Years ago, anyone interested in becoming a radio amateur was required to take complex tests involving electronics theory, radio construction and in most cases, learn Morse code.
Things have changed here in the UK, making it considerably easier for newcomers to get into the hobby. You can now get started with an entry-level Foundation Licence in a few weeks, or with an intensive weekend course. On this page, we explain more about getting on-air with a ham radio Foundation Licence:
The Foundation Licence?
The Foundation Licence is an introductory licence to encourage new amateur radio operators to get a taste of the hobby, and to get on-air. As a Foundation licence holder, you’ll have access at low power to a range of different frequencies, but you can gain more power and privileges as you progress to the Intermediate and Full licences.
Getting a Foundation Licence will allow you to transmit on the VHF / UHF and HF bands up to a power of up to 10 watts, which with a modest aerial and radio will be enough to get you into much of Europe and beyond.
The Foundation Licence Manual book is an essential part of the UK Foundation Licence. It’s a 42-page A4 book that explains all of the basics, contains handy bits of information for the newbie amateur, and tells you what you need to know to pass the exam. At the time of writing, it’s under £5 at Amazon on paper and on Kindle: Paper version and Kindle version. (More: Amateur Radio Books)
We also offer an online training course for those planning to take up the hobby who are studying towards their Foundation exam – See: Essex Ham’s Foundation Online course
The following video gives you an overview of what’s involved in getting your Foundation licence:
How to get started in amateur radioHere is a video explaining a little more about the hobby, and how to get started by getting a Foundation licence: |
Foundation: Practical
All Foundation licence holders are required to demonstrate that they can connect and use an amateur radio transmitter and antenna. The practical assessments have to be completed in front of a Registered Assessor – Normally, a local amateur radio club can help with practical sessions.
The tutors hand-hold you through the process and assess you as the course progresses. The practical part of the course helps you to understand what to do when you get your licence, and how to get on-air safely. Practicals include:
- Basic radio operation – Tuning in, changing frequency and transmitting
- Connecting a radio, antenna and power supply
- A short transmission on a VHF/UHF amateur band
- A short transmission on an HF amateur band
- Adjusting a dipole antenna
- Sending and receiving a short phrase in Morse code (you don’t need to learn Morse)
More: See our Amateur Radio Foundation Practicals videos
| Update: During the COVID-19 Lockdown, practicals are suspended and it’s possible to take exams online from home – See Exams and COVID-19 |
Foundation: Exam
After completing the practical part of the course, you’re required to sit a 26-question multiple-choice exam. The questions are in the following categories:
- Amateur Radio and Licence Rules – 6 questions
- Technical Basics – 4 questions
- Transmitters & Receivers – 3 questions
- Feeders and Antennas – 3 questions
- Signal Propagation – 2 questions
- EMC (avoidance of interference) – 3 questions
- Operating Practices – 3 questions
- Safety – 2 questions
You have 60 minutes to answer the 26 questions, and if you’ve paid attention during the course, and studied the book, then the exam should present no problems at all. To pass, you’ll need to get 19 of the 26 questions correct. For more, see Getting Started: Foundation Exam.
| UPDATE: COVID-19 Due to the current Coronavirus situation, local face-to-face training sessions are not taking place, and the RSGB is not arranging any exams at any level at any of the Exam Centres. Until further notice, RSGB is offering Foundation exams online, with practicals being suspended. For the latest, see COVID-19 & Exams – latest Updates. Note that our free Foundation Online exam course IS still running, and is a great way to prepare for the online exam offered by the RSGB. To enrol, visit Foundation Online Registration |
Foundation Licence & Callsign
Your exam paper is normally marked as soon as the exam is finished, so you’ll get an idea of whether you’ve passed “while you wait”. Assuming you pass, you’ll be sent a Pass certificate by post from the RSGB (Radio Society of Great Britain).
Your details will be passed on to the UK regulator, Ofcom, and you’ll be able to apply for your licence and callsign.
For details of how to do this, see: How to apply for your amateur radio licence
Your Foundation callsign will begin with “M7” followed by three letters, and you can pick those three letters yourself (if the callsign you’re after hasn’t been taken)
Once you have your callsign and your licence, you’re able to start transmitting on HF (long distance) and VHF/UHF (shorter distances), and you can start to see where the hobby takes you.
Next Steps?
Hopefully, this page has given you a feel for the process and how to get started. If you are keen to get on and get your licence, it’s a case of studying for the exam. You can learn from reading the book or taking online courses, but many prefer to learn with a local amateur radio club. A good number of amateur radio clubs offer training courses, which include the practical sessions.
If you’re in Essex, see our “Training in Essex” page for details of local training courses, otherwise, put your address into the RSGB Club Finder to find your nearest club.
