This page is intended for students studying for a UK amateur radio licence before September 2024.
In February 2024, we saw some changes to the amateur radio licence, which will affect amateur radio exam questions. Here is what you need to know.
What’s happening?
Ofcom has recently allowed some exciting changes to the licence to give amateurs more freedom and more power.
These changes came into effect on the 21st of February 2024 with the release of a new licence.
When will the exams change?
The RSGB has announced that exams on or after the 1st of September 2024 will be following the new licence conditions. If you are taking your exam between now and the end of August, the 2023 licence conditions, training material and manuals will be fine.
How does this affect my study?
The RSGB had planned to bring in an updated exam syllabus shortly after the new licence was released, but due to various planning “issues” at the RSGB, the new exams have slipped and now won’t be ready until September 2024.
This means that although the new licence conditions are now live, you won’t be examined on the new licence conditions until 1st September 2024.
This is not an ideal situation, as it means that we have to teach you out-of-date licence information for several months until the RSGB is able to catch up. It also means that we can’t recommend their Foundation Training Manual. as this is also out-of-date.
How this affects you depends on when you are planning to take your exam:
Taking the exam before 1st September 2024?
- You will still be examined on the OLD licence conditions. As we’re here to help you pass the exam, that means that our online course is having to teach you the old licence conditions. Not ideal, but we’re here to help you to pass the CURRENT exam, even though there have been recent Ofcom changes.
Taking the exam on or after 1st September 2024?
- You will be examined on the NEW licence conditions. Courses from August 2024 will be updated to cover the NEW syllabus to line up with RSGB’s delayed new exams.
What are the licence changes?
From 21st February, here’s what’s changed – these items won’t be examinable until September 2024, to allow the RSGB to catch up.
Most amateurs regard the changes as very positive. Here is a short summary of the highlights:
- RSLs (e.g. MW7, MM7, MI7, etc) become optional – Except for Intermediate 2x, where the letter will still be mandatory
- Those in England can add an optional “E” to their callsign at Foundation and Full (e.g. ME7QQQ)
- Ofcom to cease issuing 2x Intermediate calls – they will be replaced with M8 and M9
- Any suffix will now be allowed after a callsign (e.g. “M7QQQ/Garden”)
- Power increases:
• Foundation: 25 watts (most bands)
• Intermediate: 100 watts (most bands)
• Full: 1,000 watts (primary bands) - Airborne permitted to a maximum of 0.5 watts EIRP (only on primary bands)
- Supervision of unlicensed people allowed at all 3 licence levels
- More flexibility for Beacons, Gateways and Repeaters, and updates to remote and unattended operation
- Foundation licence holders can now build their own transmitters
- Foundation now have access to 2.4GHz and 5GHz (max 2 watts)
Watch our video summary of the Feb 2024 changes: |
Keep an eye on this page, sign up to the Essex Ham Newsletter or follow us on the HamHub Patreon community for updates on the changes.
Any questions? Add them as a comment below…
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Thank-you for a brilliant website. One question, if I pass the foundation exam under the old rules, would the licence allow me to transmit at 25W and the other things when the rules change?
Stephen, the new rules already started in February… the exam takes up to the end of the year to be updated.
So for people doing the exam between now (March) and….. September (I think?) we use the OLD rules for our answers… so 10 watts maximum transmit on specified channels etc…
BUT when we have our license…. the new rules are already being used since last month….. so 25 watt transmit (check the new sheets for the power, some old 10 watt channels may remain at 10 watt – best to check)
So simply put – there’s a few months (we’re right in them now), where the exams want us to answer the old rules, but we’re on the new rules when we get our license.
(I’m still doing my Foundation, so for what my replies worth!)
Quick question, I passed using your course last year (M7 SCG), my son who is 12 is currently starting his study to gain his. Under the new supervision rules, can I supervise him as an M7 or does it require a full licence? A little confused!!
Thanks in advance
Scott
Hi Scott,
Yes, supervision of non-licenced people is available at all licence levels. The wording of your 2024 licence reads:
“6. The Radio Equipment may be used by the Licensee or by any person who has the permission of the licensee to do so and who is under the direct supervision of the Licensee.”
and
“9. When the Radio Equipment is used by a person other than the Licensee, the Licensee: a) must ensure all users are made aware of and comply with the terms, conditions and limitations of the Licence; and b) remains responsible for the operation of the Radio Equipment and compliance
with the terms, conditions and limitations of the Licence”
Thank you Pete!
I thought it was the case, but never hurts to ask with these things. They have give Foundation a good boost this time round!!
Hi,
Quick question.
For those studying and doing exam before 1st September, it says it is recommended to read the guidelines for amateur radio.
The only ones I can find at this time is the new guidelines, which will take effect from 21st February 2024, BUT, not put through the exam til september.
Where can I find the old pre February 2024 guidelines please.
The Essex Ham training courses (courses up to and including Course 167) cover the pre-February 2024 exam material.