IOMARS is always happy for more amateur radio enthusiast to either get their initial license or progress to the other license categories.
Currently there are three classes of license, you begin with your foundation course, move onto your intermediate, and then finally to the full licence.
Foundation consists of a practical exam that can be done over a couple of meetings, it includes basic radio operation and calling, tuning an antenna and morse appreciation. Don’t worry though you don’t actually have to know morse code fluently just some basic decoding. Once this is completed you sit a multiple choice exam and upon successful completion you will be issued with your foundation license . This does restrict you to 10 watts, but many a station has been contacted using QRP.
Intermediate includes a further practical including some electrical circuit work and maybe making your own dummy load. Again once the practical is done there is a further multiple choice exam, and when successfully completed you will be assigned your intermediate licence. Power goes up to 50 watts, and you can start building and operating your own equipment.
Finally, the big one. The Full license. There is no practical required for this exam, and it is a multiple choice exam that you sit, however, you do need to know your subject well to pass. We are proud that the last examinees that sat this exam we had 5 passes and so we have new M0 license holders to add to the club.
IOMARS has trainers, teachers and all that is required for you to get through the above exams at your own pace. We would love to see you and before you know it you’ll be calling CQ and talking to the world.
We have had quite a few success recently many at the advanced and intermediate level. If any of IOMARS club members would like to register as assessors and help us get more people through, As an intermediate you can asses Foundation as a full you can asses both levels.
If so please fill in the attached form
For this who have recently passed the foundation exam online and been unable to do the practicals the RSGB have produced some training videos here which you may find useful. If you need help or advice just mail the club or pop down to a Shack night every Wednesday from 19:00 at the Ballasalla shack directions can be found by clicking here.
The club is IOMARS, the exam centre is 1st Malew Scout Hut, Mill Road, Ballasalla, Isle of Man IM9 2EG Centre number is 03-553/C and return it to Nigel GD6AFB at the club, or any other member of the comitee.
Feel free to use Nigel as reference as he is QTHR and his XYL Helen MD6YBE as exam secretary same address.
For any candidates that are wanting to take an exam please download this file, fill in and return to Nigel at the club.
Since lock down and for the foreseeable future the RSGB, in conjunction with Ofcom have waived the practical parts of the exams, candidates can study the course on their own and take the exams online. To register for online exams click here and for the Manuals click here. If you are self studying and need help, please don’t hesitate to contact the club on info@iomars.im.