You may also want to join our free online Foundation course to help you study.
Training Courses in Essex
The best way to learn the basics and take the exam, is to go on a local course.
In Essex, there are training courses in Danbury, Thundersley, Harlow, Epping, Colchester, Hornchurch, Grays and Canvey Island. You can also study online with Essex Ham, via our Foundation Online Course.
For a full list of local amateur radio courses, see our Amateur Radio Training In Essex section.
Related content
- Amateur Radio Online Training Course
- Foundation Licence Manual
- Training in Essex
- Got your licence? See our Just Got Your Licence page
Great info!
Thanks
Can you clear up something for me regarding the practicals for the Foundation? Would it be possible to take all of the practicals at the same time, or is that simply not logistically possible due to time constraints. I live an hour’s drive from the neares exam centre and I don’t fancy taking four separate trips to get the practicals out of the way before I’m allowed to take the technical exam.
All clubs operate differently, but there are some clubs that allow you to complete all of the practicals in one session. For example, in Essex, the Colchester club runs a one-day “fast track” course that includes all practicals, plus the exam, in a single day.
Pete
Hi i live in Nottingham and all the local clubs are running there next foundation courses in November.
Do you know off any course that do a weekend including exam.
I dont mind travelling
Kind regards phil
Hi Phil,
Try https://rsgb.org/main/clubs-training/course-exam-finder/ for a handy tool to show clubs offering training by distance.
Hope this helps,
Pete
I passed the old time ham examination, City and Guilds of London Institute.
I stopped being ham time ago. Now, I would like to get back with the hobby. Is the old examination result still valid or I need to re-take the present examination again?
Hi Simon no I passed the rae in 1989 no mose test applied for my license in 2019 and got mu full license hope this helps 73 Russell M0IWW
Stupid question maybe but once you have passed the Foundation licence can you use your callsign abroad i.e. holiday in Europe with a 2m/70cm handheld? Or is the M7 callsign just restricted to the Uk?
M7 (Foundation) is UK-only
Ok thanks Pete great info…
my son wants to get in to ham , how old does he need to be to get a foundation licence
thanks for any help
As far as I know, there is no minimum page. I’m aware that someone as young as 8 has been able to get a Foundation licence.
Ok thanks for your help
I have a exam phobia which stems back to my school days 1977 to 1981. I’ve passed many exams since then (welder by trade CSCS card) I’m determined to pass this foundation test and the intermediate. But I’ll need some help. You’ll be hearing from me soon. My modified cobra 148 gtl DX is itching to get back on. Anyway I’ll be in touch. Thank you
What if you are dislextic
Help is available such as exam papers printed on coloured paper, large-print versions of exam papers, use of a “reader” during the exam or extra time to complete the exam, but you’d need to discuss this in advance with your exam centre – See https://www.essexham.co.uk/train/amateur-radio-and-dyslexia/
hi
I am trying to get on list for 5/4/2020
butn don’t think its letting me due to not having a call sign
thank you
You’re on the list for the April course John – not sure what you mean about the callsign though.
Hi sorry if this is a bit of a daft question? I was into CB radio in my youth, many years ago lol
Would love to get into ham radio, but have one question? This is the daft part
To take a foundation course, would I need a ham radio at home? Told you it was daft
Not a daft question. No, you don’t need any amateur radio equipment to get your licence.
Pete
Hi all,
Very grateful for all the effort that goes into this site, the foundation course and the actual club. Most impressive is the fact you offer it free to anyone. I suspect there are loads of people like myself who just don’t fancy / don’t have the time to be part of a physical club. To us you have made starting out on this journey so much easier. Please keep up the good work and I hope in future you’ll look to offer the more advanced exams in similar formats. Enjoy the coffees, they are well earned.
How long does the foundation licence last for before having to take the intermediate test. I read a news letter on RSGB website around 6 months ago stating they are in talks with ofcom,saying that if a foundation licence holder has not moved up to an intermediate licence holder within 2 years then they will revoke their licence and will have to take a re-test. Is this true its not very good, some people may not want to progress any further. Any info will be great, thanks.
Hi Jim,
That was an idea being discussed a few years ago as part of a licence review. There are no such plans in place or planned as far as I know.
Pete
Hi Pete and all, just passed the Foundation Licence exam after doing your fast track course. Thanks Again
Chris Adams
Your website is excellent. Full of good information and training links. It is also pretty much the first URL that comes up on google!
Thank you for maintaining and doing the online training. Can’t wait for the online training to start :)
I didn’t understand why people were so negative towards the youtuibe examples of the exam. It’s just like a Health & Safety video at work, so there’s nothing wrong with it. There will always be some people who complain about everything…