{"id":18597,"date":"2026-09-27T21:18:56","date_gmt":"2026-09-27T20:18:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.essexham.co.uk\/train\/?page_id=18597"},"modified":"2026-09-28T00:01:55","modified_gmt":"2026-09-27T23:01:55","slug":"what-next","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.essexham.co.uk\/train\/what-next\/","title":{"rendered":"Just Passed… What Next?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Passing your Foundation exam is a great achievement \u2013 but once you’ve got your callsign, you may be wondering what to do next. We’ve created What Next?<\/strong> to help newly-licensed radio amateurs take their next steps. Whether you’re wondering what radio to buy, how to make your first contact, how to set up a station, where to find other amateurs, or simply what you can do with your new licence, we’ll try to point you in the right direction.<\/p>\n

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\nBETA<\/span>
\nWhat Next? is a new service<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n

Developed in response to feedback and surveys from Foundation students and newly-licensed amateurs. It’s still developing, so your feedback will help us decide what to add and improve.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Answer a few quick questions below and we’ll suggest some useful next steps. It’s anonymous \u2013 we don’t ask for your name, callsign or email address.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Where are you up to?<\/h2>

Have you got your amateur radio licence yet?<\/p>\n

I've passed and have my licence\/callsign<\/a>I've passed but haven't got my licence\/callsign yet<\/a>I'm still studying \/ haven't passed yet<\/a><\/div> <\/section>\n\n

Do you currently have an amateur radio?<\/h2>\n
No<\/a>Yes \u2013 a handheld<\/a>Yes \u2013 a mobile radio<\/a>Yes \u2013 a base\/HF radio<\/a>Yes \u2013 more than one<\/a>I'm not sure what type it is<\/a><\/div> <\/section>\n\n

Have you made an amateur radio contact yet?<\/h2>\n
Yes \u2013 I'm comfortable getting on air<\/a>Yes \u2013 but I'm still finding my feet<\/a>Only one or two<\/a>Not yet<\/a>I\u2019ve tried, but haven\u2019t managed to make a contact<\/a>I don't have suitable equipment yet<\/a><\/div> <\/section>\n\n

What would you like help with?<\/h2>
\n \ud83d\udcfb Choose or buy a radio<\/a>\ud83c\udf99\ufe0f Make contacts \/ get on air<\/a>\ud83c\udfe0 Set up my station<\/a>\ud83d\udce1 Improve my signal or antenna<\/a>\ud83c\udf10 Get started on HF \/ long-distance contacts<\/a>\ud83c\udf0d Discover what I can do with amateur radio<\/a>\ud83c\udf93 Progress to Intermediate<\/a>\ud83d\udcf6 Get started with repeaters<\/a>\ud83d\udc65 Find people, clubs and nets<\/a>\ud83c\udd98 I\u2019m stuck \/ something is stopping me<\/a>\u2753 Something else<\/a> <\/div><\/section>\n\n

What's the main thing holding you back?<\/h2>\n
I don't know what to say<\/a>I'm nervous about transmitting<\/a>I don't know where to call<\/a>I can't hear anyone<\/a>I've called but nobody answers<\/a>I don't know how to use my radio<\/a>Something else<\/a><\/div> <\/section>\n\n
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Not found what you're looking for?<\/h2>\n

What Next? is new and we're still adding to it.<\/strong> If we haven't covered what you need yet, there are several other ways to find help.<\/p>\n\n

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Search Essex Ham<\/h3>\n

We have more than 1,000 amateur radio articles and guides. Try searching the main Essex Ham website:<\/p>\n

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Still stuck?<\/h3>\n

Our help page lists ways to get advice and support from Essex Ham and other radio amateurs.<\/p>\n See ways to get help \u2197<\/a>\n <\/div>\n

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Ask the community<\/h3>\n

Post your question in the Essex Ham forum and see if another radio amateur can point you in the right direction.<\/p>\n Visit the Essex Ham forum \u2197<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \u2190 Try the What Next? questions again<\/a>\n\n

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Help us make What Next? better<\/h3>\n

Couldn't find what you needed? Tell us what you were looking for. This will help us decide what to add next.<\/p>\n