Foundation Links

This page contains a consolidated list of links for the Foundation Exam training resources.

My personal preference, having started studying for my Foundation exam in 2023, is get booked on an Essex Ham course.  If the GM6DX course is available (once updated), then do that first in your own time to help get you started, but the Essex Ham course is more interactive and supportive - both are free resources.  

Along with the courses, I would suggest purchasing the Foundation Training Manual and downloading the  G7OHO manual, which is aimed at younger people but sometimes explains the subject better than the official manual.  Essex Ham also sells a training manual, link below, that can be used in conjunction with their course.  Another great training resource is the OARC (Online Amateur Radio Community) course, which is £5 and is Discord-based, again, lots of help and support.  It is worth visiting their site and joining the Discord server, especially if there are no clubs local to you.

Other training tips - Join a local club and ask for help on subjects you don't understand.  If you are stuck on a subject, look at other resources, but ensure they are working on the current 1.6 syllabus.  Set up a study technique and use resources like flash cards.  If you have a Kindle reader, buy the online books and upload training PDF files so you keep all your study material in one, easy-to-carry place.

Again, this is my preference; everyone is different.

The rewards are 25w, access to most of the HF bands (also included in EX307), as well as 2m and 70cm VHF/UHF.  Callsigns start with M7.

RSGB Foundation Licence 

Training Sites

Essex Ham *
To me, this is the starting point for all beginners in UK amateur radio training.  The course is professionally run and now has a published book to work alongside the course material.  The course is free, but a donation (please donate) will open up some extra mock exams that will prepare you for the exams.

OARC - Online Amateur Radio Community Foundation course details *
The Foundation course is free and runs in five one-hour sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
This is a "fast track" online course.  I would suggest some amount of self-paced training prior to attending the course.  If you are unable to attend, you can catch up the next day.   A great feeling of community, learning and almost instant access to tutors via  Discord.  Once you have completed training the Discord server is worth staying a member of, as there are lots of useful topics and knowledgeable members.

The BRATS - Bredhurst Receiving And Transmitting Society  *
Self- learning website  (currently being updated for the  2024  syllabus) covers most areas of the course.  A useful ! symbol is provided for areas where students have struggled to absorb items.  Very detailed, although the site can take some getting used to.

Harwell Amateur Radio Society (HARS) 
Courses run at the club and online when demand requires.  Either type of course is £10, and the club cover all 3 licences. 

 Chesham & District Amateur Radio Society
A set of slides from their training courses and a large database of test questions for all courses.  I am trying to verify if they have been updated for syllabus 1.6.  Requires you register your email address for access.

*Updated to 2024 syllabus 1.6

Training Resources

RSGB Foundation Licence Manual
The official RSGB manual

EX307 - Reference Data for use in the Foundation Level Examination
Exam reference booklet for v1.6.  This has been updated as of Jan 2026.

RSGB Mock Exams
3 Mock exams to help you prepare for the exam. 

Foundation Practicals - an RSGB guide for new licensees
Supplied by RSGB since practical exams have been scrapped.

South Bristol Amateur Radio Club
Foundation course notes.

G7OHO Foundation Training Manual
Alternative training manuals written for young people but sometimes easier to understand.  Revised for 1.6 syllabus. 
Send to your Kindle account and highlight to help with studying. 

HamTrain's Foundation Study Guide
Written by Pete Sipple of Essex Ham, probably the only book needed for the Foundation course and exam.  I purchased the guide out of curiosity and am impressed by the clear layout and simplicity of the information.  If you intend to study for the foundation, this is worth every penny.

Upcoming OARC Course Dates