Beyond Exams Club Scheme

The Beyond Exams Club Scheme enables you to build experience with the help of your club

You will have fun whilst discovering more about amateur radio and what it has to offer.

The scheme is run through accredited clubs and 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.

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 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 count
    You 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?

At various stages throughout the scheme you will receive a certificate to reward your progress.

The table below shows the certificates as well as the number of completed activities needed to claim them.

Certificate Activities
Bronze 3
Silver 5
Gold 10
Platinum 15
Diamond 23

Who can take part in the Club Scheme?

Anyone! The scheme is designed to:

• Help newcomers explore amateur radio
• Provide a framework for getting back into the hobby if you have been away from it for a few years. It will help you to discover what has changed and what is new
• Give established amateur radio operators ideas for new challenges

How do I join in?

For individuals
To take part, you need to register with a Club Scheme accredited club. These clubs commit to arranging events and activities throughout the year to help you complete a series of scheme activities. You can find your nearest accredited club by looking at the locator map.

For clubs
Do you represent a club looking to run the Club Scheme? Head to the Club Scheme accredited club page where you will find more information and register your club to get involved.

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.