Whether you’re looking to get into the amateur radio hobby for the first time, or you want to progress to a higher licence level, the best way is often to sign up on a training course run by a local amateur radio club.
There are lots of clubs and groups around the UK that offer amateur radio training. Typically, the courses are run by volunteers. Fees are pretty low, and typically include the RSGB exam fee, the “Foundation Licence Now” training book and fees to cover hiring the training venue.
On this page, we list the clubs and organisations that offer amateur radio training courses in the Essex area.
For information on what you’ll need to learn for the entry-level Foundation course, see: How to become a ham.
Course Types:
There are three levels of amateur radio licence in the UK, as follows:
- Foundation: The entry-level licence. Courses consist of some practical exercises and a short multiple-choice test.
- Intermediate: Courses consist of practicals (including soldering and use of test meters), plus a multiple-choice test
- Full: No practicals, just a multiple choice exam. Some clubs offer study courses, or distance-learning courses are an option.
 Exams change from 01 September 2019
The RSGB is making Foundation and Intermediate exams harder from 1st September 2019. We recommend you sit your course / exam before 1st Sept if possible. Our last Foundation Online course started in early June 2019, but our Fast Track is still available for those with exams before 1st Sept. |
Foundation Courses & Exams in Essex
The following clubs in Essex offer the entry-level course and/or exam sessions. Contact the club direct for latest dates and more information.
| Location | Course Information | Dates |
| Online | Essex Ham runs a FREE monthly online Foundation training course for self-study, revision and distance learning. Our course can be used for stand-alone study, or to support your training with a local club training. Our course includes videos, guides and mock revision tests. Details at HamTrain.co.uk |
Fast Track Available, for exams before 1st Sept 19! |
| Canvey Island | Thames ARG offers two-day weekend courses on Canvey Island. Courses typically run 2-3 times per year and cost £65 | |
| Colchester | Colchester RA – Offers weekend Foundation courses, including fast-track days for those who have self-studied. |
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| Danbury | Chelmsford ARS runs two Foundation courses per year (price £60), held over six consecutive Thursday evenings. CARS also offers self-study candidates the chance to take exams and practicals at its monthly Skills Nights in Danbury. |
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| Epping | Loughton & Epping Forest ARS offers three weekend Foundation courses throughout the year. |
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| Grays | The Thurrock Acorns ARC site lists that it offers weekday evening tuition, but as far as we know, no courses have run in the last 12 months. |
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| Harlow | Harlow & District ARS runs their Foundation course over a weekend, as well as over 5 weekday nights. |
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| Hornchuch | Havering & District ARC‘s website states that training courses are offered, but as far as we know, no courses ran between 2015 and 2018. |
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| Want to get on a Foundation course in Essex? Add your details & we’ll try to help: |
The following short video clip gives an overview of what happens on a Foundation training course:
Intermediate Courses & Exams in Essex
The following clubs in Essex offer Intermediate courses and/or exam sessions. Contact the club direct for latest dates and more information.
| Location | Course Information | Dates |
| Canvey Island | Thames ARG offers a weekend course on Canvey Island. This is typically a 4-day course, split over two consecutive weekends |
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| Colchester | Colchester RA runs a one-day Intermediate session from time to time. Contact them to express your interest, or see their site for dates. |
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| Danbury | Chelmsford ARS runs one 12-week course a year, on Thursday evenings |
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| Epping | Loughton & Epping Forest ARS: No formal courses, but they offer a one-day weekend practical assessment sessions and exams. |
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| Grays | Thurrock Acorns ARC lits on it s website that it offers tuition, practicals and exams, but as far as we know, no courses have run in the last 12 months. |
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| Harlow | Harlow & District ARS runs a 10-week course on a Tuesday evening. |
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Full (Advanced) Courses & Exams in Essex
The following clubs in Essex offer Advanced courses and/or exam sessions. Contact the club direct for latest dates and more information.
| Location | Course Information | Dates |
| Canvey Island | Thames ARG offers weekend training on Canvey Island. |
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| Colchester | Colchester RA – Advanced training is offered, but no dates listed on their site at time of writing. Contact them to express your interest |
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| Danbury | Chelmsford ARS offers exam-only sessions during the year, with a revision course once a year on on Thursday evenings. | |
| Epping | Loughton & Epping Forest ARS – No formal courses, but exam-only sessions available. Contact them to register your interest |
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| Harlow | Harlow & District ARS runs exam sessions when there is demand. Contact them for details |
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| Nationwide | Distance learning course run by Steve Hartley G0FUW. Contact him via QRZ.com | Ongoing |
Running training courses in the Essex area and want your course information added or updated? Please let us know
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Looking for a training course in Essex? |
Essex Training Calendar
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Hi ..do Essex ham not do the intermediate on line like you did for the foundation?
Sorry Bill – we only offer Foundation online at the moment.
Pete
It would be great if you could consider an intermediate course, its quite difficult to find appropriate training.
We agree. The RSGB is introducing a significantly harder Intermediate syllabus from September 2019, which would require a massive amount of work. It’s on the “to do” list, but other things, such as the new Foundation courses, are higher priority.