Beyond Exams – building experience
Passing the Foundation exam is just the first step to discovering the great diversity of amateur radio
As you progress to the Intermediate and Full licences, there is a range of activities that you can enjoy along the way.
Whether you are new to amateur radio, want to try a different aspect of the hobby or find a new challenge, our range of Beyond Exams resources can help.
- Brickworks – building on the Foundation with the help of your club
Brickworks provides a framework to allow club members to explore the hobby in a fun and sociable way. The scheme consists of 23 activities, based around five themes. As you go through the scheme and complete activities successfully, you will receive certificates to reward your progress. - Discovery Scheme – an easy-to-follow programme with links to external organisations
RSGB Logbook: Explorer is a fun programme of activities that will help you discover new aspects of the hobby. This scheme has links to organisations including POTA, SOTA and Worked All Britain. - RadCom Basics
RadCom Basics is a bi-monthly digital publication that explores key aspects of amateur radio in a straightforward and accessible way. Any RSGB member can view this online or you can subscribe to the mailing list so that you receive an email alert as soon as each issue is published - Getting Started – online information
New to amateur radio? From training and licensing, to setting up and operating your equipment for the first time, it’s all covered here - Facebook Group
This group is for new Foundation licensees and is designed as a safe space where no question is too basic or ‘obvious’! There will be a small number of experienced radio amateurs in the group who will answer your questions and support you as you take your next steps. They each enjoy different aspects of amateur radio and, between them, will be able to offer a wide range of knowledge and experience. Click on the link in the title and ask to join the Group. You will be asked three simple questions and need to agree to the Group rules before being admitted to the group so we can keep it focused and protect it from spammers - Foundation Practicals videos
Just passed your Foundation licence via remote invigilation? Our suite of videos will explain the range of skills you would normally have covered in the Foundation Practical assessments – everything from how to set up a station and make your first QSO, to adjusting your antenna length and using modes other than voice. The full 30-minute video highlights six practical tasks and each segment stands alone rather than being part of a single ‘story’ through the video. We have also published the different segments as separate short videos to make it easier to go back to just one or two parts again - Useful practical skills videos
Have you passed your licence exams during lockdown? Would you like to learn some useful practical skills to help you make the most of your licence? Whether you’re a new Foundation, Intermediate or Full licence holder, the RSGB has created a series of six videos that introduce you to some of the most common amateur radio construction skills you will need. You could construct a simple balun, tune a dipole using a NanoVNA or create an audio interface between your transceiver and your computer to allow you to send and receive data modes. Whatever type of practical skill you would like to try, there is something here to inspire you. The videos get more detailed through the series with a growing level of skill required. - Foundation Awards
Discover our new range of awards for Foundation licence holders. Our HF, VHF and All Bands Foundation awards each have three different levels (Bronze, Silver and Gold) depending on how many contacts you make on certain bands using a choice of modes. Get making those QSOs!
