Foundation Licence

Dear Don,

‘The current mandatory Foundation practical requirements, as detailed in Section 10 of Syllabus 2019 v1.4, are, with immediate effect, permanently removed’.

In my view, this move does not advance amateur radio, nor does it represent the interests of the RSGB’s membership. It looks like part of an agenda designed, along with broad Industry and Government failure to observe EMI regulations, to cheapen and reduce amateur radio to the level of nuisance while at the same time opening it up to all, with a hoped-for increase in membership and revenue before it dies out altogether and becomes yet another internet pastime. Or is it just misdirection and incompetence? The level of technical ability, etiquette and protocol, as discerned from listening to on-air discussions, is already as low or lower than many unlicensed operators’ standards. One can have little hope for the future. If this was done in an attempt to garner popularity among those with aspirations of becoming radio amateurs, I can only think that the RSGB is out of touch to a degree I would have thought impossible for an organisation purporting to represent its membership. If, however, the RSGB was under duress to make these changes, may I suggest that it be honest enough to make this known.

Looking at the ages of most of the men on the RSGB Board, all volunteers and therefore under obligation to no-one, I am surprised that they do not appear to hold similar values to those of its older members. They must realise that amateurs of long standing will feel abandoned and disheartened by this continual reduction in requirements, but probably not surprised. It is time for the RSGB to study its mission statement and to ask some serious questions of itself:

Is the RSGB being honest with its membership about the reasons for the ongoing lowering of standards? Is the RSGB becoming inward-looking and selfserving rather than exclusively and selflessly representing its members’ interests? Has it started to disregard all external stimuli and begun to dictate (OFCOM’s?) terms instead of arriving at consensus within its membership? Does it genuinely believe that this latest announcement will do any real long-term good for amateur radio in the UK at all?

Considering recent diktats regarding EMF rulings, it appears that political, dispassionate people with little or no technical acumen are now presiding over the RSGB, either from within or without. This can only be bad.

Having said all that I am reminded of a

letter to PW re. the RSGB some 30 years ago in which the writer observed that an indifferent membership will end up with the representation it deserves.

Pat Walton M1BNH

Bury, Lancs.

(Editor’s comment: Thanks Pat, I’d be interested in what other readers think. Back in the days of the RAE there was no practical assessment but, of course, it could be argued that the standards were higher – no Foundation or Intermediate en route to a full licence.)