How did you first find out about the amateur radio hobby?

What made you decide to choose this year to get into amateur radio?

Where are you on your amateur radio journey?

What aspects of amateur radio first attracted you and encouraged you to get started in the hobby?

Do ouy agree or disagree with the following statements?

What experience have you had with the following groups?

Thinking about after you’ve passed… What ways would you appreciate help and support after passing your Foundation exam?

RSGB Brickworks What do you think of this scheme?

Post-exam, which of these areas did you most need help with?

A selection of comments

At the end of the survey, we asked for final comments. We got 868 comments, mostly thanking us for the course. Below is a selection of comments chosen as they have something potentially interesting to say about the bobby, as perceived by newcomers.

• A very interesting and satisfying pastime that is very rewarding, making new friends around the world. Surveys like this help to promote Amateur Ham Radio.
• The Foundation course is pitched well. The Intermediate course has too much emphasise on formulas and theory which in practice will never be used as most amateurs will purchase black boxes and never build or seek to repair. The emphasis should be on safety, operating modes and understanding propagation. The level of maths expected in the Intermediate exam is also off putting for many and an unnecessary hurdle to progression in the hobby.
• Online studying is a great concept, especially when you can replay the training videos/ppt slides over and over and at any time of day or night.
• Myself and my son are continuing our journey with amateur radio – each with our own interest. Amateur radio encompasses such a broad range of interests there is much to pursue but it is the people and their code of support which makes this possible. We are grateful for all the help and support we have received from everyone we have encountered.
• The most frustrating thing in starting at Foundation is that the most accessible bands, (2m/70cm) seem to be the ones the more experienced amateurs stay well clear of, and the budget required for the more ‘serious’ radio (HF) is a real issue for some of us. The RSGB should find a way to encourage more use of the ‘simpler’ radios to get more interaction going on. It was several weeks after passing Foundation before I had a CQ call answered on 2m – I wondered where everyone was!
• The Essex Ham course was a great introduction in to amateur radio for me and was just what I needed to actually get started. What I found most useful was the section/detail/quiz format. In comparison the study books from the RSGB are very “wordy” and whilst they are a great read, picking out the syllabus points is not always so clear. Having to marry them to the available past papers is then also maybe harder than it needs to be. Totally doable but the foundation course shows how slick they could be too!
• The subject matter is basic. But the whole hobby is predominantly populated by idiots that think they’re something special.
• Hugely disappointed that despite email exchanges with some local group oganisers I have yet to make a single live cq…
• The price of equipment is ridiculously high and fraught with shark vendors especially in the pre owned market. Cheaper simpler units should be made available for entry level users. A second hand online market place regulated by RSGB. Would be useful for licensed enthusiasts.
• Intermediate and full courses are hard to find due to covid no one is running them and those on line you cant tell how old the syllabus is. It is hard to progress to a full licence without a training course.
• It was a good course but from someone who is new to all this it can be tricky to pick up and some may need more help.
• I feel that the Intermediate and Full do not reflect the hobby as it is today. There should be more focus on operating procedures. As most radios use integrated circuitry also review the syllabus to reflect this. Look at digital modes and modern means of communication.
• I think all exams should be “open book” type with multiple choice questions and short answers. You don’t need to be overly technical using this approach. One should be able to progress through the hobby in small increments in order to obtain full licence status. The full exam is ridiculously complex and difficult and in many ways pointless. The licencing system acts as a barrier to adopting amateur radio as a hobby. It discourages people to engage in the licencing process beyond foundation level and intermediate levels. Most people just want to be able to get on the air. There is no representation on the RSGB board for foundation and intermediate level licence holders. Where is DMR being covered in RSGB publications? The RSGB do a terrible job in promoting amateur radio, especially with the young. Why not encourage schools and youth clubs to set up their own radio stations operated by school children under affiliation and supervision of local radio clubs?
• The whole subject is shrouded in elitism attitude. This will undoubtedly be the death of the hobby.
• Although I passed Foundation I have had no practical experience. I will take intermediate at some point but I think practical experience with help is essential for me.
• The technical side of things felt a bit overwhelming at first, selecting all the equipment was a challenge. There is so much available and making sure it met requirements/expectations took lots of research. Even then, having confidence that everything would be compatible was a bit difficult. I didn’t want to approach a shop for advice until I at least understood a moderate amount of what I was talking about because I didn’t want to look silly – especially as I am female. Lots of headaches, quite off putting tbh but I’m not easily put off.
• Although I thoroughly enjoyed studying for the Foundation and Intermediate exams, I have decided not to continue with amateur radio. I was driven by my interest following from an OU Electronics/Signals module I was studying. Many thanks to Essex Ham and RSGB – very impressed!
• The hobby still appears to be dominated by old men. More diversity is very much needed.
• The biggest thing for me was getting from hearing nothing on any bands, to hearing something, to getting the courage to speak. I believe that this is one of those things people don’t see when in a club environment, as the equipment is setup and people know where to look. For me; because I couldn’t get a good signal at home (for HF). I bought an ATAS antenna and found a hill (>300 Meters) and walked through the band plans until I found/heard something (mainly Italians); so I started to know where people transmit.
• I have tried attending my local radio club and they have very very old understanding and very slow pace. Online radio club would be amazing as I find more useful information from fb groups etc
• Although I’ve passed the full exam I’ve never been on the air, some courses on use of equipment would help, I did it online because I don’t want to join a club as I see them a bit introverted
• There is a massive amount of snobbery deeply rooted within the amateur radio community which I find laughable considering at least half will when pushed admit they started on CB radio but believe they are some form of elite person now they have a piece of paper and a call sign, something I’ve had myself since 1978 but I’m more about helping others rather than patting myself on the back because a piece of paper says I can use more frequencies and power than another person. I think a certain element of the ham community (and by no means all some of them are great lads and very helpful) need to realise we all bleed red and will all end up dead and their licence is just a piece of paper they received because they past an exam, they didn’t just save the world or cure cancer. I also feel the more advanced intermediate is bogged down with the electronic side of the hobby, than the operating radio side.
• I feel the exams are over complicated and not required to press a button and talk. Things have moved on and most people have no interest in building equipment and the exam is a big hurdle for a hobby and it can be offputting. RSGb need to rethink what they doing and why we need exams to this extend, it is a hobby not a University Degree
• it’s a real shame the hobby is so commercialised. It seems more like about how much bling you can buy, rather than geeks like me spending hours of time getting absolutely nowhere and doing meaningless pathetic attempts at doing electronics design, thinking we might bring something new to the planet. The exam thing is meaningless in the end because everything I had to remember is now erased from my memory, or sent back to the text book where it can be recalled any time I need it. I think the only thing one needs to demonstrate should be related to keeping the electromagnetic spectrum clean, and narrowing bandwidth use, and knowledge of harmonics and EMC. Everyone wants something different from their ‘hobby’, so merely remembering things to take an exam is a turnoff.
• I would have preferred a ‘hands on’ session at a club before Tx’ing live for the first time. My 1st Tx was to the MK Club radio net on Sunday PM. It worked out OK in the end but it would have been better to have a Full licence holder supervising me IMHO.
• With regard to licence content, I found the gap between Foundation and Intermediate huge and that the Foundation didn’t really prepare me enough.
