Training.

You have worked hard to get your amateur radio licence, and have progressed through to being an Intermediate Licence holder.

Maybe you are ready now to take on the UK’s ultimate amateur radio qualification: the Advanced Radio Communications exam leading to the issuing of a Full Licence. A lot of privileges and responsibilities come with a Full Licence, not least from the fact that you will be able to transmit at up to 400 watts of power.

The course.

We are not going to pretend that getting a Full Licence will be easy. A complex technical exam has to be passed that requires considerable study for success. So you must be prepared to invest a good amount of time and effort in your studies.

When studying for the Advanced Radio Communications exam there is no requirement to take a formal training course, this is because the examination is entirely theory based, with no practical training element. It is possible to study at home on your own or at a local amateur radio club or at a college; many run courses specifically for the Advanced Radio Communications examination.

There are also distance learning courses available of programmed study, tutor marked assignments and YouTube videos.

The Exam

Assessment is by a written examination paper of 62 multiple choice questions each with four possible responses. The examination lasts two hours and it becomes available every two months.

For the Advanced Radio Communications exam there is a fee of £37.50.

What happens after the exam?

Unlike the Foundation and Intermediate, the Advanced exam papers are not locally marked but sent to RSGB headquarters for electronic marking.

Results will be issued six days after receipt, and also sent to Ofcom. Your certificate will be issued a few days later.

You may apply for your Full Licence on the Ofcom website free of charge.