OK, just an update on the suggestion for running an intesnive three day amateur radio foundation licence course workshop followed by an official Ofcom exam at next year's bushmoot.
I've approached the government departments that sanction such courses, and applied for registered assessor status which has been granted. I am now registered to teach/test foundation and intermediate level courses.
These courses used to be offered in colleges, but that changed a few years ago and are now the responsibility of the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB). Courses can be run anywhere, but the actuall test can only be sat in a club venue.
So, I am in the process of attempting to form the "Bushcraft Amateur Radio Club". With the following aims and objectives.
1) To operate amateur radio communications under portable or field conditions.
2) To encourage members and visitors to explore amateur radio within the hobby of bushcraft and camping at various field events and at the annual camp in South Wales.
3) To facilitate the training and testing of Foundation level and Intermediate level applicants who wish to gain their licence at the main annual camp which will be the registered testing venue. ( Pre-training for these would be carried out through distance learning).
4) To encourage, through experimentation and testing, the operation of low power, portable radio equipment and encourage best practice within the hobby.
5) To apply for a permanent special event callsign which would be used at the main registered venue at the annual camp, but also at other regional bushcraft events throughout the year.
6) To display and demonstrate to members of the public, portable amateur radio field operations at the above events.
7) To facilitate communication opportunities with youth groups through YOTA/JOTA type events and encourage younger operators to develop an interest in amateur radio.
The moot site meets all of the criteria as regards a building, ease of access, disabled access and facilities etc.
The main event for 2016 will be held from 1[SUP]st[/SUP] to 13[SUP]th[/SUP] of August, and a three day intensive Foundation licence course is proposed from 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] until 4[SUP]th[/SUP] August (both dates inclusive) where the practical assessments and revision would take place followed by the Foundation test. There will be three full licence holders on site during the event.
What I need from you guys is an indication of who would be interested in getting their ham licence. It cannot just be done by turning up on the day and asking to participate as forms need to be filled in, registration fees to the RSGB paid and exam papers to be requested.
The examiner will turn up on day three of the course as I cannot provide the training and invigilate the exam. He's coming down for the core days anyway, so he'll get the exam out of the way before that.
At the end of the course, if you manage to pass (it's all common sense stuff really, and I'll give links to websites that will prepare you well) you will get your pass slip and when you get home from the moot, your amateur radio licence should be waiting for you.
So who's interested? I just need a rough indication right now, but numbers will help me plan stuff. It seems a long way off, but starting a new radio club from scratch takes a lot of work, a lot of forms and letters to be written and a ton of phone calls to be made.
Cheers for now,
Eric
G1SLP.
I've approached the government departments that sanction such courses, and applied for registered assessor status which has been granted. I am now registered to teach/test foundation and intermediate level courses.
These courses used to be offered in colleges, but that changed a few years ago and are now the responsibility of the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB). Courses can be run anywhere, but the actuall test can only be sat in a club venue.
So, I am in the process of attempting to form the "Bushcraft Amateur Radio Club". With the following aims and objectives.
1) To operate amateur radio communications under portable or field conditions.
2) To encourage members and visitors to explore amateur radio within the hobby of bushcraft and camping at various field events and at the annual camp in South Wales.
3) To facilitate the training and testing of Foundation level and Intermediate level applicants who wish to gain their licence at the main annual camp which will be the registered testing venue. ( Pre-training for these would be carried out through distance learning).
4) To encourage, through experimentation and testing, the operation of low power, portable radio equipment and encourage best practice within the hobby.
5) To apply for a permanent special event callsign which would be used at the main registered venue at the annual camp, but also at other regional bushcraft events throughout the year.
6) To display and demonstrate to members of the public, portable amateur radio field operations at the above events.
7) To facilitate communication opportunities with youth groups through YOTA/JOTA type events and encourage younger operators to develop an interest in amateur radio.
The moot site meets all of the criteria as regards a building, ease of access, disabled access and facilities etc.
The main event for 2016 will be held from 1[SUP]st[/SUP] to 13[SUP]th[/SUP] of August, and a three day intensive Foundation licence course is proposed from 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] until 4[SUP]th[/SUP] August (both dates inclusive) where the practical assessments and revision would take place followed by the Foundation test. There will be three full licence holders on site during the event.
What I need from you guys is an indication of who would be interested in getting their ham licence. It cannot just be done by turning up on the day and asking to participate as forms need to be filled in, registration fees to the RSGB paid and exam papers to be requested.
The examiner will turn up on day three of the course as I cannot provide the training and invigilate the exam. He's coming down for the core days anyway, so he'll get the exam out of the way before that.
At the end of the course, if you manage to pass (it's all common sense stuff really, and I'll give links to websites that will prepare you well) you will get your pass slip and when you get home from the moot, your amateur radio licence should be waiting for you.
So who's interested? I just need a rough indication right now, but numbers will help me plan stuff. It seems a long way off, but starting a new radio club from scratch takes a lot of work, a lot of forms and letters to be written and a ton of phone calls to be made.
Cheers for now,
Eric
G1SLP.
