Amateur Radio
There are two routes to obtaining a Full Amateur Radio Licence. Both require the gaining a Pass in examinations. Closely associated with the examinations are various levels of licence of which there are three; Foundation, Intermediate and Full.
Direct to Full
This is designed for candidates who perhaps already have professional qualifications in the radio and electronics field. These candidates would perhaps only need to gain knowledge of the regulations surrounding the use of transmitters and acquire a knowledge of radio frequency (RF) electronics. Most students would find this a very challenging prospect and, for those with a non-technical background, a more staged approach is the best option. No direct to full courses are offered by HARS.
Foundation
HARS offers this basic level of training through distant learning tutoring via Zoom. This takes place at the speed of the student over 4 or 5 two hour zoom sessions given by David M0VTG who is the Society's lead instructor. This tutoring is entirely free except for the course manual and the examination fee. The course provides a small amount of basic and radio frequency electronics theory together with outline transmitter and receiver architecture; feeders and antennas theory, electromagnetic compatibility, safety, and regulations. The examination is provided on line by the Radio Society of Great Britain on behalf of the regulating authority – Ofcom. If a sufficient number of students wish to study over a weekend, it may be possible to do face to face courses. These will attract a fee for the hire of a suitable venue.
Intermediate and Full
These are offered via the Bath Based Distance Learning Course for which David M0VTG is a Tutor. These courses build on the material for the Foundation licence in progressively more depth and commensurate more operating privileges. The courses take place once a year with the Intermediate course beginning in January and the Full course beginning in August. Both are delivered over a 5 month period via Zoom together with a learning package (currently Moodle) with a wealth of material available. Weekly quizzes are provided and students are expected to do these to consolidate the weekly material. Students who cannot attend the weekly Zoom lecture can access recordings instead. As the name suggests, the lead instructor is based in Bath with regional tutors to assist with up to some 100 students per course. There are pre-course classrooms associated with each course to enable students who have not studied for some time to gain sufficient knowledge for the course of interest. The success rate is well above the national average. These courses are entirely free except for the course manual and examination fee. The examination is provided on line by the Radio Society of Great Britain on behalf of the regulating authority – Ofcom.
Enquiries
Anyone interested in gaining their amateur radio licence should contact: mØvtg.howlett(at)btinternet.com (remove (at) and substitute @) or attend one of our Club Meetings as a Visitor for the evening.
Good sources of information can be found at the following Sites
RSGB - https://rsgb.org/main/clubs-training
OFCOM - https://www.ofcom.org.uk//resources/documents/guidance-become-radio-amateur
Updated 12 Aug 24
Direct to Full
This is designed for candidates who perhaps already have professional qualifications in the radio and electronics field. These candidates would perhaps only need to gain knowledge of the regulations surrounding the use of transmitters and acquire a knowledge of radio frequency (RF) electronics. Most students would find this a very challenging prospect and, for those with a non-technical background, a more staged approach is the best option. No direct to full courses are offered by HARS.
Foundation
HARS offers this basic level of training through distant learning tutoring via Zoom. This takes place at the speed of the student over 4 or 5 two hour zoom sessions given by David M0VTG who is the Society's lead instructor. This tutoring is entirely free except for the course manual and the examination fee. The course provides a small amount of basic and radio frequency electronics theory together with outline transmitter and receiver architecture; feeders and antennas theory, electromagnetic compatibility, safety, and regulations. The examination is provided on line by the Radio Society of Great Britain on behalf of the regulating authority – Ofcom. If a sufficient number of students wish to study over a weekend, it may be possible to do face to face courses. These will attract a fee for the hire of a suitable venue.
Intermediate and Full
These are offered via the Bath Based Distance Learning Course for which David M0VTG is a Tutor. These courses build on the material for the Foundation licence in progressively more depth and commensurate more operating privileges. The courses take place once a year with the Intermediate course beginning in January and the Full course beginning in August. Both are delivered over a 5 month period via Zoom together with a learning package (currently Moodle) with a wealth of material available. Weekly quizzes are provided and students are expected to do these to consolidate the weekly material. Students who cannot attend the weekly Zoom lecture can access recordings instead. As the name suggests, the lead instructor is based in Bath with regional tutors to assist with up to some 100 students per course. There are pre-course classrooms associated with each course to enable students who have not studied for some time to gain sufficient knowledge for the course of interest. The success rate is well above the national average. These courses are entirely free except for the course manual and examination fee. The examination is provided on line by the Radio Society of Great Britain on behalf of the regulating authority – Ofcom.
Enquiries
Anyone interested in gaining their amateur radio licence should contact: mØvtg.howlett(at)btinternet.com (remove (at) and substitute @) or attend one of our Club Meetings as a Visitor for the evening.
Good sources of information can be found at the following Sites
RSGB - https://rsgb.org/main/clubs-training
OFCOM - https://www.ofcom.org.uk//resources/documents/guidance-become-radio-amateur
Updated 12 Aug 24
