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Struggling with Foundation Study?

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Updated
ByPete M0PSX

Struggling with Foundation Study?

A question from a UK amateur radio Foundation student:

“I’m finding it quite difficult. I didn’t realise that I should have first gained a PhD in electrical engineering before embarking on the course! Which is how I am beginning to feel. I think that I am able to grasp some of what the modules are covering but didn’t realise how technical these were going to be. My main reason for doing the course is to obtain the licence to be able to ‘legally’ use a hand-held radio over the 0.5 W power range. I’ve used the ordinary walkies before but the range is limited.”

If you’re feeling the same way, don’t be put off. Foundation introduces some technical ideas, but you do not need to become an electronics expert to pass the exam.

Foundation can feel technical at first

Amateur radio allows you to transmit on a wide range of frequencies, use different types of equipment and antennas, and communicate over considerable distances. Because of that, the Foundation syllabus includes some basic technical knowledge as well as licence conditions, operating procedures, safety and interference.

Some topics will probably make sense straight away, while others may take a few attempts. That’s normal when learning something new.

You don’t need to get everything right

The Foundation exam contains 26 multiple-choice questions, and the pass mark is 19. That means you can answer seven questions incorrectly and still pass.

The aim should be to understand the main ideas well enough to recognise the correct answer, rather than trying to become an expert in every subject.

Use the practice questions

If you’re taking the HamTrain Foundation Online course, use the questions at the end of each module to identify the subjects that need more work.

If you keep getting one particular type of question wrong, go back to that section, watch the relevant video again, or ask for help. Spending extra time on the areas you find difficult is usually more useful than repeatedly revising material you already understand.

Try a different way of learning

Online training suits many people, but not everyone learns in the same way. If reading the lessons and watching the videos isn’t helping a topic click, consider trying another approach.

  • Ask another radio amateur to explain the topic
  • Try some face-to-face training through a local club
  • Use a study guide alongside the online course
  • Try practice questions and mock exams
  • Ask a question in the HamHub training forum

Ask for help in the HamHub Training & Exams Forum

Do I have to take an exam?

To obtain a UK amateur radio Foundation licence, you need to pass the Foundation exam.

If you simply want short-range radio communication without taking an amateur radio exam, there are other services such as PMR446 and CB radio. These have different rules, equipment and capabilities from amateur radio.

Useful Foundation resources

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