RCF funds amateur radio exams for young people

The Radio Communications Foundation (RCF) is a small charity that seeks to promote radio engineering and amateur radio.

Last year, a number of teachers identified the cost of Foundation exams as a barrier for some young people.

The RCF Trustees considered how they might help.

Funding exams for every youngster was seen to be unaffordable, and unnecessary, in many cases.

As a start, and to help those with greatest need, the Trustees have agreed to fund 60 Foundation exams each year.

The funding will be available to anyone who is under the age of 21 in full-time education who needs help with the exam fee.

Fifteen exams will be funded every three months.

The first batch of 15 exams will be funded in January 2024.

If any of the allocated funds are not used, they will be rolled over to the next quarter.

No money will change hands as the RCF Trustees will simply make the bookings and pay the RSGB.

In time, there will be a simple online application form.

In the meantime, anyone seeking funding should send their details to rcfsecretary@commsfoundation.org with a supporting statement from a parent or guardian about why they would benefit from an RCF-funded exam.

This should include brief details of their interest in amateur radio, and how they have trained, or are training, for the Foundation exam. For someone over 18 in full-time education we will be happy to take a supporting statement from a teacher or tutor. This will help the Trustees make their decisions.

If the scheme proves to be successful, and amateurs continue to donate to the RCF, there may be scope for increasing the number of exams funded each year.

Further details about the RCF, and how to donate, can be found >on its website at commsfoundation.org.

Category: Front Page News, GB2RS Headlines