Topic Index

Licence Schedule

1H1 Recall the difference between Primary and Secondary status and that other services may also be present with such status in some allocations.

In the licence schedule, laid out in tables with frequency bands, Foundation licence holders use only Table A in their exam. The first question in this section may ask you to look up something in the schedule. Below you will find an old schedule to the Amateur Life time licence as it applies to the Foundation Licence. So please down load the latest version of Schedule 1 as on the RSGB WEB SITE.

Particularly take note of what is in the notes as they too are part of Schedule 1

You must understand the schedule and know how to apply it when operating. Answering these two questions you need to look at the sheet provided, which should give you two certain marks.

Column 1

There are several columns the most important of which is the first one Frequency Bands in MHz. This sets out which frequencies you may operate and also indicate what are the band edges of the frequencies.

Column 2

The status in the UK of the amateur service. This means whether amateur radio is the primary user or preferred user of that segment or if amateur radio is a secondary user meaning that if another legitimate transmitter is operating on that frequency then it must continue unimpeded.

Column 3

This shows the status of the amateur Satellite Service which is of interest to Foundation licence holders as they now appear to be allocated the status to operate on certain bands.

Column 4

The second most important column as it states the amount of power that can be radiated. Note ERP applies in some cases. You will learn more about that in a later section (Feeder and Antenna) about half way down the page.

It is likely there will be one question from the VHF section of the schedule in the exam.

It is important that students read and learn all the terms and conditions and notes as set out in section 2 of the Amateur Licence.

There is thus the need to understand the schedule and be ably to apply the information to operating practice.

In the exam you are provided with a sheet headed up Foundation licence Parameters. The details all the frequencies upon which you when a Foundation Licence holder you are permitted to operate. Any frequency which may be quoted on the exam paper outside those printed you are not permitted to use.

If a frequency or frequency band is quoted in an exam question but it is not indicated on the Foundation Licence Parameter Sheet that you will have available to you in the examination, then you cannot operate in the suggested frequency.

Please note that the graphic is to emphasise that fact that no transmitting on the 431.0 - 432.0 MHz is permitted within 100kms radius of the centre of London, indicated at Charing Cross in the paper work you will receive in the examination.

One item that is not covered in the paper work would be the answer to this question.

The recommended power needed to establish communications on the 144-146MHz is ?

a. The lowest possible

b. 10dBW

c. 5W

d. 1W

Whilst the paperwork indicates the maximum power you may use it does not tell you that you should try to use the lowest possible power level to establish and to continue communication.

So the correct answer would be (a.) The lowest possible

The same applies to operating all modes and all bands.

The origin of some of the text on this page is from the RSGB with additions by the web master

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