising Results

I am surprised at the 8% figure for the age 46+ group. Yes I got my ticket when I was 19. At the time I got my ticket Canadians had to be age 15 to get their ham ticket. That age requirement was dropped later in the 70's about the same time your Novices no longer needed to be rock bound. We had several in our club take up ham radio in their retirement years. I think most of the 8% that responded from the 46+ group are 59 or over when they got into this hobby. Anyway the results can change on this survey at any time the survey is still quite young.
73 Gerry
Posted by VE7BGP on 2002-07-25

Novice at 10, Extra at 13

I got my Novice just 5 days after my 10th birthday. After working my Dad as my first QSO, I had a wonderful (CW) chat with KA9CKO on 40 meters. He was 79 at the time and congratulated me for passing the tests at a young age. Something I'll never forget...

About a year later, with only 4 DXCC entities under my belt, Wayne Green took me aside to chat during the 1986 Boxboro and when he discovered I only had 4 DXCC, well, by the time he stopped ranting to me (in a very positive way I should add) I realized I needed to get going. Had my General passed within three months, worked about 150 DXCC in 1987, and then had my Extra passed the year after that during the summer before high school.

Thanks, Wayne, for kicking my butt!!! (and for not charging me for the advice!!! hi hi!!)
Posted by WA1Z on 2002-07-25

Licensed at 40

Passed the no-code tech exam one week before my 40th B-day. License came exactly 6 weeks later.
73 to all
Joe

Posted by KB8QLR on 2002-07-25

how long

how long have you been a ham?
11-15 is leading, of that age group, how many
are still in that age group? I talk to VE1CL, he started in radio in the 11-15 group, Burns VE1CL is 92 this year, I hope all that are 11-15 and in the 11-15 group will all be active hams at 92
Posted by KB1GEO on 2002-07-25

first license

Novice at 13, General at 15, Extra at 40. A good modern rig(vs my old Heathkit HW-100) made CW fun and FAR easier, so my code speed shot up in only 2 months allowing me to pass the Extra code easily.
Posted by WA0UDX on 2002-07-25

CW Rules...

No code at age 10. Got really bored, General shortly after. Then I got tired of not being able to work guys below .025, so I upgraded to extra when I was 14.
Posted by KL9A on 2002-07-25

Novice at 15, Extra at 18...

I earned my Novice and General before the VE licensing program came into being in the early eighties. But, the Advanced and Extra were recieved just after the VE testing came along. It sure was great not having get the parents to take me all the way from Iowa to the downtown Chicago FCC field office for those two! As a 22 year old in the Air Force at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, I drove over to New Orleans for the FCC commercial license. I passed it the first time! Just a few months later, I went back to New Orleans for the RADAR endorsement. So, I wrapped them all up before I was 24. 73!
Posted by KZ9G on 2002-07-25

Young Ones

Got a 12 y/o with her Tech and credit for her General Element. Also, there is a 9 y/o Extra in our city as well (KG4OCP)

Robert, AG4VC
Posted by N4WMX on 2002-07-25

Skewed results

The "earlier" age groups are only five years wide, while the
"later" age groups are 10 years wide. That's the reason the
one fellow noticed the "spike" in the results. I don't care what
age anyone gets involved in amateur radio, it's great fun!!! I
wish more people would get involved!
73 everyone, -Web Williams in Myrtle Beach, SC
Posted by WY3X on 2002-07-24

23...

I was first licensed when I was 23, shortly after I first heard about Amateur Radio. I would have been licensed at a much earlier age if I had known about it sooner, I'm sure. Needless to say I jumped in with both feet. Anyway, the only scary thing about this survey is the fact that the average ham is (supposedly) around 60 years old, and the average ham (again, supposedly) was first licensed around age 14. Now how many 14-year-old hams do you hear on the air versus 60+-year-old hams? 73 Clinton AB7RG


Posted by AB7RG on 2002-07-24

Longtime Interest...

...but I only just got around to getting my ticket at 40. Upgraded to Extra within 6 months.

My dad was a bigtime Heathkit builder - just audio equipment, but I used to look at the Ham gear in the catalog and think, this is cool! I've done SWL for many years and I toyed with the idea of getting my ham ticket but never followed through. I've had an active interest in electronics, particularly building my own tube stereo equipment and speakers.

Last summer, I got the bug to build my own weather radio and the research took me to many ham related sites. Next thing I knew, I was saying to myself "I can do this!" and "Hmmm, a hobby I can do after the kids go to bed"
Posted by KG4PRN on 2002-07-24

VK2GWK, my comment was mostly tongue in cheek, but I think those survey graphs, if showing the birth year of most current hams, would follow a pattern similar to it.

Posted by AD7DB on 2002-07-24

Took test with W8AD

It was a cold January in 1950, Don, now W8AD and I took the FCC test at the Federal Building in Chicago. I was 17 and Don was just 14(!). Then my 18th birthday arrived in February and the licensed arrived in March 1950.I spent my school lunch hour on-the-air. 40 CW with 25 watts, I worked a "W9" and as I recall, he was using an indoor antenna. Those were the days! Aloha, Dean KH6B.
Posted by KH6B on 2002-07-24

Youngest ham in area?

