CARS > Training
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
G0MWT, GX0MWT, GB5HF & GB100MWT

Amateur Radio Training Courses

Foundation Intermediate Full / D2F
CW/Morse - Skills Nights
Exams/Retakes Photos / Videos Web Resources
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CARS Training

NOTE:

Amateur Radio offers a world of communication and self-development opportunities. Getting licensed entails training and passing a progressive system of exams for Foundation, Intermediate and Full levels of the Radio Communications Examination. Generally anyone entering the hobby must go through each stage before progressing to the next. Foundation and Intermediate levels include operating and practical topics as well as theory. For those with a strong technical background there is also a Direct-2-Full (D2F) route as of 23-Jan-2023.

CARS offer the full range of amateur radio licence training courses including "Fast Track" sessions to prepare for the theory exams. At Foundation level, CARS also provides practical "hands on" sessions using CARS equipment to introduce candidates to Amateur Radio as well as supporting the RSGB Brickworks programme to build experience.

Notes:

Contact:

John O'Connell, M0JOC is the CARS Training Coordinator / Exam Secretary
Those wishing to book a place on a course or exam slot should contact him by directly. . .
M:  07868-004380
E:  training2023 at g0mwt.org.uk


Foundation Courses

Get on the air with the entry-level Foundation Licence. CARS runs Foundation Courses which are on Thursday evenings at 7-9pm at Danbury Village Hall.

Course No Course Dates Exam Date
42FThu 2nd & 9th Feb-2023   - fast-track see below
43FThu 20th, 27th July & 3rd Aug-2023   - fast-track see below

On passing the Foundation Exam, candidates will be able to apply for a Foundation Licence and Callsign which allows the use of all modes on most of the Amateur bands with upto 10W power.

The cost of a full length 6-week training course includes room hire and excludes the RSGB Exam Fee*. Shorter fast-track courses are £15. Fast Track courses consist of a few consecutive Thursday evening sessions at Danbury Village Hall.

Please ensure you forward details of your full name, address, phone & mobile numbers and email address.

Intermediate Courses

The Intermediate Licence (permitting upto 50W on all bands) requires that you must first have passed the Foundation level exam first. The Courses are held from 7-9pm on Thursday evenings at Danbury Village Hall.

A full length Intermediate training course fee includes room hire and excludes the RSGB Exam Fee.*. Shorter 3-week fast-track courses are £20 inclusive. Fast Track courses consist of consecutive Thursday evening sessions at Danbury Village Hall.

Course No Course Dates Exam Date
19F Thu 16, 23 & 30 March 2023     - Intermediate Fast Track See below
20F Thu 28th-Sept, 5th & 12th October 2023     - Intermediate Fast Track See below

Note that we will need to know details of your Foundation callsign and exam pass date as well as your full name, address, phone & mobile numbers and email address.

Full Courses

Passing the Full Exam gives you a Full Licence (upto 400W and other privileges). It is necessary to have passed both Foundation and Intermediate levels prior to undertaking the Full Exam. Alternatively from 23-Jan-2023 RSGB offer a more challenging Direct-2-Full (D2F) single exam.

CARS offer a number of options for Full exams, which are held on Thursday evenings at Danbury Village Hall. CARS offer shorter Prep/Revision Classes and Exam-only sessions for those who have already studied at home/elsewhere and have their own course books. Currently, there is a £20 cost for the 3wk Full Fast-track Course (which also includes modern Intermediate syllabus refresh). Note this excludes the exam fee/session.

We can sometimes offer slots aligned with the Bath Distance Learning course which is highly recommended. If you need additional revision slots/mentoring do contact us.

Course No Course Dates Exam Date
26F Thu 16, 23 & 30 March 2023     - Full / D2F Fast Track See below
27F Thu 28th-Sept, 5th & 12th October 2023     - Full / D2F Fast Track See below
NB: If you need a Full Exam, please contact our Training Coordinator with details of your Intermediate callsign and exam pass date as well as full name, address, phone & mobile numbers and email address.

Exams/Retakes:

All four Exams - Foundation, Intermediate, Full and Direct-to-Full can be taken online with Remote Invigilators from the RSGB, using the Testreach system, or at Danbury Village Hall.

CARS can offer both online and paper exams at Danbury. Please contact John M0JOC for further details

Exams can be booked and paid for by the candidate directly with the RSGB: rsgb.org/main/rsgb-examination-booking

CW Classes       − • − •     − − • −

LEARN MORSE ! - You no longer need to learn Morse to pass a test, but the mode can be advantageous when working long distances and weak signals. Our Morse classes are now carried on Skype at 7pm on a Thursday evening. On air sessions also offer learning opportunities. If you are a complete beginner we can arrange you to have your own "Elmer" to instuct and guide you. If you just want to refresh your morse skills we have a class of CW enthusiasts who will welcome you. If you just want a pleasurable evening with CW friends, just drop in for a fun evening whenever it suits you.

Morse Code (CW) enables DX working at low power levels. Want to be proficient at Morse ?
CARS offers Morse classes run by Andrew Kersey G0IBN

*Exam Fees

A major part of any course cost is the RSGB Exam Fee. This is levied at a flat rate regardless of whether you are an RSGB member or not, in order to be non-discriminatory.

Alternative Training Centres in Essex


Braintree and District Amateur Radio Society:   http://www.badars.co.uk/

Colchester Radio Amateurs:   http://www.g3co.org.uk/

Harlow & District Amateur Radio Society:   http://www.g6ut.com/

Havering & District Amateur Radio Club:   http://www.haveringradioclub.co.uk/

Loughton & Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society:   http://www.lefars.org.uk/

Thames Amateur Radio Group:   http://www.thamesarg.org.uk/

Thurrock Acorns Amateur Radio Club:   http://www.taarc.co.uk/

Web Resources

CARS:-

  • Exam Requirements Guide
  • Just Passed ?
  • Foundation Feedback forms: Word, PDF
  • Echolink Introduction

    Online

  • Foundation Online - useful prep
  • HamTests - online mocks

    RSGB:-

  • First Steps: What is Amateur Radio?
  • Next Steps: Getting Started - FAQs
  • Training info: RSGB Training web pages
  • Exam topics: Exam Syllabuses

    Mock Exams:-

  • RSGB: Mock Exams & Handouts,
  • Other: http://www.hamtests.co.uk/

    Ofcom:-

  • Licence Conditions inc Frequency Schedules: Ofcom Amateur Radio Pages
  • Online Licensing Service: Start here
  • Online Licensing - User Guide Leaflet: Click Here

    Help us sign up more candidates:-

  • CARS Foundation Posters: Colour-1, Colour-2, Red/Mono
  • CARS Foundation Leaflet / Registration Form
  • CARS Leaflet, Training Banner

    CARS Supports:-

  • Essex Repeater Group - home of GB3DA
  • Radio Communications Foundation (RCF) - the Radio Education Charity

    CARS Website and Slide Design Resources are here

    CARS Amateur Radio Exam Centres & Locations

    CARS uses RSGB registered exam centres. Click on the links for location maps 

    EX144 - Danbury Village Hall - Map
EX238 - Danbury United Reformed Church Hall - Map
EX99  - St Mary's Church Centre, Great Baddow - Map
EX316 - King Edward Grammar School, KEGS
EX75  - Chelmsford Scouts, Springfield
    Extras:-
  • Danbury Village Hall on Google Maps: Close-in or Wide Area
  • Public Transport: Bus Timetables
  • Photos of Danbury Village Hall and other Exam Centres are on the Photos Page


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