What is the National Amateur Radio Alliance?
The National Amateur Radio Alliance - NARA - is a national membership association for amateur radio in the United States, and the sponsor of this website. It calls itself "the association for the modern ham".
What it is for
NARA exists to strengthen amateur radio by supporting the people and clubs who actually do it: making sure operators, clubs and communities have what they need to grow, connect and lead. It is a membership organisation powered entirely by volunteers, and it concentrates on four things:
- Resources - help getting licensed, upgrading, finding a club and finding a test session.
- Engagement - events and programmes that give operators and clubs a reason to get on the air.
- Outreach - showing people outside the hobby what amateur radio is and why it still matters.
- Advocacy - representing the interests of operators and clubs nationally.
What it does
- Club Week - a national week each November when clubs get on the air, work each other and exchange cards.
- The State of Amateur Radio Survey - a large study of operator habits, licensing, club participation and the health of the hobby.
- The Alfred Vail 20-20 Young Keyers Award - recognising operators under 20 who can send and receive Morse at 20 words per minute or better.
- A club locator map and regional club councils, so clubs can find each other and share resources.
- A national presenters panel, so a club can book a knowledgeable speaker for a meeting or a class.
Who can join
Membership is deliberately broad - it is not only for individual licensed operators:
| Membership | Who it is for |
|---|---|
| Youth | Students and young operators, with resources and mentoring aimed at them |
| Individual | Any operator, from brand new to lifelong, licensed or still studying |
| Club and organisation | Local clubs, non-profits, podcasts and channels wanting to reach a wider community |
| Corporate | Businesses and manufacturers who want to support the hobby nationally |
You do not need a licence to join
If you are still reading this site trying to work out whether amateur radio is for you, you are exactly the sort of person NARA is set up to help. Joining, or simply using its resources, is a reasonable first step alongside studying for the exam.
Get in touch or get involved
- usnara.org - the Alliance's own site, with membership, events and resources.
- Find a club near you.
- Volunteer - the organisation runs on people giving their time.
- Email cq@usnara.org.