This is the video channel of Essex Ham, the UK website that promotes the amateur radio hobby. Our videos include coverage of amateur radio events, training material and other features.
We cover what is required to help you get your Foundation licence. There is more on the Ionosphere at Intermediate. As we’ve said in response to your other negative feedback, we are following the RSGB’s exam syllabus to help you to get your first licence
Using a single antenna on a band its doesn't resonate on may be possible with a ATU to convince the radio you have a resonant antenna connected to it, but you will receive very little signal and will transmit even less because the antenna resonance is required for the creation of an Electro Magnetic Field which will not happen on a non-resonant antenna, worst still like the G5RV you have the feeder line becoming part of the antenna and start transmitting energy where you don't want it transmitted.
I think this is the fifth such post you’ve made, and my answer remains the same - our training material is to help get you through your Foundation exam. We are following the RSGB exam syllabus. You are referring to Intermediate-level information that will be covered when you study for your Intermediate exam.
I was surprised you didn't say what an impedance is, you also said that wavelength affects Impedance, sorry but wavelength has no effect at all on impeadance,if it did we would have coax cable for use on each band which we do not.
Again, may I respectfully refer you to the RSGB exam specification (section 4C6). We are teaching required knowledge to help you to get your Foundation licence Clive.
A Good video; I was impressed that a field diagram was shown for the dipole, and was then disappointed that these diagrams didn't continue on the next slides. You also failed to point out that the electromagnetic field doesn't actually touch the antenna, and will travel further away as the height of the antenna above ground increases.
Sorry to hear that you’re disappointed with our free course material. As per your previous negative comment, we are only following the RSGB exam syllabus and your point is not required learning for your Foundation exam. You’ll cover this when you study for your Intermediate exam
A very good video up to the point when you talk about demodulators, a demodulator is not a detector, if the exam is using the term interchangeably then it should not be. If you put a AM signal into a demodulator you will not get anything meaningful out of it.
Can you go straight for the full licence without taking the first two? I'm 65 & learned Morse code at the age of 5. I've been involved in electronics since 1991 & have been an electrician since 1982. I've taken both the first two exams as mocks & passed both without studying. I'd obviously have to study for the full licence. I'm just wondering if I can just go for that directly. Thanks. 😊👍
Hi Pete. Well, I've said it before, elsewhere, but must say it again. What a wonderfully clear and simple course you have put together for us "newbies". It all makes sense too. Power to Essex Ham Radio Club. Thank you.
i became interested in radio last week. i take my foundation test in a few days. i am a keen electronics nerd, and own a little lab with scopes, func gens, and all that stuff, so the technical details of the syllabus were easy. but i did wonder what relevance it had to 90% of the people interested in radio. i personally am only interested by the technical aspects, communication, for me, is just a means to learn more about radio itself. i expected to have to learn morse, i then learned this element was dropped over 30 years ago, presumably as it was no longer relevant, like ohms law now to radio operation.
I'm currently studying for the Foundation licence, I'm aware of both new and old regulations, but thanks to HamTrain I now know that I should be giving the "old" answer to actually pass! (So yeah I count myself in the majority that disagree with the RSGB)
Because the RSGB is still teaching an old syllabus. If your exam is before 01 Sept 2024, you will be on the old licence conditions, as the RSGB needed 6 months to make the changes to the exams
1:30 "You cannot operate from an aircraft". According to Ofcom's "General notice of decision to vary amateur radio licences" (21 February 2024) they are now "Allowing low power airborne use in some frequency bands". Similarly, the max power is now 25w for Foundation licenses. I'm therefore curious if the exam now reflects such updates or we have to learn the "old way" if they haven't?
So much common sense here! The syllabus needs a huge overhaul - not just at foundation / entry level but as a cohesive whole - to make it relevant to amateur radio TODAY. This isn't to say that I'm against progression, but again, how about we make it more relevant ? Continued heavy focus upon electronics and transceiver anatomy will ultimately lead to the demise of the hobby. I favour a modular system including core (mandatory) aspects of the hobby, in addition to specialist options (e.g. transceiver architecture, construction, digital modes, repeater operation, advanced troubleshooting, culture and community, etc.) that candidates can choose from. That said, I am about to commence study for the full license having recently passed the intermediate, but struggle to appreciate the relevance of much of it.
Join your local radio club. You should already be a member of a club if you've passed your test. Your club will guide you into anything you want to do.
Passed my direct to full last week. Just waiting on my candidate number. I was a M7 for a few years before. And I booked my D2F test with 3 weeks to study. I brought all 3 license manuals, read them and then did all the foundation, intermediate, full and direct to full mocks on the day of my test. I'm a very active radio user so please remember study time will vary from person to person.
Well, from a complete novice yet to set out on a course of learning, that mostly sounds great! It would be very interesting to hear a seasoned operator's opinion though; particularly over the massive power increases and whether those were a good thing or not.... particularly the huge jump up for the lowest tier licence and whether that was wise or not.
I studied with you for my Foundation Exam about 18 months ago and achieved my Full Licence a couple of moths ago. Thank you very much for your very generous help and guidance. 73 Pete
When will the new manual for foundation licence be available? I don't fancy buying old one to be replaced in couple months with new one. I'd rather wait until after September.
Hi Pete, Thanks for the update. Do we need to contact the RSGB direct to swap current intermediate call sign to the new M8/M9 ones? Cheers! Best regards, 73 Manny 2E0HJN
It’s likely that when Ofcom is ready to roll out this change, you’ll be able to change callsign on the Ofcom website. Callsigns are managed by Ofcom, not RSGB
Actually, it is not how an antenna gain works. It is not increasing the power, because it would contradict the conservation of energy. So if you feed 5 watts you will not get 10 watts but, of course, in the main direction the power density will be 2 times higher than from the reference antenna (isotropic or dipole).
Agreed - Remember that this is Foundation-level, which simply requires a basic summary of ERP. Higher levels go into this and other subjects in more detail. Good luck with your studies and exam.
