Amateur Radio
Created | Updated Mar 29, 2002
Becoming a Radio Ham, sorry, Amateur Radio Station operator, in the UK is not an easy task. International law :-P requires that you have appropriate training before you are allowed to install, operate and maintain a transmitting station.
There are a number of different levels of licence and each requires a test <yikes> at differing levels to be passed.
A short course on the principles of radio, basic operating procedures and licensing conditions at evening classes at college or, more commonly at your local Radio Club, will enable you to pass the Novice Amateur Radio Exam. This will entitle you to apply for a Class B Novice licence. (Most of them have many vices! <ill> ) This entitles you to call, more in hope than anger, on limited frequencies above 30 MHz with lower permitted power levels. To achieve the same priveliges below 30 MHz you also need to be able to send and receive morse code at 5 words per minute to make you a Class 'A' Novice.
Once you're fed up with the limitations of the Noviciate you may want to obtain the full licence. The first step is back to the school desk and pass the Radio Amateurs Exam, full version!<wow>. There are also some very good correspondence courses available. The RAE gives a fuller understanding of how radio works and a good working knowledge of electronic components. Passing this will give full access to the amateur bands above 30 MHz on the Class 'B' Licence. If you have passed the 5 wpm morse test you can have a class 'A/B' licence which gives limited access below 30 MHz as well.
Recently (early 2002) variations to these requirements have made it easier still to gain access to the wonderful world of 'Ham' radio. Details are available from your local club or the RSGB. (See below)
The final stage is the Class'A' licence! >-| Sorry, more morse, 12 words per minute this time, but then the world is your oyster, with the aid of a <fish> and about £1000 worth of equipment you can talk to any other radio amateur station in the world B-) A bit like a chat line really, except you usually end up talking about amateur radio!<cry>
But seriously , it really is worth all the trouble, and if you manage to build some of your own equipment, it is Marconi all over again when someone on the other side of the world replies to your 'CQ' call.<magic>
Amateur Radio now covers all means of communication by radio waves. Television, satelite and digital are all there. Amateurs regularly bounce signals off the moon and use aurora to enhance their signals.<flyhi>
I'm sure the moderators won't mind me pointing you to the Radio Society of Great Britain site at www.rsgb.org.uk for more information.
73's (All the best) and Good DX
There are a number of different levels of licence and each requires a test <yikes> at differing levels to be passed.
A short course on the principles of radio, basic operating procedures and licensing conditions at evening classes at college or, more commonly at your local Radio Club, will enable you to pass the Novice Amateur Radio Exam. This will entitle you to apply for a Class B Novice licence. (Most of them have many vices! <ill> ) This entitles you to call, more in hope than anger, on limited frequencies above 30 MHz with lower permitted power levels. To achieve the same priveliges below 30 MHz you also need to be able to send and receive morse code at 5 words per minute to make you a Class 'A' Novice.
Once you're fed up with the limitations of the Noviciate you may want to obtain the full licence. The first step is back to the school desk and pass the Radio Amateurs Exam, full version!<wow>. There are also some very good correspondence courses available. The RAE gives a fuller understanding of how radio works and a good working knowledge of electronic components. Passing this will give full access to the amateur bands above 30 MHz on the Class 'B' Licence. If you have passed the 5 wpm morse test you can have a class 'A/B' licence which gives limited access below 30 MHz as well.
Recently (early 2002) variations to these requirements have made it easier still to gain access to the wonderful world of 'Ham' radio. Details are available from your local club or the RSGB. (See below)
The final stage is the Class'A' licence! >-| Sorry, more morse, 12 words per minute this time, but then the world is your oyster, with the aid of a <fish> and about £1000 worth of equipment you can talk to any other radio amateur station in the world B-) A bit like a chat line really, except you usually end up talking about amateur radio!<cry>
But seriously , it really is worth all the trouble, and if you manage to build some of your own equipment, it is Marconi all over again when someone on the other side of the world replies to your 'CQ' call.<magic>
Amateur Radio now covers all means of communication by radio waves. Television, satelite and digital are all there. Amateurs regularly bounce signals off the moon and use aurora to enhance their signals.<flyhi>
I'm sure the moderators won't mind me pointing you to the Radio Society of Great Britain site at www.rsgb.org.uk for more information.
73's (All the best) and Good DX
