If you’re looking at getting your UK amateur radio Foundation licence, you’ll be required to complete a number of short practical exercises. Typically, you’ll do these at a nearby amateur radio club, in front of a Registered Assessor (clubs may change for this). When you have completed them, you’ll receive a form confirming you’ve done them, and this is required when sitting your multiple choice Foundation exam.
The practicals are referred to as “assessments” – There’s no pass or fail, and you can complete these at your own pace – The assessor needs to be sure that you have the basic competence.
Here is a summary of what’s required, plus a short video.
Foundation Practical: Station and Antenna Setup
You’ll be required to demonstrate that you can connect a radio to a power supply, antenna and feeder. Some clubs will also show you how to connect an SWR meter, microphone and filter too.
You’ll also have to “tune” an antenna. This means moving the adjustable elements of an antenna known as a dipole, and measure the SWR (standing wave ratio) value. You keep adjusting until a good SWR reading is achieved.
Here is a video of a typical station setup and antenna tuning practical:
Morse Appreciation
You no longer able to learn Morse code. To introduce you to Morse, you will complete an “appreciation”. Typically, this means working with the assessor to send and receive between 20 and 30 characters of Morse code.
There’s no time limit, and no need to rush. You have a printed sheet containing the letters, and can write it down one letter at a time.
The following video shows what’s involved – It’s pretty easy!
Foundation Practical: VHF Radio Contact
This is one of two practicals where you get to try your first messages on the radio. The requirements are:
- Demonstrate correct tuning in to an amateur FM voice signal and a data signal, such as packet.
Read the signal strength meter (where fitted). - Demonstrate correct operation of a VHF transmitter/receiver in simplex mode (change frequency, adjust squelch and change volume).
- Demonstrate a CQ call, making a contact and initiating a change of frequency.
- Make a simplex radio contact and exchange signal reports.
Here is a video example of the type of contact you’ll be required to make:
Foundation Practical: HF Radio Contact
Making a different type of amateur radio contact, this time on HF. Requirements are:
- Demonstrate, using an HF transmitter/receiver, correct tuning in to an amateur SSB voice signal and a Morse signal.
- Demonstrate correct operation of an HF transmitter/receiver in an SSB contact (change frequency, use the clarifier, adjust the volume, RF gain, microphone gain and antenna tuner.
- Make an HF SSB voice contact and exchange signal reports.
As this is more simple than the VHF QSO – we’ve not made a video for this one.
That’s all there is to it.
I found this course very well presented now I am going to find a club to do my practicals and my exam.
I am disabled with limited movement at present. I live in Downend, east Bristol. What would be my best approache towards the Foundation Course and exam please?
JH
Hi John,
First off, it makes sense to contact one of the clubs in your area – you’ll likely need their help sorting out the practicals and an exam session.
See https://thersgb.org/services/clubfinder/ for your nearest clubs.
You’ll need to learn the exam material, which you can do with the help of a club, or through self-study (online course, books, etc)
Does that help?
Pete
Hi ,
i find this all very daunting and scary with all the stuff that i will need to know and learn , i have a really poor memory and it scares me , also i’m afraid to go out and meet people and especially don’t like being in groups hence why i want to learn ham radio so i can speak to other people , how would you suggest i get through this and learn it all , cb was a lot easier hahahaha
Thanks
Hi James,
There are several options:
1. Find a friendly amateur that can help you on a one-to-one basis
2. Go to a local club – I appreciate you may not like large groups, but some clubs only train 2-3 people at a time
3. Study yourself at home – You can use the RSGB book to read up on the material, take our online course, do online mock tests, or just watch our videos to see what’s involved.
Foundation is pretty straightforward, and the practicals are pretty easy.
Perhaps have a look at some of the videos, to see if it’s for you:
https://www.essexham.co.uk/train/foundation-online-resources/
Any questions? Please ask.
Pete
I have registered for the on line foundation course. When will l get the first information email sat 6 January 2018 thanks
Hi Alan,
No record of your registration on the system for your email address. Did you complete the registration form?
https://www.essexham.co.uk/train/foundation-online/
Pete
can’t wait to get started what do i learn
Hi Alan,
Take a look at our video to get a feel for the sort of things you’ll learn as part of the Foundation licence course: https://www.essexham.co.uk/how-to-become-a-ham
Please help me out with morse code class and pratice test .within 35 miles of great Yarmouth Norfolk
Hi Rikki. Go to https://thersgb.org/services/clubfinder/ to find out which clubs can help with practicals and exams. Pete
What a fabulous website
I am coming back to Amateur Radio after a 45 year break. I never took my licence but have been involved in electronics for most of my life.
I am only interested CW and have been able to read/send at 15wpm although I will need to brush up a little! Please could you confirm that I have got these licencing facts correct.
To obtain a foundation licence (with the aim of communicating via morse code) I need:
1) Practical assessment
2) Morse appreciation
3) Multiple choice exam pass
Do I need a further morse test?
I live about 9 miles south of Newmarket.
Many thanks in advance
Ted Hayton
Hi Ted,
Welcome back. To answer your question, no, you do not need a Morse test. There are 5 practical assessments (VHF radio, HF radio, station setup, dipole tuning, and Morse appreciation), plus a 26-question multiple choice theory exam.
Pete