Ham Radio Foundation License - Radio license for amateurs - Ham radio basics

All about the UK ham radio foundation exam, license and process. Ideal for all taking the amateur radio license as an introduction into what to expect. It doesn't matter what discipline your interested in, from a prepper wanting to know basic technician / operation to professionals building their own radios, we all need to start somewhere and foundation is that place.
Useful links for everyone:
UK - Radio Society of Great Britain: rsgb.org/
UK - Regulator Ofcom: www.ofcom.org.uk/
USA - National Assoc of Amateur Radio: www.arrl.org/ge...
USA - Regulator: www.fcc.gov/am...
Interesting fact. ARRL was founded in 1914 and RSGB was founded in 1913, RSGB winner, winner, chicken dinner :-)
Check out DX Commander, great videos on the syllabus, maybe buy one of his antenna which are highly rated:
/ dxcommander
I am no expert, after all I have only just passed my foundation exam, don't hold me to bands and frequencies. The information in this video is to explain the process and to encourage people to get into Ham Radio and take your exam which is the starting point.
Check out the IOS app store and look for: UK Amateur Radio Mock Tests app. Its really good for exam practice.
Best of luck to everyone in your endeavors and you never know, we might get to talk. MJ7NLK wishing everyone a good day, 73, over and out. (that's a Ham Radio mic drop for those who don't know)
More interesting facts: 73 in ham radio means "best regards" and 88 means "hugs and kisses". 73 is commonly used to say goodbye.
If you would like to buy me a coffee and help support the channel then please follow this link www.buymeacoff... Your support is greatly appreciated, thank you so much.

[@richardgroves290]

Just passed my foundation exam! just waiting for my callsign now, yay!

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Congrats Richard, well done on passing, it’s great to have a new member. If you can, please join the RSGB to support the community. When you apply for your call sign with Ofcom you can customise it to something you will remember. All the best and welcome to the world of Ham Radio. MJ7NLK

[@richardgroves290]

@@NLKMediaGroup Thank you MJ7NLK I was certainly will be joining the RSGB and Essex Ham as soon as I have my call sign which should be next week. Maybe encounter you on the airwaves very soon! 73's!

[@grandpaandlucas7054]

well done. don't stop keep going get the full licence

[@richardgroves290]

@@grandpaandlucas7054Hey! I didn't stop! Now full license holder! G5MAN

[@maffil356]

I grew up in the early 2000's with tales of CB chatter and heard of HAM. It's fascinated me over the years but I'm 33 now and I think I might give it a go, WebSDR has me hooked.

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Go for it, it really can be lots of fun, book your test, swat up on the book (which is more fun than study), watch loads of KZbin videos on the ham foundation license, and take the test. The worst outcome is you fail first time and in so doing you gather lots of valuable experiance for when you take it a second time and pass. HAM radio can be as expensive or cheap as you want to make it from entry level Baofeng radios to Flex Power Genius SDR units. The XIEGU X6100 is an interesting radio to take a look at if your wanting portable SDR and lots of potential. Happy new year and all the best for 2024

[@Blu3yyy]

Thank you for your great video. I have just started my road with this new hobby and like you I've listened to a KZbinr who advised me to just "go and book the exam". My exam is in 16 days, still waiting for my foundational manual to arrive. Looking forward to learning more 🎉 have a great weekend!

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Hi Blu3yyy, sorry for delay in responding, I am a bit behind on comments. I hope your exam went well and that you found the info useful. Don't forget you can customise your call-sign when applying for it so pick something you will remember. All the best and thanks for commenting

[@WildWoodlandsSW]

Thankyou,very helpful and informative. I have the Foundation Manual,and will start reading it,and looking at videos online as you recommend. Subscribed for more content. Best wishes in your radio journey

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Hi Wild Woodlands, Thank you for commenting. The app mentioned is also very helpful as it asks you actual questions from previous exams and you can practice in blocks of 10 to sharpen your knowledge before taking. Best of luck with the exam and armed with the book, watching regular videos and practice on the app your will sail through.

[@JamesDC42]

Started studying for my foundation. Got my RSGB Foundation book and hoping to get training.

