The entry Level is the Foundation licence. This is a new licence that was 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 involved in amateur radio as quickly as possible. But before you are allowed to transmit ‘live’ it is important that you know a little bit about how your 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 obtain their license and most people now self teach using the RSGB Foundation Now book (https://www.rsgbshop.org/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Training_19.html) or take an online course such as the excellent free course run by ‘Essex Hams’ (hamtrain.co.uk) and also take their exam online in the comfort of their own home.
Because of these changes as a club we now see very little demand for in-person foundation courses or exams, but members will always be willing to help those interested in obtaining a license and NARC may still arrange a course if there is sufficient demand to ensure the school hire costs are reasonable for those attending.