Amateur Radio/Full Study Group 2015: Difference between revisions

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recommending BBADL and BRATS

Rob Kam

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 This information is intended for amateur radio enthusiasts already operating with an intermediate licence in the United Kingdom.  If you're new to the hobby and want to know more, [[Amateur_Radio/WhatWhy| go here first.]]
-The final [http://rsgb.org/main/clubs-training/for-students/advanced/ full amateur radio licence] can be a challenge and self-study can be overwhelming.  The exam is 62 questions which you need to correctly answer a minimum of 37 questions (60% correct).  Unlike other countries (such as the United States), the amateur radio exam questions in the United Kingdom are not published ahead of time.  If you study the material and understand the fundamentals, you will pass handily.
+For anyone inexperienced in amateur radio or without a technical background the final [http://rsgb.org/main/clubs-training/for-students/advanced/ full amateur radio licence] will be a challenge and self-study requires a lot of self discipline.  The exam is 62 questions which you need to correctly answer a minimum of 37 questions (60% correct).  Unlike other countries (such as the United States), the amateur radio exam questions in the United Kingdom are not published ahead of time.  If you study the material and understand the fundamentals, you will pass handily.
 A typical exam breakdown would be as follows:
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 * [http://www.g0mwt.org.uk/training/courses/advanced.htm CARS slides] are very good for explaining various things
 * [http://freespace.virgin.net/murray.g3kzb/ QADV] software is good for mock test feedback. Works fine under wine emulation for OS X / Linux workstation users
-* BRATS On-Line Amateur Radio Training [http://www.brats-qth.org/training/advanced/index.htm Course for Advanced Licence Examinations]
+* [http://www.hamtests.co.uk/ HamTests] - online tests to practice with.
+* BRATS On-Line Amateur Radio Training [http://www.brats-qth.org/training/advanced/index.htm Course for Advanced Licence Examinations], clear explanations elucidating the RCF Advanced Level Syllabus. Good for last minute cramming.
 * [[User:kraptv| kraptv]] also maintains a Dropbox/Google Drive share of mock-tests and other supplemental information. Contact him for the share.
-=== Learning via Bath & District Advanced Remote Correspondence Course ===
+=== Learning via Bath-Based Advanced distance learning course (BBADL) ===
-In addition to the local group support and the resources above, a bit of structure can be helpful in getting to the goal: successful pass at exam time.  Steve Hartley (G0FUW) is the co-author of the Advance: The Full Licence Manual and conducts a distance learning programme twice a year (Jan to Jun-Jul / Jun to Dec).  The students that follow the course to its completion typically have much better chances - they have an average pass rate of 90%with nearly 200 passes in the last three years.
+In addition to the local group support and the resources above, a bit of structure can be helpful in getting a successful pass at exam time.  Steve Hartley (G0FUW) the co-author of the Advance: The Full Licence Manual along with some  other experienced tutors conduct an excellent distance learning programme twice a year (Jan to Jun-Jul / Jun to Dec).
-Class size is 'about 100' and enrolment for the July course will open in May and the January course will open in November - '''sign up soon if you want a place!'''
+The topics are worked through in weekly modules over six months. This includes going over the basics, weekly reading,  lecture notes, revision tests with worked answers, a few assignments, videos and mock exams. These are easily managed, as long as you keep up and there are catch-up weeks. The students that follow the course to its completion typically have much better chances - they have an average pass rate of 90% with nearly 200 passes in the last three years.
+The course is free with a £30 deposit to secure a place. This is refunded in time to pay for the exam. With the agreement that if you do not actively take part in the course your deposit goes to charity.
 [http://www.hamblog.co.uk/advanced-amateur-radio-license-bath-distance-learning-course/ Blog post: One person's advanced course experience via Bath correspondence course.]