THE FOUNDATION LICENSE CONCEPT - Radio Amateurs of Canada

THE FOUNDATION LICENSE CONCEPTAround the year 2000 in Great Britain, studies indicated that within five years, if something drastic wasnot done, there would no longer be a requirement for Amateur Radio examinations. Why? Becausethere would no longer be sufficient interest in taking the exam to warrant maintaining a formalexamination process. The Radio Amateur population was ageing and there were not enough newcandidates coming in to keep the numbers constant, much less to promote growth in the hobby. And ofcourse, the age-old adage of “use it or lose it” came to mind as well, as the private sector placedpressure on government to expand into the Amateur Radio portion of the spectrum. The RSGB’ssolution to this serious problem was to introduce, in 2002, what was to be called a FoundationLicense, and to the delight of most, it has produced an amazing turn around in Amateur Radio in GreatBritain! Within a year, there were over 4000 new licenses issued, one quarter of them to candidatesunder the age of 21 years, representing an 8% growth in Amateur Radio in the UK, and the growthcontinues.So, what is the UK’s Foundation License?Firstly and most significantly, it is based on the practical rather than the theoretical. The course takes10 - 12 hours to complete and is not optional. It is taught by experienced Amateurs from establishedRadio Clubs and is based on a “knowledge of” rather than a “mastery of” radio technology. The mainobjective is to provide candidates with a level of knowledge that promotes safety and enables them toavoid potential interference. The examination involves a 25 question, multiple-choice, written test whichis marked on the spot with feedback provided. Re-writes are available immediately if the candidate isunsuccessful. The RSGB has produced an excellent study guide, “Foundation License Now!”, writtenso that it can be used and understood by young people.The privileges offered through this license are fairly broad, but power levels are limited to 10 Watts, toreduce the potential for interference as well as to increase safety. License holders are allowed accessto all UK ham bands and modes, from 135.7 kHz to 440 MHz, except for the 10 metre band. Thecallsigns issued are distinctive, carrying the number three in the prefix. So, M3AAA and MM3ZZZ areFoundation License holders. There is no time limit for the license and an upgrade to the Intermediateand Advanced level is not required but is, of course, strongly encouraged.Find out more about the Foundation License at: http://www.rsgb.org/And now, it has also happened in Australia.Like Great Britain, Australia has also seen a significant decline in the number of candidates wishing toobtain their Amateur Radio license. This was partly arrested with the dropping of the Morse coderequirement at the beginning of 2004, but apparently that was still not sufficient to stem the decline. InOctober of 2005, the Australian regulator, ACMA, introduced a three tier licensing structure where thefirst level was very similar to the British Foundation License. Since then, the Wireless Institute of

Australia (WIA) has accredited over 100 assessors (similar to Canada’s Accredited Examiners) andthey have over 35 clubs in the country offering training and assessment. So far they have already issued246 new licenses with about 40 new applications arriving each week. This has had a very strongpositive effect on clubs, giving them an entirely new initiative and much enhanced enthusiasm.The Foundation license in Australia has a very strong practical component. Each candidate mustdemonstrate to the assessor an ability to perform a number of tasks which are critical to the safe andcorrect operation of an Amateur Radio station. Additionally, a written exam is required, based on a‘knowledge of’, rather than a ‘mastery of’, radio techniques. Foundation license holders have accessto all Amateur bands from 80 metres to 70 cm with the exception of the 20 metre band. They areallowed to operate AM, FM, SSB and hand keyed CW at a maximum power level of 10 Watts.While their program is quite new, according to officials at the WIA, it looks like it has great potential.And in Canada .......We are experiencing similar problems in Canada: a reduced interest in obtaining an Amateur Radiolicense and a decline in the activity of Amateur Radio clubs. This has been an identified concern withRAC’s Executive and Directors for some time. Amateur Radio has a long history of providing fertileground for technological development. Many young Amateurs choose to extend their early interest inradio by entering careers in the sciences and technology. With Canada’s increasing need for technicallyskilled workers, the promotion of Amateur Radio to young people can not fail to have a positive effectin this direction.Amateur Radio is not dying - it is changing, and we must be sure to change with it. New computerrelated technologies have recently expanded our potential for effective communications. Again andagain, we see Amateurs across the country and around the world providing vital communications inemergencies when other modes fail. Amateur Radio is a vital National resource that we must do ourbest to bolster.At the February 2006 Board of Directors’ meeting, a motion was unanimously passed to attempt todeal with this disturbing trend. The motion enabled MidWest Director Bj. Madsen - VE5FX - toestablish an Advisory Committee to study and report on the concept of restructuring Amateur Radio inCanada with the possibility of including a Canadian Entry Level Certificate.This committee has been established, and is made up of a cross section of highly motivated Amateursfrom across the county:Howard Dickson - VE1DHD - from Seabright, Nova ScotiaJim Anderson - VE6JWA - from Edmonton, AlbertaNeil Carleton - VE3NCE - from Almonte, OntarioBrian Jackson - VE6JBJ - from Airdrie AlbertaJim Dean - VE3IQ - from Ottawa, OntarioEarle Smith - VE6NM - RAC’s President, ex officio memberBj. Madsen - VE5FX - Chairman - from Tisdale, Saskatchewan

Over the next while, this committee will study the Foundation License concept as currently in use inGreat Britain, Gibraltar and Australia, and we will work toward making recommendations to RAC’sBoard of Directors. Should RAC move forward to propose an Entry Level type of Certificate toIndustry Canada? If so, how might it best be done and what form should it take? If such a Certificatewere to be introduced, it might be timely to re-think the whole Amateur Radio license structure inCanada. What other changes might be appropriate in the structure of Amateur Radio licensing inCanada? We anticipate that this process will lean heavily on input from the Amateur Radio communityacross the country, and our committee will be consulting widely with individuals and clubs.Do you have an opinion, a comment or a suggestion on this issue? Please feel free to send me an E-mail. I will share it with the committee and provide a response, if appropriate.Bj. Madsen - VE5FXRAC MidWest Regional DirectorE-mail: ve5fx@rac.ca