The RAE Examination

A pass mark in the Radio Amateur Examination (RAE) is a requirement to become a radio amateur in the Republic of South Africa.

The RAE examination is written during the months of May and October each year. Candidates need to pass the Class A or Class B examination.

In addition to the RAE examination candidates must also pass the following practical tests.

 

• ZR license: a practical operating test (Operating Assessment certificate)
• ZS license: a practical operating test (Operating Assessment certificate) plus the candidate must successfully complete one of the prescribed conversion Assessments. (See lower down)
• ZU: a practical operating test

The practical operating test (Operating Assessment) must be completed before the RAE examination and the certificate must be submitted when registering for the RAE or at the latest must be attached to the examination answer papers. Successful Class A examination candidates will receive a HAREC Certificate and successful Class B examination candidates will receive an Amateur Radio Station License Introductory level (Class B) certificate.

The exam is conducted by the South African Radio League on behalf of ICASA, and is written at various centres around South Africa. All exams start at 7pm and finish at 10pm.

Candidates must produce their ID Book (or other official identification) as well as provide their own writing pens. Non-programmable calculators are permitted.

The exam is in two sections
(a) Regulations and Operating Practices,
(b) Technical (Theory).

To pass the Examination candidates are required to attain a minimum mark of 50% in (a) and 50% in (b) and obtain an overall average pass of 65%. The two sections of the exam are presented in one paper.

The Class A examination is based on the CEPT Harmonised Amateur Radio Examination Certificate syllabus, and is recognised by all CEPT countries (this includes most European countries) and some non-CEPT countries for the purpose of obtaining an amateur radio license or reciprocal operating privileges.

Candidates who pass the class A examination are issued with a HAREC certificate.

The syllabus for the Class B examination is at an introductory level. It is only valid in South Africa and is not recognised in other countries and can only be used to obtain a ZU license in South Africa.

Although you can study for the examination on your own using the SARL Radio Amateur Examination Study Guide that can be downloaded free of charge from this web site, it is recommended that you enquire about RAE classes, which are held regularly in most major centres. There you will benefit from a knowledgeable instructor who will be able to assist you with all aspects of the syllabus.

If you are studying on your own please make contact with a local club or Operating Test Assessor before the examination to complete the operation assessment.

 

 
 

Examination Dates

RAE 2010 Exam Dates 

Class A and B examinations

May	20 May 2010
Closing Date No late entries	23 April 2010
October	21 October 2010
Closing Date No late entries	24 September 2010

 

 

Fees

Examination fees 

Examination fees :

Class A and Class B Exam:  R300.00 Students under the age of 25: R200.00 A Student is a person who studies full time at a recognised education institution. Proof must be provided ( Copy of student card, school report, letter from the school/parent etc)The fees include one re-write in the event of failing the first examination. NO REFUNDS will be considered. The rewrite must be at the next examination. Candidates must register the normal way and include a copy of the previous examination results. The free of charge rewrite falls away if failing to register timeous for the next available examination. If a Candidate who enrolled for a Class A examination opts to write both Class A and Class B papers and fails both, then the free rewrite clause takes effect. However, should a Candidate who has enrolled for the Class A examination and opts to write the Class B exam paper and passes the Class B examination, they will need, when re-registering for a re-write, have to pay the full examination fee again as a Class B license has been issued. A further note is that only the section failed in the Class A examination needs to be re-written. The entire examination does not need to be re-written. This pertains to the clause stated above reating to the re-write. Should any clarity be required relating to a Candidate(s) status on a re write, you are requested to contact the RAE Manager or the SARL Office for assistance.

The fees include the license application fee and the first year license (or part thereof) fee. The license year runs from 1 January to 31 December and is renewable annually.  

Application forms for the RAE

To register for the RAE

Download all the forms  listed here, complete all sections of all the forms  and fax to 088 011 675-2793 or submit to your local RAE course lecturer or organiser. Note that forms must be completed in black ink and  be legible.

RAE Registration Form
SARL membership form
ICASA Radio Communication Application Form

Example of Completed ICASA Radio Communication Application Form

Please follow the Instructions on the RAE Registration form carefully. Ensure that you include a copy of your ID book or Passport as well as the Operating Assessment certificate.

The Operating Assessment certificate may be submitted to the Examiner and attached to the answer papers if it is not available at the time of registration for the RAE.

Tutorial Matter

IT IS FREE FROM THE SARL

SARL RAE STUDY GUIDE
(Class A Examination for ZR/ZS license)

An extensive study guide is now available for download free of charge. Click here.

The study Guide was update in November 2007 and no previous editions should be used as it does not include all the study material required for the Examination (From May 2008)

A formula sheet will be provided to candidates in the Class A examination and may be used to answer any question. Students therefore do not need to memorise formulae. However the student will need to know which formulas to use to solve a particular calculation and will also require the skill to correctly apply the formula. In some instances however you may need to use a combination of formulae to solve a problem.

The new edition includes a section on digital communication. This is a HAREC Syllabus requirement.

Other material available for download:

1. South African Radio Regulations,
2. The HAREC Syllabus (Class A)
3. Operating Assessment Form

Class " B " Study guide and Syllabus

1. Click here to download. 319kb [pdf]
2. South African Radio Regulations
3. Operating Assessment Form

RAE Results

RAE results are published on the SARL website within 2 -3 weeks after the examination. 

Click here for the results of previous examinations.

RAE Contacts

• SARL HQ - Click here for contact details.

Applying for an Amateur Licence

On passing the RAE, the SARL will apply on your behalf for your appropriate licence. Please ensure that you submitted all the required forms as detailed above.

You may provide up to three preferred callsigns in advance.  Please check that the callsigns you request are not currently in use, on the Callbook lookup page on the SARL web site. The SARL will endeavour to allocate one of these callsigns.