• Your course was excellent and my initial plan was to move immediately on to the intermediate course but I have found myself very absorbed with QRP. So, for the time being I’m staying put at foundation level. I’m leaning morse and have bought a QRP radio for operating athome and in the field. I’m also operating a Pi-Star hotspot at home andusing DMR which I also find intersting and absorbing.
• I missed not having personal contact with people over the last 18 months and am looking forward to meetings at my local club
• I feel a bit stuck on equipment choice, eg something that will not only be useful now, but for the future too and also ‘on air’ etiquette etc.
• You guys were a great help and the course was fantastic. Really appreciate it. My problem now is the lack of a local radio club (mid wales). I listen out on the 2m band, but the air is silent ! I applied to join the FB group but was ot accepted and don;t know why not, but I have recently found a person nearby who has a licence so hope to have a chat with him about how best to progress and a few pointers to local groups
• The Intermediate syllabus is a significant step up from Foundation especially regarding electronics, mathematics and theory. I have no desire to build my own equipment so it feels as if there should be a different approach to the syllabus and exam st this level.
• I have been on the journey to full since December 2020, since then have found that there is a certain amount of “we are better than you” with call signs and local clubs.
• The Essex Ham course, along with the online intermediate course completed are understandably pitched at passing the exam but actually doesn’t cover a lot of what is needed to be known for real world operation. Unfortunately, a lot of so called experts on the web manage to highlight that the actual level of real understanding in the hobby is often low. A case in point is earthing and counterpoises … ask a dozen Hams and you’ll get at least that number of different answers. This is extremely confusing to the beginner!
• I’ve been associated with radio (11meters) and building antennas since 1978, and covid 19, coupled with the ability of doing the course and exam online, gave me the push I needed. Radio clubs that I’d attended previously appeared somewhat clicky and uninviting, especially when mentioning CB radio and the 11m band. This is something that needs to change if they are wanting people to join the hobby. We all have to start somewhere, so embrace it and move on. I am also noticing how there are quite a few old school operators who choose to avoid talking with newer foundation operators that choose to only operate QRP. This QRP option should be accepted by more operators as it is a matter of choice.
• Have now decided reluctantly to concentrate on SWL activities. I previously completed the Essex Ham course then went on to apply for the foundation exam. Sadly my efforts to connect were thwarted by the fact that my internet connection was via a mobile dongle which was unsuitable as the connection could not be suitably established.I am not the account holder of the landline connection and my partner is uncooperative in this respect. Sadly, end of story for me i’m afraid.
• One of the main reasons I decided to attempt the foundation license was that no on air test required. I struggle doing new things in front of people. The information provided by the course helped my confidence in progressing to the exam.
• Although I think it’s great the online courses and exams exist, I will probably seek out a club to gain confidence before I set up any equipment at home. Even better would be if there was an option to get help at home setting up a station for newbies (paid or otherwise). Having said that, the cost of the exam is the only thing that has stopped me from taking it this far.
• I was put off for years, I have an electronics background and sold CB systems too, went to college to do RAE exam but found it too basic and slow, I didnt need the practicals so did nothing until it went online during covid and I had additional time. I am also a RAFAC radio operator and Maritime radio licence holder.
• In module 6 or 7 I learned I need a full licence not foundation to be able to use a ssb radio whilst in foreign waters. The courses are very rarely run and only in the UK. An online ” Foundation +++” course would be very attractive.
• Local club (where I have attended a few time) would probably not even know of the additional things a foundation holder could do to advance themselves and from attending with my partner find them not particularly hands on with going on the radio. I think clubs should be encouraged to use Radio more rather than just sit and drink tea and eat biscuits. I work shifts which is why I too the online course however if the club was my only option my local club would have put me off.
• There is an unmet need for a self paced,online FULL exam course with good test questions. There are a few courses out there but difficult tro get booked on hence a self paced course with perhaps an attached forum to help with stuff you don’t understand. Why isnt RSGB creating super animated content for this … seems like its what they should be doing.
• My biggest problem after passing foundation level was / is programming my handheld. I’m VERY computer fluent and tech savvy (I have computer education to university level) but still had enormous problems getting my Boefeng handheld to talk to my laptop. I eventually managed it by ignoring ALL the advice I had been given (online and within FB groups) and treating my radio like a computer peripheral. The next stage is what to program into my radio???? I still haven’t figured that out despite hours of watching YT videos, reading online advice, and asking in FB groups. It’s this step I need help with now. The other problem I’ve found is most FB groups (populated by “experts”) are less than helpful. Actually, I have been REALLY disappointed by the response. 
• I would like to take the intermediate but feel that in this modern day, lots of the content is un-necessary. I’m not likely to build a radio etc and feel a need for very basic understanding of how things work is rrequired. Lots of people just set up a station and use it as is
• You guys opened the door and I am so grateful.. I use a ft818nd and a wonder loop inside my flat and pick up DX and contest calls from Italy, Poland, and even just outside Moscow! Awesome!
• It was harder than I thought it would be. Didn’t realise how technical it was / how much physics you needed to know
• My opinion on the exams that are needed to be passed before you can transmit at the varying levels can become a issue for new upcoming members who would enjoy being able to be involved in this hobby that may find it hard to pass and understand the tech side of the required exam passes needed. If it was possible to implement a exam that did not require the electronics and mathematics equations that are needed at the moment .
• I note with interest the direct to full thinking study. As an electronics engineer with a lot of background in electronics design, hazardous area electronics, Communications, Radio and Radar I would have opted for this option. I find the idea of sitting two more exams time wasting and would rather go straight to the Full license.
• My sole reason for the late entry into the hobby was the well outdated Morse code requirement. I never saw the need for everyone to do this, partly because I was aware of, saw equipment that could do this automatically in the late 1960s. The stopping of the requirement of ships Radio Officers to learn Morse was the final nail in the coffin.
• I think the hobby has a lot of people who do not like the new online courses. I have had some real knock backs trying to join clubs. As soon as they find out you have done the online course they shun you.
• It’s a bit of a disappointment if you get 2m equipment as the activity is just not there. Hf is much better but there seems to be little real purpose with people rushing to collect signal reports as though they are preparing for some future apocalyptic event no one has any substantive or purposeful conversations. It’s easy to get bored. Activities should be encouraged on higher bands such as 10m to reduce the carnage that is in the lower bands. 2m and 70cm need encouragement they’re really quiet and often the only activity is boring blokes using the radio like a telephone. I don’t know what the solution is but the image is one of old blokes and when you get on air it’s being proven.
• I would prefer lessons at a club, particulaly practical aspect which has been removed.
• I’ve found a local club that – fortunately – have members who go out of their way to give help, practical instructions and some social interaction (not the first club I found, unfortunately… those were rather clique-y and not very friendly).
• The idea to have club task-based certificates would be worth their weight in gold, as far as I’m concerned. Very much the missing part of the RSGB Guided Journey (if the Foundation course we’re the first step in the journey).
• I know there many technical aspects of this hobby, which I have absolutely no interest in, and think it’s unfortunate that so much emphasis is placed on them by the RSGB. They seem to be stuck in an era where the only way to enjoy this hobby was to make everything from scratch.
