Amateur Radio (HAM)

Amateur radio exam 2026: requirements, categories and formalities

Every so often someone asks me how to get started in amateur radio, so I was glad to see a solid guide to the UKE exam on the Radio W Plecaku blog. The payment details in the text were checked on June 24, 2026, so it is one of the most up-to-date resources available.

The exam itself is a single-choice test divided into four sections. It covers the basics of electrical engineering and radio technology, operation of radio equipment, safety rules, and knowledge of regulations and operating procedures. Each section has eight questions, and depending on the UKE regional office the test is taken either on paper or on a computer.

Poland has two kinds of radio licence. Category 1 gives full privileges on all amateur bands, while category 3 covers selected bands, including 160, 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 metres, plus VHF and UHF. The authors advise going straight for category 1, since it is only slightly harder.

The formalities look like this: create an account on the egzaminy.uke.gov.pl system, pay the exam fee, choose a date and place, and submit the application no later than seven days before the exam. On exam day an identity card is enough, but minors need written consent from a parent or guardian.

Most people need about a month of moderately intensive study. The written part can be the hardest for someone who has never worked with electronics, although the required level really is just the basics. The advice I like most is to listen to real radio contacts, even via web SDRs, alongside practice tests, because it is a great way to get used to how the airwaves sound. If you are thinking about your own callsign, this article is a good place to start.

Source: Radio W Plecaku

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