[Pblais]

Some of the FCC license procedures are now much easier and they really never did change much just how you got them. For one fee and a FCC Form 605 you get all together the following goodies:

VHF International License
EPIRB registration
MMSI International ID (not what you get from Boat US)
Radio Station license
SSB Operators license

As of last February the fee is about $160 and you can file and pay online and get the paper license in a few weeks. You only get one piece of paper with everything on it. HAM operation is a second application as well as the required exam certification.

Note! You have to be a US citizen to get any of this. You would add HAM certification after you complete the Form 605. You can't add that in the same application form. There are other commercial licenses that apply to those conducting commercial activities but for recreational use this is all there is in the US. Having this will for the most part be accepted internationally. There may be other local (non US)regulations that apply however.

The above package is the same price no matter how many of the above you need or don't need. So for SSB you get everything in one application. Amending the application is FREE! There is no reason not to be totally legal unless you care to be totally illegal and save $160. The only thing you can slide with is operating illegally on HAM frequencies. Most HAM operators won't give you a warm welcome.