In the UK, no licence is necessary to receive amateur radio
transmissions, but one is needed if you want to transmit on
amateur radio frequencies.
How do I get a licence ?
To obtain an Amateur Radio Licence in the UK,
you must satisfy the Radio
communications Agency / Ofcom, the UK licencing authority
that you are competent to operate an amateur transmitter.
In the UK, the RA / Ofcom sets the minimum
standards. The Radio Society of Great Britain conducts examinations
on behalf of the Ofcom to test licence applicants. You must
obtain a pass in the examination(s) before submitting your licence
application to the Radio Licencing Centre. Ofcom publishes a
useful document, 'How to Become a Radio Amateur' obtainable
free, either on line, or by writing Ofcom.
This publication includes an application form.
Note: The City
& Guilds of London Institute is no longer responsible
for Amateur Radio examinations.
The 'old' RAE exam has been replaced by the new Advanced Licence
exam.
What types of licence are there?
The UK now has a progressive and structured
amateur radio licence. From 2004, it will be necessary to pass
the Foundation Licence exam, then an Intermediate Licence exam
and finally an Advanced Licence exam in that order to obtain
a Full Licence. It will be possible for already experienced
persons to take all the examinations and the necessary practical
content in one day, should they so wish. Nor is it necessary
for everyone to complete all the elements. It is possible to
stop at any stage, and obtain a licence appropriate to the level
obtained.
CLASS OF LICENCE |
FREQUENCIES |
POWER |
MORSE REQUIREMENT |
| Advanced |
All amateur bands allocated in the UK |
1W max on 135.7-137.8kHz
400W max all other bands |
NO |
| Intermediate |
All amateur bands allocated in the UK |
1W max on 135.7-137.8kHz
50W max all other bands |
NO |
| Foundation |
All UK amateur bands between 135.7 kHz and 440 MHz, except
for the 10m band (28.0 - 29.7 MHz) & satellites. |
1W max on 135.7-137.8kHz
10W max all other bands |
YES Morse assessment |
NOTES:
The Amateur Radio Exams are now called Radio Communications
Exams, and the new full licence exam is known as the Advanced
Licence Exam. An Advanced (Full) licence requires a pass in
the Radio Amateur's Examination. (RAE), or a pass in the Foundation,
Intermediate and Advanced Radio Communications exams after 2003.
Note the RAE has now been replaced by the new licencing structure.
No morse is required.
The Intermediate Licence replaces the former
Novice Licence. Obtaining an Intermediate Licence requires a
pass in the old City & Guilds Novice or NRAE, or a pass
on in the new Intermediate Examination, which also requires
a pass in the Foundation Course. No morse is required
Foundation Licence
The Foundation Licence is aimed at the ordinary
person who wants to gain an understanding of the basics of Amateur
Radio. After completing a basic morse test, practical test and
20 question multiple choice paper, the Foundation Licence gives
you the opportunity to operate 10W radios on a variety of amateur
radio frequencies. Introduced in January 2002, it is the entry
level into Amateur Radio, and the aim is to get involved in
the hobby as quickly as possible. Before you are allowed to
go 'on the air', it is important to understand a little about
how your radio works, the dangers of interfering with other
radio users, how not to upset your neighbours, or family, and
the rules and regulations governing the use of an amateur radio
transmitter.
An integral part of the Foundation Licence,
is the Foundation licence training course. Most of the training
is of a practical nature. There is a small amount of radio and
electronics theory - just enough to appreciate basic concepts
such as safety, using the correct fuses in your equipment, simple
operating procedures and how to build an antenna to get the
most out of your radio station.
The courses are run in an informal atmosphere
by experienced radio amateurs, and usually takes about 10-12
hours of study / practical work, usually over a weekend, or
over a number of weeks. At the end of the course you will sit
a multiple choice examination and a simple morse assessment.
The exam paper will be marked there and then, and in the unlikely
event of failing the exam you be offered a re-sit after a short
break and some encouragement from your tutors. NOTE: Although
the 5 wpm morse test is no longer required for Intermediate
and Full Licences, the morse assessment is still required for
the Foundation Course.