• They need to realise that this is no longer the case as almost everything is available at the touch of a button now, and people generally only make things or tinker, as that is there interest. They fail to realise that to encourage youngsters into the hobby things have to be on a basis of ‘Instant gratification’. Many would not be interested in making their equipment,as it’s easier to turn on a pc/games console and play a game. Also, we live in an age where repairing something is unnecessary as it’s too easy to simply buy something new which is instantly available. To survive the RSGB must adapt, and not be dinosaurs! Incidentally, I’m 64!
• Currently my journey in amateur radio is using a handheld or mobile setup in the car, on both 2m’s and 70cm’s. I’m starting to chat to other hams and have had 2 good long distanced contacts on the handheld with one being 36 miles away from me. I enjoy going into the fields up on hills with the handheld radio, and parking on high point with the mobile setup in the car and working stations as far as possible. I did struggle with mic shyness to start so would listen to other hams to build confidence, and still from time to time I get mixed up with the on air communicating procedure, but fine otherwise.
• Now online exams are here with no club interaction needed at all, lots of operators will be able to operate with zero practical experience (like me) I eventually found a local club that helped (though it’s struggling for membership, 8 weeks of attending and I’ve been the youngest there by a fair way at age 47), and YouTube videos helped, but specific tutorials showing typical interactions in voice, cq and digital modes would have helped a lot.
• I’m not particularly interested in the intricacies of antenna and radio construction, so much of the content of Radcom doesn’t really appeal to me. I’m happy to buy what I need at this stage and I took Foundation to be allowed to use Amateur equipment and to know just enough to avoid causing interference to others. I think the whole “technical hobby” thing goes way too far. I’m more interested in the social/prepping aspects of the hobby, but there seems to be very little of that in the NE Scotland. At 39 years of age, it is alarming to consistently be the youngest person taking part in a net etc.
• Really liked my RSGB examiner. He made me feel excited to go to the next level.
• My only reason for doing the course was to allow me to use a hand held radio, this meant most of the course is irrelevant and a waste of time, I feel there should be specific courses tailored to the users need.
• Amateur radio seems to have something for everyone. You could just start with a cheap handheld and make some contacts on a local repeater to a full blown shack with an antenna farm. Make your own antennas, hack an old 2 metre taxi radio. The people you can chat to on a local 2m net are full of ideas, advice and all do something different. And there’s no rush either, get your foundation, enjoy using it whilst working out what you want to do next. There’s budget, space and technical ability to take into account when deciding what’s right for you.
• I think the Foundation course seemes brilliant to encourage people into the hobby; it could be lack of knowledge or no club in my town, but it feels like quite a jump up to the next level from accessing your local repeater on a handheld (though it’s SO much more accessible as a hobby than when I first started!)
• I was really interested in the course but didn’t feel confident enough to take the exam especially on some of the technical questions. I believe I would benefit from joining a club, but unfortunately due to my geographical location it’s not feasible. I’m not giving up though and will maybe look at re doing the course at some point.
• I think amateur radio is relying very heavily on the old guard, and I don’t see younger generations coming through to take it on. Locally there is very little desire to change.
• There seems to be a difference between the Official Language used in RSGB, and normal scientific language and notation. I have a Physics Degree from a previous existence, but have found Amateur Radio difficult. Also the way exam questions are phrased is not easy to understand. I fail to see the point in trying to confuse people with words and phrases when simple scientific language and numbers would be easier to understand.
• Very good course, but I’ve decided Radio is not for me. There’s not enough on it to keep me interested. It could be I can’t pick much up where I live. But I’ve invested quite a lot of time and money and there isn’t very much happening on the channels. But thanks for the help.
• Although being able to do the course online in my own time was great, a live session or two would’ve helped as I wasn’t able to get to a local club, and I felt the practical application of the theory was lacking.
• I’m really enjoying my ham radio experience but unfortunately I think the 10watts limit for foundation license is far to low I understand there should be restrictions but foundation license holders literally don’t stand a chance against people running 100 watts 400 watts and in some cases over 1kw.
• Essex Ham course is very professional in appearance and delivery. Provided some good links and tips to other resources. I particularly like the Physics Interactive circuit trainer, which helped me to understand the differences in series and parallel circuits. Thank you very much for all your help. Now continuing my journey in learning more about the hobby and, hopefully, attaining a Full licence.
• I had initially expected to chat to other radio amateurs, but I will never, ever use voice modes now because I have briefly experienced and often heard what happens when a rare female ham appears on air. The least bad issue is pile ups during competitions, but I am not interested in competitions. Our local ham club is full of men who are not welcoming and who have been openly abusive on air. They are not only rude when I have briefly tried to talk to them, but they also regularly have nets on our local repeater and air racist, homophobic and sexist views. How can the hobby be inclusive when you have people like this around? No wonder so few new people join their club (something else they complain about frequently)? I tried reporting this to the RSGB, but was not taken seriously. I will stick to modes where no one can guess my gender by listening to my transmissions.
• I tried to contact two local clubs to gain information and advice to help me understand what is required to obtain the foundation license along with help on selecting what radio equipment would be the best to obtain for a beginner, in addition hopefully get involved with club members directly to benifit from their knowledge, the first club I phoned i could not get an answer from the club secretary so I left a message, the secretary never return my call, the second local club I tried i did manage to speak to the secretary but again he failed to contact me with information regarding joining their club? I was bitterly dissapointed in the response from both RSGB clubs which was a dissapointment.
• Thanks for all your help, the free course material and lessons are great! However, I did find the laws and rules reasonably challenging. From the technical side, this gave me a good sense of how much I actually don’t know about electronics. Thus, I have taken a slight detour, to study maths and electronics from the teach-yourself range of books. I do plan to cross the finish line and achieve this personal goal. ~ Keep going, keep keeping on and we’ll get there, don’t give up on your dreams just because life gets in the way. ~ None of us is as smart as all of us ~
• I found some technical aspects difficult to grasp (despite having degrees in other subjects) possibly as they’re not actually allowed/required for the licence, eg: requirements to understand how to build a radio – irrelevant, as foundation licence forbids holders from do so.
• Ham Train course was generally great though, I have stepped back as have new health issues, but I’d like to pick the course up again in the future.
• I think the foundation level content is too involved for just getting people on air who just want to start out with a basic affordable handset but want something more than PMR446 radios.
• It’s odd being the only woman at my local club. On air the guys chat to me easily but face to face are awkward. I go with my husband who is a full licence holder and they talk to him just fine and mostly ignore me.
• I note that some of the people who took the course complained that the exam questions were different in the comments section in the training area, or that the questions in the real exam each had several options which could have been correct. I don’t think that is a fair complaint about the course – to me I suspect they failed to learn or understand the underlying principles being taught and just learnt by repetition only so naturally got caught out when a question threw in something a bit different but still based on the same principal.
• I was thoroughly enjoying the course until I discovered the on-line exam was not available for Linux users. I could not find a local group doing the exam and could not find a windows machine to borrow for long enough to book and complete an exam.
• Coming from CB radio, the basics like setting SWR and setting up a station/antenna come naturally. Having no friends who are amateurs I had NO clue what radio/HF or VHF/UHF set to purchase and so easily could have ended up buying the “wrong” set. Local amateurs have been SO SO friendly and so so helpful and are a great resource for help and advice on many issues like radio/antenna choice.
• This was an amazing course. Very professional. I bet it took ages to create! many thanks to the team! It was just what was needed and the RSGB online exam was a significant part of my decision to apply.

