A new argon‐ion laser based on an electrodeless magnetoplasma with tube diameter of 45 mm has been developed, and optimal operation conditions were experimentally studied. The plasma is thought to be generated by helicon waves excited by an external antenna. Selected excitation of the upper lasing level of Ar iidue to Landau damping of the helicon waves plays an important role in the mechanics of the population inversion in this laser. The plasma is excited externally by radio frequencies, and the lasing active medium does not directly touch the plasma wall, minimizing the problems associated with impurities from both the electrodes and the tube wall. A peak laser output power of 0.5 W with 10−4efficiency has been reached, although the operation condition was not far from that of the lasing threshold.