Exam Day Guide

What you'll see, how to read it, and how to use your time

What You'll Be Given

Question Paper

Printed booklet or stapled sheets
26 numbered questions
Each question has 4 options: A, B, C, D
Questions are grouped by section (not always obvious)
You can write on this — annotate freely

Answer Sheet

Separate sheet with a grid of numbered rows
Columns A, B, C, D with circles/bubbles to fill in
Use a pencil or pen as instructed by the invigilator
This is what gets scanned/marked — keep it clean
Write your name and call sign (if known) as directed

Reference Data Booklet (EX307)

4-page booklet — you can refer to it during the exam
Page 1: Licence parameters (frequencies, power, status)
Page 2: Band plans (20m and 2m)
Page 3: Wavelength conversion & dB table
Page 4: VHF frequency allocation table
Use a ruler to read across rows accurately

The Reference Data Booklet (EX307)

You'll be given a 4-page booklet called "Reference Data for use in the Foundation Level Examination" (EX307). This is not a cheat sheet — it's official data you look things up from. Learn it before exam day so you know where everything is.

Print it and practise with it

Download EX307 from the RSGB website, print it, and use a ruler when studying. The rows are close together — a ruler stops you losing your place.

Page 1

Foundation Licence Parameters

This is the most important page. It's a table showing every frequency band available to Foundation licence holders, with the status (Primary/Secondary/Not allocated), maximum power, and any restrictions.

Frequency	Band	Status	Max PEP	Notes
135.7–137.8 kHz	160m (shared)	Secondary	1W	Non-interference basis
1810–1830 kHz	160m	Primary	25W
1830–1850 kHz	160m	Primary	25W	Foundation only segment
1850–2000 kHz	160m	Secondary	25W
3500–3600 kHz	80m	Primary	25W	Foundation only segment
3600–3800 kHz	80m	Primary	25W
5300–5310 kHz	60m	Secondary	25W	15 kHz max bandwidth
5310–5320 kHz	60m	Secondary	25W	15 kHz max bandwidth
5320–5340 kHz	60m	Secondary	25W	15 kHz max bandwidth
5350–5380 kHz	60m	Secondary	25W	15 kHz max bandwidth
5380–5400 kHz	60m	Secondary	25W	15 kHz max bandwidth
5380–5400 kHz	60m	Secondary	25W	15 kHz max BW
7000–7050 kHz	40m	Primary	25W	Foundation only segment
7050–7100 kHz	40m	Primary	25W
7100–7200 kHz	40m	Primary	25W
7200–7300 kHz	40m	Primary	25W
10100–10150 kHz	30m	Secondary	25W
14000–14060 kHz	20m	Primary	25W	CW/digital segments
14060–14100 kHz	20m	Primary	25W	CW/digital segments
14100–14125 kHz	20m	Primary	25W	All modes
14125–14300 kHz	20m	Primary	25W	SSB contest segment
14300–14350 kHz	20m	Primary	25W
18068–18168 kHz	17m	Primary	25W
21000–21450 kHz	15m	Primary	25W
24890–24990 kHz	12m	Primary	25W
28000–29700 kHz	10m	Primary	25W
50–51 MHz	6m	Primary	25W
51–52 MHz	6m	Secondary	25W
70.0–70.5 MHz	4m	Secondary	25W
144–146 MHz	2m	Primary	25W
430–431 MHz	70cm	Secondary	25W ERP
431–432 MHz	70cm	Secondary	25W	Not within 100km of London
432–434 MHz	70cm	Secondary	25W
434–438 MHz	70cm	Secondary	25W
438–440 MHz	70cm	Secondary	25W
1296–1300 MHz	23cm	Secondary	25W
2300–2302 MHz	23cm	Secondary	2W
2302–2320 MHz	23cm	Secondary	2W
2320–2400 MHz	23cm	Secondary	2W
2400–2450 MHz	13cm	Secondary	2W
3300–3400 MHz	9cm	Secondary	2W
5650–5670 MHz	5cm	Secondary	2W	Earth to space only
5670–5680 MHz	5cm	Secondary	2W
5755–5765 MHz	5cm	Secondary	2W	Accept ISM interference
5765–5785 MHz	5cm	Secondary	2W
5785–5800 MHz	5cm	Secondary	2W
5800–5830 MHz	5cm	Secondary	2W	Accept ISM interference
5830–5850 MHz	5cm	Secondary	2W	Accept ISM interference
10000–10125 MHz	3cm	Secondary	1W
10225–10450 MHz	3cm	Secondary	1W
10450–10475 MHz	3cm	Secondary	1W
10475–10500 MHz	3cm	Secondary	1W
24000–24050 MHz	1.2cm	Secondary	2W
24050–24100 MHz	1.2cm	Secondary	2W
24100–24150 MHz	1.2cm	Secondary	2W
24150–24250 MHz	1.2cm	Secondary	2W
24250–24450 MHz	1.2cm	Secondary	2W
24450–24750 MHz	1.2cm	Secondary	2W
24750–24850 MHz	1.2cm	Secondary	2W
24850–25050 MHz	1.2cm	Secondary	2W
47000–47200 MHz	6mm	Secondary	2W
75500–76000 MHz	4mm	Secondary	2W
76000–77500 MHz	4mm	Secondary	2W
77500–78000 MHz	4mm	Secondary	2W
78000–79000 MHz	4mm	Secondary	2W
79000–81000 MHz	4mm	Secondary	2W
81000–82000 MHz	4mm	Secondary	2W
82000–82500 MHz	4mm	Secondary	2W
82500–83500 MHz	4mm	Secondary	2W
83500–84000 MHz	4mm	Secondary	2W