Once you have passed the exam you will be awarded
a 'Pass' which will allow you to apply for an M3 call sign,
then you will be able to operate on all bands from 135.7kHz
up to 70cm (430 - 440 MHz), except 28MHz, with a power limit
of 10 Watts, except for the 135.7 - 137.8kHz band, which is
limited to 1 Watt. This is low power, but it is sufficient to
allow communication around the world. This level of power is
known as QRP, and many amateurs with full licences, allowing
them to use up to 400 Watts, prefer to operate at low power.
There is even a club devoted to operation at low power.
Intermediate Licence
The Intermediate Licence is the next stage
up from a Foundation Licence, and is the last step before the
Advanced Licence, and replaces the former Novice Licence. There
is now only one class of licence. Morse is no longer required.
The intermediate licence allows access to all the amateur radio
bands ( HF / short wave, VHF / UHF & Microwaves ). The power
allowed is 50 Watts, except for the 135.7 - 137.8kHz band, which
is limited to 1 Watt.
To obtain an Intermediate licence you must
have passed the old City & Guilds Novice RAE exam, or the
new Intermediate Licence exam. There are training courses run
by local clubs to help you study for the new Intermediate Licence. This course
is longer than the Foundation course and aims to teach many
of the fundamentals of radio by undertaking practical tasks
such as soldering, building a small project and a variety of
other exercises building on the experience gained as a Foundation
licence holder. After completing the course candidates sit the
Intermediate Examination. This is a multiple choice exam based
on what was learned on the course. A pass in the Foundation
Course is a prerequisite to qualify for the new Intermediate
Licence exam. Morse is no longer required.
What is the Intermediate Course and Exam?
Intermediate Course has been re-structured
to reflect the new licencing structure. The City & Guilds
NRAE exam is no longer held, and has been replaced by the new
Intermediate Licence exam.
Advanced, (Formerly Full) Licence
This is the highest level of licence that you
can obtain. There one class of licence, the Advanced Licence,
the ability to send and receive morse is no longer required.
The Advanced (Full) Licence enables you to operate on all the
amateur radio bands using the full 400 Watts power allowed.
To gain an Advanced Licence it is necessary
to have passed either the Radio Amateurs Examination (RAE) or
the Advanced Licence component of the new licence structure.
The Advanced Radio Communication Examination is more advanced
than the Intermediate, and and replaces the old City & Guilds
RAE. It, again, covers radio theory and licence conditions but
because holding a full licence enables you to use 400 Watts
power output to your transmitter such subjects as Electro Magnetic
Compatibility (EMC), antenna design and safety issues are covered
in some depth. The licence allows access to all the amateur
allocations above 30MHz with full power.
When studying for the Advanced Licence, there
is currently no requirement to take a formal training course.
It is possible to study at home on your own if you so wish.
Where can I take these exams ?
From 1st Dec 2003, the City & Guilds RAE
and NRAE are no longer held, being replaced by the Advanced
& Intermediate Licence exams.
The Burton Amateur Radio Club do not offer training or exams as yet. In our links section there are a list of local clubs that do.
Can I take all the new exams at once?
There is no requirement to take the courses
and exams with a period of operating experience in between.
It is possible to sit all the exams on the same day, but you
will also have to complete any practical elements of all the
courses.
I've passed the exams, now what?
Complete application form RA 188, Application
For Amateur Radio Licence A or A/B or B and Club, or RA 395,
Application for Amateur Radio (Foundation) Licence as appropriate,
(Instructors should have forms. An application form for the
Foundation Licence is included with the course pack.) and send
it with the Pass Slip to Radio Licencing Centre (RLC) together
with the fee, currently £15 for all classes of licence,
but licence holders under 21, or 75 and over, are not required
to pay the fee. The licence will show your call sign and class
of licence held. You also receive a copy of the RA booklet BR68
which gives information about what your licence permits you
to do. It is possible to reserve particular call signs, provided
they have not already been issued. You should first contact
the RLC to see if the call sign you require is available.