Thanks to everyone who took part in our survey. The 2023 survey is already running, with a few extra questions. We’ll publish the results in due course.

The two notable paragraphs are:

“WTA (Wireless Telegraphy Act) licence simplification. Alongside our move to a new licensing platform, we will review our licensing processes and documentation to ensure we have an efficient approach, reducing the burden on our licensees as far as possible and simplifying their engagement with us. A key part of this program will be our review of Amateur licensing”

“Amateur radio licences review. We will consult on proposals to simplify our licensing framework for amateur radio licensing and incorporate new areas of amateur radio activity. Our aim is to provide clear updated rules which afford radio amateurs greater freedom to operate, drawing on feedback provided by the sector”

What happens next?

It appears that there will be a public consultation in Q1 2023–24 (Between April and June 2023), followed by a statement in Q4 2023–24 (between January and March 2024)

What could change?

The information released so far is minimal, so could be anything and are open to interpretation. Just for fun, here are a few possibilities – we’d love you to add some of your own thoughts in the comments section below.

• “Simplifying the framework” – A reduction in the number of licence levels would certainly achieve this, perhaps with the removal of “Intermediate” and the return to a two-tier system?
• “Licencing Platform – Reducing the burden” – Could that hint at the end of the requirement to revalidate via the Ofcom site every 5 years?
• “New areas of activity” – Could this mean a relaxing of the rules regarding Digital Voice, Hotspots, Gateways and Remote Operation?
• “Clear, updated rules” – Perhaps some specific guidance on some of the more vague terms “as frequently as practicable”, “from time to time”, etc. Or perhaps changes to kit construction at Foundation? Or changing the references to “Radio Equipment”?
• “Greater freedom to operate” – Increased power? More bands? Few restrictions in the Schedule? Less restrictions for gateways, beacons, repeaters, remote and unattended operation?

Some wilder theories:

• The dropping of mandatory Regional Secondary Locators (for Scotland, Wales, N. Ireland) would simplify the framework and increase freedom
• “Greater freedom to operate” could point to relaxing the supervision rules, construction, testing requirements, or allowing Foundation and Intermediate to send greetings messages. Or a change to identification frequency (once per 60-minute period?)

Syllabus changes?

