Advanced Course

The Advanced License is the highest level of licence that you can obtain in the United Kingdom.

To gain a Full Licence it is necessary to pass the Advanced Radio Communications Examination. This examination is more advanced than the Intermediate, it again covers radio theory and licence conditions but because holding a full licence enables you to use 400 Watts power output to your transmitter such subjects as Electro Magnetic Compatability (EMC), antenna design and safety issues are covered in some depth. The licence allows access to all the amateur allocations with full power.

When studying for the Advanced Radio Communications Examination there is currently no requirement to take a formal training course, this is because the examination is currently theory based, with no practical training element in the syllabus. It is possible to study at home on your own if you so wish. However, many local amateur radio clubs and societies and technical colleges run courses specifically for the Advanced Radio Communications Examination. Alternatively there are some correspondence and Internet courses available.

Candidates for Advanced examinations must already hold an Intermediate licence. Although you can read up on the subject yourself, you are strongly advised to attend a course and these are usually run over a number of months.

The course manual, Advance – The Full Licence Manual, is currently available from the Radio Society of Great Britain’s (RSGBs) on-line book shop.

Unfotunately, the Southport & District Amateur Radio Club does not currently run Advanced Courses. However, a list of clubs that do run Advanced courses can be found on the Radio Society of Great Britain’s (RSGBs) web-site.

It is worth pointing out there is no minimum time limit for holding a Intermediate Licence before you can sit an Advanced examination. This enables those with experience and understanding in electronics and radio communication to fast track through to an Advanced Licence.

Syllabus & Sample Test

The syllabus shows you what you will need to know to pass the Advanced Course and all of this is covered during the course and in the course manual which you will receive as part of your registration pack.

We encourage all delegates to read the course manual a few times before they attend the course as it will help with your understanding of the subjects taught on the course. The sample test allows you to guage how well your reading has gone before you attend the course, but please do not worry if you are not obtaining pass scores on the sample test – the course is where you will do the majority of your learning.

You can download a copy of the syllabus, sample test and a list of amendments to the courase manual, Advance – The Full License Book, from the RSGB web site.