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Ham Radio Licensing

How to Get Your Canadian Ham Radio License

Your complete guide to getting on the air, from a family-run, licensed Canadian ham radio business.

Welcome to the best hobby in the world! Amateur (Ham) Radio lets you communicate across the city, the country, or even the globe—all without using the internet or cell phones. It's a vital tool for emergency preparedness, a fun way to experiment with technology, and a fantastic community to join. Here in Canada, getting your license is a straightforward process, and we're here to help.

Your 3-Step Path to Getting Licensed in Canada

The process is simple: you just need to pass one exam to get your certificate and call sign from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).

  • 1️⃣
    Get the Study Guide The Canadian Amateur Radio Basic Qualification Study Guide is the #1 resource you need. It covers all the regulations and basic electronics theory you'll be tested on. We proudly sell the latest edition, which is the gold standard for passing the exam. Get the Study Guide Here
  • 2️⃣
    Find an Examiner or Course The exam is administered by accredited volunteer examiners. The Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) maintains an official list of examiners all across the country. Many local radio clubs also offer courses and exam sessions. Find a National Examiner (via RAC)
  • 3️⃣
    Pass the Exam & Get Your Call Sign! Once you pass, your examiner will submit your paperwork to ISED, and you'll be issued your very own, unique Canadian call sign (e.g., VE7XYZ). You are now officially a ham radio operator!

Understanding Your License: Basic vs. Basic with Honours

This is the most important part for buying your first radio. The Canadian Basic exam has 100 questions. Your score determines your privileges:

  • Basic Qualification (Pass with 70-79%): You get all privileges on frequencies above 30 MHz. This is perfect for talking on local 2-Metre (VHF) and 70-Centimetre (UHF) repeaters using a handheld or mobile radio.
  • Basic with Honours Qualification (Pass with 80% or more): You get all Basic privileges, PLUS all-mode privileges on all HF (High Frequency) bands below 30 MHz. This is what you need to talk around the world on 10, 20, 40, and 80 metres using SSB, CW, and FT8.

Our advice: Study hard and aim for 80%+. Getting "Basic with Honours" on your first try gives you access to every ham band from day one!

You're Licensed! Now For the Fun Part.

Fleetwood Digital is your one-stop shop for your first radio. Here's what new hams buy:

If you have your Basic License (or just want to start with VHF/UHF)...

You need a VHF/UHF Handheld Radio (HT). This is the #1 first radio for all new hams. It lets you talk to local repeaters and get a feel for the hobby. We stock all the most popular, easy-to-use handhelds.

Shop Handheld Radios

If you have your Basic with Honours...

You have access to the world! You're ready for an HF Radio. You can start with an affordable 10-Metre radio (like the President Washington or Retevis HS4) or an all-band, all-mode "shack-in-a-box" (like the Ailunce HS3) to get on FT8 and SSB and start logging contacts from around the globe.

Shop 10-Metre / HF Radios

Local to Metro Vancouver? Get In-Person Training!

For those in the Lower Mainland, we are excited to promote an in-person certification course sponsored by the Langley ARC and run by an accredited examiner with 55 years of experience. This 9-day course (two weekends plus home study) is designed to help you achieve your Basic with Honours certification right away.

All materials are supplied, and private tutoring is also available. As an ISED Accredited Examiner, Gary can also invigilate exams for Basic or Advanced, both online (for BC/AB/YT/NT) and in-person in Langley.

For more information on in-person classes or to book an examination, please contact Gary at:

Email: ve7as@shaw.ca