There is currently a disconnect between the licence (Ofcom) and the syllabus (RSGB). It is RSGB, not Ofcom, that imposes that newcomers to the hobby must understand: resistors in series and parallel, the human hearing range, the height of the Ionosphere and how to draw a block diagram of a transmitter. “Greater freedom to operate” could mean that Ofcom asks RSGB to reduce the focus on electronics, particularly at the lower levels. Most newcomers don’t build their own transmitters, so does a licence holder really need to memorise the resistor colour code or understand Fourier transform?

If Ofcom was to suggest a simplification of the syllabus, might they go further and remove the monopoly that RSGB has on exams? Could we see a time where online course providers not only run courses, but also exams?

Or, could we see a move towards an “operator licence” and a “constructor licence”?

Alternatively, could Ofcom decide that the RSGB’s 2019 syllabus changes were excessive? Since the new syllabus rolled out, we’ve seen a steep drop in people moving from Foundation to Intermediate, and with the new Intermediate now containing a significant amount of “Full” theory drop down to make the exam harder, people staying put at Foundation is a worrying trend. Whilst RSGB appears keen on adding in extra theory to our primarily practical hobby, perhaps Ofcom would like to see more people enter the hobby and progress as operators, not theorists?

The above are all speculations and we’d love to hear your own thoughts on what could change, via the comments below!

Now, we know that most people aren’t that interested in the AGM, and most RSGB members don’t bother voting and it’s led to some internal debate about why this is. Is everyone happy with RSGB as-is? Do people not care about how the RSGB is run? Is the RSGB’s structure not that important to most people’s enjoyment of the hobby? Do people not know what the AGM is about and who to vote for?

To help us to explore this, we’ve based our 2023 Member Survey around the RSGB and the AGM, and we’d love your views.

At the AGM, it’s possible to ask the board questions. After last year’s AGM, it was suggested that Essex Ham champions a few questions that we collectively put to the RSGB on behalf of our own members. We’re also keen to explore this as an option if there’s interest.

If you fancy having your say on the RSGB and the AGM, or suggesting a question that we can champion, have your say in our short survey

RSGB 2023 AGM Survey

2023 Candidates

There are three candidates applying for two positions on the board: Ben Lloyd GW4BML; Paul Nicholls M0PVN and Len Paget GM0ONX. You can learn more about each candidate in their candidate statements or in the following videos released by the RSGB

How to Vote

• Click here to cast your vote

The internet voting service closes at 9am on 13 April 2023

Handy Links

• RSGBs 2023 AGM Site
• RSGB 2023 AGM Survey

This is the 36th Canvey Rally, and the first one since the Covid lockdown, so it’ll be a great opportunity to catch up with old friends as well as newcomers to the hobby. This popular annual event is run by the team at SEARS, the South Essex Amateur Radio Society.

The rally is a great place to go to pick up a bargain, catch up with local amateurs and clubs, and, of course, enjoy a SEARS bacon buttie.

Doors open at 10:00am. Admission price is £4. Parking is free, although there are only limited spaces at the school, so you may need to use nearby off-street parking. Getting there early is always a good plan if you want a bargain (although that’s the busiest time)

Canvey Rally Video

New to the rally? Check out our video to see what happens at the rally – the 2020 rally was visited by the BBC, as featured in our report:

Canvey Rally Location

The SEARS Canvey Rally is at The Cornelius Vermuyden School, Dinant Avenue, Canvey Island, Essex SS8 9QS

Looking forward to catching up with lots of you on Sunday!

Related Links

• Essex Ham – Canvey Rally Reports
• South Essex Amateur Radio Society
• Canvey Rally: Essex Rally Information

Close to 200 cubs, scouts and explorers from across the region signed up to take part in this year’s event, which is one of the largest in the region. Essex Ham’s been helping to support the event since 2016, and this year’s event was one the best yet, thanks to the efforts of event organiser and passionate local ham Derek M0SCE.

As well as the traditional JOTA “greetings messages” (not helped by HF contesters on JOTA frequencies!), the event included a range of activities including radio direction-finding, one-time pad code-breaking, Morse activities, recordings of Numbers Stations, PMR radio chases, demonstrations of military radio systems, as well as live video calls with other scouting groups around the world.

A new event for this year was the “Blindfold Radio Challenge”, where teams of two had to navigate a maze using radio. One youngster was blindfolded and fitted with a noise-blocking headset and navigated through the maze by their partner, with the aim of putting a pen in a cup. The game was against the clock with prizes for the best times, with Andrew M0ONH and Pete M0PSX taking turns to monitor for mishaps using a third headset.

The activity was made possible thanks to the loan of full duplex 2GHz radio headsets supplied by dBD Communications of Basildon, who manufacture professional radiocommunications equipment for the rail, air ground handling and construction industries.

JOTA,  ‘Jamboree On The Air’, is a great event that encourages youngsters to learn more about radio technology, with the hope that some may grow up to be the next generation of scientists and engineers, or take up the amateur radio. We saw some interest in taking up the hobby, and have been asked to run follow-on sessions for some of the local groups. One scout leader was so impressed, he signed up to Essex Ham’s free online training course on the spot, and made a few greetings messages to get in some early practice.

Our thanks to Essex Ham members Andrew M0ONH, Aubrey M7SDA, Dorothy M0LMR, Mike G8EFG, Pete M0PSX, Richard G7OED and Sarah M6PSK who turned up to support the event. Other amateurs supporting the event were Gareth 2E0MZC and Jenson M6OIU, and of course organiser Derek M0SCE, who put in so much work and prep to make the event a success, supported by the team at Belchamps (thanks for the tea and biscuits). Our thanks also to the locals who answered our on-air requests for contacts to chat to cubs and scouts over the weekend.

Related Links

• Previous JOTA events

The good news is, “yes we have” – we’re currently running 3 surveys, one for newcomers, one for “all hams” and one for the training community. We’ve pulled together some of the data, for those interested in the current perception of clubs, post-Covid. The data is a little raw (with comments not spell checked), but it’s presented as-is for general interest. Scroll to the bottom to add your own comment, or to take part in the surveys, which are still active as of August 2022.

