As part of some ongoing research into the amateur radio hobby, I have today been looking at how things have changed as far as UK exams and training have progressed in the last 15 years.
Getting into the hobby has never been easier, thanks to the Foundation exam. Until 2003, if you wanted to get an amateur radio licence, you were required to pass the City & Guilds “Radio Amateur Examination” (RAE). From 2004, the system that we know today has been in effect: Foundation, Intermediate & Full.
From my fairly brief research, it seems that getting a Full licence today is pretty different to how things were back in the RAE days. On this page, is a short summary of the key differences as I see them:
Getting a Full Licence – Then and Now
| New to the hobby? Fear not, this table is not for you! Getting started in amateur radio is easier than it used to be. Foundation courses are available free online, or at local clubs and typically require 14-20 hours of study, leading to a 26-question multiple-choice test (which you can take online at home). See Getting Started in Amateur Radio for more.
Confused? This table seems to have caused some confusion to a number of RAE radio amateurs who may not be 100% familiar with today’s licensing structure. Before 2003, to get a full UK amateur radio licence, you had to take the City & Guilds RAE exam. Since 2004, candidates are required to take the Foundation and Intermediate exams, before they can move to the Full exam. To make for a fair comparison, both columns demonstrate getting a full licence from scratch. Apologies to those who’ve been confused! |
| 2003 RAE 7650 Exam | 2022 Three-tier System | |
| Type | Theory-only | Theory-only (practicals removed in 2020) |
| Number of exams | 1 | 3 (Foundation, Intermediate & Full) |
| Exam Fee | £29.50 | £97.50 |
| Exam Time | 2 hours and 15 minutes | 4 hours 30 minutes |
| Questions | 80 | 130 (26 + 46 + 58) |
| Practicals | None | None |
| Training Courses | Structured courses at hundreds of C&G centres (mostly at colleges) across the UK, as well as at some radio clubs. A course fee applied, although self-study was possible (as there were no practicals) | Run by a minority of clubs that offer training. In most cases, the club will charge a course fee.
Very few clubs offer any face-to-face training for the Full exam. Most students have to self-study, often using the Bath online course |
| Exam Availability | Twice a year (May & Dec) at hundreds of C&G centres (schools & colleges) across the UK | Run by clubs, or since 2020, can be taken online |
| Syllabus | 8 sections (RAE 7650 syllabus) | 10 sections (RSGB syllabus). Much of RAE syllabus, plus new content including: frequency synthesis, semiconductors, SDR, DV, A-to-D, DDS, Fourier transform, data modes, digital TV EMC, and other topics. |
| Questions on Licensing Conditions | 18 | 25 |
| Questions on Operating procedures | 6 | 11 |
| People Entering Hobby | 571 (2002) | 1475 (2015) |
| Example Papers | 2003 Actual RAE Paper | 2020 Example Mock Exams |
About the RAE Exam
Previous exam papers (posted here) show that from the 1940s to the late 1970s, this was a ten-question written test. From 1979, this became a multiple-choice test.
The RSGB Handbook 1994 explains that exams had to be sat at a recognised G&C exam centre (mostly colleges), and there were exams twice a year. Until 1998, the paper was in two parts: Part 1 (Licencing conditions, interference, EMC), and Part 2 (procedures and theory). Candidates took both papers in a single sitting. If they failed one of the two papers, they wouldn’t need to take the other paper again. In 1998, the two papers were merged into a single paper.
The RAE papers were 100% theory-based, unlike today’s system, where candidates have to complete 7 assessment tasks in front of a registered assessor before being allowed to sit Foundation.
The one-paper system ran from 1998 to 2003, when City & Guilds ceased running the RAE, leading to RSGB introducing Foundation, Intermediate & Full.
RAE Exam Reports
The RAE Examiners reports make interesting reading, and there is a common theme raised by C&G:
- “Many of the less able candidates find difficulty with some of the practical aspects essential for operating and maintaining an amateur radio station” (May 1999)
- “There were many questions in this paper that were very badly answered. Several showed a lack of practical experience and understanding” (Dec 1995)
- “Again, there was evidence that some candidates were lacking in practical application” (Dec 2001)
- “Several of the questions that were not well answered show a lacking of some candidates in practical experience or demonstration” (Dec 1999)
- “Again there was some evidence that benefit would be gained by greater use of practical demonstrations” (May 1996)
- “Many candidates were unfamiliar with several topics essential for the practising radio amateur” (Dec 1995)
- “An analysis of the results show clearly that not all candidates have had the opportunity of attending a course with adequate practical content and demonstration” (May 2001)
Some interesting observations were raised in the RAE Examiners reports, including:
- 62% of candidates in December 1995 couldn’t answer a question about station usage, with many candidates thinking that relaying of news, or other stations to increase the range, was allowed
- In December 2000, many candidates thought 2W1XUL was a club callsign
- In December 1996, most candidates didn’t know who to notify if they moved house
- In May 2001, 55% of candidates didn’t realise that the log could be used to record communications and observations
- In May 1998, 41% thought that the amateur radio licence allowed amateurs to tune in to broadcast radio stations.