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Hi James, well done for taking the first step. It’s fun to learn about radio so enjoy the new information. The UK Amateur Radio Moc app on IOS is really helpful. Once you have completed the book you can practise with the app and get ready for the exam. All the best and thanks for watching. MJ7NLK

[@rupokify]

I've been watching a lot of videos, but this one is really nice and inspiring. Keep up the good work and all the best.

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Thank you, best of luck with your exam and Happy new year to you. All the best MJ7NLK

[@rupokify]

@@NLKMediaGroup Thank you. Cleared the exam and got my callsign already. 73 M7RCF

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Fantastic news, welcome M7RCF and I hope you have many years of enjoyment on the airwaves. All the best, 73 MJ7NLK @@rupokify

[@RSLtreecare]

Thank you very much. Ihave waverd around Ham radio for quite a while...I am interested in being off grid, i have spent several months living in part of Quebec, Onterio Saskatchewan. I have seen, local Indian groups prepare to live out in the Bush. They use radios to keep in touch. My mian interest is as a Safety tool, an emergency link. I will look up several of the organisers you mentioned. Take care.

[@NLKMediaGroup]

You might also look at GMRS radios being in the states. I have seen some that output 50W and could serve the purpose well. We dont have GMRS in Europe but I believe they are well used in North America. Outside of this then a HAM HF radio would be a good choice. 10 / 12 meter band and of course 11 meter CB band. A good radio to take a look at would be the President Lincoln 2 plus which when expanded can cover 10, 11 and 12 meter and is a single side band radio so has most bases covered for longer distance. Would also depend on what frequencies the locals are transmitting on as well. Happy new year and thanks for watching

[@zwitterelf]

Thanks for sharing this information, doing my exam next Monday at the local Radio club..

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Best of luck with your exam, will be great to have another member of the HAM radio group, hope to hear you on the airwaves sometime soon. All the best MJ7NLK

[@zwitterelf]

@@NLKMediaGroup Thank you very much, yes we might meet on the airwaves.

[@zwitterelf]

@@NLKMediaGroup Thank you I managed to pass mine, which my callsign is now M7FVQ

[@a.x.marcus4627]

Very informative, thank you!

[@thecellm8tube]

Excellent video, informative and hopefully see you again sir, thank you!

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Hi CellM8, thanks for commenting, glad you like the content. All the very best

[@welshgreezmunky]

Great video, just considering joining in with this hobby and gained a lot here.

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Thank you for the feedback and glad the video has helped. Welcome to the world of HAM radio, I hope you enjoy, its lots of fun. All the best MJ7NLK

[@cooldad4]

Thanks for the video very informative, started my Foundation course with ham train, now on module 8 . purchased the anytone at-778uv, unfortunately the power output 5,15,25w in either to low or to high! RG8x to the antenna some 9 m high; if that's not encouragement I don't know what Is!

[@thierryfillieul9839]

Great video loads of tips. I’m doing the online course. Many thanks.

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Best of luck with your test, take your time, don't rush it, and I am sure you will pass with flying colours. All the best and thanks for commenting

[@brightonduder]

Just staring out - thanks for a great vid!!!

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Thanks for watching and for commenting. Best of luck with your exam and I hope the content has helped. All the best MJ7NLK

[@tarekdelsi7070]

I am looking forward to get the exam, give us an idea about the exam and I tried to download the application ios, but it is not available . Good video .Good luck .

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Hi Tarek, thanks for your comment, very much appreciated. The IOS app is available in the UK so it could be some sort of geographic restriction in the App Store dependant on where you are accessing it from. Best of luck with your exam. Check out DX Commander on KZbin. He has a complete series of videos on the exam which is very helpful and informative. All the best.

[@brian.7966]

all you need is 3 cornflake packet tops,

[@AdventureVanLife]

Thanks for the info great video

[@markzee6331]

Great post, really informative. Thanks.

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Glad it was helpful and thanks for watching. All the best MJ7NLK

[@NicholasAarons]

Fantastic Video Extremely Helpful. Keep up the great work. 73. Kind Regards Nicholas🧔🏽‍♂️😺.

