Ethics and Operating Procedures for the Radio Amateur, Fourth Edition
We are pleased to offer the fourth edition of the Ethics and Operating Procedures for the Radio Amateur (EOP). This edition incorporates the latest developments and best practices in the field of amateur radio. We believe these updates are essential to upholding the high standards of amateur radio and ensuring our community remains at the forefront of technological innovation and ethical operating practices.
You can access all the versions
of EOP 4 here
The fourth edition (June 2026) replaces the third edition (June 2010) of EOP. The third edition can be downloaded until more translations become available.
During the transition period you can still download EOP 3 here
Copyright and Licence
Ethics and Operating Procedures for the Radio Amateur is Copyright © 2026 by the IARU Region 1. It is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International Licence (CC BY-SA 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
EOP 4 is registered as ISBN 978−3−9526620−0−7 (PDF eBook, v4.2.0, English)
Translating the EOP
Information and guidance regarding translation and creating language versions is available at LINK. Since the same language may be relevant for more than one country, we would like to avoid unnecessary work and conflicting language versions. Please contact secretary@iaru-r1.org to coordinate the translation efforts.
History of the EOP
Over recent decades, concern has grown that the on-air behaviour of a small minority of radio amateurs can detract from the enjoyment of amateur radio for the wider community. Amateur radio has long depended on a strong culture of self-discipline, courtesy, and responsible operating. However, modern licensing processes, which are often centred on examination-based assessments, may provide fewer opportunities for the informal mentoring and practical guidance through which operating skills were traditionally passed from one generation of radio amateurs to the next.
To help address some of the concerns, the “DX Code of Conduct” exists as a practical check list for on-air behaviour.
More guidance became available in 2008 when John ON4UN and Mark ON4WW wrote a comprehensive document titled “Ethics and Operating Procedures for the Radio Amateur”, aiming to become a universal guide for newcomers and old-timers alike on the subjects of operating ethics and operating procedures. In 2008 the principles of this document were accepted by the IARU Administrative Council as representing the point of view of the IARU on the subject. During further regional IARU meetings it was emphasised that the document be made available via all means, and at no cost, in as many languages as possible, to the ham radio community. Such was its acceptance that the third edition had been translated into more than 25 languages in just two years.
On 5th May 2016 the two authors signed an agreement with the IARU to transfer the ownership and the copyright to the IARU with the intention to maintain and manage their document.
Since the publication of the third edition of EOP in 2010, amateur radio has evolved a lot, both in terms of technology, but perhaps more importantly in terms of operating practice, including many new digital modes, a wider variety of contests, and the ever-increasing popularity of DXpeditions. As radio amateurs grew even more diverse, some societal expectations have also evolved, including the role of amateur radio in emergencies and the purpose it can serve for local communities. New issues arose, the interpretation of some laws has changed, and formal regulations became more prominent. At the same time, the principle of self-discipline strengthened in its importance. The 2010 guide needed an update to better serve the current and future radio amateurs.
Commencing with the feedback collected by the IARU over the preceding years, a new IARU R1 Working Group started planning the work on the fourth edition of EOP in 2024. An editorial team was formed, consisting of Rafal EI6LA, Ian GM4AUP, Marco IU2DXF, and Frode LA6VQ, under the leadership of Ahmad 9K2DB. A new front cover was designed by Silvano Ancelotti. A complete, interim draft that was shared with the IARU R1 Member Societies in 2025 has received over 150 pieces of useful feedback. All input has been carefully reviewed, and the document has been updated as necessary, leading to the publication of the fourth edition as a PDF/UA eBook in June 2026.
As amateur radio evolves, it will become necessary to update the EOP again. All feedback is welcome – please email it to eop@iaru-r1.org.