For the Ignite talk that I’m doing on November 7, I wanted a to show how the number of amateur radio licensees has grown over the past ten years or so. Unfortunately, the only graph that I could find had data through 2014.
So, with the data from the ARRL VEC, I created the above chart, which includes data through December 2018. Click on the chart to see full-size image.
Sterling N0SSC says
If the trendline continues since 2009, we’ll hit 1,000,000 licenses in September of 2050!
I just wish we had more data on these licensees – demographics, age, interests, etc – because even through its booming, everyone and their grandma are complaining about how ham radio is dying. Where are they all at?
Dan KB6NU says
I’m with you. I’d like to see a comprehensive survey of amateur radio operators.
ian says
is this live data?
or does it include hams that have already died
they maybe on the books but are sadly no longer active
in uk ofcom donot delete hams off their database
so your licence lasts forever not just for life
they do this so it inflates the figures
73 ian g3zhi
whatsapp +447575658368
http://www.qsl.net/g3zhi
http://www.pa7lim.nl/peanut/
Rob, N1NUG (SevenFortyOne) says
Here in CT we see alot of people get licensed because CERT or some other similar organization encourages them to do so. Very few actually operate outside of their organization and fewer still continue with the hobby. The numbers look good but like Sterling said we need more granularity in the data to help understand what is actually happening.
Jay says
Well, good point but who’s complaining? The people that don’t have licenses or the ones that hate ham radio?
Bill Fritsche says
As Rob mentioned above, there lots of “new hams” on the books who obtain han licenses because of their involvement in CERT or similar organizations. And don’t forget the preppers who obtain licenses but also don’t have much interest in Ham radio as a service or hobby. So let’s not take false hope/reassurance from these stats, that there is a surge of interest in ham radio as a hobby and service that offers fun, satisfaction, learning and a sense of purpose. The number of licensees is clearly trending in the right direction. But let’s not rest in our laurels. The number of us hardcore-hams is hard to measure and may be declining. We need to continue to find creative ways to help younger generations discover the joys of Ham radio as the true “king of hobbies.”
David says
What difference does it make if they got a license for CERT, as a prepper (which I suspect honestly has more impact on illegal operators than legal) or for whatever other reason? They got a license and bought a radio is the bottom line.
If even 10% of the new licensees get hooked or even better test for an upgrade it’s more than zero. I think it’s interesting that the trend line got steeper so it probably really is a legitimate indication of new interest that wasn’t there prior to 2003 and across the few year dip, when the “its a dying hobby” apparently had some merit.
Rita Gordon says
I am not active anymore, but I just renewed my license. It took me 5 written tests and three code test to get this license. I am never giving it up. I am a 20 WPM extra. W6RG.
Bryon smith says
Not gonna give up personal info on myself or try to capture someone else’s so big business can try to have influence on how things are done. It’s amateur radio tested and verified, licensed and trained operators. On a good night you might talk to someone halfway around the world. Field day is the most opportune time to get the interest of in the know parties. My local club advertises in the newspaper. Experienced operators are how this hobby grows. Bsa even has a merit badge for it.
Joshua bennink says
I just took the test and passed. Still waiting on my call sign. My intentions are to get involved in the ARES however I have been in radio for years. In high school, in the military (was a radio maintenance technician), and now. When I have the money and my own property I plan on getting more equipment and setting up a shack. I am encouraging my children to get involved beyond emergency services. My youngest daughter is getting into girl scouts and I plan on setting up a day to let them all try it out. I hope to further the hobby. Not all that are getting their license only intend to use it in emergency services. Hope to talk to yall soon until then 73.
Mack Baxter says
Thanks for sharing this data. How will we learn the deeper data you find down the road?
I keep my license renewed, thinking that one day I may need it… To be of help to some one in need. I have fond memories of using it long before the internet and smart phones took away it’s powerful place in the universe 🤔. Mack
WA2SJR
Dan KB6NU says
If there is more data made available, I’ll report on it here.
James KN6FGY says
Cool data, glad you put it together and shared. Looks like a typo around 2003. ;)
Dan KB6NU says
I’m not sure that I’m seeing the typo.
Dave says
So…if you have a ticket then why aren’t you active?