- In May 1999, 35% thought that sending messages for general reception (broadcasting) was allowed
- In May 1996, only half of candidates could recognise a Novice callsign (many thought it was ‘GE’)
- In December 1996, many candidates did not know what do if called by a CB user, and most didn’t know who to report it to.
- In May 1998, 66% of candidates couldn’t correctly explain was a log was for
- In December 1996, 42% of candidates didn’t know what the band plan was for
- In December 1995, 63% of candidates couldn’t find the International Disaster bands in the licence booklet
- In December 1999, most candidates failed to identify that they could relay messages on behalf of a user service
- In May 2000, “a disappointing number of candidates” chose to use a multimeter switched to an AC range to measure voltage across a DC circuit.
Thanks to G4DMP for his excellent RAE Exam Paper & Report Resource, that’s allowed this summary to be compiled.
RAE in Essex
Options for taking courses and exams in Essex in the C&G era appear to have been far better than they are today. Here in Essex, RAE centres included Basildon College, Benfleet Six-form College, Chelmsford College, Clacton Adult Education Centre, Colchester Institute, Harlow Education Centre, Rayleigh Centre, Southend College of Technology and William De Ferrers School in Chelmsford. Also nearby: Centres in Barking, Enfield, Havering, Waltham Forest, and Ipswich, as well as across Kent, London, Suffolk and Herts.
Summary
Comparing the 2003 and the 2017 mock papers is an interesting exercise. If you’ve passed “Full” in the last 10 years or so, take a look at how the paper looked back in 2003. If passed in the RAE-era… perhaps have a go at the RSGB’s latest mock. It might be interesting to see which paper folk feel is easier!
I’d be interested to know your thoughts…
Pete M0PSX
It’s worth comparing UK Full licence requirements with those in other countries.
Norway only has a single class of amateur radio licence. The training course is about the same length as that for just the UK Intermediate Exam. The Norwegian exam is only a single straight forward 28 question multiple-choice paper, the shortest in Europe. An exam paper can be seen at https://www.nkom.no/fritid/radioamat%C3%B8rer/radioamat%C3%B8rer/liste-over-radioamat%C3%B8rer-med-norsk-lisens/_attachment/4569?_ts=14d290b00b4
Pass rates of 95% are common and on passing the holder can run 1 kilowatt on the amateur bands and on the strength of their HAREC certificate Norwegian amateurs can even apply for a UK M0 Full licence.
Some information on other exams in Europe is at http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2017/july/exam-requirements-for-amateur-radio-cept-class-1-licence.htm
The comparison is missing two points…
C&G was effectively two papers not one – you had to pass both
There were only two exams times per year, which excluded many, as the venues/distances became more difficult
Thanks for the comments.
The C&G RAE changed to a single paper in 1998 (Source: http://www.g4dmp.co.uk/reports/rae1296.pdf) – Even under the twin-paper system, both papers were taken in the same exam session with a 15-minute break between the two papers. Foundation, Intermediate and Full are three separate exam sessions, in many cases, months apart.
The situation with Full exams today is arguably worse. Yes, clubs can run more than two sets of exams a year now, but very few do. The number of clubs running any Full training courses these days is very low, and I don’t know of any that run all three courses more frequently than twice a year.
There’s much less face-to-face training for the Full licence than back in the C&G days, making it harder to get training and find a nearby exam centre than under C&G. To fill the gap, many students reply on self-study using books or the Bath-based online training course (which runs twice a year, like C&G).
It was certainly possible to self-study for the City & Guilds exam.
Indeed. Back then, it was pure theory and you could study at home. Today, you have to attend courses to complete the mandatory 22 assessed practicals.
I’ve added some extracts of C&G examiners reports to the above article – You can clearly see that C&G had concerns about the lack of practical experience that candidates had.
Today, you’re not even allowed to sit the entrance-level exam until all 12 practical items on the CPAR (which demonstrates basic practical competence), have all been signed off by an RSGB-approved assessor.
Going back to 1978 when I took the RAE it was structured like an O-level paper with a section of compulsory short answers and then a choice of longer essay type answers ( I think it was any three from five) The level was slightly higher than O-level but not quite A-level but the standard was higher then. Todays A-level questions are roughly equivalent to what I did at O-level.
Someone pointed out to me that you had to also pay college course fees, as well as the RAE exam fees. Perhaps someone would know the full cost to get a better comparison.
Hi Gordon. True – Then, as now, if you want to join a formal training course, you’d pay extra for the training course.
