{"id":51412,"date":"2026-11-12T20:08:51","date_gmt":"2026-11-12T20:08:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rsgb.org\/main\/?page_id=51412"},"modified":"2026-11-12T20:08:51","modified_gmt":"2026-11-12T20:08:51","slug":"be-prepared-with-amateur-radio","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rsgb.org\/main\/operating\/emergency-communications\/be-prepared-with-amateur-radio\/","title":{"rendered":"Be prepared with amateur radio"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Radio<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Do you want to be able to communicate with others in an emergency?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re wondering how you\u2019ll communicate with others in the event of the internet, landlines and mobile phones not working, then look no further than amateur radio.<\/h4>\n

With amateur radio, you are in control of your communications, and are not reliant on the internet, phones, or even power being available.<\/h4>\n

Do you want to feel reassured?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As part the UK Government’s resilience-building campaign<\/strong><\/a>, households are advised to have an FM radio to be able to listen for news and advice, which is clearly very important. Others may go one step further and purchase handheld PMR 446, walkie-talkie style radios, which allow two-way communication, but have a very limited range and options. With amateur radio, you can do so much more.<\/h4>\n

How can amateur radio help me become more resilient?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

With amateur radio, you can have two-way communication over a much wider range, using a higher level of power. You could ask for help or offer support within your local community, as well as keeping in contact with family and friends. Amateur radio equipment can be powered with battery or solar energy during a power outage and is routinely used in emergency situations across the world.<\/h4>\n

Amateur radio uses designated radio frequencies, and you need to have a licence to be able to operate on these. Equipment needn\u2019t be expensive, in fact handheld radios are available from under \u00a325.<\/h4>\n

Do you want to be in control of your communications? <\/strong><\/h3>\n

If this sounds like it\u2019s for you, read on!<\/h4>\n

Here are our suggested steps for gaining your\u00a0Foundation amateur radio licence<\/a><\/strong>:<\/h4>\n
    \n
  1. \n

    Join the RSGB <\/strong><\/a>– your partner in amateur radio<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n
  2. \n

    Purchase your RSGB Foundation licence manual<\/a> <\/strong>(RSGB members receive a discount)<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n
  3. \n

    Study for free online – find out more on our online training<\/strong><\/a> webpage<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n
  4. \n

    Book your multiple-choice Foundation licence exam (sit online at home or at a club)<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n
  5. \n

    Obtain your free call sign from Ofcom<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n
  6. \n

    Choose your equipment and power supply<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n
  7. \n

    Get on the air and start practising!<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Undertaking the Foundation licence training will help you understand how amateur radio can be used, not just in an emergency, but how you can enjoy the hobby each day. Whether you\u2019re experienced in software, have an interest in electronics or coding, enjoy constructing, want to get into a STEM-related career or are looking for a sociable hobby, amateur radio has something for you!<\/h4>\n

    We’re here to support you<\/h3>\n

    The RSGB has a huge range of resources to support you, from web content<\/a><\/strong>, videos<\/a><\/strong> and exam preparation materials<\/strong><\/a>. Becoming a member of the Society will give you so much more, such our member-only publications, RadCom and its sister magazines.<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

    Want to discover more?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Find out about getting started in amateur radio<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

    Read about amateur radio and emergency communications:<\/h4>\n

    RAYNET UK<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

    Emergency Communications | International Amateur Radio Union (IARU)<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Do you want to be able to communicate with others in an emergency? If you\u2019re wondering how you\u2019ll communicate with others in the event of the internet, landlines and mobile phones not working, then look no further than amateur radio. With amateur radio, you are in control of your communications, and are not reliant on […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20373,"featured_media":0,"parent":332,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-51412","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rsgb.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/51412","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rsgb.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rsgb.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rsgb.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20373"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rsgb.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=51412"}],"version-history":[{"count":27,"href":"https:\/\/rsgb.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/51412\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":51481,"href":"https:\/\/rsgb.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/51412\/revisions\/51481"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rsgb.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/332"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rsgb.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=51412"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}