Amateur Radio Activity in Asia

A country-by-country snapshot of notable activity, licensing posture, and organized participation (as of 2026-01-10).

Prepared: 10 Jan. 2026. Scope: Examples across East, South, and Southeast Asia; emphasis on indicators that are publicly verifiable (national societies, regulators, contests, and published statistics).

Executive summary

Asia’s amateur radio ecosystem is diverse and uneven: some jurisdictions support large, mature operator bases and extensive contest calendars, while others are smaller but highly active in emergency communications and VHF/UHF repeater networks.
The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) organizes global coordination through three regions; most of Asia participates through IARU Region 3 (Asia-Pacific).¹
Institutional emphasis on youth and public-service communications is visible in recent regional fora; the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau Director highlighted strong youth growth and disaster-response value in Southeast Asia in remarks to the 19th IARU Region 3 Conference (Bangkok, 4 Nov. 2024).²
Across many Asian markets, the operational center of gravity continues to shift toward “small-antenna friendly” operating (digital weak-signal modes, VHF/UHF repeaters, and satellite work) due to urban density and siting constraints.
Regulatory posture is a first-order driver of on-air activity: exam availability, reciprocity arrangements, equipment authorization rules, and administrative friction directly impact participation and new-entrant growth.

How “activity” is characterized in this report

This report uses a pragmatic set of indicators:

Operator base / station counts where the responsible administration (or a reliable secondary reporter citing the administration) publishes them.
Organized activity such as major contests, awards programs, and national society programming.
Emergency communications posture as evidenced by documented activations, formal groups, and published repeater / network references.
Licensing and operating constraints (e.g., exam suspension, equipment listing requirements, reciprocity conditions).

Regional trends (Asia-wide)

1) Institutional coordination and band-planning

IARU Region 3 coordinates on issues such as band-plans and spectrum protection in the Asia-Pacific context.³ Interference, “intruder” activity, and enforcement asymmetries remain persistent operational risks in parts of the region, with documented monitoring and reporting activity by IARU processes.⁴

2) Mode mix and operator behavior

In dense metro areas (common across East and Southeast Asia), practical constraints push participation toward:

Digital weak-signal (low power, compromised antennas, reliable contacts) and automated logging ecosystems.
VHF/UHF FM and digital voice via repeater networks for routine social operating and public-service nets.
Portable and temporary operations (parks, summits, islands) that substitute for limited home antenna space.

Country snapshots (examples)

Country / jurisdiction	Activity profile (what is most visible)	Organized structures / examples	Regulatory posture (selected points)
Japan	Large, mature community; strong contesting and awards culture; significant VHF/UHF activity alongside HF.	JARL-run major contests (e.g., All Asia DX).²⁴	Published station-count reporting indicates a long-term decline from historical peaks; 335,900 amateur stations reported for end-Oct. 2025.²⁴
China (PRC)	Activity often concentrates in digital modes and organized contest participation; large geography yields diverse band openings.	National society representation through CRAC within IARU structures.⁵	Cross-border recognition references MIIT-issued amateur station licensing and CRAC-issued operator licensing in Hong Kong’s guidance (useful as a public, regulator-authored description).⁸
South Korea	Strong VHF/UHF culture and technically engaged operator community; active contest participation and club structures.	KARL is the national society and provides licensing/reciprocity guidance for visitors.⁹	Region 3 documentation describes “equipment listed in the station permit” as a notable administrative feature affecting importing/using equipment.⁹
India	Visible growth in training, club formation, and emergency-preparedness emphasis; large potential entrant pool.	Centralized ASOC processes and exam guidance via DoT/WPC e-services.¹²	Telecommunications (Amateur Services) Rules, 2024 supersede the 1978 rules and formalize ASOC categories and exam features.¹²
Thailand	Historically strong VHF/UHF participation; HF activity often event- and contest-driven.	RAST provides licensing guidance and supports national operating culture.¹¹	Licensing and operating constraints can shape where activity concentrates (notably on VHF/UHF).²⁷
Singapore	Small but technically strong community; dense urban environment favors compact antenna solutions and VHF/UHF.	SARTS coordinates community activity; public notice indicates the Radio Amateur Examination has been suspended.¹⁶	IMDA administers Amateur Station licensing, with published guidance and handbooks for the service.¹⁵
Indonesia	Large archipelagic geography supports strong portable and emergency-communications emphasis; active VHF/UHF local nets.	ORARI reports ~46,000 members and a broad national footprint.²⁷	Licensing and reciprocity processes are managed through Kominfo/SDPPI portals and procedures.¹⁵
Malaysia	Active HF and VHF operating with formalized classes and exam pathways; increasing attention to structured band-plans and emergency channels.	National society MARTS provides exam and operational guidance for 9M/9W call signs.¹⁵	Regulator-published guidelines describe ASAA Class B (“9W”) and upgrade pathways to Class A (“9M”).²⁷
Philippines	Strong VHF/UHF repeater and emergency-communications group visibility; disaster risk drives preparedness culture.	PARA publishes repeater lists and licensing guidance for operators.²¹	NTC publishes office orders and guidance (including call sign and licensing procedure references) through official channels and regional sites.²⁷
Hong Kong (SAR)	High-density urban operations; structured licensing and exam recognition; active club scene.	OFCA publishes operational guidance and lists recognized local amateur societies (updated Oct. 2025).⁸	OFCA guidance specifies license types, call sign formats (VR2), and recognition of certain foreign credentials/licences.⁸
Taiwan	Active awards culture and special-event activity; regulation is published in English translation.	CTARL offers awards programs and represents the community internationally; IARU listings show updated contact leadership information (Dec. 2025).²³	NCC publishes administrative regulations, including identification/call sign requirements and operating rules.²⁵

