Brickworks: Lots of fun and exciting activities
Brickworks enables you to build experience, knowledge, confidence and understanding
You will have fun whilst discovering more about amateur radio and what it has to offer by completing the 23 varied activities that Brickworks is based on, centred around five themes.
What are the activities?
The activities are grouped into five themes. You can try them in any order you like.
Tap or click a theme below to view the activities:
This theme includes seven activities:
- Log 50 VHF/UHF contacts with
unique amateur radio stationsUnique means a call sign can only appear once in the log and a station with multiple call signs cannot count more than once. You may use any mode on the VHF bands (30MHz to 3GHz).
- Log contacts with unique amateur radio stations in three of the
home countriesEngland, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey. You may use any mode on any band.
- Log 50 HF contacts with unique amateur radio stations using CW or Phone modes. You may use any HF (3MHz to 30MHz) band.
- Log 50 HF contacts with unique amateur radio stations using
digital data modesValid digital modes include any text-based digital mode generated using a computer, mobile device or terminal. Digital image or voice modes do not count. You may use any HF (3MHz to 30MHz) band.
- Log 10 contacts with unique amateur radio stations using SSTV or FSTV image modes. You may use any band.
- Log 10 contacts with unique amateur radio stations using
digital voice modesThe contacts can traverse the internet, but must originate from an amateur radio transceiver using RF in to a repeater, gateway, or node. Signals originating from a computer, or mobile device, do not countYou may use any band.
- Log a contact through a satellite, or with the International Space Station. You may use any mode on any band.
This theme includes five activities:
- Activate a Summits on the Air (SOTA)
summitThe activation must follow the SOTA rules to qualify. You may use any mode on any band
- Log contacts with unique amateur radio stations in 20 different Worked All Britain (WAB) squaresThe contacts made must follow the Worked All Britain rules to qualify. You may use any mode on any band
- Log ten successful contacts with unique stations in one contestThe contacts made must be in accordance with the relevant contest rules to qualify. You may use any mode on any band
- Help set-up and/or tear-down a special event, contest, or club station
- Operate and/or log at a special event, contest, or club station
This theme includes six activities that you should complete with your chosen Club Scheme accredited club:
- Attend six club meetings
- Take part in six club nets
- Undertake a role in the club on a regular basis - this can be anything from making the tea each week, to holding a position on the committee
- Make a presentation to the club on any amateur radio related subject of your choice
- Take part in a RAYNET event
- Help organise an activity for the club
This theme includes two activities:
- Build a piece of amateur radio-related electronic or mechanical equipment for your shack
- Write an amateur radio-related piece of software that you can use in your shack, or design a simple website
This theme includes three activities:
- Introduce somebody to the hobby who then goes on to start a Foundation course
- Attend a rally, or exhibition, to promote your chosen Club Scheme accredited club
- Help run a training course at your chosen Club Scheme accredited club by teaching, supporting, running practical sessions, or invigilating
How will I be rewarded for my achievements?
As you progress through the scheme, and complete activities successfully, you will receive awards to recognise your progress; Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond.
| Certificate | Activities |
|---|---|
| Bronze | 3 |
| Silver | 5 |
| Gold | 10 |
| Platinum | 15 |
| Diamond | 23 |
How do I/we get involved?
For individuals
To take part in Brickworks and benefit from all it has to offer, you simply need to register with a Brickworks Accredited Club. These clubs have committed to arranging events and activities, in a supportive and friendly environment, throughout the year to help you complete the Brickworks activities.
For clubs
If you represent a club that would like to become Brickworks Accredited head to our Brickworks: Becoming an Accredited Club page where you will find more information and and a form to enable you to register your club.
Other frequently asked questions
We will publish achievements regularly on the RSGB website and in RadCom.
There is no time limit, you may take as long as you like.
Trying to find your way around any technical hobby can be difficult – that is one of the reasons we designed Brickworks. Exploring a new hobby can be a lot more fun if you do it with friends. You can discuss the answers to your questions, support and help each other to get the best out of your hobby. This is why we ask you to register with an accredited club to join the scheme.
Absolutely nothing! Please be prepared to join your Brickworks Accredited Club as a token of thanks for organising all the activities for you.
Brickworks is part of an RSGB suite that has been designed to help you explore amateur radio and discover new and exciting things to do.
The Individual Scheme takes you further with lots of more specialised activities that you work through independently. You will learn new skills and be able to share them with your friends.
