Essex Ham is committed to helping to get new people into the amateur radio hobby. Members of Essex Ham are involved with training for groups in Essex and beyond, and our site offers a wide range of training material and advice for free.
Essex Ham has created a series of slides, videos and handouts to help people get started in amateur radio. This page outlines what material is available, both to students and to amateur radio tutors and clubs.
Getting Started – Information for Candidates
If you’re looking to get started in amateur radio, please take a look at the following links:
| How to become a radio ham | Amateur Radio Training Courses in Essex |
| Welcome to Amateur Radio (Video) | Foundation Online Training Course |
| Your Questions Answered | Foundation Licence Manual |
In 2015, we launched our first online amateur radio training course, designed for those looking to study for their amateur radio Foundation licence at home. The course includes video, downloadable material and a secure online classroom to deliver the Foundation course online. More details here: Essex Ham Foundation Online Course.
Training Videos
Essex Ham has released a number of short video clips that may be of help to those new to the amateur radio hobby, as well as to those involved with ham radio training. Versions of these videos in other formats for use on non-profit training courses are available for free on request. Here’s a sample of some of our amateur radio training videos:
Foundation Training Slides
Essex Ham has produced a series of slides that can be used for UK Foundation Training courses.
Nine sets of slides are available, covering an introduction to amateur radio, technical basics, transmitters & receivers, feeders & antennas, propagation, licence conditions, EMC, safety and operating practice.
See our Foundation Training Slides page for the full slideset.
Getting Started Guides
Essex Ham has created a library of handy one-page guides on various aspects of the hobby. This library of simple guides is growing, and covers several topics including:
- Getting your licence
- Foundation Glossary
- Setting up QRZ and eQSL
- Using HF
- Using Repeaters
- Echolink
- Data modes: SSTV, JT65 and PSK31
The collection of guides can be found here: Essex Ham Getting Started Guides
Hi, My call sign is M6ALZ. I have moved from Grimsby to East Bergholt on the Essex / Suffolk border. I would like to make contact with any clubs / groups in this area is there a list / of clubs groups i can access please?
Hi and welcome to the area Neville
There’s a list of clubs in Essex here: http://www.essexham.co.uk/essex-clubs
Also, try the RSGB Club Finder for your nearest clubs: thersgb.org/services/clubfinder/
Hi Pete,
Nice to catch up with you last Sunday ( I was with M0MNG).
I use all the Essex Ham slides, and am grateful for all the work you have all put in over the last few years to help the hobby along. Well Done
Hi Nigel. Great to meet you and glad to hear that the slides are useful. If there’s anything else you need, let me know. Pete
Hi Pete,
I’m interested in doing the online course..
Please can you email me the info I need please, many thanks
Clive
Hi Clive,
We have got all five of your messages today. Course details have been sent. Pete
Sorry about that pete, I went abit OTT in form filling.. I’m just excited in doing the course and getting on air, I love listening to a group on 70cm at night and want to join….
Hi Peter
Just admiring your Foundation slide graphics, very smart. How did you do your animations, is there a particular software package that you can use?
Chris G0EYO Wythall Radio Club
I would advise anyone looking to take the foundation exam to enroll on this fantastic course first. Not only is it fun but explains everything you need to know and much more.
Its not boring and very well presented plus easy to understand. (Your questions are answered perfectly) It works wonders
I know because Im now a ham operator. Thank you Essex Ham. M6PQV.
Barry Edwards
Could you please forward me details of the “Filter” which was connected in line when illustrating a station set-up on your video.
Hi Trevor,
This would be a band-pass filter. These let signals from a predetermined frequency range through, whilst rejecting other frequencies. These are used to reduce interference, and use of filters is covered in the EMC section of the Foundation course. If you’re looking for a band-pass filter, a Google search will return several places selling filters.
Hope that helps,
Pete