Country notes (brief operating examples)

Japan

High contest density, long-established clubs, and a large installed base—alongside a clearly documented, long-term decline in total amateur stations.

Published count signal: 335,900 amateur stations as of end-Oct. 2025 (reported as based on Ministry publication).²⁴
Organized example: All Asia DX Contest rules and operating structure published by JARL.²⁴

Operational example to monitor: HF contest weekends and awards-driven activity often produce dense JA signals, including low-power and portable operations.

China (PRC)

Large geographic coverage and growing participation; on-air visibility often clusters around digital modes and organized events.

Institutional positioning: CRAC is listed within IARU member-society references for China.⁵
Regulatory framing (public-source): OFCA’s Hong Kong guidance references MIIT-issued amateur station licensing and CRAC-issued operator licensing for certain visiting/recognition cases.⁸

Operational example to monitor: Watch for BY/BG/BI prefixed signals in digital sub-bands during Asia-Pacific evening openings, and during large international contest weekends.

South Korea

Technically engaged operators with strong local VHF/UHF and structured society support.

National society: KARL provides public guidance, including reciprocal/visitor operating material in English.⁹
Administrative feature: Region 3 documentation notes station-permit equipment listing as a practical compliance factor for Korea.⁹

Operational example to monitor: VHF/UHF FM and digital-voice activity around metro areas, plus HF participation during major international contests.

India

Meaningful modernization of the rule-set and e-service processes; visible growth in clubs and emergency/public-service narratives.

Rules modernization: Telecommunications (Amateur Services) Rules, 2024 (Government of India) establish ASOC categories and operating scope, superseding the 1978 rules.¹²
Process visibility: DoT eServices describe ASOC application pathways and related guidance.¹²

Operational example to monitor: Look for VU calls on HF during greyline openings; activity is often pronounced during special events and contest weekends.

Thailand

Well-known for strong VHF/UHF participation and a long-standing national society; HF activity frequently spikes with events and contests.

National society guidance: RAST publishes licensing information for local and visiting operators.¹¹
Regional forum visibility: Thailand hosted the 19th IARU Region 3 Conference (Bangkok, Nov. 2024).²

Operational example to monitor: Watch for HS calls on 6m and VHF/UHF repeaters in-country; HF appearances may be linked to organized events.

Singapore

Small jurisdiction, high technical competence; policy changes can materially impact entry rates.

Exam availability: SARTS notice indicates the Radio Amateur Examination has been suspended (a direct constraint on new licensing).¹⁶
Regulatory reference: IMDA publishes an Amateur Station Licence overview and an Amateur Radio Service handbook.¹⁵ ¹³

Operational example to monitor: Portable operations and higher-band activity (VHF/UHF), plus HF when propagation and antenna opportunity permit.

Indonesia

Geography drives strong portable, regional-net, and disaster-response operating culture.

Scale indicator: ORARI states it has about 46,000 members nationwide.²⁷
Emergency example: ORARI documented communications support during Aceh flooding events (2025).¹⁶
Licensing process: Kominfo/SDPPI publishes the amateur radio licensing services framework and online procedures.¹⁵

Operational example to monitor: YB calls across HF and VHF/UHF, often with strong regional variations by island group and local club activity.

