Available in Paperback, Kindle, Apple Books and Kobo
Are you studying to get your UK amateur radio Foundation licence? This Foundation Study Guide from HamTrain is designed to help you pass your Foundation exam. Updated for the September 2024 exam syllabus (v1.6), the content for this guide comes from the popular Essex Ham Foundation Online course that has helped over 12,000 people to study for their licence.
The guide includes all of the material needed to pass Foundation, pages of exam preparation and FAQs, as well as a mock test for the exam itself. It’s written with a focus on passing your exam and getting started in the hobby.
The Foundation Study Guide is split into the main exam sections and covers the basics of the technical side of amateur radio, transmitters and antennas, how radio signals can be sent around the world and how to set up an amateur radio station safely. It also covers the rules and regulations set out by the UK’s radio regulator Ofcom, as well as how to operate on-air and make contact with the worldwide amateur radio community.
More Information:
The HamTrain Foundation Study Guide was first published in June 2024.
Our online course has been running for several years, and we’ve been asked many times over the years for a version of our training material in an easy-to-carry format. To help our students, we’ve compressed the key points of the Foundation exam syllabus into a new course book, making use of our familiar course material.
The guide is split into the main exam sections and provides a basic summary of all of the points that you’ll need to study for the UK’s Foundation licence.
The guide includes extracts from the online course, diagrams, tables and photos to help with revision, as well as various hints and tips on passing the exam. Here’s what’s covered:
- Introduction & Getting Started
- Eight detailed chapters, each covering the Foundation syllabus
- Exam Information, Hints & Tips
- Foundation Glossary
- A 26-question Mock Test
- FAQ – Your Questions Answered
- Appendix A: 2024 Licence Changes
The guide covers RSGB Syllabus v1.6, and has been updated to cover exams from 1st September 2024.
Foundation Study Guide – Video of Contents |
The Guide covers the essentials, is broken down into modules that match the course material, and ends with some handy tips on how to pass the Foundation exam, as well as a mock test.
Chapter Breakdown
Here is a table of contents showing what our study guide covers:
- Getting Started – an introduction to the basic terms used in amateur radio
- Technical Basics – a look at the basics of circuits, power, frequency and wavelength
- Transmitters and Receivers – A look at how radio signals are generated and received
- Feeders and Antennas – The common antenna types are explored, complete with details of cable and connectors
- Propagation – how radio signals are transmitted
- Licence Conditions – the rules and regulations
- Electromagnetic Compatibility – reducing interference
- Safety – Operating safely
- Operating Procedures – how to operate on-air, etiquette and use of radios and repeaters
- Exam information
- After you’ve passed
- Glossary of common amateur radio terms
- Mock test – to see if you’re ready for the exam
- FAQ – Answers to frequently asked exam questions
Latest Version
Amazon’s publishing platform allows for regular updates without delays experienced by standard publishers. Based on student feedback we’ve already updated our books.
- Kindle Version: v1.2 is live (want to update your Kindle to the latest update? Click here)
- Paperback version: v1.2 is live
- Apple Books Version: v1.2 is live
- Kobo Reader Version: v1.2 is live
Paperback version
Measures 15 x 23cm, so easy to carry. 92 pages.
Kindle version
If you have an Amazon Kindle for reading books, great… otherwise you can download free apps for iPhone and Android phones and tablets, as well as Windows and Mac laptops and desktops (link: install Kindle)
Apple Books version
We’ve also released a version for Apple Books, for those with iPads and iPhones. From your Apple device, click this link: Foundation Study Guide on Apple Books
Kobo version
Following a request from a student, we’ve now added this to the Kobo online bookstore, for those with a Kobo reader or Kobo app. See: Foundation Study Guide on Kobo
Other Formats
- The Kindle version can be accessed from the free Kindle Reader on Apple iOS, from the Google Play store for Android, as well as for Windows PC, Mac OS and web browser – download the Kindle Reader
- The book is not available in PDF format, but we do have a short revision guide available in PDF format – this is available to our Patreon Subscribers
Reviews from Amazon:
- “I currently have a student with poor eyesight and with learning difficulties and this book has been a great help to him as he has struggled with the official RSGB book. Once again an excellent product from Essex Ham”
- “Don’t waste your money on the RSGB Foundation book – this Ham Train study guide is the one you need to pass your exam. Bang up to date with the latest rules, and with only the technical stuff you need to know, it is very much focussed on the exam.”
- “This is a super and logical addition to their already impressive training syllabus. I’ve purchased both the physical book and the kindle version of this guide. The physical copies have gone to my local club and we use them to show members of the public how accessible the hobby and the training has become.”
- “Great book to help me with the Ham Radio foundation course. Easy to understand and fun to study with. I downloaded Kindle version as not long to my exam date.”
- “Ideal to use with the Essex Ham online course which itself is terrific and a lot of work gone into it too. Buy the book :)”
- “Purchased this book as a precursor to starting the foundation training course online. Although I have only read a few of the initial chapters, I have found i very easy to read and informative. Its written in a style that doesn’t use to much jargon, unless totally necessary, and even though I have a fair knowledge of radios and operating policies, I have found it very interesting”
Feedback:
We’d love your feedback on the book – please add a comment below, or use the email address published at the front of the book if you have any suggestions for updates.
If you like the book, please leave us a positive review on the Amazon.co.uk website.
Is there any chance to get a PDF version
Hi David,
The Study Guide isn’t available in PDF format, but we do have a 35-page Foundation revision guide available – this is available to our Patreon subscribers or in the Patreon store.
I do wish there was an ePub version that I could read on my Kobo eReader.
Your wish is our command. This is now available on the Kobo bookstore for you. See: Foundation Study Guide on Kobo
Hi, the Amazon website says that the print version is not available and they don’t know when more copies will be available. I tried buying the Kindle version but that, too, is unavailable.
Is there anywhere else I can get hold of a copy? I start training on 5th January.
Best wishes,
Philip
The 2024 version is no longer available, as we have released an updated 2025 version – available here: Foundation Study Guide