Frequently asked questions
What is Amateur Radio?
Well
that has to be one of the most frequently asked questions.....
Amateur Radio is a hobby which is followed by millions across not only the
U.K. but the whole world. It is one of the biggest ways of communicating
with both the people you know and those who you may not know at all!!
Amateur Radio is also about new technologies and new ways of communication,
not only through using your voice over a radio but by sending information
and pictures over the airwaves as well.
There
are many sections to amateur radio and everyone who wishes to, can become
licensed if they are willing to learn the course. It doesn't matter what
age you are with amateur radio, there is always something to suit you. You
don't need a degree and you don't need a job which entails vast amounts of
knowledge about communication and technology, all you need is the enthusiasm
and willingness to learn.
How do I become licensed?
To
become a licensed user of radio, you must take a course and an exam. The
course entails learning the information from the resource book for the exam
but it also entails a few practical examinations. For example if you wish
to gain a foundation license, which would give you an M3 callsign, then you
would have to do practical work using a radio. Your course instructor will
show you exactly what has to be done and all you have to do is follow
instructions.
Where do I become licensed?
After
becoming a member of our club (see
General Information for
details), you are entitled to sit into the weekly course
lessons held from 8pm to 9pm on a Tuesday night. Then after learning the course you
will be asked to pay a fee for the exam, due to OFCOM and RSGB licensing
laws, and you can then become a licensed radio user. You are then given a
form which you must fill in and send to the R.S.G.B. who will then provide
you with a license and a callsign.
How much does the
course cost?
The
course is free although you must buy the course resource book for a fee of
£5.
The
M3 exam will cost £20. The 2E exam
will cost £25.
From the 1st of December 2006 there is no longer a fee for an Amateur license if
applied for online, however a paper based application for a license will
incur a charge of £20.
Full
details on applying for your license will be given to you when you have
passed your exam.
Can I go straight
to advanced level?
The entry point for all newcomers into the hobby is via the Foundation
licence, progressing on to Intermediate, culminating in the Advanced
licence. Each licence level has to be achieved before the next can be taken.
The Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB).
The RSGB is the national society which
represents all amateurs in the UK, whether members or not, to our licensing
body (Ofcom). It also acts as an agent of Ofcom in administering Foundation
Licence courses and examinations. The RSGB publishes an internationally
respected monthly magazine called RadCom (formerly Radio Communications)
which is distributed to all members in the UK and abroad.
The RSGB's website is at:
www.rsgb.org.uk
Ofcom.
Ofcom is the licensing body in the UK. Any
queries about licensing should be directed to them. Their website is at:
www.ofcom.org.uk
For answers to any
other questions you may have either send us an
e-mail or pop down to one of our Tuesday evening meetings.
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