Licenses are issued by the National Telecommunications (NTC) to qualified amateur radio stations, be it an individual or a club.
The NTC issues two (2) types of amateur radio licenses:
- Amateur Radio Station License (ARSL) – is issued to an individual who has passed the corresponding examination conducted by the NTC, and has an existing radio equipment/s registered. Such license is effective from 1 to 3 years depending on the number of years validity applied for. Class A amateur radio operators who have been licensed as such for at least 15 years, and who has reached the age of 60, may avail of a lifetime license.
- Radio Amateur Operator Certificate (RAOC) – is issued to an individual who has passed the NTC examination, but has no radio equipment yet.
Both types of licensees are issued corresponding call signs.
License Class:
Class “A” (Extra Class)
Class A license holders are issued the call sign prefixes DU, 4E or 4F, and can legally operate at ALL bands prescribed by the NTC. The applicant for Class A examination is required to pass a five words per minute (5WPM) Morse Code test and Elements 8, 9 & 10 of the written exam. Class A operators have the highest privileges of all amateur licenses in the Philippines.
Class “B” (General Class)
Class B license holders are issued the call sign prefixes DV or 4I. The applicant for Class B examination is required to pass Elements 5, 6 & 7 of the written exam. There is no Morse Code exam.
Class “C” (Technician Class)
Class C license holders are issued the call prefixes DW or 4G. The applicant for Class C examination is required to pass Elements 2, 3 & 4 of the written exam.
Class “D” (Foundation Class)
Class D license holders are issued the call prefixes DY or 4H, and can legally operate only in the VHF Band (144-146 MHz). The applicant for Class D examination is required to pass only Element 2 of the written exam.