How do I become a licensed Radio Amateur?

Getting started in amateur radio:

To begin transmitting on amateur radio you need to pass a few practical tests and a multiple choice test called the Foundation exam.

Foundation License

The Foundation license is your gateway to amateur radio. The course and exam that leads to the license provides you with an exciting introduction to the hobby while requiring an acceptable minimum level of skill and experience.

Your Foundation license is recognized by the UK communications regulator Ofcom, and entitles you to take a unique identifier called a call-sign which will be used to identify you when you are transmitting.

The course

The Foundation courses take place in a friendly and informal environment and are conducted by experienced radio amateurs.

Most of the training is practical; there is some radio and electronics theory but only enough for you to appreciate things like using the correct fuses in your equipment, safety and how to build an antenna to get the most out of your radio station.

Your course will take about 10 to 12 hours to complete, and can be spread out over a few weeks or weekends. A certain amount of individual study, radio listening using virtual web based radios, and supervised operation of the club radios will be expected.

The exam

Don’t be put off by the thought of having to do an exam. If you follow the advice, you will be ready for it when you are put in for it.

The Foundation exam is very straightforward and consists of 26 multiple choice questions which you have 55 minutes to answer.

Your exam paper is checked by the invigilator straight after the exam so you will have a good idea if you have passed before you leave.

The formal marking is carried out electronically at the RSGB Examinations Department.

The RSGB charge a fee of £27.50 for the Foundation license course exam. The club levies £24 to cover the hire of the exam venue and the provision of food and drink on weekend courses.

What happens after the exam?

You will receive an official result sheet in the post from the RSGB Examinations Department. This takes at least six days working days from the receipt of your exam paper at HQ.

If you have passed, you will at the same time receive a certificate and your candidate number. The examination office will upload your pass to the UK communications regulator Ofcom, who are responsible for issuing amateur radio licenses.

You may then log on to the Ofcom licensing system at https://services.ofcom.org.uk to apply for your license. Please make sure that you have your candidate number to hand, because you will need this to complete the process.

If you apply for your Foundation license on the Ofcom website, your license is free of charge.

Visit the Ofcom website to find out more about applying for an amateur radio license.

Once you have your Foundation license and have chosen a call-sign from those available, you are ready to make your first solo transmission on the amateur radio bands; an exciting moment.

You are then free to operate on the most frequently used amateur bands, without supervision, up to a power of 10 watts.

This does not sound like very much power, but once you have acquired experience operating your radio you will find it is enough to communicate almost anywhere in the world.

NOTE:  BADARC assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information -