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What is the BRATS' ethos ?
BRATS training has the
ethos of "Learning by practical application".
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How many levels of amateur radio licence are
there in UK ? The Foundation, Intermediate and Full Amateur
Radio Licences are part of a suite of three levels
designed to give access to the "Amateur Radio" bands after
passing the necessary examination.
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The
Foundation Examination the entry level and
leads to a Foundation
Amateur
Radio Licence.
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The
Intermediate Examination is the second
level and leads to an Intermediate
Amateur Radio
Licence.
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The
Advanced Examination
is the top level of the structure and leads
to a Full Amateur Radio licence.
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What is the shortest time a student
studying with the BRATS has achieved a pass at the
Foundation Licence Exam, then the Intermediate Licence
Exam and the Advanced Licence exam.
14 weeks from first contact with the
Registered Instructor to a pass slip for the Advanced exam
with the FL exam and IL exam also passed. However this was
in the early days and could not be achieved currently.
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Do the BRATS have
a fast track facility ? The Brats do not
have a fast track facility for students wishing to take
the exams in a short time.
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How much notice is needed to book an
exam ? This all depends upon which
exam you wish to sit. For the Foundation and Intermediate
Licence Exams certainly not less than 10 working days, for
ALC the application for a place at an exam must be with
the RSGB prior to the closing date for the exam which can
be generally taken as at least working 10 days before to
the exam - but your tutor can advise you further.
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Do I have to attend a course ? Only
to achieve passes in the practical sessions for the
Foundation and Intermediate licence levels.
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How do I join a
BRATS' Course? Email the Course tutor using
the link email address at the bottom of this page.
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What should I look at first in the
FLC ? As there are practicals to do before
you may sit your Foundation exam you will probably want to
complete these and then continue with your studies. So
check out the section on "Practical Assessments" and
reference to the section on Operating Practices &
Procedures. You will then be set to do well in the
practicals.
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Where can I do my practicals for
the FLC ? As soon as you have
joined the Club you will be given all the information as
to when and where you can do the practicals for the
Foundation Licence Course. Usually the practicals are
carried out at our club shack. Please note that places are
limited from time to time so do not expect to do your
practicals immediately and exam 10 days later!
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How long does a course take for the
Foundation Licence ? As long as you need.
You would need to have carried out about 12 hours of study
at home or at a course to have a good expectation of a
pass. We have run successful refresher 3 hour courses
immediately prior to the exam where students have carried
out home study.
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Do I have to take out a Foundation
Licence when I have passed the Foundation level ?
You do not have to take out a licence at any level before
progressing to the next tier.
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Can I go straight to the
Intermediate level without passing the Foundation
level ? No you have to pass through each
tier what ever is your background.
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How long does a course take for the
Intermediate Licence ? As long as you need
but we run courses that have a total teaching time span of
about 30 hours.
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Where do I do the practicals for
the ILC ? As soon as you have joined the
Club you will be given all the information as to when and
where you can do the practicals for the Intermediate
Licence course. Usually the practicals are carried out at
our new club shack or on Club nights at the Club room,or
on field weekends. Please note that places are limited
from time to time so do not expect to do your practicals
immediately.
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How long does a courses take for
the Advanced Licence ? As long as you need
but we anticipate that a total time spent learning of
about 60 hours.
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Can one study at home and still
pass exams ? Home study from the web site
has been a practical solution for many candidate who have
achieved passes but practicals have to be completed prior
to entry into the Foundation and Intermediate exams.
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What are the cost for the exams ?
The
cost of taking the Radio Communications Examinations
went up with effect from the 1st of April 2012. From the
1st of April 2012, the fees charged by the RSGB for the
Foundation exam are £27.50, the Intermediate £32.50 and
the Advanced exam £37.50, BUT are Subject to change
without notice on this web site. Note: there can be an
additional charge levied by the exam centre and this can
vary from centre to centre and exam to exam.
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The BRATS' Exam centre. The BRATS have a remote
shack that can cater for two student to take their exams.
Whilst exams are in progress only those persons who are
administering the exams are allowed in the exam centre and
the other requirements of the Radio Communications
Foundation are adhered to namely checking the identity of
the candidates, the display of the start and finish time,
a "Quiet Exam in Progress" sign outside the door and any
distracting material removed from notice board etc and of
course other exam rules followed.
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What is the benefit of obtaining an
Intermediate licence after the Foundation Licence ?
The Intermediate Licence holder can operate, in general,
at 50W, can make and modify their transmitting equipment,
can operate through satellites and work with the Users
Services.
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What is the advantage of achieving
the Advanced Amateur Radio Licence ? There
are many advantages and here are just a few :-
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As
a holder of this licence you can operate to a maximum
400W output
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Have
access to all the bands available and can operate
maritime mobile and abroad (in accordance with the
licence conditions and those of the host country).
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Can
supervise the assessment of Foundation and
Intermediate Licence holders practicals (subject to
overall supervision of a Registered Instructor) and
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After
a period of time apply for the appointment as a
Registered Instructor.
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Can
supervise the running of a special event station
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Can
supervise the use of greetings messages by non
licenced but interested persons.
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Who wrote the BRATS teaching web
site? This training site is the
work of several dedicated club members whose specialist
skills are :-
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not
only in amateur radio,
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but
also industry based electronics,
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physics,
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teaching
and
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web
site design.
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How big is the web site ?
The site comprises of over 200 pages and nearly 1000
drawing / animations that previously took a new student to
the hobby from the Foundation Licence examination through
the Intermediate Licence examination to the Advanced
Licence examination as quickly as they wish to progress,
of course giving time to carry out practicals and sit
exams!
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Who gives feed back about the site
? Past and present students feed back
information and this site is updated accordingly.
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How often is the website up dated ?
Sometimes on a daily basis but often it is
several weeks before changes are needed.