The chaps at the RSGB’s Examination Group have been busy. The ink is only just dry on the first revision to new Syllabus 2019 (some of the supporting docs such as the mock papers are still to be released) – but the latest report released shows that the RSGB has been beavering away on another project… which is writing a new, new syllabus!
The new syllabus, currently in draft form, is set to lead to a new exam that is designed to appeal to those who wish to fast-track straight in at “Full” (Advanced), without the need to go through Foundation and Intermediate first.
The announcement can be found in the recently-released Exam Standards Committee 2019 report, but for convenience, the important bits from page 5 of the report are as follows:
“The Examinations Group have prepared a draft syllabus, based on Syllabus 2019, for an exam that will provide direct entry to a Full licence, like the old RAE.”
“The ESC has agreed that the syllabus will be put out for consultation in the UK amateur radio community. This consultation will take place later in 2019.”
“An important question, which is yet to be resolved in EG and ESC, concerns what form any practical examination might take, and we will look to the wider community for guidance on this.”
Keep an eye out for the RSGB’s consultation on this important matter in the coming months. There will be lots to consider. When the consultation starts, make sure you have your say!
Whilst you’re waiting, some handy stats:
- To get a Full license today requires 3 exams (133 questions in total, over 4 hours and 20 minutes), and complete 22 assessed practicals
- Under the 2003 RAE 7650, it was one exam, with 80 questions in 2 hours and 15 minutes
The RSGB’s report also reports that in 2018, the total number of candidates was up compared to the previous year. These were mainly for the higher two licencses, and there were slightly fewer Foundation candidates. They report that over the past five years, there has been a slow decline in the number of Foundation candidates, averaging about 2% per year.
The report also mentions that the switch to online exams is progressing – these have the advantage of cutting down on admin, and providing instant results to candidates.
More when we have it… but in the meantime, feel free to add your comments below
I had to look on the R.S.G.B website to check whether this was a hoax. It isn’t!
It would seem that they don’t have much faith in their new exams and three tiers if they’re releasing this kind of damage control idea already!
Surely it’s not a matter of faith – just different routes for different people? My personal opinion is that the three levels seems great for people new to radio and electronics – and a faff for people with an extensive background (e.g. electrical engineers, or even radio engineers from non-amateur backgrounds).
The 3 levels allow new people to dip their toe in, try things out without a huge commitment in study time etc. Some will end up progressing – some may not. The later group would be highly unlikely to undertake this new proposed route.
The new proposal allows experienced people to jump right in with minimal time and effort given their already extensive background in the area.
The days of amateur radio being a theory-based qualification (RAE) are behind us. It is now a hobby pursuit. Amateur radio is a hands-on practical hobby, and including suitable hands-on sessions are important. Those looking to get the advanced licence should take the same exercises as those working from Foundation up. We need a level playing field.
Move other countries have this type of exam providing a direct route to HAREC, no reason why UK shouldn’t have this option as well.
HAREC equivalent exams can be 35, 40 or 60 multiple choice questions, it varies between countries but not a single country has Practical Assessments for HAREC.
Ofcom has never put much credence on Practical Assessments, they only exist in the 3-tier system because many years ago a small group of amateurs requested them.
Practical Assessments are simply a method of teaching aspects of the hobby, but the same things can be taught in other ways.
The syllabus should not Mandate *how* people are taught, tutors should be free to teach in a way them suits them and their candidates. It may well be a practical teaching approach is applicable in some scenarios but it should not be mandated for all
“…what form any practical examination might take…”
For God’s sake, enough of all this nonsense.
Dump the practical work, it’s pointless anyway. Then combine Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced into one 100 question two and a half hour exam which can be taken at any Pearson VUE test centre.
Job done.
I don’t think practical work is pointless for the group of people coming to amateur radio without an electronics background. It forces them to try out electronics and gives them some basic practical experience.
I can see the argument more for someone taking this new exam – presumably they already have such a background – but then again they are likely to enjoy electronics so won’t mind some forms of practical work.
It’s unlikely that anyone intending to pursue a Radio Amateur licence will not already have some limited experience of electronics, even if it is just as a hobby. While others presumably will quite possibly have significantly more in-depth background knowledge. And it’s difficult to imagine how the extremely superficial nature of the Foundation and Intermediate Practical work could be of any real benefit in either case.
A direct answer to Andrews Post, in particular, “I don’t think practical work is pointless for the group of people coming to amateur radio without an electronics background. It forces them to try out electronics and gives them some basic practical experience”.