As Colin pointed out above, you could self-study for RAE, without the need to do a formal college course or pay course fees. Similarly, today, it’s not necessary to attend a formal club training session and you can self-study (although you’d likely still pay a club to help with the practicals)
So, yes, whether you wanted training at a college (pre-2003) or at a club (post-2003), there’s an additional fee
Cannot remember the cost but it was a course fee paid to the college & an exam fee paid to city & guilds as i remember it
Our local Lomond Radio club GM4HEL run all three courses and since we are a small club and only have around 20 members we just run the courses when some one comes and asks for them. We are currently running a advanced Course for the local air cadets with two cadets doing the course. The west Coast of Scotland is sparsely populated and most of our students that have come and joined us have progressed onto all three levels. One reason for this is that most want to Maritime Mobile and you can only do this on a full license . In a very rural area you have to be prepared to spend a large amount of time in travelling and also treat the travel costs as a day out or combine some training with other business. In terms of cost I think that it is relatively cheap by today’s standards
I passed the RAE in 1974 following a night-school course. Didn’t do the dreaded morse test and did’t get a license. Family, work, cash etc all became greater priority over the years. Now, I am planning my retirement/dotage and quite fancy upsetting neighbours with a 12 mtr mast with a beam ontop. Have just sent my RAE pass slip and form to Ofcom to get my M0 full license. Ps. My XYL knows nothing about this yet ………….Happy days!
I first sat the City & Guilds exam back in 1968 out in Malaysia. I had not been able to see the BR68 and so had to guess answers to the part 1 of the exam. For the part 2, I put forward a block diagram with explanations for a working Racal RA17 receiver. I had to know this for a passed trade exam that I had taken. My general technical knowledge for radio was good so did not have any problemb there. I failed the part 1 so did not get my ticket. I later put in to take my RAE with the Mexborough club. On been given half a dozen past exam papers to have a go at I passed every one and was told not to bother with the course but to get the RSGB books on taking the exam. I did that and found two wrong answers in the back of the book. I showed this to the licencee of the club to confirm that I was correct but he advised me not to write to the RSGB about it. Before taking the exam, I read the BR68 several times and could qoute it. When the exam results came back, The licencee read out the results. The swine left my name till last because I had not taken the course. He did it on purpose. He then pronounced that I had passed
with a Distinction and credits result. I was quite pleased and said well has a Ex Royal Signals Class 1 Combat Radioman, what else did you expect ?. Thought I would get my ow’n back.
I attended the b licence Rae course somewhere in Essex back in 88 to 89 I only attended the class until Christmas 88 though as I had to work in London and could not get home in time. Still I studied at home and passed in the may 89 .It was interesting because as people dropped out for finding it hard going on the theory and leading up to Christmas we had to pay more to keep the course viable because it neeeded a minimum number by law to survive……we did this by adding fictions names To the lists and all chipping in extra cash …..ah the good old days……xxxxx
I took my RAE in the Falkland Islands aboard HMS Ambuscade in 1992. HM Ships were all considered to be Overseas Training Centres at the time. I remember sitting in an equipment room at gone 11pm with a suitable invigilator. I hadn’t undertaken a course, merely doing as much reading on watch as I could in what was, by then, a quiet part of the world. My trade skills were responsible for the rest.
I passed my foundation exam today at home on my laptop, no need to do a practical exam, or join a club. I hear they are very busy doing exams over the internet. The RSGB has finally moved into the 21 century thanks to Covid-19! :-)
I passed my test approx. 10 years ago, at the time I did not think to get my call sign or apply for my licence .when I got my pass cert I can not find my mourse pass , I took the course at Bletchley park ,I would like to know how to proceed in getting my licence many thanks tom
i may have forgotten to give my e-mail address
Your link to “RAE 7650 syllabus” goes to a page discussing contents insurance.
BTW, great article. I took my RAE in 1969 with self-study.
de G8CVH, G4FFJ, VE3MDX
I hold the call sign 2E0NDZ would like to get a full licence.
I live in Stratford upon Avon Warwickshire
Would like to do an on line course if possible
73s
Andy
There’s a list of online courses here: https://www.essexham.co.uk/train/online-amateur-radio-courses/
Andy – I would recommend the OARC course – there is a Full exam course about to start now, so if you sign up you may be able to start this week (we’ve been doing revision of the intermediate course over the last month, just to keep us up-to-speed). Head over to https://www.oarc.uk/full and if it looks suitable, join the Discord group and see if they can fit you in.
After passing Foundation here on the Essexham course (January), I took Foundation with the help of the OARC course in March – it is a great group, very supportive, but it is self-help rather than tuition: you are expected to join in a Zoom group once a week having revised the topic of that week beforehand, rather than being taught in a conventional manner. It all makes sense once you start!
Jonathan
2E0LXQ
I always thought that with the old RAE you could probably scrape a pass while knowing nothing about Amateur Radio, if you got every question on interference, EMC, and theory correct. While I did read up on the other subjects I took and passed the RAE without doing any kind of course ,in between the second and third year of doing an HND in Electronics.
I suppose nowadays, a retired Ships Radio Officer would have to start by doing a Foundation Course
I’d mostly agree with that , i worked in Telecomms so knew quite a lot of the theory but did the C and G 265 course evening class in the very early 80’s at the local Tech College . so with job and extra knowledge managed to get a Credit and Distinction in the two course Units and didn’t think myself of being particularly bright. Haven’t used my VHF gear for a long time now. Alex GM6RVL I don’t even know if my exams would still be valid anymore. I knew about another 15 Radio Hams in my arena at work , we all did similar types of technical work. If fact one guy i worked with as a team of two for 3 years was a Radion Ham too but mostly worked HF.