Malaysia

Structured license classes with published regulatory guidance and active national society support.

Regulator guidance: SKMM/MCMC guidelines describe ASAA licensing, call sign prefixes (9W/9M), and upgrade pathways.²⁷
Band structure example: SRSP documents (e.g., 144 MHz plan) include an explicit emergency communications frequency allocation in the plan materials.¹⁵

Operational example to monitor: 9M2/9W2 signals are often visible on HF during contests and regional evenings; VHF/UHF activity is strong around population centers.

Philippines

VHF/UHF and emergency communications are highly visible; public repeater listings provide a practical on-the-ground indicator of activity.

Licensing guidance: PARA provides a plain-language overview of the call sign process and related exam/licensing steps.²¹
Network signal: PARA’s repeater listings reference organized emergency-communications groups and multiple active districts.²⁷
Regulator materials: NTC publishes office orders and guidelines through official channels and regional sites.²⁷

Operational example to monitor: DU/DW/DX call signs on VHF/UHF repeaters and simplex; HF activity often rises around special events and regional contests.

Hong Kong (SAR)

Tightly documented licensing process with explicit call sign formatting and recognition of multiple foreign credentials.

Operating guidance: OFCA Annex A details license types, call sign formats, recognition rules, and visitor operating practices (including “VR2/” prefixing for short-stay visitors).⁸
Community structure: OFCA lists local amateur radio societies and provides update dates (Oct. 2025).⁸

Operational example to monitor: VR2 stations on VHF/UHF and HF during international contest weekends; the density of nearby markets makes short-haul propagation and local coordination especially relevant.

Taiwan

Clear English-language regulatory publication and an active awards program ecosystem.

Regulatory transparency: NCC publishes “Administrative Regulations of Amateur Radio Operators and Radio Stations” in English, including identification requirements.²⁵
Organized activity: CTARL publishes awards program guidance and represents the jurisdiction within IARU structures (IARU reference updated Dec. 2025).²³ ¹³

Operational example to monitor: BV and related special-event calls (when authorized), plus VHF/UHF repeaters tied to local club coordination.

Footnotes (MLA format with live links)

