Are you interested in getting a ham licence in South Africa? This page will show you what the requirements are, how to get in touch with local clubs, how the examinations work, and much more.

South African Radio Regulations

Amateur radio in South Africa is regulated by the Telecommunications Act of 1996 as amended. The important parts are the Radio Regulations which specify the requirements, privileges and responsibilities involved in amateur radio stations.

There are two classes of licence, Class A and Class B. Class A licensees (prefix ZR or ZS.) are required to pass the class A RAE,complete an HF operating certificate and for ZS also one of 5 assessments. ZS licensees will have full HF privileges with 400 w operating power with ZR restricted to 100w and also limited to some of the bands, while Class B licensees (prefix ZU...) need to pass the class B RAE and complete an HF operating certificate. ZU licencees are restricted in terms of the bands available, output power and some other minor items. RAE courses are conducted by many clubs around the country. Contact your closest club for more information. The examination is held twice a year, usually in May and October. Click here for a list of examination centres.

Morse Code in South Africa

Morse code at 5wpm is now just one of 5 assessments that can be done to work towards your full ZS Licence. Click here for a full list of the authorised examiners.

Band Plans

South Africa falls within ITU Region 1, and the band allocations are therefore similar to those for Europe and Northern Asia. Click here for the full South African band plans.

Guest Licences

Amateurs from other countries who wish to obtain guest licences while visiting South Africa should click here for more information.

South African licence holders wishing to obtain guest licences in other countries should refer to the excellent information on the ARRL web site at http://www.arrl.org/field/regulations/io/ and for operating permit information per country http://www.arrl.org/field/regulations/io/recip-country.html.

Use of Amateur Radio in a vehicle clarified

No hand-held transceivers may be operated in a motor vehicle unless a headgear or vehicle mounted microphone and a speaker is used. The regulations read as follows:

"No person shall drive a vehicle on a public road - (a) while holding a cellular or mobile telephone or any other communication device in one or both hands or with any other part of the body; (b) while using or operating a cellular or mobile telephone or other communication device unless such a cellular or mobile telephone or other communication device is affixed to the vehicle or is part of the fixture in the vehicle and remains so affixed while being used or operated, or is specially adapted or designed to be affixed to the person of the driver as headgear, and is so used, to enable such driver to use or operate such telephone or communication device without holding it in the manner contemplated in paragraph (a), and remains so affixed while being used or operated. "

The regulations makes provision for exemption of the regulation for “any person driving a vehicle while engaged in civil protection in accordance with an ordinance made in terms of the civil protection act” The SARL will be seeking clarification from the Department of Transport to determine to what extent Hamnet operation is covered by this exemption.

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