I don’t think you understand the meaning of the word “HOBBY”. People take up “HOBBIES” to have pleasure and spend time doing pursuits they want to enjoy. A hill walker or rambler, might get all the pleasure they want, walking the Cotswolds, Chilterns etc. Some may progress to Snowden, Ben-Nevis or Scaffell pike. But to suggest that they are Forced to climb K2, Everest, or the “Matterhorn” to gain a silly number and be classed as a Full or Advanced walker, then, i think you get the picture.If the approach to the EXAM structure had been taken sooner, I don’t think we would be in this situation NOW. I enjoy home mechanics. i can work on and repair all my vehicles.Do i expect everyone who drives a car, be able to strip and repair any part,when it breaks down. NO I DON’T.Would i rather be out driving them to classic car shows and going to hill top locations, where i take part in my 2nd “HOBBY” which is Working the Radio waves. YES I WOULD. I no longer call it “HAM RADIO” or “AMATEUR RADIO” as no one i have ever spoken to, outside the “HOBBY” understands what i am talking about. I am also an ex 11M pirate. Recently, a RADIO event was held on the 5th anniversary of 11m legalization, here in the UK. We managed to activate 46 out of 48 counties and had one of the best nights radio, i have ever participated in. NOT 1 bit of swearing or abuse, all night. Not 1 person slagging a person for having the wrong call sign.
Amateurs are saying the bands are dead. The 2M band was up for discussion in the EU conference in Prague.Foundation holders are down. I said it 4 years ago, that the “HOBBY” was in real danger.I was laughed at and called stupid.5 years on, nothing has changed. all radios are plug and play. I am not well educated. i learned ohms law at school in 1973. did i ever use it.yes, about 3 times. do i need to know it to work the world on 10 W. No, I don’t.I can solder, but not very well.I build all my own portable antennas.I have fun,enjoy myself and NO one is going to FORCE me to do as they deem required to “FIT IN”. HAM Radio isn’t the only “HOBBY” to have an ELITIST, SNOBBISH attitude. Golf, Clay Shooting, General aviation at club level, BSAC SCUBA diving all have this same attitude. However, they have many, many, thousands of members. I said it 4 years ago, Most people NEW to the “HOBBY” don’t want to Construct or build.Why is it required. Why is it deemed necessary to know OHMS law.To solder and that other BS. It doesn’t. You still don’t “GET IT”. Your “HOBBY” is in decline, and NO_ONE is at fault except the RSGB,CLUBS and Grumpy old men who refuse to change their ways, or attitude, because they have all done it the “Hard WAY”.
That is all in the past. YES you passed the RAE, MORSE. You know OHMS law. you can solder and construct your own TX set. SO WHAT, GOOD for you. Just sit back, relax and let your “HOBBY” Disappear. Just DON’T expect a friendly reaction, or a post, when it is suggested i will be “FORCED” to do anything!
Stuart Foundation holder and 11m Operator.
Agreed. Maybe you can learn to build your own radio. Will it compete with the likes of modern day Icom’s , and Yaesu’s? not very likely. It can be fun building and operating from you own antennas also getting out on top of a nice garage point to see what’s on the air. I certainly wouldn’t want to be dragging a home built multi band box of tricks miles up a hill :) Electronics for those that enjoy it but it’s no longer a necessity for the hobby.
Amen. The practicals are for many are an impediment to getting licensed. Direct to full, Pearson VUE or remote invigilation all good with me.
Does this ring any bells from the Radio Examiner days? https://youtu.be/9tXBC-71aZs
If anything, it’s less of a practical hobby pursuit today than at any time in the past. Way back, the only way to put together a station was to construct it yourself. Now, an amateur just whips out his credit card and orders a shiny new rig off the Internet, or if he’s lucky he nips down to his local radio store to grab one. For the rare guy who plans serious construction, the Practicals do not provide the preparation and training that the RSGB might imagine. Using a multimeter to check a voltage, solder a few resistors onto a piece of Vero, SWR a dipole and wire up a 3 pin mains plug hardly qualifies anyone to build his own multimode rig from scratch.
I am inclined to agree with you that many of the practicals are pointless (most of the construction and basic electronics) but I was thinking of the radio activities such as setting up equipment, tuning up an antenna, using a radio and soldering an RF plug. Useful and relevant in today’s black box world.
>setting up equipment, tuning up an antenna, using a radio and soldering an RF plug. Useful and relevant in today’s black box world
Useful and relevant ? Definitely. But these hands-on skills can easily be picked up by anyone flicking through YouTube. There are dozens of very useful videos on every topic you can imagine (and some you probably can’t). With the number of clubs offering training and practical assessments dwindling, I can’t see how the RSGB can justify hanging on to the Practicals. It took me a long time to find a club that offered practicals assessments that wasn’t at the other end of the country. We’re not all fortunate enough to live in the same town as EssexHam. As Mat above said, for many the practicals are just an impediment. I couldn’t agree more.
You may be right but that’s not entirely the point.
If this goes ahead, there will be two ways into AR – the 3-tier system with 20 practicals, or a direct entry (maybe no practicals). Practicals won’t be dropped for 3-tier, but might be from single-entry. Either both method need practicals or neither need them, otherwise it’s not a level playing field for example, those good with theory won’t have to struggle to find a suitable club
>Either both method need practicals or neither need them,
My point is that ‘all’ practicals should be scrapped. By all means have a tiered system which allows people to get their Full qualification over a period of time, gently-gently, but also the option to take all three tiers in one go, which is what they’re considering now. But get rid of the practicals… for everyone… forever!
