Link to pages on the Nature of Amateur RadioLink to pages on Licence conditionsLink to pages on technical basicsLink to pages on feeders and antennas

Link to pages on Transmitters and ReceiversLink to pages on PropagationLink to pages on SafetyLink to pages on Electromagnetic Compatibility

Link to pages on Operating practice and proceedureLink to pages on the morse code assessmentLink to pages on the other practical assessmentsLink to the general index page at the start of the foudantion licence section

Not a link but is the a graphic of the Brats club logo

Bredhurst Receiving and Transmitting Society

Not a link just a graphic of the foundation course notes

Applying for an Examination

All requests for Foundation Licence examination papers, by Lead Instructors, must be accompanied with a candidate's fee and a fully completed 'Candidate Application Form for Training Course'. The application form is required for each candidate wishing to sit the Foundation Licence exam. Following the completion of the practical assessments of the course the Lead Instructor may apply for an examination paper. Foundation Licence Exam papers are what are called 'Short Notice' papers and a minimum of 10 working days notice required by the RGSB. The RSGB will then generate a unique candidate number and supply the paper to the lead instructor. Note that once an application for the exam has been put in hand no refund of fee is possible.

The data name and address that a candidate gives on their exam application form must be the information given to Ofcom when applying for a licence - so accuracy and legibility when filling in the forms is important.

RSGB Registered Examination Centre


Foundation Course candidates may not sit the exam at a residential home. All radio examinations will have to be conducted at a RSGB Registered Examination Centre which has facilities for the disabled, the usual exceptions being made for persons with disabilities which prevent them from doing so. This is to comply with the new Disability Discrimination legislation in force as from April 2004.

The Assessment (Exam)

There are two parts to the assessment:-

  1. A practical assessment detailed in section 8e of the syllabus requires demonstration of setting up a radio transmitter/receiver and correct on-air operating. These items must be assessed by a registered assessor, who may also be the tutor.

  2. A 25-question multiple-choice examination, with four possible responses, 18 correct answers required for a pass (currently). The examination lasts 45 minutes. Papers are available on demand and are marked locally, with results normally available the same day.

Where students go wrong.

One area where students fall down is that they do not have a working knowledge of the paperwork that is supplied to them at the examination. Do check out this page on the site:- Paperwork with the Exam

Course introduction

  • The first point to understand is that other than for the practicals you do not have to attend a course. Thus if you have the technical knowledge or can learn on your own from the information on the this web site the exam date is really of your choosing, subject to some limitations.

  • This website is a whole club project and no individual authors are acknowledged.

  • The goal is a web site to take a beginner who has an interest in but has no knowledge of Amateur Radio, or even electronics for that matter, to achieve a pass in the Foundation Licence examination.

  • The Club has had much success since the introduction of the Foundation Licence, enabling many students aged from 8 to 75 years old to enter into the hobby of amateur radio - many have even gone forward and taken and passed their Intermediate Licence and then some onto the Advanced Licence examination.

  • Where some items might warrant a more simple explanation, as found necessary by our younger or less electronic experienced readers, the following smilie Simplified version smilie indicatorappears next to the "Simplified Version"

  • Simplified version smilie indicator This logo will also be used where a simple question is being asked "by the reader".

  • You will in parts of the course see this logo More logo This indicates more information which is outside the scope of the syllabus but is useful information for the student who wants to know a little more.

  • May the BRATS offer you the best of good fortune to work through the course and achieve a PASS with which ever Lead Instructor / Club is of your choosing.

  • The BRATS will try to answer any questions you might have but this can only be done by Email

email link  

brats copyright logo