Foundation Amateur Radio Exam
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ExploreAbout this exam
The Foundation Amateur Radio Exam is the entry-level UK amateur radio examination, run under the exams and training programme administered by the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB). It is designed for complete beginners: people with no technical background who want to get on the air, and younger candidates such as cadets and school groups, for whom a dedicated Foundation licence application route is published. Candidates typically prepare through a club-run training course found via the RSGB Course & Exam Finder, supported by student information, trainer information and training resources, and by watching the Foundation practicals video series. The syllabus is examined as multiple-choice questions across four areas: licensing and operating rules, technical basics, transmitters and receivers, and antennas and propagation. Because this page was compiled from RSGB pages that returned "Page Not Found", the question count, exam duration, pass mark, fee, retake policy and licence validity are not stated here and are shown as null pending retrieval of the correct pages. Always confirm current arrangements with the RSGB Exam FAQ, the Course & Exam Finder and your own club before booking. This is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the RSGB.
What you'll study
About Foundation Amateur Radio Exam preparation
What is the Foundation exam and who is it for?
It is the first level of the UK amateur radio licence examinations, aimed at complete beginners with no electronics background. Candidates usually train with a club course found through the RSGB Course & Exam Finder, then sit a multiple-choice paper covering rules, technical basics, equipment and antennas.
How many questions are there and how long do I get?
We cannot state this reliably. The RSGB pages used for this profile returned "Page Not Found", so the question count, time limit and pass mark are recorded as null. Check the RSGB Exam FAQ and your club before booking so you know exactly what to expect on the day.
What does the exam cover?
Four areas: licensing and operating rules (including licence conditions and operating practice), technical basics (such as voltage, current, resistance and frequency), transmitters and receivers, and antennas and propagation. Expect simple calculations and practical reasoning rather than deep theory.
Is the exam hard for someone with no technical background?
It is written for beginners, so the concepts are introductory. The usual difficulty is not the maths but the rules and vocabulary. Working steadily through a structured course, doing practice questions by topic, and asking a trainer to explain anything unclear is normally enough.
How should I order my study?
Start with technical basics, because voltage, current, resistance and frequency underpin everything else. Then move to transmitters and receivers, then antennas and propagation. Finish with licensing and operating rules, and revise them last so band plans and licence conditions stay fresh for the exam.
Where do I find a course or exam centre?
Use the RSGB Course & Exam Finder to locate a club running training or exams near you. Student information, trainer information and training resources are also published by the RSGB, along with an Exam FAQ and exam forms. Your chosen club will explain its own booking process.
What do candidates most often get wrong?
Common weak spots are mixing up units and prefixes, confusing resistance, current and voltage, misreading band and frequency limits, and skimming licence conditions. Another frequent problem is not reading the whole question. Slow down, check units, and practise questions in the same format as the real paper.
Can I retake the exam if I fail, and what does it cost?
We cannot confirm this from the source material. Retake policy, fees and licence validity are all recorded as null because the RSGB pages retrieved returned "Page Not Found". Consult the RSGB Exam FAQ, the exam payments page and your club for current arrangements before you book.
What happens after I pass?
You progress towards a Foundation licence and can begin operating within its conditions. The RSGB publishes first steps guidance, setting-up and operating advice, and practical skills videos for new licensees. Confirm the exact licence application route and any fees with the RSGB or your training club.