Radio Amateurs make friends, and talk to their friends, by radio, often across continents. Some transmit text and TV pictures. Many build their own equipment and find that their hobby enriches their technical knowledge.
To transmit on the amateur bands an individual is required to have a licence issued by Ofcom. There are three grades of licence, Foundation, Intermediate and Full, with increasing privilages designed to encourage progressive self-training in technical and operating skills.
To help people 'get-started' in a 'hobby' that can provide emergency-communications at times of crisis, Solihull Amateur Radio Society offers training leading to the Amateur Radio Foundation Licence. This permits operation on nearly all amateur bands with a transmit power of up to ten watts.
Courses are held at the Shirley Centre, Stratford Road, Shirley, Solihull and generally comprise two evenings per week for three weeks. They are open to all (subject to the rules of Solihull A.R.S.) and are suitable for young people of around 12plus through to those of pensionable years.The sessions include 'classroom' tuition and 'hands-on' radio operation. On the final evening students take a multi-choice examination assessment. Successful candidates then receive a result-slip as evidence of appropriate training and competence in order to apply for the licence.
The dates for the next course are yet to be arranged. The last one was in June 2011)
The cost of the course is currently £45. This fee covers the exam-fee charged by the RSGB and a contribution towards the cost of renting the premises. Tuition is provided free of charge by Solihull A.R.S. Instructors.(Students are urged to have the book 'Foundation Licence Now'). The course fee will be payable with confirmation of booking. On the first evening of the course, students (or Parents/Guardians of minors) must have available evidence of identity.
Application should be made by telephone to the course-coordinator G4BBT on 0121 743 7277 or by e-mail to r_a.hancock@which.net .