“Regions.” International Amateur Radio Union, 27 Jan. 2020, https://www.iaru.org/about-us/organisation-and-history/regions/. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026. Back
Maniewicz, Mario. 19th Conference of the International Amateur Radio Union, Region 3 (Bangkok, Thailand): Opening Remarks. International Telecommunication Union, Radiocommunication Bureau, 4 Nov. 2024, https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-R/Director/Speeches/Maniewicz/IARU%20R3%20Conference%202024%20-%20Opening%20Remarks%20-%20BR%20Director%20-%2004.11.2024.pdf. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026. Back Back
“R3 Band Plan Proposal (Electronic Version).” IARU Region 3, 8 Aug. 2022, https://www.iaru-r3.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/IARU-R3-Bandplan-Proposal-V8-Aug22.pdf. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026. Back
“Summary Record of Amateur Intruder Watch Coordinator’s Report (2024 Nov. Issue).” International Amateur Radio Union, 13 Jan. 2025, https://www.iaru.org/reference/documents/summary-record-of-amateur-intruder-watch-coordinators-report-2024-november-issue/. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026. Back
“All Asia DX Contest.” Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL), n.d., https://www.jarl.org/English/4_Library/A-4-2_Contests/all_asia_dx_e.htm. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026. Back Back
“＜2か月連続で「▲1,200局以上/月」の減少＞総務省が2025年10月末のアマチュア局数を公表、前月より1,261局少ない33万5,900局.” hamlife.jp, 2 Dec. 2025, https://www.hamlife.jp/2025/12/02/soumusyo-toukei-202510/. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026. Back
“Member Societies.” International Amateur Radio Union, entry for “China Radio Amateurs Club [CRAC],” last updated 15 Jul. 2021, https://www.iaru.org/reference/member-societies/. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026. Back Back
Operation of Amateur Radio Station in Hong Kong (Annex A). Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA), n.d., https://www.ofca.gov.hk/filemanager/ofca/en/content_623/rae_annex_a_e.pdf. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026. Back Back Back Back
“Reciprocal Operation Permits.” Korea Amateur Radio League (KARL), n.d., https://www.karl.or.kr/eng/sub/sub08_08.php. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026. Back Back
“Simplified procedure for foreigners.” IARU Region 3, n.d., https://www.iaru-r3.org/10r3c/docs/068.doc. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026. Back Back
“eServices – Department of Telecommunications (DoT) Portal.” Department of Telecommunications (Government of India), 28 May 2025, https://eservices.dot.gov.in/. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026. Back Back
Telecommunications (Amateur Services) Rules, 2024. Department of Telecommunications (Government of India), n.d., https://eservices.dot.gov.in/sites/default/files/circular-notifications/amateur-services-rules-2024.pdf. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026. Back Back
“Licensing in Thailand.” Radio Amateur Society of Thailand (RAST), n.d., https://www.qsl.net/rast/english/licence_in_Thailand.html. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026. Back Back
“About RAST.” Radio Amateur Society of Thailand (RAST), n.d., https://www.qsl.net/rast/english/about_rast.html. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026. Back
“Radio Amateur Examination (RAE) Suspended.” Singapore Amateur Radio Transmitting Society (SARTS), n.d., https://www.sarts.org.sg/rae-suspended. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026. Back Back
“Amateur Station Licence.” Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), n.d., https://www.imda.gov.sg/regulations-and-licensing-listing/amateur-station-licence. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026. Back Back
“Sekilas ORARI.” Organisasi Amatir Radio Indonesia (ORARI), n.d., https://orari.or.id/sekilas-orari/. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026. Back Back
“Amatir Radio.” SDPPI – Kementerian Komunikasi dan Informatika Republik Indonesia, n.d., https://sppim.kominfo.go.id/layanan/perizinan/spectrum/amatir-radio. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026. Back Back
“What Is Amateur Radio.” Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitters’ Society (MARTS), n.d., https://marts.org.my/ver2/about-us/what-is-amateur-radio/. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026. Back
Guidelines for Amateur Radio Services in Malaysia. Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (SKMM/MCMC), 1 Mar. 2012, https://www.mares.org.my/forms/guideline.pdf. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026. Back Back
“Getting A Callsign.” Philippine Amateur Radio Association (PARA), n.d., https://www.para.org.ph/getting-a-callsign.html. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026. Back Back
“Office Orders.” National Telecommunications Commission (Philippines), n.d., https://ntc5.ntc.gov.ph/memorandum-circular-1972-1979/office-orders/. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026. Back Back
“List of Local Amateur Radio Societies.” Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA), updated 10 Oct. 2025, https://www.ofca.gov.hk/en/industry_focus/radiocommunications/services/licensing/licences_for_broadcasting_telecommunications/amateur_station/index.html. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026. Back Back
“Member Societies.” International Amateur Radio Union, entry for “Chinese Taipei Amateur Radio League [CTARL],” last updated 24 Dec. 2025, https://www.iaru.org/reference/member-societies/. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026. Back Back
“Administrative Regulations of Amateur Radio Operators and Radio Stations.” National Communications Commission (Taiwan) Law Source Retrieving System, n.d., https://ncclaw.ncc.gov.tw/EngLawContent.aspx?id=20032. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026. Back Back
“アマチュア局数の推移.” 21世紀のアマチュア無線研究所（JA3YBN）, updated 2 Dec. 2025, https://ja3ybn.seesaa.net/article/512221764.html. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026. Back
Handbook for Amateur Radio Service. Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), n.d., https://www.imda.gov.sg/-/media/imda/files/regulation-licensing-and-consultations/licensing/types-of-licences/telecommunication-licences-and-applications/handbook-for-amateur-radio-service.pdf. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026. Back
“ORARI Memberikan Bantuan Komunikasi pada Banjir Aceh.” Organisasi Amatir Radio Indonesia (ORARI), 23 Mar. 2025, https://orari.or.id/orari-memberikan-bantuan-komunikasi-pada-banjir-aceh/. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026. Back
SRSP-ARS-144: Requirements for Amateur Radio Service (144 MHz). Jabatan/Agency publication mirror (referencing Malaysian SRSP), 7 Nov. 2022, https://download3.jasra.org.my/pdf/SRSP-ARS-144_Nov-2022.pdf. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026. Back
“DU / Philippine Repeaters.” Philippine Amateur Radio Association (PARA), n.d., https://www.para.org.ph/philippine-repeaters.html. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026. Back
“Awards Program.” Chinese Taipei Amateur Radio League (CTARL), n.d., https://ctarl.org.tw/english/award.htm. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026. Back

Note on sources: This report prioritizes regulator and national-society publications. Some administrations publish richer time-series data than others; where a primary data portal was not practically fetchable in this environment, the report uses reputable secondary reporting that explicitly cites the administration’s release, and it provides the original URL when known.