Online Basic Amateur Radio Course

New Basic Course is here..

The new Basic Amateur Radio Course at Hamshack.ca is now open for early registration. Fully updated to the latest ISED syllabus and question bank, this comprehensive online course includes everything you need to earn your Basic qualification with confidence — no additional books to purchase.

Written in clear, easy-to-understand language and powered by Hamshack.ca’s proven QSL (Question Specific Learning) methodology, each lesson features an easy-to-follow format with answers embedded directly in the content, interactive quizzes, diagrams, and tables. Lessons also contain images of real amateur radio gear taken from the Hamshack.ca buy & sell listings to help learners visualize the concepts and equipment covered in lessons.

The course is all-inclusive — no extra books to buy, no pressure, and no time limits. Study entirely at your own pace, complete each section quiz, and then move on to the final Practice Exam. Aim for at least 80%, and when you’re ready, book your official ISED Basic Exam. 

Hamshack.ca has teamed-up with  Gary Skett, VE7AS, an in-person course provider and Accredited Examiner, to help make the exam process simple. Just contact Gary (ve7as@shaw.ca) who will administer the Basic Exam on-line for a nominal fee of $20. 

You can view the Regulations and Policy Section of the Basic Course here.  

how's it work?

About the Author — Don VE7DXE

Don has been a licensed amateur radio operator since 2002 and holds both Advanced and Morse Code qualifications. With nearly 35 years of experience managing complex information systems projects, including the develop of training material, he continued this work in retirement by building Hamshack.ca during the pandemic and creating new learning tools for Canadian hams. In 2023 he launched the first QSL Advanced Course, followed by the development of the updated Basic Course using his QSL Learning Method, designed to make amateur radio education clear, practical, and accessible for everyone.

Don plans to create an updated version of the Advanced Course when the syllabus has been approved by ISED, as well as other new ham radio and electronics courses written in the QSL format, to satisfy the eager ham radio community.

Cost Recovery Pricing

Hamshack.ca operates on a non-profit, cost-recovery basis. The $39 fee for the Basic Amateur Radio Course reflects the actual operational costs of delivering the QSL Course website including: monthly hosting for servers, software licencing, security, content maintenance and continued updates to existing courses and the development of new courses.

The goal is sustainability not profit. This structure ensures hamshack.ca and QSL Courses remain accessible, affordable, and are continually improved.

Basic Amateur Radio Course

hamshack.ca QSL Academy
$ 39
00
Unlimted Access - No Expiry
  • Study on any device, any time, any location
  • Study at your own pace
  • Built in Answers and Quizzes
  • Track your progress as you complete the lessons
  • Real-world ham radio gear shown in context
  • 'Final Transmission' - Lesson Guides
  • Book your Final ISED Exam On-line
  • Accredited Examiner Reviewed
Contact VE7DXE
Contact Don VE7DXE to get on the Basic Course waitlist and for additional details. 73 Don VE7DXE