So, you have decided that you want to get involved and get that licence...
What licence, I hear you cry?...
To operate a radio transmitter in the UK (apart from some very low power, licence exempt equipment) you must have a licence.
OK so I need a licence, How do I get one of those?

Well, the first and most important thing is that you need to take an examination to get a licence. But don't let this put you off - its not as difficult as you may think. We at the Kettering and District Amateur Radio Society so far have a 100% success rate in the instruction of the Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced licences. Each one has a different level of privileges and the Foundation examination must be passed before progressing to the Intermediate, likewise to gain the Full licence, you must have passed your Intermediate exam.

All newcomers into the hobby will first be studying for the Foundation licence. It gets you involved in amateur radio as quickly as possible.
But before you are allowed to transmit, it is important that you know a little bit about how radio works, the dangers of interfering with other radio users and equipment, how not to upset your neighbours, Ofcom or your parents (if you are a young person) and the rules and regulations of holding a radio transmitting licence. After taking a 25 question multiple choice exam, if you pass (you will know the same day!) you can apply for a M6 callsign of your very own and will be legally allow to transmit on the frequency bands that are allocated to the foundation licencees.
Ofcom, by the way are the UK regulators of radio licences.

Once you have gained experience at the Foundation level you will want to take the next step up, more power, more frequency band and more responsibility. This is the Intermediate licence. The Intermediate licence gives access to the Intermediate frequency allocations within the amateur bands . The Permitted power levels are increased to 50 watts. You will build a small radio related project as part of the assessment.
After completing the course candidates sit the Intermediate Licence Examination. Again this examination is a multiple-choice test based on what was learnt on the course, covering the basic concepts of radio operating on the amateur bands and the licence conditions. With both of these successfully completed an Intermediate licence can be obtained.

To futher your enjoyment of the hobby, the natural thing for an Intermediate licence holder to do is to take the Advanced Radio Communications Examination. This examination is naturally more advanced than the Intermediate, it again covers radio theory and licence conditions but because holding a full licence enables you to use 400 Watts power output to your transmitter such subjects as Electro Magnetic Compatability (EMC), antenna design and safety issues are covered in some depth. The licence allows access to all the amateur allocations with full power.

For futher information contact us via the E-mail link or simply come and visit us.

All newcomers into the hobby will first be studying for the Foundation licence. It gets you involved in amateur radio as quickly as possible. But before you are allowed to transmit, it is important that you know a little bit about how radio works, the dangers of interfering with other radio users and equipment, how not to upset your neighbours, Ofcom or your parents (if you are a young person) and the rules and regulations of holding a radio transmitting licence. After taking a 25 question multiple choice exam, if you pass (you will know the same day!) you can apply for a M6 callsign of your very own and will be legally allow to transmit on the frequency bands that are allocated to the foundation licencees. Ofcom, by the way are the UK regulators of radio licences.
	Once you have gained experience at the Foundation level you will want to take the next step up, more power, more frequency band and more responsibility. This is the Intermediate licence. The Intermediate licence gives access to the Intermediate frequency allocations within the amateur bands . The Permitted power levels are increased to 50 watts. You will build a small radio related project as part of the assessment. After completing the course candidates sit the Intermediate Licence Examination. Again this examination is a multiple-choice test based on what was learnt on the course, covering the basic concepts of radio operating on the amateur bands and the licence conditions. With both of these successfully completed an Intermediate licence can be obtained.
To futher your enjoyment of the hobby, the natural thing for an Intermediate licence holder to do is to take the Advanced Radio Communications Examination. This examination is naturally more advanced than the Intermediate, it again covers radio theory and licence conditions but because holding a full licence enables you to use 400 Watts power output to your transmitter such subjects as Electro Magnetic Compatability (EMC), antenna design and safety issues are covered in some depth. The licence allows access to all the amateur allocations with full power.