RCF and Ofcom agree ACO exam pass equivalent to Amateur Radio Foundation pass

[G4TUT]

RCF and Ofcom agree ACO exam pass equivalent to Amateur Radio Foundation pass

The Radio Communications Foundation is pleased to announce that agreement has been reached with the Air Cadets Organisation (ACO) to accept a pass in their ACO Radio Communications Foundation Equivalent examination as equivalent to a pass in the Amateur Radio Foundation examination.

Ofcom has also accepted that the ACO FE examination syllabus meets the Radio Amateur Foundation level requirements and will issue a Radio Amateur Foundation level licence via the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB), on receipt of a successful Air Cadet candidate pass details.

The Foundation understands that the RSGB is offering those under 21 who achieve their licence through this route a year’s free membership of the Society.

The vision of the Foundation is to bring the benefits of radio to young people and to encourage the use of technology. The Foundation is delighted with this agreement as it completely meets this objective and it is inspiring that young Air Cadets may set out on a lifetime of enjoyment of the hobby through this agreement.


The Radio Communications Foundation
The Radio Communications Foundation is a Registered Charity established in 2003 with the objectives of supporting people and projects where radio communications through the expertise of the radio amateur is the theme. In 2007, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) signed an agreement with the Foundation for the management of the examinations required to obtain an Amateur Radio transmitting licence. The Radio Society of Great Britain administers these examinations in accordance with standards defined by the Foundation. See www.commsfoundation.org









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[G0OIL]

"Ofcom has also accepted that the ACO FE examination syllabus meets the Radio Amateur Foundation level requirements and will issue a Radio Amateur Foundation level licence via the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB), on receipt of a successful Air Cadet candidate pass details."

Excellent news.


"The Foundation understands that the RSGB is offering those under 21 who achieve their licence through this route a year’s free membership of the Society."

What a damned good idea. (Cue legions of RSGB-haters crawling out of the woodwork)

[N6KZB]

Sounds like a good way to get more amateurs into the ranks, well done.

[G8KHS]

It's a good Idea, well done OFCOM and the ACO.

The ACO should be applauded for their training and recognisation that skilled radio operators are an important asset to the ACO and the services.
I hope the cadets will also be supported to progress to a full licence.

John - G8KHS

[M6RIK]

If this means more younger recruits to our fantastic hobby then it can only be a good thing.

[W5ALT]

I'm not aware that we have an equivalent testing procedure here in the US, but the Ofcom decision sounds interesting.

Now, maybe the ARRL should consider offering a free 1 year membership to new young hams?

[2W0CLJ]

An excellent idea! Perhaps even the Territorial Army Basic Signals Qualification could also be considered as a Foundation Pass if required?

[WA9SVD]

I'm not aware that we have an equivalent testing procedure here in the US, but the Ofcom decision sounds interesting.

Now, maybe the ARRL should consider offering a free 1 year membership to new young hams?

We don't have an equivalent program here in the U.S. Our club, DOES, however, grant a year's membership to newly licensed Techs that take our classes; we have a 93%+ success rate, and 100% success rate for our recently concluded Amateur EXTRA training Class (9/13 students) passed; possibly the ONLY Extra Training West of the Mississippi. Oh, to explain the "statistical discrepancy," four of our students "dropped out" of the class because they took the test early and passed... Our club now comprises 44% Extra Class Operators.
Despite being an ARRL Special Service Club, we don't have the authority to grant ARRL Membership to newly licensed operators.