How to read this table

Primary — amateur is the main user, protected from interference by others
Secondary — amateur must not cause interference to primary users
Not allocated — Foundation cannot use that segment
Power is in PEP (Peak Envelope Power) — most bands = 25W, some microwave = 2W or 1W
Some bands have restrictions (e.g., 70cm not within 100km of London)

Use this for: "Can a Foundation licensee use 1.8 MHz?" · "What is the maximum power on 80m?" · "Is 70 MHz primary or secondary?" · "What bands can Foundation use above 1 GHz?"

Page 2

Amateur Radio Band Plans (20m and 2m)

The booklet includes sample band plans for the 20 metre (14 MHz) and 2 metre (144 MHz) bands. These show which segments are for which modes.

20m Band Plan (14,000–14,350 kHz)

Frequency	Bandwidth	Mode / Use
14,000–14,060 kHz	200 Hz	CW (Telegraphy) — Contest preferred segment
14,055 kHz	—	QRS (slow Morse) Centre of Activity
14,060–14,070 kHz	200 Hz	CW (Telegraphy)
14,060 kHz	—	QRP Centre of Activity
14,070–14,089 kHz	500 Hz	Narrowband modes (digital)
14,089–14,099 kHz	500 Hz	Automatically controlled data stations (unattended)
14,099–14,101 kHz	—	IBP — Beacons only (reserved)
14,101–14,112 kHz	2.7 kHz	All modes — Automatically controlled data stations
14,112–14,125 kHz	2.7 kHz	All modes (excluding digimodes)
14,125–14,300 kHz	2.7 kHz	All modes — SSB contest preferred segment
14,300–14,350 kHz	2.7 kHz	All modes

2m Band Plan (144,000–146,000 kHz)

