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Your Guide to the UK Amateur Radio Foundation Licence
Everything you need to study for and pass your Foundation Licence exam. Learn at your own pace with comprehensive guides covering every topic in the syllabus.
What is the Foundation Licence?
The Foundation Licence is the entry-level licence for amateur radio in the United Kingdom, issued by Ofcom. It is the first of three licence tiers (Foundation, Intermediate, and Full) and allows you to legally transmit on amateur radio frequencies.
With a Foundation Licence, you can operate a station with up to 25 watts PEP (Peak Envelope Power) across frequencies from 1.8 MHz to 1300 MHz. You can also build your own equipment and access the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. It's designed for self-training in radio techniques and non-commercial communication — you cannot use it for business or advertising purposes.
Syllabus Sections
Licensing Conditions
Licence types, call signs, operators, messages, and station requirements
Technical Aspects
Electrical quantities, components, AC/DC, filters, and digital signals
Transmitters & Receivers
Modulation, transmitter/receiver design, sensitivity, and SDR
Feeders & Antennas
Coaxial cable, antenna types, SWR, and connectors
Propagation
Radio wave travel, ground wave, sky wave, and ionosphere
EMC
Electromagnetic compatibility, interference, and station design
Operating Practices
Calling procedures, band plans, repeaters, and digital modes
Safety
Electrical safety, RF hazards, antenna safety, and first aid
Quick Start Guide
- Start with the Exam Overview — understand the format, timing, and what to expect on exam day.
- Work through the sections in order. Section 1 (Licensing) carries the most weight at 23% of the exam.
- Review the Technical Aspects — this section covers fundamental electrical concepts you'll use throughout.
- Don't skip Safety — it's essential knowledge for operating your station safely.
- Practice with sample questions — the RSGB provides official practice papers.