As i am planning some serious SOTA activation’s in the UK but (for now) barely holding on to a Novice license in the Netherlands i was wondering if i would be able to study and take an online exam for foundation license in the UK. I have all ready done some google-ling but there is no definitive answer on the following questions:
a: can the exam be taken online and validate for a ofcom foundation license
b: any tips on the best/simpelest courseware for a foundation license
c: is there a club/group/team specialised in helping non UK hams to get licensed
let me be clear upfront that i am all ready in the works for a HAREC / Class one license in the Netherlands yet my “alternate learning ability” makes it very hard to deal with the well aged content of the class 1 exam in the Netherlands.
Ask them if you can hold a UK Foundation licence without having an address in the UK (that could be a problem for the regulator as in principal they need a way to contact you if you are interfering with another service).
From recollection, you need a U.K. address when creating an account on ofcom’s website. I don’t know what they do to check you are there/receive correspondence from that address. Your licence doesn’t get sent in the post, it’s all via email.
RSGB will post you your certificate which includes your candidate number, you need this to apply for your licence from Ofcom. I think it does show up if you log into TestReach (online exam system) or phone the exam centre after a while to find it out. When I got my foundation there were postal strikes, and it was Christmas, so it took a month for me to get my certificate. I think I did find my candidate number somewhere online though.
During the online exam the invigilator will ask for ID, but only to see that you are you - i.e. photo ID, and your address on that ID is irrelevant. In fact they say you can cover it up if you don’t want it shared (as examinations are recorded).
So you just need an address where someone can relay your candidate number once you pass.
https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/1aci7xa/comment/kzirbv7/
Apparently this guy took the test and applied for a licence/call while in Germany.
Ofcom don’t need to post anything to you - the licence is all online. It’s just your certificate that comes in the post as @GM5ALX says, and I also remember being able to find my candidate number online somewhere.