Frequency	Bandwidth	Mode / Use
144.000–144.025 MHz	2700 Hz	All modes — including satellite downlinks
144.025–144.100 MHz	500 Hz	CW (Telegraphy) — including EME
144.050 MHz	—	CW Centre of Activity
144.100 MHz	—	Meteor scatter CW calling
144.110–144.150 MHz	500 Hz	CW and MGM — EME MGM activity
144.150–144.400 MHz	2700 Hz	CW, MGM and SSB
144.175 MHz	—	Microwave Talk-back
144.200 MHz	—	Random MS SSB
144.250 MHz	—	GB2RS News Broadcast
144.300 MHz	—	SSB Centre of Activity
144.400–144.490 MHz	—	Propagation beacons only
144.490–144.500 MHz	—	Beacon guard band
144.500–144.794 MHz	20 kHz	All modes (AM, FM, SSB, etc.)
144.794–144.990 MHz	12 kHz	MGM digital communications
144.990–145.1935 MHz	12 kHz	FM/DV — Repeater inputs
145.200 MHz	12 kHz	Space comms (e.g. ISS) — Earth to space
145.200–145.5935 MHz	12 kHz	FM/DV — Simplex channels
145.500 MHz	—	FM Calling frequency
145.5935–145.7935 MHz	12 kHz	FM/DV — Repeater outputs
145.800 MHz	12 kHz	Space comms — Space to Earth
145.806–146.000 MHz	12 kHz	All modes — Satellite exclusive

How to read band plans

Lower frequencies within a band = narrow band modes (CW, digital)
Higher frequencies within a band = wide band modes (FM, SSB)
Necessary bandwidth tells you the minimum spacing between signals
Beacon segments — don't transmit here unless you're a beacon
Calling frequencies — use these to make initial contact, then QSY

Use this for: "Where are beacons on 2m?" · "What mode is used at 14.060 MHz?" · "What is the FM calling frequency on 2m?" · "Which segment is for SSB on 20m?"

Page 3

Frequency to Wavelength & dB Conversion

Frequency to Wavelength Conversion

Frequency	Band Name	Wavelength
1.8 MHz	160 metres	~160m
3.5 MHz	80 metres	~80m
5.3 MHz	60 metres	~60m
7 MHz	40 metres	~40m
10.1 MHz	30 metres	~30m
14 MHz	20 metres	~20m
18 MHz	17 metres	~17m
21 MHz	15 metres	~15m
24.9 MHz	12 metres	~12m
28 MHz	10 metres	~10m
50 MHz	6 metres	~6m
70 MHz	4 metres	~4m
144 MHz	2 metres	~2m
430 MHz	70 centimetres	~0.7m
1296 MHz	23 centimetres	~0.23m

Formula

Wavelength (m) = 300 ÷ Frequency (MHz)

Frequency (MHz) = 300 ÷ Wavelength (m)

dB Conversion Table

dB Change	Power Ratio
+3 dB	×2 (double)
+6 dB	×4
+10 dB	×10
+20 dB	×100
-3 dB	×0.5 (half)
-6 dB	×0.25
-10 dB	×0.1

Use this for: "What is the wavelength of 14 MHz?" · "What frequency is the 2m band?" · "If power increases by 3dB, what is the ratio?"

Page 4

Frequency Allocation Table (VHF) & Licence Notes

This page lists who uses the VHF spectrum from 87.5 MHz to 160.975 MHz — useful for questions about band users and allocations.

Frequency Range	Primary User
87.5–100 MHz	FM Broadcasting
100–108 MHz	FM Broadcasting
108–117.975 MHz	Aeronautical
117.975–137 MHz	Aeronautical mobile
137–138 MHz	Meteorological satellites
138–144 MHz	Land mobile, fixed
144–146 MHz	Amateur (Primary)
146–148 MHz	Land mobile, fixed
148–150.05 MHz	Land mobile, fixed
150.05–153 MHz	Land mobile
153–155.8125 MHz	Land mobile
155.8125–156.0375 MHz	Marine
156–158 MHz	Marine, land mobile
158–160.975 MHz	Land mobile, fixed

Licence Notes

Foundation: 25W PEP max, 500mW EIRP airborne on primary bands
Intermediate: 100W PEP on primary bands
Full: 1000W PEP on primary bands
Some bands have specific restrictions — always check the notes column
100km of London restriction on 431–432 MHz

Use this for: "What else uses 144–146 MHz?" · "What is the marine VHF allocation?" · "Is FM broadcasting on the same band as amateur radio?"

