Women in Amateur Radio: Growing License Numbers Across the US

Amateur radio has historically been a male-dominated hobby, but that is changing. The number of women holding FCC amateur radio licenses has grown steadily, and organizations supporting women in the hobby have expanded their reach. Understanding this shift is important for clubs and programs seeking to grow their membership base.

Women in the History of Amateur Radio

Women have been licensed amateur radio operators since the earliest days of the hobby. The first woman known to have a US amateur radio license was Eunice Randall (1RJ, later 1BEI), licensed in the early 1920s. Throughout the 20th century, women were active in amateur radio — particularly in emergency communications, where their organizational skills and community involvement made them effective net managers and coordinators.

Current Licensing Trends

FCC data shows that women represent a growing share of newly licensed amateur radio operators. Factors driving this trend include:

• Online study resources that make preparation more accessible
• The elimination of Morse code requirements, which removed a significant barrier
• Growing interest in emergency preparedness and practical radio skills
• Active outreach by women-focused organizations and events
• A more welcoming club culture in many communities

Organizations Supporting Women in Ham Radio

• YL System (Young Ladies Radio League) — one of the oldest organizations for women in amateur radio, with nets active on HF and VHF bands
• ARRL Women's Program — outreach and resources supporting women entering and advancing in the hobby
• Girls Who Code and STEM integration — some clubs partner with STEM education programs to introduce radio to young women

You can search FCC license data to analyze trends in women's licensing — names in the FCC database often allow demographic inference, and some researchers have used this data to track the growing diversity of the amateur radio community over time.