Interested in Amateur Radio? Getting your Canadian Amateur Radio Operator Certificate is easier than you might think, and the Hamilton Amateur Radio Club is happy to help you along the way.
In Canada, Amateur Radio is regulated by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). To get started, you’ll need to pass the Basic Qualification examination, a 100-question multiple-choice exam covering radio theory, operating practices, regulations, antennas, safety and other fundamentals of Amateur Radio.
A score of 70% is required to pass, but we strongly recommend aiming for 80% or higher. A score of 80% earns your Basic Qualification with Honours, which provides additional operating privileges, including access to the HF amateur bands below 30 MHz.
Step 1 – Learn the Material
A great way to prepare is with the free online Basic Qualification video course available on YouTube.
Start with the Welcome video and then work your way through lessons 1 through 8.
Watch the Basic Qualification Video Course
Don’t worry if some of the material seems unfamiliar at first. Amateur Radio covers a wide range of subjects, and you don’t need to become an electronics engineer to get started!
Step 2 – Install the Practice Exam Software
Download ExHAMiner, a Canadian Amateur Radio examination practice program.
Download ExHAMiner from Radio Amateurs of Canada
After installing the program, install the Basic Qualification question bank.
The actual Canadian Basic examination is generated from an official question bank, so taking practice exams is one of the best ways to become familiar with both the material and the style of questions you’ll encounter.
Step 3 – Study and Practice
We recommend combining the videos with practice exams rather than watching the entire course before trying any questions.
Watch one lesson, then take a practice exam or two. Continue with the next lesson and repeat the process.
As you work through the eight lessons, you’ll start recognizing questions and remembering the answers while also understanding the concepts behind them. By the end of the course, your practice scores should give you a good indication of whether you’re ready for the real exam.
Aim for consistently scoring 80% or better before writing your exam.
And remember — you don’t have to figure everything out yourself. If there’s a topic or question you don’t understand, ask us! HARC members are happy to explain things, answer questions and help you prepare.
Step 4 – Write Your Exam
Once you’re comfortable with the material and your practice exam scores, contact HARC and let us know you’re ready.
We can arrange for one of our accredited examiners to administer your Basic Qualification examination.
The Basic examination consists of 100 multiple-choice questions:
70–79% — Basic Qualification
80–100% — Basic Qualification with Honours
Step 5 – Get Your Call Sign and Get on the Air!
Once you’ve passed, your examiner submits the required information to ISED. You’ll then be able to complete the certification process and obtain your own Canadian Amateur Radio call sign.
That’s when the fun really begins.
With your certificate and call sign, you can start exploring everything Amateur Radio has to offer — local repeaters, digital communications, satellites, emergency communications, contests, building antennas, making contacts around the world and much more.
Ready to Get Started?
You don’t need any previous experience with radios or electronics. All you need is an interest in learning.
Start with the videos, practice the questions, and contact HARC whenever you need some help.
When you’re ready to write the exam, let us know and we’ll help you take the final step toward becoming a licensed Canadian Amateur Radio operator.
We hope to hear you on the air soon!