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Guide
Newcomer Guide · No licence required

New to ham radio?

Amateur radio is people talking to people across town, across Europe and — on a good night — across the world, with kit they understand and often built themselves. This page explains what a net is, how UK licences work and the exact steps from curious to your first on-air check-in.

netslicencesstartglossaryfaq
01

// What is a net?

A net is a regular, scheduled gathering on one frequency — think of it as a club meeting held over the air. A Net Control Station (NCS) opens the net, calls for check-ins, then works round the list giving everyone a turn.

Nets run on all bands: local ones on 2m and 70cm FM where a handheld will do, and regional or European ones on 80m and 40m where you'll hear stations from hundreds of miles away.

They're the friendliest way to start. The controller keeps things orderly, nobody talks over anyone, and you can check in with as little as your callsign, name and location.

Typical check-in · how it sounds

  1. NCS"Any further check-ins for the Monday net, come now."
  2. You"Mike Seven Alpha Bravo Charlie."
  3. NCS"M7ABC, good evening, go ahead with your details."
  4. You"Evening all, name's Sam, in Coventry, running a handheld. First time checking in!"
  5. NCS"Welcome Sam, good signal, you're on the list — standby."
02

// UK licences explained

The UK has three progressive licence levels issued by Ofcom, with exams run by the RSGB. You start at Foundation and can stop there happily — many do — or work your way up.

Foundation

M7
25 W
max output power

Your entry ticket. A short course and a 26-question multiple-choice exam covering safety, basic operating and a little theory. Most people pass after a few weekends of study.

  • ▸Access to almost all amateur bands
  • ▸Voice, data and digital modes
  • ▸Portable and mobile operation

Intermediate

2E0 / 2E1
100 W
max output power

Digs deeper into electronics, antennas and propagation. Unlocks more power and lets you build and modify your own equipment.

  • ▸Four times the Foundation power
  • ▸Home-built transmitters allowed
  • ▸Great step toward Full

Full

M0
1 kW
max output power

The complete licence. Full power, operating from abroad under CEPT agreements, and the ability to supervise other stations and run club calls.

  • ▸Up to 1,000 W on most bands
  • ▸Operate overseas under CEPT
  • ▸Apply for special event & club callsigns

Power limits reflect the 2024 Ofcom licence changes. Some bands carry lower limits — always check the current licence schedule.

03

// How to get started

  1. 01

    Listen first

    You don't need a licence to listen. Tune into a UK net on a WebSDR from your browser, or borrow a scanner. You'll pick up procedure just by hearing how operators talk to each other.

  2. 02

    Find a club or community

    Local clubs run Foundation courses, lend equipment and put you on the air under supervision. The RSGB club finder lists hundreds across the UK. Or simply join XBLIVE as a newcomer — no callsign needed.

  3. 03

    Study for Foundation

    The RSGB Foundation syllabus is free online, and there are excellent free video courses and practice exams. Most people need a few weeks of relaxed evening study.

  4. 04

    Sit the exam

    Book through the RSGB — the exam is online and can be taken from home with remote invigilation, or at a club. It's multiple choice and the fee is modest (a few tens of pounds).

  5. 05

    Get your callsign

    Pass, then apply to Ofcom for your licence — it's free. You'll pick your M7 callsign and can be on the air within days. Remember to revalidate it every five years.

  6. 06

    Check into your first net

    Pick a friendly net from the XBLIVE schedule, listen for the controller to call for check-ins, and give your callsign slowly using the phonetic alphabet. Everyone remembers their first one — you'll be welcomed.

Useful links

RSGB (exams, syllabus, club finder) · Ofcom (free licence) · WebSDR receivers to listen online tonight.

RSGB ↗Ofcom licensing ↗WebSDR ↗
04

// Jargon decoder

Net
A scheduled on-air meeting on a set frequency, run by a controller who calls each station in turn.
NCS
Net Control Station — the operator running the net and keeping the list of check-ins.
Check-in
Announcing your callsign to join a net. You'll usually give your name and location too.
QSO
A contact / conversation between two stations.
QTH
Your location. Often given as a town plus a Maidenhead grid square like IO92.
RST / 59
Signal report: Readability 1–5, Strength 1–9 (and Tone for CW). "Five-nine" means loud and clear.
CQ
A general call inviting anyone to reply. "CQ CQ, this is M7ABC calling CQ."
73
Best regards — the classic sign-off. "88" is love and kisses, use sparingly!
/P and /M
Portable and Mobile suffixes — operating away from home, e.g. M7ABC/P on a hilltop.
Simplex / Repeater
Simplex is direct radio-to-radio. A repeater is a hilltop relay that extends your range.
Band
A slice of spectrum named by wavelength: 2m (144 MHz), 70cm (433 MHz), 40m (7 MHz) and so on.
SWL
Short Wave Listener — someone enjoying the hobby by listening. Very welcome on XBLIVE.
05

// Common questions

Can I get on the air before I have a licence?

Yes — PMR446. It's the UK's licence-free 446 MHz band: sixteen FM channels, half a watt, no exam and no callsign. XBLIVE runs and logs PMR446 nets alongside amateur ones, so you can join a net tonight on a £20 handheld and learn procedure before your Foundation exam.

Do I need to know Morse code?

No. Morse hasn't been required for any UK licence since 2003. Plenty of operators still love it, but it's entirely optional.

How much does it cost to start?

Studying is free, the Foundation exam is a modest fee, the Ofcom licence is free, and a capable VHF/UHF handheld starts at around £30–£60. You can be on the air for well under £100.

Can I join XBLIVE without a licence?

Yes. Sign in with Google, leave the callsign blank, and you're in as a newcomer. Follow nets, read logs, browse the gallery and ask questions.

What can I talk about on a net?

Almost anything friendly and non-commercial — the weather, your antenna, your day. Avoid politics and religion, never swear, and always identify with your callsign.

Can someone mentor me?

Yes — sign in and visit Elmers. An Elmer is a ham-radio mentor: describe where you are on your journey and a licensed member will take you under their wing and open a private chat.

I'm nervous about talking on air.

Everyone was. Nets like the Wednesday Newcomers Net exist exactly for this. Listen for a few weeks, then check in just to say hello. Nobody minds a shaky first call.

Ready to listen in?

Join XBLIVE as a newcomer today — no callsign needed. Follow the Wednesday Newcomers Net, read the logs, and say hello when you're ready.