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Thank you Nicholas that is very kind of you. I hope you found it useful. All the best and thanks for commenting. 73’s MJ7NLK

[@sccjono]

Very helpful video, thank you. I've just signed up for an online course.

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Hi Sccjono, I am glad that the video was useful to you and I wish you all the best for your exam. Thanks for watching and good luck

[@tarekdelsi7070]

Please make a movie about the device you are using after obtaining the license. I am in Jordan

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Keep watching the channel, we have a few videos going up this week, including the unboxing of an Anytone DMR handset.

[@garyfilmer382]

Great video, thank you, I have subscribed!

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Thank you Gary and best of luck if your preparing for your exam. Thanks for watching MJ7NLK

[@DavidCurrie-lo9jd]

very informative indeed just applied here's hoping!

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Best of luck David, am sure you will ace the exam. All the very best

[@DavidCurrie-lo9jd]

@@NLKMediaGroup Cheers mate thank you very much!

[@mikesey1]

A friend has an Iridium Satellite phone. He said that he wouldn't bother with radio if the balloon went up. I asked him who he would phone, of course that stumped him.. I also told him that satellites need to be put back into position every few weeks. Any Satellite phone would be rendered useless after 18 days, because the satellites would be out of place and useless. I have had a licence for 30 years, and would say to anyone, get a good supply of handhelds to give to local friends, and batteries for your transceivers. *** PMR 446 non-licence radios might be good for your local friends & neighbours.

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Hi, you are right in that, should the worst happen all of the modern ways of communicating will fall away. Even the modern radios that rely on relay stations will become limited. Good old HF would be the most useful. The Anytone AT-D878UVII Plus is an amazing little radio for the money with some hidden features. You can unlock the radio by holding down 1 and PTT at the same time and turning the radio on, keeping them pressed until you see test mode appear. then select the mode 0 option. In the code plug you can enable transmit on PMR446 channels and select power output options. This would enable you to transmit on PMR at 6W in the event of a major disastre. That radio is so good on batteries, you can get the high capacity battery and it will last for days and days. So, as a dooms day emergency radio it has a lot going for it. Retevis make some really cheap PMR radios which would be good to stock up on for short range coms as you say. All the best and thanks for commenting.

[@G0ogs]

Well that’s a new one for me, doing morse in the original way is silly🙈. I suggest if you have an interest in amateur radio listen to the web sdr,s first, you can easily find out the relevant used frequencies and it will cost you nothing to do so.

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Hi GOogs, they don't test for morse any longer, infact there is no longer a practical component to the exam. The Xiegu X6100 is a portable radio that has a CW mode that encodes and decodes morse, I dont know of anyone tapping away old school style any longer, its all SDR and let the radio do it for you. I like your IC7800 by the way. All the best and thanks for watching. MJ7NLK

[@G0ogs]

@@NLKMediaGroup Hi, I know quite a lot who still tap away, having myself done the cw test to obtain the full license it was the way it was . I know many who put a lot of time and effort to succeed the test and where not amused it was scrapped. I run with an sdr2 pro now which is my favourite type of radio.

[@terrylay]

Well done Thanks Informative

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Glad it was helpful, all the best and thanks for watching. MJ7NLK

[@Letsfly-w1f]

Great video. Very helpful in understanding the ways to get into ham. I have a baofeng hand held and have been listening in only. I am pretty sure I was listening to somebody in Italy . I live in Wales, could this be the case. Thanks I'm completely new to this

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Hi, difficult to know what you were picking up. A local communication in Italian, a repeater station relaying a communication, etc. It also depends on what frequency you were on and where you were at the time, in a built up area or on top of a hill out in the open. If you were on HF frequencies could have been skip / DX. That's part of the fun. I have had converations with people over 1k kilometers away on a CB radio when the conditions are right and the skip comes rolling in. All the best and thanks for watching

[@brian.7966]

now in the UK all you need to do is send in 2 cornflake packet tops, it used to be 3 but they are changing the licence rules this year. hip hip.