There’s your level playing field.
Yes, I do understand that, but that is not going to happen in the short term. They are just about to roll out new 3-tier exams (with practicals) after 5 years of work on this. There will be practicals at 3-tier for a while yet. Should this one-exam option have practicals too (level playing field), or not (ease of access)?
The problem is, the RSGB doesn’t conduct training sessions, and the RSGB doesn’t conduct exams either. This is all left to clubs around the country. Take a look at the RSGB web page which indicates all the clubs which carry out training, practical work and exams. It looks reasonable doesn’t it? … until you do what I did, and start emailing them. 8 out of 10 clubs I contacted told me that the RSGB info was out of date and they no longer do any kind of training or exams.
The entire system is unravelling, and it’s doing so because the RSGB is stuck in the past. Practicals are a pointless and expensive waste of everyone’s valuable time, and the fact that the RSGB has spent the past 5 years tinkering with the syllabus to no real benefit just illustrates what a sad collection of incompetents the UK Amateur Radio community has representing them.
I largely agree but!
Clubs can update the data on the training map themselves. Each club has a login. If their entry is wrong they should change it to help people looking.
Even if there are no practicals with the new single exam, that doesn’t help 3-tier.
Also you still have to do the exam with a club, so don’t you get the same problem?
You are correct. Clubs could and ‘should’ update the data. But remember, we’re not talking about Fortune 500 businesses here. These are often elderly people, carrying out the work on a voluntary basis. In fact a reason given to me on several occasions for not carrying out training or exams any more was because of the age and personal situations of the senior voluntary radio club members.
>Even if there are no practicals with the new single exam, that doesn’t help 3-tier.
It does if practicals are abolished for 3 tier exams as well, which they should be.
As for your final point regarding club exams. Yes, the problem is still there, which is all the more reason for removing clubs from the exams altogether and do as someone has already suggested, placing examinations in the hands of professional organisations, such as Pearson VUE.
Yes, but the new 3-tier exams haven’t even started yet, and took several years to put together. There was a public consultation, Ofcom discussion, new books written, etc, so best will in the world, 3-tier with practicals and exams run by clubs will be around for at least 5 years.
The only shorter-term option is this new idea of bringing back RAE – Single exam, no practicals. Would only require 1 club visit, not lots. But it will probably be a theory test for electronics engineers
>3-tier with practicals and exams run by clubs will be around for at least 5 years.
All I’m suggesting is what I believe ‘should’ happen if I could wave a magic wand and sort out the mess.
It could be done, if the people in charge had the will to do so. In fact it would be very easy to implement. Nothing major would need to change regarding the books, just tell people to ignore any references to practical work, and future revisions to correct typos etc would remove such references completely anyway. Then roll out the three-in-one BIG exam, also with no practicals, at Pearson VUE test centres, and everyone would be happy. (At least all of the budding radio amateurs would be happy).
But David, I have no doubt whatsoever that you are correct. Things will not change in any significant way, and the slightest of change will take years anyway. Meanwhile, regrettably, UK Amateur Radio will continue it’s relentless decline, until eventually the old farts in charge of the RSGB will have no-one to talk to on air, except themselves.
Last one out turn off the light.
Amen again. I would have been licensed 5 years earlier if the system was like this.
More exams, that’s what we need, not fewer! We don’t want the prols gaining access to our precious bands. They’ll only start going on their affordable radios chatting about their interests in radio! Before you know it, they’ll be using the 2m band like it’s a useful resource. … Build a wall, raise those prices, put outdated technical hurdles in their way. KEEP THEM OUT…!!!
I couldn’t agree more. If my old dad was alive now he’d be turning in his grave. He studied night and day for fifteen years to finally pass his RAE at the tenth attempt. I’ll never forget the nights he spent practicing Morse until his fingers bled and he had tennis elbow in his wrist. And then we lived on bread and water for 6 months so he could save up enough money for a transmitter. But we were happy. The youngsters today have never had it so good!
I think the idea of a single exam for those who wish to take it is an excellent idea, i for one would have taken that route had it been available, but it`s not suited (or intended) for everyone.
With regards to the practical, i feel that it is a good idea, and if aimed at the right thigs could be of use to all candidates. The on air practice is invaluable, and the safety,soldering and fitting antennae plugs aspect can not hurt, after all we all know folks with a degree in engineering who we would not trust to fit a 13Amp plug to a bit of wire.
I know a few people who I wouldn’t trust to fit a 13Amp plug to a bit of wire, but none of them are engineers, or as it happens, would-be radio amateurs. In fact, they’re all English teachers.
Ham Radio is a fraternal group. The practicals were not a test from what I remember, just had some fun soldering and socializing. Keep the practicals, but maybe give the ability to do them over skype. Problem solved.