Membership
Built by and for the radio community — from a brand new Technician to a club looking for a national home.
Whether you’re a newly licensed Technician, a seasoned Extra, an unlicensed enthusiast, a family of hams or a club looking for a national home, there’s a place for you here. Membership supports our work in advocacy, outreach, education and emergency communications preparedness — and your voice helps shape the future of amateur radio in the United States.
| Membership | Dues | Who it’s for | Vote | Committees | Elected office | Join |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual | $32 per year |
Any FCC-licensed operator — Technician, General or Amateur Extra. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Join |
| Individual, 2 year | $64 for two years |
Licensed operators who would rather renew every other year. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Join |
| Individual Founding Member | $150 for five years |
Licensed operators joining NARA in its founding years. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Join |
| 65+ | $25 per year |
Licensed operators aged 65 and over. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Join |
| 65+ Founding Member | $120 for five years |
Operators aged 65 and over joining NARA in its founding years. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Join |
| Youth | $15 per year |
Licensed operators aged 19 and under. | Yes | Yes | — | Join |
| Family | $20 per person, per year |
Immediate family in one household, minimum two people. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Join |
| Associate | $20 per year |
Anyone interested in amateur radio who is not yet licensed. | — | Yes | — | Join |
| GMRS Affiliate | $32 per year |
Licensed GMRS operators. | — | Yes | — | Join |
| Organization | $45 per year |
Clubs, ARES/RACES teams, schools, podcasts, state associations and non-profits. | — | — | — | Join |
| Corporate | $100 per year |
Retailers, manufacturers, distributors and service providers in the radio trade. | — | — | — | Join |
| Lifetime | Coming soon one payment, for life |
Licensed operators who want to join once and never renew. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Coming soon |
Dues are paid on our own checkout, card details handled by Stripe. Youth members may vote but cannot serve as Directors until they turn 18. Two-year and five-year memberships are billed once, not renewed automatically. If you choose auto-renewal at checkout, your dues are charged again on your renewal date until you stop it — see the terms and conditions of auto-renewal.
Handed a NARA flier with a validation key on it? Claim your complimentary membership.
The categories in full
Individual
$32 per year
The standard membership for licensed amateurs. It connects you to a growing national alliance of operators who share your commitment to the hobby and to the communities it serves. Individual members hold full voting rights in all organizational elections, including the Board of Directors and any governance matter put to the membership, and are eligible to serve on committees and to seek elected or appointed positions.
Individual, 2 year
$64 for two years
Individual membership paid two years at a time, billed once rather than annually. Every right of Individual membership applies for the full two years, and committing for a second year gives NARA the stability to plan further ahead than a single renewal cycle allows.
Individual Founding Member
$150 for five years
Five years of Individual membership, billed once, and permanent recognition as a Founding Member of the Alliance. Founding members are recorded as such on the roster whatever happens later, choose a thank-you gift, and are helping fund the years in which NARA is building the club database, the wiki and its advocacy work.
65+
$25 per year
In recognition of the decades of service, dedication and knowledge that senior operators bring to amateur radio, NARA offers a discounted membership for operators 65 and older. Every right and privilege of Individual membership applies, including full voting rights and committee eligibility. If you have been part of this hobby for decades, this one is for you.
65+ Founding Member
$120 for five years
Five years of 65+ membership at the discounted rate, billed once, with permanent recognition as a Founding Member of the Alliance — the same standing, thank-you gift and roster recognition as any other founding member.
Youth
$15 per year
The next generation of operators is the future of the hobby and the backbone of emergency communications for decades to come. Youth members hold voting rights equal to those of Individual members — Board elections, bylaw amendments and any other governance matter — and are welcome on NARA committees. They are not eligible to serve as Directors until they turn 18.
Family
$20 per person, per year
Amateur radio is often a family affair. Everyone enrolled gets their own membership number and their own vote — no shared credentials, every licensed family member is a full member in their own right. Each person must hold a valid FCC amateur license to exercise voting rights. It is one of the most cost-effective ways to bring a whole household into the national community.
Associate
$20 per year
Studying for your first exam, supporting the community, or simply convinced that reliable communications matter — you are welcome here. Associate members take part in NARA events and activities and may serve on committees. Voting rights are reserved for licensed amateurs, and associate members are not eligible for elected office. When you pass your exam, upgrading to Individual or Youth membership is straightforward.
GMRS Affiliate
$32 per year
Open to GMRS operators who share NARA’s commitment to a well-prepared, educated and actively engaged two-way radio community. Your membership strengthens our voice in protecting, expanding and advocating for radio operators across the United States. Voting rights are reserved for licensed amateurs — and many GMRS operators are on the path to an amateur license, which NARA is here to support.
Organization
$45 per year
Connects your group to the national amateur radio community and gives your members a direct path to individual membership. Organization members receive a discount code to pass to their own members — a benefit you can hand on straight away. The organization does not hold a vote in NARA elections; the individual members of your group speak for themselves.
Corporate
$100 per year
Corporate members receive visibility and promotion through NARA’s email communications and social media, putting your business in front of a dedicated national audience of licensed operators and enthusiasts. Corporate membership carries no vote, but it is an investment in the community your business depends on — and recognition as a supporter of amateur radio at the national level.
Lifetime
Coming soon one payment, for life
A single payment covering membership for life, priced so that it funds the dues the Alliance would otherwise collect year after year. The board is settling the price now; the option will appear here as soon as it is agreed.
A note on voting rights
NARA is a member-driven organization. Every voting member — Individual, 65+, Youth and Family members holding a valid amateur license — has one vote in the election of the Board of Directors and on any governance matter brought before the membership.
Members who do not renew by their expiration date move to inactive status, and voting rights and member benefits are suspended until dues are brought current.
What your dues pay for
- The club database, the wiki and the presenters panel.
- Youth programs such as the Alfred Vail 20-20 Young Keyers Award.
- Regional Club Councils and support for affiliated clubs.
- The State of Amateur Radio Survey and NARA’s advocacy work.
Dues are paid here on usnara.org. Your membership card, renewal date and details live in your member area.
Other ways to help
- DonateOne-off or recurring
- VolunteerFind a role
- PresentJoin the panel
- WriteEdit the wiki
- List your clubAdd or update