[@NLKMediaGroup]

The practical element and CW part of the test was removed in the UK around lock down and tests became available on-line. This has made taking the test much eaiser to arrange and fit in with peoples busy lives. This is a good thing as removing the barriers means that more people are likely to get licensed which should cut down on un-licensed use and allow more people to enjoy the hobby. Thanks for watching and for commenting, all the best, MJ7NLK

[@paganphil100]

@@NLKMediaGroup : Can you still do the test online?

[@Countryboy071]

​@@paganphil100I thought it was free now?

[@harbourwoodlandvisitor2445]

i couldn't tell you just how many eye balls i had with other CB users in the 80s. had a few girl friends doing eye ball meet ups. CB was buzzin in the 80s you could chat all day and night if you wanted to. just watched some hams on YT, they are talking about signal strength and what rigs they have. each to there there own i suppose. i think it would not take me long before i became fed up with that kind of thing passing numbers and rig talk. on the ham channels is there a band where you get really get stuck in to the real meat and potatoes to have a real chat about everything just as i used to on CB Channels. somewhere i can really get a good chin wag going with a groups of people or just one other or has that all gone now in 2024? i haven't been on air since 89.

[@Jango1989]

Great video.

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Thank you Jango and thanks for watching

[@RolyEm]

Very helpful - thankyou very much

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Hi Rolyem, thanks for the feedback and thanks for watching. All the best

[@johnshaw8013]

Good informative video, but... Do you seriously think there will be anyone policing the airwaves if TSHTF. When there are no emergency services operating, there are unlikely going to be any OFCOM bods snooping around, and callsign or not, I'm sure people will help each other in times of crisis.

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Hi John, thanks for watching and for commenting. It's a chicken and egg thing. If the SHTF then it’s a free for all and there will be no policing of the airwaves as there wouldn't be anyone to undertake the task. It is also very clear in the regulations that in an emergency situation anyone can use a radio with or without a license. If you buy a HAM radio, never use it, and put it in the cupboard for a SHTF situation, you may not be able to use it as you don't know how it works. If you learn how to use the radio and at the very least get your foundation license then you are fully armed to be affective with the equipment when needed and have practical hands on experience with it. In a real SHTF situation online services would be down or patchy and learning as you go using a KZbin video is unlikely. Falling back to good old HF transmission being most likely to be useful and the only real option for long distance communications. DMR and repeaters would be down, maybe not initially but certainly shortly after (no power, no maintenance) so lots of modern features would be useless. If you didn’t know the fundamentals of HAM radio then you wouldn't know where to start or why hitting 100 meter to 10 meter bands is the best place to start. Learning about DX'ing (skip) and the different types of antennas for the band being used would all increase overall affectiveness of the equipment and your chances of reaching others. It’s a fascinating topic with so many permutations dependent on the type of disaster, duration, environmental affects (emp, blocking, jamming, radiation), population and resources nearby, etc. All the best and Happy Easter to you.

[@benjobling6861]

So do you print the exam off prior to the test or do you have to do it on a laptop?

[@NLKMediaGroup]

it's done online with RSBG. you join a call and they send you to a link and monitor you while you answer the questions online. it's a smooth process and works really well. all the best and good luck. MJ7NLK

[@PrestonJSY]

Good video !!

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Thanks!

[@ashpollen65]

Great video! Are you allowed to use a ham HT on PMR 446 frequencies? Ie: pair of baofeng GT5 as a walkie talkie??

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Hi Ash, thanks for watching and for your feedback. In short, No not really. PMR is restricted to 0.5W and if memory serves me correctly also has a restriction about not having a removable antenna. So a pair of GT5's would not meet the requirements and unlikely to be type approved for PMR. Retevis make some really good and cheap little PMR radios. I have a pair of RB615's somewhere which are ideal for short distance coms. Maybe take a look at them as a legal alternative. You can get a pair of them on Amazon for under £40.

[@AirPictureGM]

I was wondering what this viedoe was about at the begining, but after suffering for 8 minutes we finally got there.

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Hi, thanks for the feedback which is greatly valued. We are learning as we go and hopefully getting much better in the newer content. I hope you found the information useful (after your suffering), and you take the leap to getting your foundation license. All the best and thank for watching.

