Among them are 12-year-old novices as well as 83-year-old veterans. In the U.S., a 12-year-old can get a ham operating license, though licenses are divided into five classes, depending on operating ability. Hams have many of their own clubs, and often hold all kinds of competitions. There are also ham trade magazines.
這其中，有小至十一、二歲的初級「火腿」也有八十三歲的老玩家，以美國為例，一般人只要有興趣，滿十二歲即可考照，然後按其年資、操作水準分成五個等級，火腿們有許多俱樂部，經常舉辦各種比賽，還有專業雜誌可供諮詢。