3000 Online Foundation Exam Passes!

Hi All,

Just had to share this little piece of news I recently saw :-

http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2021/march/rsgb-announce-record-foundation-exam-passes.htm#.YEdMZlWnxTt


3000 online remotely invigilated Foundation exam passes!!

I'm personally proud to be one of them and judging by the announcements & congratulations seen here on Charlie Tango a lot of you are too. Well done to all.


For those still contemplating gaining their Amateur Radio licence I'd thoroughly recommend it!

In the past few months since gaining my Foundation licence I've had more radio fun than I've had in years. From talking on various bands and frequencies, experimenting with other forms of transmission, catching up with old friends and making some new it's been great. I've had radios donated to me, enjoyed restoring some of them where required or simply enjoyed using them. Antenna experiments continue with much enthusiasm even when they're failures and above all I've enjoyed relearning some of what I'd forgotten as well as learning things anew.

All this very much kept me sane during 'lockdown'.....

.....as a housebound 'cripple' of some seven years, this has completely changed my life and now opened my world.


So whatever reason no matter how big or small, if you have an inkling for becoming a licenced Radio Amateur I'd say go for it! Just give thanks to the scores of volunteers and enthusiastic individuals as well as organisations that have made this all possible.


All my very best,
Victor

Well said, and well done Victor! I thought you were already licensed! Anyway, enjoy, have fun.
Hope to work you one day.

Hi Jeff,

Nope, only been licenced since October 2020 thanks to online exams. 
Should've been a Ham a long time ago but after cancelled RAE courses, (others dropping out, not me), then the annoyance of having to go to a club and ultimately lack of disabled access I hadn't bothered. Raising a family and pursuing a career also had a lot to do with it too.

It was a terrible set of circumstances that brought about online exams but in my belief the best move they made. Judging by the complaints of the old BR68 sticklers and clubs moaning they'll no doubt drop it again apart from this farcical 'Direct to Full' attempt.

I'm just really pleased that thousands had the opportunity to become a Ham and thanks to those scores of volunteers. 

Yes, would be good to work you on the bands mate and fantastically I have the opportunity to try even if the chances are small. Good to have a small chance than none at all.


All the best,
Victor

Why do you think the direct to Full licence is "farcical" Victor ? EVERYBODY (and I mean not one single one against) I've spoken to about it thinks its a good thing  .

As I said in a past post. I had to sit again here in Canada. As it had been 30 odd years since I passed the RAE, I thought I should brush up on my knowledge. So I went to a few classes. I am glad I did, as it opened my eyes to some aspects. Some of the people there obviously knew nothing about ham radio, and even after passing the exam, they informed me, they still had no idea about ham radio! 
They were under the impression they would actually learn how to operate a radio as part of the course. Makes sense  really, don't you think? Sure they knew how to do the math, learned the licensing conditions, and regulations. But had never seen a radio, let alone use one.  What I noticed from the good pass rate was....  The people that had some knowledge of radios, went on to be active. Those that did not, never heard of again. I could go on forever on how I would change things, but I will not!

Ah, well them I'm sorry to have upset your apple cart Kevin by being the one and only person in your world to have a difference of opinion.

My response to Essex Ham & the RSGB survey will obviously have me sticking out like a sore thumb.

Next time in UK, I will call you on PI.  I usually go over once or twice a year to visit family... So obviously not been for a while. Once vaccinations are sorted out here in Canada  ( gits in EU and USA)!

I will be over to see my dad. He is in Cambridge, so always hit PI from there.

You haven't upset my apple cart in anyway shape or form and your certainly entitled to your view as thats what both the RSGB and Essex Ham asked for , I simply wondered why you thought it was farcical.

Well Jeff, my 'small' chance of catching you on the bands has just jumped massively! 

When the world resembles some sense of order I would be most privileged to be able to catch you on PI mate.


Thanks again to those online exams, those volunteers & the generosity of some Hams donating me equipment or assisting me due to disability. It's also gentlemen like yourself that not only finally tempted me to 'join the ranks' but will also keep me here to simply enjoy the pleasure of radio.


My very best to you,
Victor

aww shucks!

Kevin,

I am glad not to have upset you, I tend not to go out of my way to do such a thing where possible. We obviously have a difference of opinion and that is actually a good thing for the world when taken as a whole.

I have fed my views into the surveys taking my time to feedback into a system that finally gave me a good opportunity under it's current guise. I'm sure that there are many people more than happy to possibly debate this ad infinitum and would welcome it as another posted subject if it was carried out in a civilised manner.

There I would possibly be happy to present my views on the subject, but only if it could be done intelligently and with an open mind to accept that there will be different views.


All the best,
Victor

Well b*gger me. Sounds like I've got an echo.

Victor wrote:

Well b*gger me. Sounds like I've got an echo.

A long one at that Victor took 3 day's to come back.
I got one as well but only took 8 hours with that video i posted.
I think we might have OFCOM as a member as they take there time.

Ha!
Well as they say, "the more the merrier", I suppose

The second poster the echo got a like for it so i liked your post Victor lol.

Much appreciated Alan.

I've noticed a lot of echos about on this forum for years lads ,and the echo seems to be heard louder too if you get my meaning lol

Ha!

No worries Martin mate. Not bothered, just seemed weird.

Are you talking about me i wonder?
no not Ofcom just posting next i will make sure that their is no echo.

LOL no bold.

Just passed the Foundation this morning. I think I'll have a bask at the Intermediate next. All seems quite straight forward, and useful background.

OtanTheClown wrote:

Just passed the Foundation this morning. I think I'll have a bask at the Intermediate next. All seems quite straight forward, and useful background.

Congratulations.

Congratulations James!

Nice one mate. 

Well, that'll be 3000+ now. Well done with your efforts, you just have that tentative wait for your certificate and OfCom registration for your callsign.

Think that will be Saturday but you can get your call any time 7 day's a week.
Could be wrong lol.