License Classes
Edit on GitHubThe amateur radio license classes across the main countries, what privileges each opens, and which one covers 70 cm.
License Classes
The amateur radio license is the clean legal path for the beacon at full power. Classes vary by country, but the 70 cm band (where the beacon works best legally) is covered by every entry-level class everywhere.
Entry classes compared
| Country | Entry class | 70 cm privilege | Exam style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | A / FDP | Yes | Theory + practical |
| Switzerland | HB3 / HB9 | Yes | Theory |
| France | F | Yes | Theory |
| Austria | OE | Yes | Theory |
| Germany | DO (entry) | Yes | Theory |
| UK | Foundation | Yes | Theory + practical |
| US | Technician | Yes | Theory only |
What the entry class gives you
Every entry class in the table above includes the 70 cm band (420 - 450 MHz or the local 430 - 440 MHz segment), which is exactly where the beacon can operate at full power with identification. You do not need a higher class for this project.
What you still cannot do
- Transmit without identifying (the callsign must be sent, see Callsign Identification)
- Use the amateur band for commercial traffic
- Interfere with other users; amateur spectrum is shared
The exam reality
Entry exams are theory-only in most countries and are typically passable with a few weeks of study. The Morse requirement was removed from every entry class decades ago, which matters for this project: the beacon sends Morse, but you do not need to know it to be licensed.
License vs license-free
The whole point of the license: the 10 mW ERP ISM ceiling stops applying, and the beacon’s full power settings become legal for routine use. For anyone who wants to actually exercise the beacon’s capabilities, the license is the right answer. See Amateur License Process for the path.
Related pages
- Amateur License Process for the how-to
- Callsign Identification for the requirement
- Regulatory Compliance for the framework