How to Use the Booklet in the Exam

1Use a ruler. The rows are close together — a ruler helps you read across without losing your place.
2Know where things are. Page 1 = licence parameters, Page 2 = band plans, Page 3 = wavelength/dB, Page 4 = VHF allocation. Don't waste time searching.
3Cross-reference. A question might say "14 MHz" — look up the wavelength on Page 3, check the band plan on Page 2, confirm the licence status on Page 1.
4Watch for exceptions. Some bands have London restrictions, airborne power limits, or specific segments for certain modes. Read the notes column carefully.
5The booklet gives data, not understanding. You still need to know what "Secondary" means, what PEP is, and why band plans exist.

How to Read the Question Paper

Question Format

Every question follows the same pattern:

Which of these is NOT a valid amateur call sign prefix?

G3XYZ

M0ABC

GB3RS

F5XYZ

The answer is D — F5XYZ is a French prefix, not a UK amateur prefix.

Reading Carefully

Watch for trick words

Questions often hinge on small words:

"NOT" — which one is the exception?
"ALWAYS" — is it really always?
"EXCEPT" — same as NOT, find the odd one out
"MOST likely" — which is the best answer, not just a possible one
"LEAST" — opposite of most
"BEFORE" / "AFTER" — time order matters

Using the Answer Sheet

Golden Rule

Always mark the answer sheet at the same time as you decide on the question paper. Don't leave it to the end — you might run out of time or misalign your answers.

Question	Your Answer	Marked on Sheet?
Q1	A	Yes — immediately
Q2	C	Yes — immediately
Q3	?	Skip — come back later

Step-by-Step Process

Read the question — read it twice if needed
Decide your answer — eliminate obviously wrong options first
Mark the answer sheet — fill in the circle for A, B, C, or D
Put a tick on the question paper — so you know you've answered it
Move on — don't dwell, come back to tricky ones later

Time Management

Total Time

minutes

Per Question

~2:18

minutes each

Target Pace

minutes for first 15 questions

Suggested Timing Strategy

Phase	Time	What to Do
First Pass	0–30 min	Answer every question you're confident about. Skip any you're unsure of — mark them with a ? on the question paper.
Second Pass	30–50 min	Go back to skipped questions. Use elimination — rule out wrong answers to improve your odds.
Final Check	50–60 min	Check every answer on the sheet matches the question paper. Look for silly mistakes (wrong question number, misread NOT/EXCEPT).

Elimination Technique

When You Don't Know the Answer

You can usually eliminate at least one option. That gives you a better chance:

Options Left	Chance if Guessing	Expected Score (out of 26)
4 (no elimination)	25%	6.5
3 (eliminate 1)	33%	8.7
2 (eliminate 2)	50%	13

Never Leave a Blank!

There's no negative marking. Even a guess has a 25% chance. A blank is always 0.

Common Exam Mistakes

Mistake

Marking Q12 on the sheet but answering Q13
Reading "NOT" as if it wasn't there
Changing an answer from correct to wrong
Spending 5+ minutes on one question
Not checking the answer sheet matches the paper

Avoid

Double-check question numbers as you go
Circle or highlight key words in questions
Trust your first instinct unless sure
Move on and come back — don't get stuck
Final 10 min: scan every row on the answer sheet

On the Day Checklist

Photo ID (passport or driving licence)
Pencil and/or pen (check with exam centre what's needed)
Arrive 15 minutes early
No phone, smartwatch, or electronic devices in the exam room
Read the invigilator's instructions carefully before starting
Check your name/call sign are on the answer sheet
Take a deep breath — you've prepared for this
Request the reference data sheet — use it for band/power/frequency lookups

Quick Reference

26 questions · 60 minutes · Pass = 19/26 (73%) · No negative marking · Never leave blanks · Mark as you go · Watch for NOT/EXCEPT/ALWAYS/MOST

Try a Practice Quiz Study Section 1