Foundation Licence Syllabus Topics

 

On this page we look at a number of the topics that are part of the Foundation Licence Syllabus.  The references are cross references to the Syllabus.  Not every aspect of the syllabus has yet been be covered here, and some items need practical demonstrations etc.

 

The material below reflects the syllabus for exams taken UP TO 31st August 2019 (and resits up to 30th November 2019)

 

Click here if you are sitting the Foundation exam from 1st September 2019.    

 

Click here for details of our next Foundation Licence Course

 

Nature of Amateur Radio & Licence Conditions (6 Questions)

Nature of Amateur Radio 1a1

Licences and Callsigns 2a1, 2b1 & 2c1

Licence Conditions – Dos and Don’ts 2c2 – 2c7 (Updated)

Schedules  2c8 & 2c9 (Updated)

Technical Basics (4 Questions)

Electrical Units 3a1 & 3b2

Big and Small Numbers 3a1

Power = Voltage x Current 3b1

Resistance = Voltage ÷ Current (Ohms Law) 3b3

Current Flow 3b4, 3b5, 3b6

Circuit Symbols 3b7

Alternating Current, Frequency and Wavelength 3c1, 3c2, 3c3

Transmitters & Receivers (3 Questions)

Transmitter Block Diagram 4a1, 4b1, 4b4 & 4b5

Modulation 4b2, 4b3 & 4b6

Receiver Block Diagram 4b2, 4b3 & 4b6

Feeders & Antennas (3 Questions)

Feeder & Plugs 5a1 & 5a2

Antennas & Polarisation 5b1, 5b2, 5c1, 5c2

Suitable Antennas  5c4, 5c5, 5d1

SWR 5c4, 5c5, 5d1

 

Propagation (2 Questions)

 

ElectroMagnetic Compatibility (EMC) (3 Questions)

 

Operating Practices and Procedures (3 Questions)

Note that this section is essentially a practical session, and is the key area of the Foundation syllabus.  Consequently it is only possible to provide some supporting material here.  

Initiating Contacts 8a1, 8a2, 8a3

Phonetic Alphabet 8a4

Unacceptable Behaviour 8a5, 8a6

Logs 8a7 (Updated)

Repeaters 8b1

Band Plans 8c1

Connecting Other Equipment 8d1

Using a V.H.F. / U.H.F. Transceiver  8e1, 8e2, 8e5  

Using a H.F. Transceiver   8e3, 8e4

Connecting a Transceiver  8f1

 

Adjusting the elements of a λ/2 Dipole 8f2 

Safety (2 Questions)

Electrical Safety 9a1–9a6, 9b1

Other Safety Considerations 9c1-9c6, 9d1

 

Morse Assessment

Introduction 10a1

Receiving

Sending

 

Jargon Buster

Click here for an explanation of the most common jargon used in Amateur Radio