I took my test 2 times, failed the first time by 1 question, passed the second one, I took those tests last year when I was 13 and I am now 14. I now realize I am the youngest ham for about a 150 miles around { I live in Weeki Wachee Florida} and I am going to upgrade to general next ve testing session and get up {or down?} on HF and hopefully meet some people my age. It's been fun talking to the "old" people though.
Alexander KG4OGN 73!
Posted by KG4OGN on 2002-07-24

Less than one month before my 11th birthday


Posted by AD1C on 2002-07-24

Long absence

I got my Novice in '55 at age 12 and was very active through high school and during summer vacations while in college. Sold my rig to fund grad school tuition, got married, raised family, pursued career...and fell out of ham radio for 38 years. Just got my General back again last month and am having a BLAST. An interesting new survey might be: How long were you absent from ham radio before coming back? Seems there are a lot of us returning as "mature" hams after many years away.
Posted by W1EBI on 2002-07-24

First Ticket

I got my first ham ticket [Novice] in about 1959. Went into the Navy in 1962 and let it lapse for over 40 years. Got the urge again thanks to my neighbor W5ZF and took the General exam about 4 months ago. Am having a blast forgot how much fun it is. I am from the "Boat Anchor" days in that all I work is CW. One of my biggest mistakes in life was not remaining active, I lost many enjoyable years.
73's Harry W2KFQ
Albuquerque,New Mexico
Posted by W2KFQ on 2002-07-24

Repeat survey

This survey was done previously in January 2001. Followed by an "age group" survey. The result of this survey does not differ much from the previous one.....
Posted by VK2GWK on 2002-07-24

ages

Interesting spike at 26-35. I got my ticket when I was 26.



I really expected more in the 46+ range....



73

Dan

Dan Evans N9RLA

Scottsburg, IN 47170

{EM78}

QRP-l #1269

1/2 of the N9RLA /R no budget Rover Team

Check out the Rover Resource Page at:

http://www.qsl.net/n9rla
Posted by N9RLA on 2002-07-23

interesting results

I was surprised to see that the largest group was the 11-15 group. This goes against what we hear all of the time about the aging of the ham population-unless the majority of people who responded were first licensed 50 years ago. I got my first ticket in 1980 at age 13. Had no idea how much fun I was in for, though. Those were the days of novice bands being CW only. Upgraded to general in 1982, but still ran alot of CW then and still do.

I first got interested because their was an amateur radio club at my Junior High (WB0MMV) complete with a Heathkit HW-16. One of my friends was a member, and he got me interested. He got licensed first, got on the air for awhile, but then lost interest and became a silent key a few years ago. As far as I know, I am the only one from that era who is still extremely active, although a few are still licensed and some get on the air now and then.

This is what we need to promote-more amateur radio clubs in school. I believe this will get more kids involved in radio than about anything else. Its too bad that we got rid of the novice and that the main focus today is on 2 meter FM. One of my first QSOs from the club station was with Ohio, which isn't that far from Iowa, but it is still alot more thrilling than talking to a guy down the street. For many of us, 2 meter FM is ok, but if that was the only thing I was taught about radio, I would have lost interest years ago.
Posted by NE0P on 2002-07-23

Not surprised

Data thus far doesn't surprise me.

Unfortunately, though, a lot of us who were licensed at 11-15 are now in our 50's or older.

WB2WIK/6
Posted by WB2WIK on 2002-07-23

Great for young folks

I got my first ticket in 1950 when I was 14 because older hams, and 2 teachers in school, explained the fun and mystery of worldwide communications that you could participate in yourself. You didn't just have to be an observer on the sidelines.

Wow, what a thrill! There I was, talking to the next state, the next country and the next continent. And, I feel the same way 52 years later!

Young people can still be enchanted with the idea of wireless worldwide communications, and they can be shown that computers can ENHANCE the ham radio hobby with all the information on the web. Ham radio doesn't have to compete with computers--they can work together and make even a more exciting experience. The idea that you have to pick one OR the other is not correct, and never has been. It's a matter of educating the potential new ham and spending quality time with him or her. Clubs COULD do a beautiful job of that !!!

It's a great hobby--pass it on!

Don, W8AD
Posted by W8AD on 2002-07-23

Aging Ham Population

Take the results, and put "19" in front of each age group. Then you'll have the YEAR they were first licensed!

Notice 1905-1910 is nearly empty?
That's because they're dead!

Dave AD7DB

Posted by AD7DB on 2002-07-23

calculator

Dave AD7DB: think again or use a calculator....
I was born in 1943 and licensed just after my 18th birthday....(minimum age in PA-country at the time)
Posted by VK2GWK on 2002-07-23

ages

I got my novice license in 65 or 66 (not sure which year) i was hot into the hobby. couldnt leave the radio to go eat! I still love the hobby and CW is still my favorite mode. The internet has not taken any ham radio thrills away from me (as some have believed it would for other hams) I still enjoy hearing my call sign on the air; knowing it was something I WORKED FOR - not just a mere connection to an internet provider. I do love the internet too. wa9neu
Posted by WA9NEU on 2002-07-23

Like father like son

I was licensed at 14...and yes I really had to work for my General in the late 60's. As I look back I realize that the tests today cover a whole lot more ground. Sure the questions and answers are available...but the scope of what the test now cover is much different. My son just passed his tech test at our hamfest at age 14. He doesn't yet realize just how much that will mean to him when he is 46 or 60. I am very proud of him for sticking with it. He is a great field day operator already and soon he won't need the control operator by his side.


Lets help our kids earn something that they will later appreciate. (wish I would have kept those baseball cards from 1964!)

73 de K9FE Mike
Posted by K9FE on 2002-07-23