THE FUTURE OF AMATEUR RADIO
THE UK FOUNDATION LICENCE
By Geoff, G0EVW - updated September 2002
Every licensed Radio Amateur in the UK was sent a letter in the Autumn of 2000 outlining the RA's proposals for the future of Amateur Radio in the UK. At the time my reaction and that of many others to the proposals was not entirely enthusiastic! Here is a copy of a letter written in October 2000. It would be nice to think that those of us who did respond to the consultation excerise played at least some small and contructive part in the final detail of this new licence class!
When it was finally introduced in the UK, the Foundation Licence and the training scheme that was designed to support it turned out to be a much better idea than many originally feared, including me! I am pleased to say that despite my original misgivings the 'incentive based' nature of the new licensing structure appears to be working well and many of the new 'M3's' are turning out to be first class Radio Amateurs.
Geoff, G0EVW - August 2002
LOCAL TRAINING FACILITIES
Members of the South Dorset Radio Society and others in the Weymouth and Portland area have been providing training and support for all the various licence classes and Morse Code for many years. Please contact Neville, M5NEV m5nev@g3sds.org.uk for more information.
Foundation licence questions and answers!
For more details visit the RSGB at www.rsgb.org or the RA at www.radio.gov.uk
WIRELESS - ITS MAGIC!
There has always been an aerial wire down the garden at my QTH and I hope there always will be. Amateur Radio is a wonderful hobby. It's easy and it's fun and above all it's MAGIC !
Click here to visit my Radio Shack and read all about the Magic of Wireless!
Geoff, G0EVW g0evw@g3sds.org.uk
"Whilst agreeing in principle with much of what is proposed, in particular the emphasis on an incentive based licensing system, I would be completely opposed to the form of the proposals to introduce the so called 'Foundation Licence'. The use of only type approved equipment and little more than 'how to use' instruction would seem to be little different than the present CB licence and be quite contrary to the notion of 'self training' that has been the foundation of the Amateur Radio Licence since its inception.
Having been personally involved in the Novice Training scheme since the beginning I am firmly convinced that the 'entry level' should be the current 'Novice B' licence or at least something very similar. I see no indication that this presents any significant deterrent to those that are genuinely interested in radio communication. The SDRS's NRAE and RAE courses are always oversubscribed with students of all ages and backgrounds and even the Morse Code classes are popular! The majority of people entering the hobby via the Novice Licence Training Scheme have proven to be well equipped to advance up through the licence classes and many of ours have.
I also believe that even if the Morse Code requirement is eventually dropped, basic training in it's use should continue, as in most cases once students understand how valuable a mode it is their attitude to it often changes. To abandon Morse Code completely would in my opinion be a loss of a most valuable resource and make no significant difference to the number of people entering the hobby".
Geoff Watts, G0EVW - October 2000
Foundation licence questions and answers!