RA Announces Details Of New Amateur Radio Licence Structure

Radiocommunications Agency today announces details of the qualifications and examinations for the revised licensing structure for amateur radio.

The new licensing structure was first announced in September 2001 (see RA press notice 2001/09) The first phase was the introduction of the Foundation licence on 1st January 2002. This has been a success; since then over 1500 Foundation (M3) licences have been issued.

A new syllabus for the Intermediate licence will be introduced early in 2003. This will be based on the current (Novice) syllabus but will exclude those topics covered in the Foundation Licence. RA plans to announce the syllabus at least 3 months ahead of its introduction and it will be run initially as a pilot scheme, similar to the Foundation pilot.

Once the new syllabus is in force, a pass at Foundation level will be a pre-requisite to sitting the Intermediate examination.

Introduction of the Full licence syllabus is planned for early in 2004. From that date, entry into amateur radio will be exclusively via the Foundation licence. Although amateurs will be encouraged to move up the progressive structure they will, of course, be welcome at all levels.

Completion of this programme of change will help to ensure that amateur radio lives up to the best traditions of self-training, producing safe, competent and knowledgeable amateurs.

None of the changes described above affect the status of Morse code. It is still expected that the World Radio Conference in 2003 will remove the obligation on administrations to conduct Morse tests for access to the h.f. bands. Provided this obligation is removed, it is the UK's intention, supported by the RSGB, to merge the A and B class licences, granting current 'A' licence privileges to all. The three types of licence will then simply be: Foundation, Intermediate and Full.

A decision on call signs has not yet been made, but it is likely that amateurs will retain their existing call signs.

Press Enquiries: 020 7211 0500
Out of Hours: 020 7215 0160
Public Enquiries: 020 7211 0211
Textphone (for people with hearing impairments): 020 7215 6740
RA website: www.radio.gov.uk

31st March 2002

RA/PN/2002/04