The entry Level is the Foundation licence. This is an Ofcom licence which was first introduced in January 2002 and has been updated several times since, the latest major changes in 2024.
The Foundation licence is designed to get you active 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, how to use your equipment safely, how not to upset your neighbours or your parents (if you are a young person) and the rules and regulations of holding a radio transmitting licence. The Foundation Licence now allows you to transmit up to a power of 25 Watts on Foundation areas of the band plan.
The 2020 pandemic brought about big changes to the way people could learn and obtain their license and most people now self teach using the RSGB Foundation Now book ( https://www.rsgbshop.org/training ) or take an online course such as the excellent free course run regularly by ‘Essex Hams’ (hamtrain.co.uk).
Exams are now taken exclusively online rather than paper (unless there are specific medical conditions) and can taken in the comfort of their own home rather than just an approved exam centre as it used to be.
Because of these changes as a club we now see very little demand for in-person foundation courses, but club members will always be willing to help and NARC may still arrange the occasional course if there is sufficient demand to ensure the school hire costs are reasonable for those attending.
For detailed information on training, syllabus and how to book an exam please see www.rsgb.org/training