NORFOLK AMATEUR RADIO CLUB AMATEUR RADIO LICENSE COURSES

September 2009 Training Update

The Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is pleased to offer courses and exams for people wishing to obtain a amateur radio license. Amateur Radio now covers much more than just radio, because as well as traditional communications using Morse and Voice, you can send and receive data, slow scan television, normal fast television, GPS tracking of your location, even link to amateur stations around the world using radio linked to the internet! You do not need to know anything about electronics or radio to take an Amateur Radio License course - our recent candidates included a restauranteur, coach driver, scouts and a physiotherapist! It is now easier than ever before to obtain a radio license because there are now three levels of license (Foundation, Intermediate and Advance License) which you do in sequence and virtually anyone of any age from 8 years can take the Foundation License and get on the air in the wonderful world of radio. You do not have to be a member of the Norfolk Amateur Radio Club or any other club or organisation to attend a course or take an exam. However we suggest that you consider joining a club either before or after getting a license as there you will meet other like minded people of similar backgrounds who will more than be pleased to help and advise you on how best to get started in the hobby.

The Norfolk Amateur Radio Club meets each Wednesday evening at Eaton CNS School in Eaton Road Norwich and prospective members are invited to come and visit with no obligation. Details of our meeting place are in our About Us section. There may also be another club nearer to where you live - for more information ask the Exam secretary below or check on the internet, the RSGB (www.rsgb.org.uk) or your local library.

How much will the course cost?

The courses and exams are run at no charge by members of the Norfolk Amateur Radio Club and use of the DCP Bryon Court and Rosebery venues are also offered free of charge by their owners, so all you have to pay for is the examination fee which goes to the RSGB and the course book (plus an £8 radio & electronics kit required in the intermediate course which is yours to keep). An Amateur Radio license is now free for life as long as it is applied for online (see www.ofcom.org.uk) so the only other cost is some equipment, with a basic single band radio (or ‘rig’) starting at around £50 second hand or £100 new plus an aerial.

When are the courses run?

The courses are generally run at weekends at DCP’s facilities near Attleborough, although some parts may also be spent at the Norfolk Amateur Radio Club at Eaton CNS in Norwich. The initial Foundation Course is typically 2 weekend days, including the 40 minute exam on the last day. The Intermediate course takes 5 days with the exam, again generally at weekends. The Advance course is a longer course over 7 days with additional home study required. The courses typically have 6-10 people maximum and are friendly and informal - please note you have to take each course and exam in sequence. Tea & Coffee will be provided free but you will need to bring a packed lunch - also bring a pen & pad.We recommend that you order/purchase the course books before the course so that you can relate the coursework to the syllabus in the book - details are on the booking form.

Examination Centres

DCP Bryon Court-Course/exam Venue and Exam secretary address (RSGB Centre ref NF142)

DCP Microdevelopments Limited, Bryon Court, Bow Street, (off Hingham Rd),

Great Ellingham,

Attleborough,

Norfolk,

NR17 1JB

Phone 01953 458844 eves (contact David Palmer G7URP)

Rosebery Hall - Course/exam venue address  (RSGB Centre ref NF145) John Peters G0MXN

Rosebery,

11 Avondale Close,

Lingwood,

Norwich,

NR13 4BG.

Phone 01603 716753

How do I apply?

A booking form is available from the exam secretary . You can also order your books at special club rates using the form (or order them from rsgb.org.uk or other booksellers but be careful to ensure they are the very latest edition - see RSGB website). Please note that the RSGB examination fee is non-refundable if the examination is not attended. Also note that you will need to bring photo-ID with you on the day of the examination.

Contact Information

Examination Secretary

David Palmer	G7URP	Tel	01953	457322	email
Course lead tutors:
Rex Hunt	G0CLR	Tel	01603	419021	email
Stuart Edge	G7KBF	Tel	01508	492536	email
Simon Bywater	M0EBN	Tel	07788	104127	email

                

We already have a Foundation and Intermediate course filled for first part of 2009 and expect to run an Advance course plus another Foundation course later in the year - we do not run courses in the summer months because of the large number of other outside events the club participates in. Please note that both Foundation and Intermediate course syllabus change mid 2009 and will require new course books.

To register on the waiting list for the next available course please send an email with your name, course required and phone number to David G7URP