Hawaii Ham Radio
Amateur radio clubs, repeaters, frequencies, and resources for Hawaii. The Aloha State's unique location in the Pacific makes it a valued contact for DX operators worldwide.
About Hawaii Ham Radio
Hawaii has an active amateur radio community spread across the Hawaiian islands. Hawaii call signs use the KH6 prefix, making them instantly recognizable on the air. For DX operators on the mainland and around the world, a KH6 contact is a prized addition to their log.
The islands' geographic isolation in the middle of the Pacific Ocean creates unique propagation paths. Hawaii operators regularly work the U.S. mainland, Asia, Oceania, and sometimes Europe on HF. VHF and UHF activity is concentrated around repeaters on each island.
Emergency communications are particularly important in Hawaii due to the state's exposure to hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanic activity. Several clubs and organizations maintain emergency communication capabilities across the islands.
The ARRL Pacific Section covers Hawaii and U.S. Pacific territories, providing local leadership and coordination for amateur radio activities in the region.
Hawaii Amateur Radio Clubs
Active clubs on every major island. Meetings and schedules may change. verify with each club before attending.
Oahu
Active club focused on emergency communications and general ham radio. Hosts regular meetings, events, and emergency preparedness training on Oahu.
Honolulu ARC (HARC)
One of the oldest and largest clubs in Hawaii. Call sign KH6WO. Active in Field Day, public service events, and VE testing on Oahu.
Hawaii Emergency Radio Operators (HERO)
Emergency communications group focused on disaster preparedness and response. Works with local emergency management agencies.
Maui
Maui ARC (MARC)
Maui's amateur radio club. Call sign KH6RS. Active in public service, emergency communications, and community outreach on Maui.
Big Island (Hawaii)
Big Island ARC (BIARC)
Amateur radio club serving the Big Island of Hawaii. Active in emergency communications, particularly important given volcanic and seismic activity on the island.
Big Mauna ARC (BMARC)
Big Island club with call sign KH6BB. Active in local nets, Field Day, and community events.
Kauai
Kauai ARC
Amateur radio club serving Kauai. Call sign KH6E. Active in local nets and emergency communications for the Garden Isle.
Windward Oahu
Koolau ARC (KARC)
Club serving the windward side of Oahu. Call sign KH6J. Active in local nets and community service.
ARRL Pacific Section
OrganizationThe ARRL section covering Hawaii and U.S. Pacific territories. Provides Section Manager leadership, coordinates ARES emergency comms, and organizes amateur radio activities in the region.
ARRL Sections →Hawaii HF Nets
Regular on-air nets connecting Hawaii operators. Schedules may change. listen for net control announcements.
| Net | Frequency | Schedule | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aloha Net | 7.088 MHz | Daily 7:00 AM HST | 40m SSB, general check-in |
| Garden Island Net | 7.088 MHz | Daily | Kauai-focused |
| Pacific Section Net | 7.228 MHz | Weekly | ARRL Pacific Section |
| Friendly Net | 3.888 MHz | Evenings HST | 75m SSB, informal |
| Hawaii ARES Net | 7.088 MHz | Weekly | Emergency preparedness |
Tip: Hawaii Standard Time (HST) is UTC-10 year-round. Hawaii does not observe daylight saving time.
Hawaii Communities
Facebook community for amateur radio operators in Hawaii. Local discussions, equipment swap, repeater information, event announcements, and connecting with other Hawaii-based hams.
Join Group →Website dedicated to amateur radio in Hawaii with information about local activities, clubs, and resources. Content currency may vary. verify details before relying on specific information.
Visit Website →Website with amateur radio content and resources relevant to Hawaii operators. Contains information about local ham radio activities and technical topics.
Visit Website →Hawaii Repeaters
Hawaii has nearly 200 repeaters across all major islands. The best source for current information is RepeaterBook.
Hawaii Repeaters on RepeaterBook
DirectorySearch the complete database of Hawaii amateur radio repeaters. Filter by island, frequency, band, or mode. Includes access tones, offset information, and coverage details.
Search Hawaii Repeaters →Key Frequencies
| Frequency | Use |
|---|---|
| 146.520 MHz | National FM simplex calling frequency. always program this one |
| 146.880 MHz | Common Oahu repeater frequency (check for PL tone) |
| 147.060 MHz | Active repeater on multiple islands |
| 443.000+ MHz | UHF repeater range. check RepeaterBook for specific listings |
Emergency Communications in Hawaii
Emergency communications are critical in Hawaii. The state's isolation, island geography, and exposure to natural hazards (hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions) make amateur radio an essential backup communication system.
ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) groups operate across the islands, and clubs like EARCHI and HERO maintain emergency communication capabilities. If you're a licensed operator in Hawaii, consider joining your local ARES group.
| Organization | Role |
|---|---|
| ARES Hawaii | ARRL emergency service. coordinates ham radio operators during disasters statewide |
| EARCHI | Emergency-focused club on Oahu with trained operators and equipment |
| HERO | Hawaii Emergency Radio Operators. disaster preparedness and response |
| SKYWARN | NWS severe weather spotting. active in Hawaii for tropical storms and hurricanes |
Getting Licensed in Hawaii
The same FCC license required on the mainland applies in Hawaii. You can study using online resources and find exam sessions through:
- HamStudy Session Finder: Search for exams in Hawaii
- ARRL Exam Finder: Find ARRL VEC exams
- Several Hawaii clubs offer VE testing. check with HARC, EARCHI, and MARC for local exam sessions
- Online exams are available if no in-person sessions are convenient
After passing your exam, you'll receive a call sign. Hawaii call signs typically start with KH6, WH6, AH6, or NH6.
Visiting Hawaii as a Ham
If you're visiting Hawaii with your FCC license, you can operate freely. no special permits needed. Tips for visiting operators:
- Bring an HT (handheld transceiver) and program Hawaii repeaters from RepeaterBook before your trip
- Monitor 146.520 MHz simplex for local contacts
- Many hotels and condos have ocean-facing lanais that make excellent VHF/UHF operating positions
- POTA (Parks on the Air) activations are popular at Hawaii's national and state parks
- Use your home call sign with a /KH6 suffix to indicate you're operating from Hawaii