Survey Result: Online Foundation Students

Survey data comes from 1,352 responses from newcomers who have taken our online course (2021-22)

“I preferred to take the exam online rather than at a club”

• Strongly Agree: 60.36%
• Agree: 28.03%
• Disagree: 5.62%
• Strongly Disagree: 0.81%
• No answer: 5.18%

“What are your views on the organisations you’ve encountered so far: Your local amateur radio club(s)”

• Very Positive: 18.42%
• OK: 13.09%
• Not very positive: 5.25%
• No contact: 475 35.13%
• No answer: 28.11%

Freeform comments on the subject of clubs, from our newcomers:

• I did it online because I don’t want to join a club as I see them a bit introverted
  I have noticed how stuffy it has become and how the operators are unhelpful to others they are as they ignore anyone that are not members of there club.
• Disability (CFS/ME) making travel to a HAM radio club very difficult.
• I would never of passed my exams if it hadnt been for the help I received from Angel of the North amateur radio club
• have tried attending my local radio club and they have very very old understanding and very slow pace. Online radio club would be amazing as I find more useful information from fb groups etc
• I did it online because I don’t want to join a club as I see them a bit introverted
• I would have preferred a ‘hands on’ session at a club before Tx’ing live for the first time. My 1st Tx was to the MK Club radio net on Sunday PM. It worked out OK in the end but it would have been better to have a Full licence holder supervising me IMHO.
• I missed not having personal contact with people over the last 18 months and am looking forward to meetings at my local club
• My problem now is the lack of a local radio club (mid wales). I listen out on the 2m band, but the air is silent ! I
• I carried out my study on my own due to covid and the fact the club where I live is more of people meeting rather than an actual club hut and gear.
• Radio clubs that I’d attended previously appeared somewhat clicky and uninviting, especially when mentioning CB radio and the 11m band. This is something that needs to change if they are wanting people to join the hobby
• Although I think it’s great the online courses and exams exist, I will probably seek out a club to gain confidence before I set up any equipment at home.
• Feel a bit missing with regards to the practical elements and mic practice opportunities.
• Some good people at the radio club have helped me get started, but still feel a bit bewildered.
• xxxx club (where I have attended a few time) would probably not even know of the additional things a foundation holder could do to advance themselves and from attending with my partner find them not particularly hands on with going on the radio. I think clubs should be encouraged to use Radio more rather than just sit and drink tea and eat biscuits. I work shifts which is why I too the online course however if the club was my only option xxxxx would have put me off.
• I have received lots of support from Colchester Radio Amateurs Club for which I am very grateful.
• My “local” club is many many miles away and not very active it seems so perhaps something more internet based or even a book would be a good answer to this gap.
• Although it would have been nice to have been able to attend local club for face to face hands on work , the Essex syllabus was excellent
• I have had some real knock backs trying to join clubs. As soon as they find out you have done the online course they shun you.
  The lack of clubs makes it a hard hobby to get into as most hams are not willing to help and look down on new people like your stupid
• I’ve found a local club that – fortunately – have members who go out of their way to give help, practical instructions and some social interaction (not the first club I found, unfortunately… those were rather clique-y and not very friendly).
• Now online exams are here with no club interaction needed at all, lots of operators will be able to operate with zero practical experience (like me) I eventually found a local club that helped (though it’s struggling for membership, 8 weeks of attending and I’ve been the youngest there by a fair way at age 47)

Survey Result: 2022 “UK Ham Radio Survey”

Survey data comes from 414 responses in 2022. Survey still open: 2022 Survey

“Are you a member of any amateur radio clubs? If so, what types of clubs? (Tick all that apply)”

• Traditional local club(s) – that meet at a fixed location: 51.21%
• Essex Ham: 21.50%
• Other Online / Virtual Club(s): 23.19%
• Contest / Special Interest Group: 16.67%
• RAYNET: 4.59%
• Not a member of any club: 30.68%

“You selected that you are not a member of a traditional local radio club. Why is that?”

• Not interested: 8.45%
• No clubs near me: 6.28%
• Local club doesn’t offer me what I want: 7.73%
• Not got around to it yet: 9.18%
• Limited income / Too expensive: 2.42%
• I’m not a “club person”: 17.87%
• I don’t feel welcome: 7.25%
• Prefer online clubs: 6.04%
• Club politics: 10.39%

Responses under “other” for why respondents haven’t joined a traditional club:

• Not got time at the moment to properly engage
• No vision for the future
• in my 50s feel i am too young for my local clubs listening to there “gods waiting room” nets
• Disabled
• Can’t be bothered to rejoining old club
• very limited spare time
• CB radio groups which ham radio does not seem interested in.
• Too busy as Scout Leader
• My local club is full of [expletives deleted]
• Work Shifts, only able to attend every 3 weeks
• They meet only for the beer.
• I do’t have time to attend meetings
• Wheelchair user very anxious
• Boring people that don’t make you feel welcome. The committee takes all the cudos for other people ideas as there own
• My pattern of work prevents me taking part in a physical club
• Disability access
• Meetings clash with other interests
• Mobility problems
• Joined and left after all the childish bickering
• I felt like an outsider at 2 clubs I attended (20 year ago)
• Contacted local club and got no response!
• I work evenings
• Just stopped going and got out the habit.
• disabled – no transport – virtually housebound –
• There are insurance issues if a claim is made against a club.
• Meeting times unsuitable
• I’ll stay away from the egg stains and fist mics….
• Lack of time working full time other commitments
• Mobility issues
• Work most evenings
• Tried a few times but found it all rather odd.
• Covid
• Not enough spare time

Selection of freeform comments at the end of the survey, where clubs were mentioned:

• Too ‘clicky’ and full of old men and weird peopleI feel that Traditional club’s are well past their ‘sell by date’.
  More can be learned from using the resources on the Web.
• Clubs have long standing members not interested in helping newcomers, almost as though newcomers are an unwelcome distraction, which will see the demise of conventional clubs and the ruse of online versions, which is a shame.
• clubs are great for all the reasons mentioned. It`s just that some people don`t like the politics and the `one upmanship ` that
  can be off putting
• The radio club reflects its membership and not necessarily a geographical area. There is room in most places for both an ‘old farts’ club and a ‘young punks’ one. The ‘old farts’ will probably be a traditional radio club but the ‘young punks’ might not be so traditional encompassing ‘radio makers’ and even pirate radio activities!
• Clubs tend to be formed around cliques of long term members and can be hard to “break” in to. Understandable given human nature but can be off-putting. This applies to tradional clubs but at least you can see friendly faces hopefully. Internet based clubs can tend to be far worse with the “knowledgeable” looking down on newcomers.
• RSGB and clubs are the main focal points of the hobby
• Clubs in general are a good idea, we have to go to keep up with the times.
• Clubs are a great way to get new people into the hobby but many clubs don’t have the facilities or place to run training courses. There is some excellent online training courses for clubs to direct new memebers to study with. The club still has a role in traing often by helping out new members by answering questions that new members have. Helping with some of the parts of the hobby that isn’t covered by the exams, it can’t all be learned by the exams.
• Some are far to cliquish with old stuck in the muds causing stagnation. I tried to contact a local club for years but kept getting ignored. thankfully found the best club in the area and havent looked back
• It is unfortunate that Covid has stripped away a lot of face to face enjoyment and our club ran training courses which are now online with online exams.Although our club is slowly getting back to some semblance of normality,financial constraints are limiting activity and downsizing is a financial necessity
• I’m the only member in my club under 40, most other members have at least 20 years on me. clubs/rsgb need to pre progressive and engage in ways outside of the ‘old boys club’ mentality or they’re going to die off. quickly
  Face-to-face club meetings, radio rallies etc., are a very important aspect of amateur radio and should be encouraged at every opportunity
  Clubs really need to be active in participation of the hobby and not just meeting places for the hobbie’s participants to talk usually about anything but Ham Radio.
• Very NEGATIVE attitude from a lot of club members to use of digital voice, I’ve also had a particularly bad experience when I passed my foundation exam with a very hurtful comment from a member that has been licenced for many years ” so now you have a licence to wire a plug!” I dont go to that radio club any more.
• I find clubs generally seem to be dominated by older men , who seem to have an element of eliteism ( I could be wrong) concerning the level of examination!
• Local clubs suffer a high degree of apathy that has got worse since lockdown.
• The main problem for radio clubs is that people are sometimes interested in being members but do not wish to contribute to actually run them.
• Even though I am 72, I look at the club membership, and , in the next 10 years there will be no club to mention. I’m trying to get new members into the club.

Survey Result: 2022 “UK Tutor Survey”

Survey data comes from 29 responses in August 2022. Survey still open.

“Has your club/group run a training course so far this year?”

• Yes (more than one): 27.59%
• Yes (just one): 6.9%

“What sort of support does your club/group offer to newcomers who’ve just passed their entry-level exam?”

• RSGB’s “Brickworks” scheme: 41.38%
• Training sessions specifically for newcomers: 37.93%
• Club activities aimed at newcomers: 48.28%
• Online resources / help for newcomers: 17.24%
• Mentoring / “Buddy” scheme: 37.93%
• Standard club activities (e.g. club nights): 68.97%
• Nothing: 6.90%

“Has your club updated its training material ready for Syllabus v1.5 (1st September)?”

• Yes: 27.59%

“Will your club be offering courses / sessions for the “Direct to Full” exams, which are due to start in January 2023″

• Yes, we’re planning courses: 13.79%

“How have the following areas changed since Covid: Activties put on by your club?”

• Increased: 13.79%
• Stayed the same: 51.72%
• Reduced: 24.14%
• Stopped: 0.00%
• No answer: 10.34%

“How have the following areas changed since Covid: Attendance at club nights?”

• Increased: 27.59%
• Stayed the same: 20.69%
• Reduced: 27.59%
• Stopped: 3.45%
• No answer: 20.69%

“How have the following areas changed since Covid: Training put on by your club?”

• Increased: 10.34%
• Stayed the same: 20.69%
• Reduced: 37.93%
• Stopped:  24.14%
• No answer: 6.90%

“How have the following areas changed since Covid: New members joining your club?”

• Increased: 55.17%
• Stayed the same: 24.14%
• Reduced: 13.79%
• Stopped: 0.00%
• No answer:6.90%

And finally, comments from some of the clubs that offer training:

• RSGB need to start responding to grass root feelings. The are there for all to see on Group IO. I am now on my own for any training we would offer. I have personaly purchased 3 sets of training books out my own pocket and they are out of date. 
• As ever, we need more younger people entering the hobby.
• The syllabus is changing too frequently. The updated books appear far too late – they should appear with the new syllabus, not a couple of weeks before the new syllabus comes into effect.
• Why is it so so complicated now? Can’t we just get back to basics?
• We firmly believe that hands on practical tuition is still the best approach to furthering interest in amateur radio. we also promote electronic engineering to provide youngsters with a possible path to secuting an apprenticship in electrical engineering
  and we have had a good result with this.
• It seems that the online exam (and free time during lockdowns) has cleared a lot of the latent demand for people wanting to get a licence. Since then we have struggled to get attendance back to pre Covid levels, depleting resources abc enthusiasm. There has been low takeup of brickworks. 2 out of 16.
• We rely totally on the support of volunteers to maintain our hobby, support from the governing body is always appreciated if available
• We have before Covid, offered training in Foundation and Intermediate levels which included the practical sessions. We also ran the ‘paper’ exams and, when that shifted to invigilated laptop sessions (in person, at the clubhouse), we included that. Now the remotely invigilated exams are in place it has had the effect of making us feel that as a club we no longer have a part to play. I would like to see the club returning to training right through to the Full examination in order to bring those new to the hobby more fully into the subject through discussion and through contact with those with a depth of experience in the subject.
• Because we are in a limited area for access we try to deliver training in as flexible a way as possible to suit the needs of the applicant. We do not schedule training courses, but run them in response to requests. Most of our trainees have passed their tests, not all first time, but are coached to try again. Most people who withdraw usually do so for unrelated reasons to radio learning.
• While club training is important independent training is also very important as youth groups can manage thisRSGB need to start

Clubs: Breaking the mould

Here’s a video from the 2017 RSGB convention, showing the then RSGB’s President’s views on clubs:

Summary

A real mixed bag of comments, with some recurring themes. 

