Courses &
Exams
Introduction
A licence is required to operate an Amateur Radio
Transmitting station. The Licence is issued by OFCOM (the government regulator)
when you pass an exam. It is much easier than it ever used to be to get 'on
air' as there are now 3 levels of Licence (Foundation, Intermediate and Full).
The Foundation Licence is the starting point and serves as
an introduction to amateur radio. On passing the exam you will be issued with
an amateur radio Licence and your own unique call sign. This entitles you to transmit
on certain amateur radio frequencies at a low transmit power. Amateur radio is
a hobby where you continue to learn and expand your knowledge over time and whilst
most people do progress through the three levels of Licence and therefore gain
access to greater privileges with your Licence, this is not mandatory (although
definitely recommended!). So, don't be concerned by three exams at this stage
as they can be taken over time to suit your preference.
Even with a Foundation Licence you will be soon making
contacts with other amateurs around the world.
Courses
To help you enter this fascinating hobby, we run a programme
of training courses for the Foundation and Intermediate Licences (we do not run
a Full Licence course). To date, many hundreds of candidates have attended our
courses and our >98% success rate is impressive, especially as many of the
newly Licensed radio amateurs had no prior knowledge of radio and electronics
before embarking on our courses.
Classroom and Online Training and Exams
For very many years we have always run
classroom-based courses as this is by far the best way to be trained. It
enables greater interaction (Q&A, chats during coffee breaks, etc),
hands-on practical aspects (view and handle components, antennas and
equipment etc) and general enhanced all-round discussions and good
communication between the students as well as between the students and
tutors. Friendships made in the classroom during the course can last for
years.
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During 2020 and the first part of 2021, due to
COVID-19 restrictions, we offered the same course online via Zoom. This
online method of training has its advantages (no travel being one), but
lacked the positive aspects of face-to-face training.
We are pleased to be able to safely return to
classroom-based training starting with our Foundation course in November
2021. All COVID-19 safety precautions will be taken, including limiting
the class size, so book your place on the course now before all places
are taken.
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Our classroom courses take place in Newtown Village
Hall, Newbury, Berkshire. This is a quiet rural location which is ideal
for training.
Whilst the training is done in the classroom, the
exam is still taken online, from your own home at a date and time to
suit you.
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When is the Next Course?
- Foundation: For information about training for a Foundation License please follow the link below.
- Intermediate: For information about training for an Intermediate License please follow the link below.
For details of how to join a course please contact the
NADARS Course Secretary by clicking
here
Are You Interested in Obtaining Your Amateur Radio
Licence?
If you
have any questions or would like to know more about our training then
contact the NADARS Course Secretary by clicking here
The first step into this amazing hobby couldn't be easier!
Morse Classes
Amateur radio covers many different modes of operation,
whether that is by speaking to someone using a microphone connected to your
transmitter, or connecting your computer to the transmitter to send data
messages or television pictures, or even using Morse code, which is still of
considerable interest to many amateur radio enthusiasts around the world.
If you are interested in learning Morse code then NADARS can
arrange Morse classes.
For information please contact the Club Secretary (contact
details here)
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