• How many people get licensed annually?
• How they study for the exam (what are the different exam prep options available)?
• Are licensed ham radio operators required to renew their licenses, and how often?

Initial Findings

• There appears to be significant information regarding the ham radio industry, also known as the amateur radio industry.
• The number of resource providers for ham radio operator tests is quite limited, indicating a limited number of competitors.

Overview

• The number of ham radio operator licensees has increased at a rate of 1% over the past few years, with 7,000 new operators licensed annually to a total of 755,430 hams as of 2018.
• Most operators in the space are usually "White American males in their 60s and 70s."
• Potential ham radio operator licensees study for their license exam using free or premium paid study materials, taking an online class, taking a local class, and/or using mobile apps. Hams can also take online practice exams.

Study Materials (Books)

• Hams can make use of review books such as "The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual, 4th edition, Technician Class 2018-2022, by Gordon West WB6NOA, Pass Your Amateur Radio Technician Class Test the Easy Way (2018-2022 edition), by "Buck" K4IA."
• There are different books available online. However, the AARL provides manuals that hams often use as a reference since they are more comprehensive and might take a long time to read.

Online Classes

• Online class options are available to hams via phone, tablet, or computer and often include additional training material such as videos and mock exams.
• The available online class options for hams include "HamTestOnline™ and HamStudy.org."

Local Class

• Hams can access local class prep options for the technician-class license. This option includes regularly scheduled hours for classes weekly or studying for the whole day of the exam and taking the exam afterward.
• Hams can search for local classes for this license category using the "AARL online search service" or contact a local club.

Mobile Apps

• Ham Radio Prep provides a free mobile app to study for the exam available on iOS and Android.

Online Mock Exams

•  ARRL Exam Review for Ham Radio™.
•  HamStudy.org.
•  eham.net Ham Exams.
•  AA9PW FCC Exam Practice.

License Renewal and Frequency

• Hams can renew the license manually or electronically using the Universal Licensing System (ULS). The former requires the licensee to "submit a paper FCC Form 605" within 90 days of the license expiry date and two years after expiration.
• Licensees can apply electronically by visiting the ULS homepage and following the instructions here. Applications follow the same timeline for the manual renewal method. This method is recommended.
• The renewal service is free.
• Hams are expected to renew their license once every ten years.

Summary

• The ham radio market is growing at a slow pace with a 1% increase in new licensees over the past few years since 2018.
• There is a market opportunity in this industry since the majority of operators are in their 60s and 70s. Companies can attempt to attract the interest of a younger demographic as that area appears to be largely untapped.