Bredhurst Receiving and Transmitting Society

1. Nature of Amateur Radio

1a.1 Recall that the amateur licence is for self-training in radio communications and is of a non-commercial nature.

1. Amateur Radio dates back almost to the origins of radio communication itself some would say that Amateur Radio made radio communication possible.

2. However for the Foundation Licence you must be aware that the hobby is for self-training and that for the most part it involves some form of experimentation in aspects of radio communications. Such self-training could however be carried out in a group or club where others with more knowledge can show you how to make simple antennas, antenna matching units (also know as ATU Antenna tuner units) and to carry out other simple constructional project. Self-training on a solo basis means reading up on a topic and then within the limitations of your licence carrying through what you have learned whether that is in better operating practice, better station layout etc.

3. The course will explore all these avenues to help you to be aware of the great hobby you are entering.

4. You must be aware that unlike other radio communication users of the air waves it services is non-commercial in nature.

In summary you will find that Amateur Radio is of value to you from the point of view of :-

1. Technical innovation - there are always new ideas coming on stream

2. Emergency communications (although in the Licence Conditions part you will learn that as a Foundation Licence holder you cannot actually take a full active part in emergency communications).

3. Development of skills for the United Kingdom - if you are a young student the hobby might well give you an idea to follow some form of electronics as a career which could be of benefit to the skills base of UK.

4. International friendship - as a Foundation Licence holder you gain access to amateurs world wide via the HF bands (1.8 to 30 MHz), and you may well strike up a friendship that could lead to an exchange visit to amateurs abroad.

5. Amateur Radio is also a recreational activity and with the hope of increasing leisure time will give the student who achieves their licence a hobby for life.

Remember that the Foundation Licence is the entry level to Amateur Radio in the UK and this course is based upon the ethos (concept) that you are entirely new to electronics in any form and even such words as the HF bands (1.8 to 30 MHz) means nothing to you at present, stay with the course and like many students before you let's hope you achieve your goal of a Foundation Amateur Radio Licence.