[@indiana146]

Is it still on line

[@NLKMediaGroup]

You can find out more at this link rsgb.services/public/exams/documents/online_exam_remote_invigilation_faq.pdf which is the RSGB website and you can also book your exam here. So, yes they are still doing remote invigilation exams. All the best and thanks for watching

[@redeyegooner]

How do you know about my emergency SHTF pot noodle stash???

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Hi Red Eye Gooner, I have my kettle and a fork ready to start on the stash when the SHTF. As long as there are no Bombay Bad Boy pot noodles in there we are good. Thanks for watching and for commenting :-)

[@LossyLossnitzer]

When I was a lad I thought CW was Carrier wave

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Carrier wave or Continuous wave aka Morse code. They have dropped that from the exam now. You used to have to use a key and tap away as part of the test which is not done anymore. Not sure if it is still compulsory in the US test or not. The modern radios (like the Xiegu X6100 and 6200) encode and decode it for you. All the best and thanks for commenting. MJ7NLK

[@SoulDamnFunky]

I really want to watch this but I can't listen to the depressing dramatic music behind you. Why on a video about Ham radio!

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Hi there, really sorry for that. It was an earlier video on the channel and I didn't have the levels right. Subsequent videos have -32db set on background music so is not distracting. learning as we go but thank you for your feedback which is greatly appreciated. All the best

[@n.g.gardenservicesessex1714]

What a palava. Think I'll just stick to CB. 🙄

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Many people decide to stick to CB for that reason. It does take effort to obtain your license and call sign where CB and PMR is license free. If you want to use the ham bands then there is no alternative, but much fun can still be had on CB frequencies especially if you buy a radio that supports SSB (single side band). All the best and thanks for watching

[@Countryboy071]

I thought it was free ?

[@NLKMediaGroup]

According to the RSGB website the foundation exam costs £32.50, Intermediate is £36.00 and Full is £42.00 or you can go directly from nothing to Full for £95.00. I can't remember what the price was back when I took the test but these are the current prices as of 5th Sept 2024. I hope this helps and good luck. MJ7NLK

[@Countryboy071]

@@NLKMediaGroup thank you, I'm intending on purchasing an HT DB. Not really quite sure what model/make but I'm going to start studying soon. I've got some basic knowledge and a qualification in electronics. It's a start I think anyway.

[@simonjandrell5897]

nobody steals my Pot Noodle Stash..

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Glad to hear it, got to keep the Pot Noodle stash well hidden. However, putting a 20 meter antenna right next to it might invite unwanted attention or target practice depends on how you look at it. All the best and thanks for watching.

[@simonjandrell5897]

@@NLKMediaGroup gonna do my HAM Exam next few months

[@paganphil100]

@3.21 If "Armageddon" happens nobody is going to care whether or not you have a licence.

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Very true, the License allows you to have legal fun until then and learn how to get the most out of the radio. When the SHTF no one will care. All the best and thanks for watching and commenting. MJ7NLK

[@iangarland8273]

Who told you about my pot noodles?

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Hi Ian, I have a kettle and a fork at the ready to start working my way through them should the SHTF. All the best and thanks for watching

[@satansparadise6640]

GoPro= Noooooooooo!!! DJI Vloger Camera Yes much better bye bye GoPro

[@NLKMediaGroup]

I do have multiple GoPro's but am favouring the Insta 360 1" sensor camera over the GoPro at the moment. The only problem I have with the Insta 360 RS 1 Inch is the battery life but good quality image and easy to use. All the best

[@kenkaminskyj3170]

What A prophet of doom you are, what wrong in just wanting a new hobby, turned off

[@NLKMediaGroup]

Maybe you missed the point of the video and didnt watch it all. It's about what is needed to get your license and what I did to get mine. Nothing wrong with wanting a new hobby and I encourage you to take your test and give it a go. One very useful thing that helped me was the app that you can download on your phone to practice the exam questions. All mentioned in the video. It's a great hobby. All the best MJ7NLK

[@badlydrawnsmiffy]

That's not a pass rate.