If you have an opinion, our 2022 survey is still open: Survey still open: 2022 Survey – Otherwise, feel free to add a comment below.

Andrew is planning to raise not only awareness, but also money, for this important cause that affects 1 in 8 of men in the UK.

The callsign GB8PCA will be active in August with the support of three Essex clubs – here’s a list of planned activations:

• Mon 8th Aug  8pm: Essex Ham Net on GB3DA Live from East Essex Hackspace (including a live video stream – link to follow!)
• Tue 9th Aug  8pm: SEARS Club Night in Benfleet – Operating HF and information stand
• Sat 13th Aug  11am to 4pm: East Essex HackSpace – Radio and information stand
• Mon 15th Aug  8pm: Essex Ham Net on GB3DA (listen over the Internet at essexham.net)
• Fri 19th Aug  8pm: TARG Club Net on GB3DA
• Sun 21st Aug 11am-4pm: Field event, at Galleywood Common (by the Horse & Groom Pub)
  

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Andrew’s planning to raise money for this cause by donating £1 for every logged QSO he has using the GB8PCA callsign, so make time to make contact, and help raise some money for Prostate Cancer UK). There’s also a JustGiving Donation Page.

For the full story on why Andrew’s organising this event, see Andrew M0ONH – My Prostate Cancer Story

Please take the time to show your support by making contact with Andrew on-air via an Essex Ham, SEARS or TARG event – and if you’d like to come and join the fun at one of the planned Essex Ham events, everyone’s welcome!

Related links

• GB8PCA on QRZ
• Andrew M0ONH – My Prostate Cancer Story

An announcement appeared on the club’s website posted on the club’s website on the 25th of July 2022, stating:

“I would like to thank the members that have been to the club over the last few times. Your support was appreciated and it was nice to meet you all. However because of the lack of enthusiasm and low attendance we have decided to close down the club, therefore there will be no more meetings.”

The club is believed to date back to at least the 1940s, and we found a mention in the RSGB Callsign book 1992. The group restarted briefly in 2018, and had to close during the Covid pandemic. We gather that the final meeting took place in July 2022 at the Plough Corner Village Hall in Clacton.

It’s been a challenging time for amateur radio clubs, and in 2021, we saw the closure of two other local clubs, the Laindin Radio Club and the Coalhouse Fort Radio Society, plus the end of local training at a couple of other local clubs. We’ve recently published the resuls of our club survey – see Amateur Radio Clubs in 2022

Related Links

• Amateur Radio Clubs in Essex

What is Direct-to-Full

An alternative way of getting a Full licence, without the need to go through the current 3-tier (Foundation > Intermediate > Full) route.

Who is Direct-to-Full for?

It’s primarily aimed at people looking to get a licence who already have a solid knowledge of electronics and/or RF.

It’s also available to existing Foundation & Intermediate licence-holders looking to jump to ‘a Full’ licence who feel they have sufficient knowledge to pass this alternative exam.

How does Direct-to-Full work?

The exam has 75 questions, lasts for 2.5 hours and is only available online (no paper version available). No practical assessments.

This option will be online-only via “remote invigilation”. 

When will this be available?

From the 21st of January 2023

What’s the cost?

£95.

Direct-to-Full Mock Paper

The RSGB has released a mock exam paper – RSGB Mock Papers

Direct-to-Full Syllabus

The RSGB has released a 42-page syllabus, which broadly matches the current 3-tier syllabus (v1.5)

What is the structure of the exam?

The Direct-to-Full exam will consist of two parts, which are sat in the same session, both of which have to be passed. The first part has a higher pass mark, presumably to satisfy Ofcom that licence conditions are clearly understood – those from an electronics or RF background may potentially be ‘weak’ on the amateur radio specifics, which is why we guess the bar is a little higher for the first part.

Direct-to-Full Exam: Part 1

Part 1 has 18 questions with a pass mark of 14 questions (77.7% pass mark)

Direct-to-Full Exam: Part 2

Part 2 has 57 questions with a pass mark of 36 questions (63.2% pass mark)

Back to RAE?

It’s not gone unnoticed that this could be seen as a return to an RAE-style system, and it will be interesting to see how popular this route is, both with newcomers looking for a single exam, and for existing amateurs looking for a potential “shortcut” to upgrade to a Full licence.

Direct-to-Full History

The idea of Direct-to-Full was put out for public consultation in February 2021. The results have yet to be shared by RSGB, but Essex Ham ran its own independent Direct-to-Full survey in 2021, which showed 85.8% of respondents supported the introduction of this route of entry. Read more here: Direct to Full

Video Overview

We put together the following video in 2022, answering some common questions:

Related links

• RSGB Direct To Full information
• Direct-to-Full consultation and survey results (Essex Ham)

Got any thoughts on the changes? Please add a comment below

Ham radio was featured on national TV on Sunday the 5th of June 2022.

The BBC’s popular Countryfile programme airs nationally on BBC One at 6pm, and was set on Flat Holm Island in the Bristol Channel.  This location was home of one of the Marconi sites involved in sending radio signals over the sea.

Presenters Ellie Harrison and Matt Baker were with SOTA (Summits on the Air) operator Ben Lloyd GW4BML, covering the setup of a portable station on the island so that he can activate the location as a SOTA station, with the presenters making contact with other stations in the UK.

Missed it? Watch on catchup: Countryfile 05 June on BBC iPlayer (approx 55 minutes into the show)

Hopefully, this will be some great PR for the hobby. Please add / share this on social media so that we can get as many people to watch.

Want to get into amateur radio?

If you watched the show, and are looking at getting into amateur radio – we offer a free online training course to help you get started: Foundation Online