The Advanced Licence - Amateur Radio Licensing - Radio Society of Great Britain

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Ofcom Licensing Service

Recognize your talent and experience: the Advanced Licence

You have worked hard to get your amateur radio licence, and have progressed through to being an Intermediate licence holder. Maybe you are ready now to take on the UK’s utimate amateur radio qualification: the Advanced, or Full, licence.

A lot of privileges and responsibilities come with an Advanced licence, not least from the fact that you will be able to transmit at up to 400 watts of power. You will also receive with your Advanced licence the ability to legally transmit from almost every country in the world.

The Advanced course

We are not going to pretend that getting an Advanced licence will be easy. A complex technical exam has to be passed that requires considerable study for success. So you must be prepared to invest a good amount of time and effort in your studies.

When studying for the Advanced Radio Communications exam there is no requirement to take a formal training course, this is because the examination is entirely theory based, with no practical training element. It is possible to study at home on your own or at a local amateur radio club or at a college; many run courses specifically for the Advanced Radio Communications examination.

You can find contact details of Advanced level instructors in your area in Local Information.

The Advanced Radio Communications exam

Assessment is by a written examination paper of 62 multiple choice questions each with four possible responses. The examination lasts two hours and it becomes available every two months.

For the Advanced Radio Communications exam there is a fee of £32.50.

What happens after the Advanced exam?

Unlike the Foundation and Intermediate, the Advanced exam papers are collected and then sent to RSGB headquarters for marking by RCE staff. Results will be issued 28 days following the return of all the exam papers.

The next step is to register your Advanced exam pass with the UK communications regulator Ofcom, who are responsible for issuing amateur radio licences. If you apply for your Advanced licence on the Ofcom website, it is free of charge. Visit the Ofcom website to find out more. Ofcom will then issue you with your new, upgraded radio licence and you can get started immediately on the Advanced frequency allocations at up to 400 watts power.

For almost all radio amateurs receiving a Full licence is a very proud moment, indicating as it does that their skills and knowledge of amateur radio have been tested to the highest level possible in the UK. A whole new world awaits of global operating, contesting and expeditions.

To find out more call the RSGB on 01234 832 700 and choose option 5 for Amateur Radio Enquiries. Our advisors will be pleased to answer any question you may have about obtaining an Advanced licence.

The RSGB wishes you the best of luck as you start the final leg of the journey towards being a Full licence holder.