Amateur radio certificate: information, contents and exam preparation

Table of contents

1. What is an amateur radio certificate?
2. Amateur radio examination
3. After passing the exam

In order to carry out worldwide radio communication with like-minded people as a radio amateur, proof of some knowledge is required. This proof, the so-called amateur radio certificate, is the certificate for a successfully completed amateur radio examination (AfuP). Only with this can a participation in the amateur radio service or a foreign amateur radio permit be applied for.
In this course also the assignment of a personal amateur radio call sign takes place, with which the transmission on amateur radio bands is permitted and an amateur radio station may be operated as a transmitter.

Requirements for participation in the examination

To participate in an amateur radio examination, an application for admission to the amateur radio examination and the payment of a fee (approx. 100 €, depending on the license) is a prerequisite.
Minors need the consent of their parents or guardians.

Contents and procedure

The exact content of the exam will initially depend on the class of license being sought.

Class A
Access to all amateur radio bands (maximum transmit output power of up to 750 W PEP).

Class E (“Beginner License”)
Access to some amateur radio bands (maximum transmit output power of up to 100 W PEP in the shortwave range and up to 75 W PEP in the ultra-shortwave range).
In order to additionally obtain class A, only the passing of the “technical knowledge” part of the class A examination is required.

CEPT license (radio operation abroad)
Serves to simplify amateur radio operation during vacation or permanent stay in other countries. Since CEPT licenses are considered recommendations, individual countries may require further testing.

To obtain the amateur radio certificate, one is tested in the following parts of the exam:

In the written part of the examination in the areas of technology, operating technology and regulations, the correct answer must be given from four possible answers (multiple choice). The examination parts consist of 34 or 51 questions each with a duration of 60 or 90 minutes. The Morse telegraphy part of the exam is an optional additional exam.

To pass an examination section, at least 73% of the respective possible score must be achieved. If a part of the exam is not passed, it can be repeated within two years. After the deadline, the complete exam must be repeated.

Exam preparation

There are a few ways to prepare for the amateur radio exam:

• On-site training courses at the amateur radio associations (DARC and VFDB)
• Online courses
• Online education for the blind and visually impaired
• With the help of training mentors
• Self-study (books, software, websites, questionnaires of the Federal Network Agency)

The best results can be achieved from a combination of several learning methods.
Online training courses of the DARC are very promising in this respect. However, the course fees incurred should be noted.
For autodidacts, the books by Eckart Moltrecht and the websites www.hamradiotrainer.de and www.afup.a36.de as well as the app Funktrainer are particularly recommended.
You can find a training mentor via the DARC website. The training mentor can provide you with specific support for questions and help you prepare for the amateur radio exam.
An overview of the exam questions can be found on the website of the Federal Network Agency.

After passing the exam and receiving your call sign, you can now officially participate in the amateur radio service and call yourself a radio amateur. To confirm your successful radio connections you now need individual QSL cards. You can design them completely yourself in our store or choose from a variety of templates.