I call it the Great Silence. Granted, conditions aren’t the greatest but the only activity seems to be contesters and FT8. There have been times that 15 MHz WWV is well over S9 but the only activity on 20 is FT8.
I stopped talking when texting my friends became easier and more convenient than playing radio. That’s my excuse; what’s yours?
Richard says
I let mine lapse years ago. Makes me want to get back in it!
Mostly HF for me.
Dan KB6NU says
I hope you will get another license. When you do, if you ever hear me on the air, please give me a call.
Adam says
I was looking into ham radio and came across this article. Other than saying “it’s a great hobby” maybe include why someone might be interested. I only have interest in the possible use in a emergency, and even then I’m not sure if it would be worthwhile. Otherwise I dont have a clue what you would do with it.
Jack Munday says
I am a new Ham (2019) having a pilots license, with 20 years in law enforcement and a former Army Field Artillery Officer, most of my previous radio communications was very structured on nets.
The rag chew about the weather, location and equipment is disheartening and without purpose. I just joined the overlanding community and Ham radio with ARPS is the king of commo on the trails. Without a purpose I too would leave ham.
Am I the only person on the fence?
Eric B Norris says
Yes, but we are not keeping track with population growth. Hams, as a percentage of US population is shrinking. This misleading graph came from ARRL. They often misinterpret data.
Dan KB6NU says
No, it did not come from the ARRL. It came from the AH0A website. He gets his data directly from the FCC database. I don’t see what is misleading about it. Yes, it doesn’t show the complete Y-axis from 0 to 755,000, but that information would be pretty meaningless, anyway.
Eric B Norris says
Also, the slope of the graph is very misleading. Look at the numbers on the X axis.
Chris says
As a consultant and person that spends way more time in emergency operations then wishing to admit. I must say, nearly every new license I have seen in the last 5yrs has been a direct push from groups such as CERT, and the American Red Cross. The cascadia rising drill that took place in 2016 caused a lot of panic. I personaly spent hours talking with folks trying to figure out motivations, and found most were scared, have zero technical experience, nor desire to have any. They are getting licensed because TV stations up and down the west coast are scaring them. The prospect of no electricity or communications scare them.
At the same time we have hurricanes pummeling the east coast, creating nearly same panic.
If that wasnt enough, the preppers, the mainstay of my business, are also gearing up. Mostly blindly, however, still in panic!
None of these sets of groups have any interest in knowing how the radio works. They dont even care to engage to better their knowledge and skill.
I walk a fine line everyday with my clients about this topic as ig often devolves into political diatribe, which I do my best to keep distant and neutral on, though often difficult with some.
At the end of the day, I am convinced we have greatly increased the number of license holders. I do not know if the numbers reflect living or SK however, and would likely require a few months to determine properly.
I refuse to sell radio gear through my company though I am asked nearly daily. Many I hear from have no purpose gor a license they claim. If the country collapses, there wont be anyone to enforce rulrs andvlaws, which I have to say is not true in any manner. The thought people wont care or attempt to maintain status quo is just false. It happens in every disaster as well. People will stick to things they know and have faith in, even rules and laws, just to give some symbslence of normalcy in efgorts to build up and forward with recovery.
Tonka Ellis Dial says
I’m not a license holder yet but working on it. I think they are still out there but the problem is mostly the newer license holder are preppers. They have them just in case in stead what you can actually do with them. In the beginning I was gonna get them for emergencies only until I started learning what the capabilities were. I’m now cant hardly wait just so I can do all the things that can be done and fi d a group to join.
Dan KB6NU says
I wouldn’t say that most of the new licensees are preppers, but a significant percentage are. How well amateur radio works for them in a true emergency will depend on how much more they learn after they get licensed.
Scott Hibbs says
People seem to forget that the largest part of this hobby is OFF the air. Morse Code study, research or design, license study, kit building, coding radio programs, bulding antennas, club meetings… Posting here etc. W6RG is active. Like me, she’s hardly on the radio, but hams all the same.
And let’s not forget our hobby is getting wider with different and new technologies like digital fm dividing us. We used to ALL be analog but not anymore. I haven’t had an hf antenna up since Dec 2013 – doing radio everyday, but unfortunately off the air and still enjoying it.