Training Courses Foundation
The Foundation Course
The Foundation courses take place locally in a friendly and informal environment and are conducted by experienced radio amateurs, usually at a local radio club such as the Risca ADARS.
The Exam
Don't be put off by the thought of having to do an exam.
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.
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 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 licence on the Ofcom website, your licence is free of charge. Be careful when entering your details allowing for a zero in the call sign and other upper or lower case letters.
Once you have your Foundation licence and have chosen a call sign from those available, you are ready to make your first 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.
Our instructors will be pleased to answer any questions you may have about obtaining a Foundation licence etc.
The club Exam Secretary is the best person to give advice on arrangements for examinations.