Free practice test

Tests

Driving testsCitizenship testsSchool and university admissionsNursing, medicine and healthEnglish and French testsTeachingMoney, law and insuranceTrades and work licencesPilots, drones, boats and radio

Countries

United StatesCanadaUnited KingdomAustraliaNew Zealand

United Kingdom · Licence exam

Ham radio clubs and rallies in the UK

Type your town or postcode into the RSGB Club Finder and pick a distance of 10, 25, 50 or 100 miles, and it lists the ham radio clubs near you. Hundreds of clubs are affiliated to the RSGB, and the ones that run courses and exams also appear in its Course and Exam Finder.

Free practice test

Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

How do you find ham radio clubs near you?

  1. Open the RSGB Club Finder and enter a UK town, village, city or postcode.
  2. Choose a radius of 10, 25, 50 or 100 miles and search.
  3. If you want a course or exam, use the Course and Exam Finder too. It lists clubs teaching face to face and online.
  4. Still stuck? The RSGB’s regional team answers questions and gives advice.
RSGB Club Finder ↗RSGB Course and Exam Finder ↗

Why join a ham radio club?

  • Courses and exams. The RSGB says some clubs charge for courses and some don’t, so ask first.
  • Hands-on help with buying a radio. The RSGB suggests asking a club member to show you their radio before you buy, taking one along to check a second-hand set, and buying used from a fellow member, since you can go back to them.
  • A club station. A Full (Club) licence lets Full licensees use the club’s station unsupervised with permission, and anyone else operate under a Full licensee’s direct supervision.
Buying used equipment →Courses compared →Sitting the exam at a club →

Ham radio rallies coming up

Rallies are listed on the RSGB’s rallies and events page. These were on the list as of 12 October 2026, so check with the organiser before you travel:

DateEventWhere
21 Nov 2026Rochdale & District Amateur Radio Winter RallySt Vincent de Paul’s Hall, Norden, Rochdale OL12 7QR
29 Nov 2026Bishop Auckland Amateur Radio Club RallySpennymoor Leisure Centre, Co Durham DL16 6DB
6 Dec 2026Mid Devon Amateur Radio & Electronics FairWinkleigh Sports & Recreation Centre EX19 8HZ

The band plan keeps 145.550 MHz for rally and exhibition talk-in. To add an event, email the details to radcom@rsgb.org.uk as early as you can.

RSGB: Rallies and events ↗

Starting a club

UK amateur radio clubs, groups and societies can affiliate to the RSGB. Clubs at schools, universities and uniformed youth groups get free affiliation. A club can also hold a Full (Club) licence with its own call sign.

RSGB: Club affiliation ↗
Sources: RSGB Club Finder · RSGB Course and Exam Finder · RSGB and 6 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

Explore

Everything else, in one place

OverviewPractice testWhere to learnCostOnline examOfcom licenceFrequencies and bandsCall signsQ codesRepeatersDigital modesSatellites and the ISSPropagationAntennasChoosing a radioUsed equipmentContestsLogbooks and QSL cardsListen onlineWhat is ham radio?