Exploring Ham Radio: Iconic Appearances in Hollywood

Earlier this month I asked my readers to help me compile a list of Television shows and Movies. Below is a list of what we came up with. The list is by far not complete. However, there are many examples I didn’t know of before I started my research. The cool thing I realized is that Amateur radio is alive and well with in Hollywood. Both currently and going way back. Probably way beyond the time of the Munsters with Herman.

Please if you know of other examples I haven’t covered. I would like to know. Place the name of the show or movie in the comments. Also, I will be working on compiling Examples of Amateur Radio in the news media. As well as Amateur Radio within Science and research.

Please share this page with others on X, Facebook and whatever your network of choice is.

Last Man Standing – Mike Baxter (Tim Allen) is a licensed ham radio operator (KAØXTT) and has a ham shack in his basement.

The Simpsons – In one episode, Homer gets a ham radio license and uses it to communicate.

Frequency (TV series) – The main character, Raimy Sullivan, uses a ham radio to communicate across time with her father.

The clip “Frequency – Little Chief (HD)” is from the 2000 movie Frequency, not the TV series. The film stars Dennis Quaid and Jim Caviezel and revolves around a father and son communicating across time using a ham radio.

The Young Sheldon – Sheldon Cooper gets a ham radio license and uses it to talk to people around the world.

The Big Bang Theory – While not a major plot point, ham radio is referenced, and characters like Sheldon and Howard have knowledge of it.

The Andy Griffith Show – In one episode, a character uses ham radio to communicate.

WKRP in Cincinnati – While primarily about a radio station, amateur radio is referenced in some episodes.

The Munsters – In the episode If a Martian Answers, Hang Up (Season 1, Episode 18), Herman Munster gets a ham radio and starts communicating with what he believes are Martians. His call sign is W-6-XRL4, which follows the format of real U.S. amateur radio call signs.

ALF – Willie Tanner, the father in ALF, is an enthusiastic amateur radio operator. In the pilot episode, he receives a signal from space, which leads to ALF crash-landing into their garage.

Stranger Things

Stranger Things features radio communication throughout the series, including amateur radio elements. While the kids primarily use CB radios and walkie-talkies, there are moments where ham radio equipment appears:

Season 1 – The boys visit their science teacher, Mr. Clarke, who has an amateur radio setup in his office. Some fans believe the radio shown is a Heathkit DX-60.

Season 3 – Dustin builds a powerful radio setup called “Cerebro” to contact his girlfriend, Suzie. While not strictly amateur radio, it mimics aspects of ham radio operation.

Season 3, Episode 8 – There’s a moment where characters use radio frequencies that resemble ham radio operations