# Becoming a radio amateur

### Background knowledge

It is most important that the RAE candidate should acquire as much background knowledge of amateur radio as possible. A period as a short-wave listener is particularly valuable; one then becomes familiar with amateur radio communication, how propagation governs which part of the world can be heard and when and on which waveband, operating procedures and so on. There are a number of magazines devoted to amateur radio available, including Radio Communication published by the RSGB. While every article in these is obviously not aimed at the beginner, much useful information can be found in them. If there is a local radio society, join it! There, one meets other amateurs, some with wide experience and some just raw beginners. Talking to them and listening to their conversations can be most useful.

Too often one hears expressed the erroneous belief that the conditions imposed by the authorities have been devised to discourage the experimenter. Such is very far from the truth: the newcomer can be confident that his or her desire to obtain a licence will meet with courtesy, assistance and every encouragement from the authorities - provided that no special concessions are expected.

Photo 1.9. 'The Lighthouse Weekend', remote and not so remote lighthouses put on-the-air for an August weekend by local clubs. Here Seamus GI4RKC operates the station of GN4GTY/P, while George updates the log on a laptop computer.

Just one of the many activities to be found at some of the local radio clubs.

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