HamStart
Not legal advice. US amateur radio needs an FCC license for most transmissions. Meshtastic on ISM bands has its own power and antenna rules; check your country's rules before transmitting.
Two paths
| Path | First step | Then |
|---|---|---|
| Amateur radio (ham) | Study for Technician class; take an exam via a VEC | Get a call sign, then a handheld VHF/UHF radio |
| Meshtastic mesh | Buy a supported LoRa board/node | Flash firmware, set region, join or start a mesh |
Starter checklist
- License study guide (Technician)
- Handheld radio + spare battery
- Dual-band antenna upgrade for the HT
- Local club / VE session date
- For Meshtastic: LoRa device for your region, USB cable, case
Search the categories
- baofeng uv-5r [affiliate TODO]
- ham radio handheld dual band [affiliate TODO]
- meshtastic lora device [affiliate TODO]
- nagoya antenna sma female [affiliate TODO]
Official US licensing: FCC Amateur Radio Service.
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Sources
- https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/amateur-radio-service (checked Oct 27, 2026)
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