RCF trustee Prof Cathryn Mitchell is now supporting the Astrogazers club at Croydon High School for Girls. They aim to be the first all‑girls school in the world to build and launch a satellite into orbit. Astrogazers have reached the Stratosphere and aspire to reach low earth orbit. Astrogazers have reached the Stratosphere and aspire to reach low earth orbit.
To earn more about Astrogazers here
We’re thrilled to share that on 1 July 2025, students from Croydon High School’s Astrogazers club successfully completed a critical “live test” phase of their Mission Pegasus CubeSat project aboard the FAAM Airborne Laboratory aircraft at Cranfield University. This milestone confirms that their satellite payload—designed to measure atmospheric air quality—operates and communicates flawlessly in flight conditions
Supported by University of Bath experts, the Royal Society, and industry partners like Spirent Communications and Surrey Space Centre, these students are on track to become the first all‑girls school worldwide to build and launch a satellite into orbit. Their next steps? Data analysis and the scheduled launch in 2026–27.
As Radio Communications Foundation Trustee – Professor Cathryn Mitchell from the University of Bath noted, “What seemed incredible is now becoming a reality”. Their achievement exemplifies innovation, perseverance, and female empowerment in STEM.
To top off a very impressive achievment, it has been marked by an early day motion in the house of commons presented by their MP Natasha Irons – “That this House congratulates the students of Croydon High School in Selsdon on completing a major phase of Mission Pegasus, their pioneering initiative to become the first all-girls school in the world to design, build and launch a satellite into space”
Amateur radio can open up a new world of opportunities for students, Chris Aitken, who shares his tips on how to start a club
Chris Aitken of Wick High School has written an interesting article in the Times Educational Supplement recently detailing why he started an amatuer radio club in his school in the north of Scotland.
Chris’s own journey started during lockdown when he gained his foundation licence. In the article he details the background to starting the radio club in Wick High School and offers a personal and engaging introduction to the world of amateur radio and highlights amatuer radios technical depth and variety. From global communication to building equipment and even contacting astronauts, Chris suceesfully conveys the spirit of curiosity, experimentation, and community that defines amateur radio. It’s an accessible and inspiring read for anyone unfamiliar with amatuer radio in education.
The Radio Communications Foundation has given money to this club to help purchase equipment to equip the club station and also funded the novice licences for four members
All four passed the exam and are now hold amatuer radio licences.
We’re thrilled to share the news that the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) has just announced the UK YOTA (Youngsters on the Air) team for the 2025 Summer Camp in Paris!
The YOTA Summer Camp 2025 will be held from 18–25 August at the beautiful and historic Château de Jambville, just outside Paris. Hosted by Réseau des Émetteurs Français (REF), the French national amateur radio society, and supported by IARU, this event brings together young radio enthusiasts from across the world for a week of learning, friendship, and hands-on amateur radio experience.
We’re especially proud to see Leon, Emily, and Sophie among those involved — each with a unique story and supported by the Radio Communication Foundation.
Leon
One of our Arkwright scholars, who studied with the Bath team’s distance learning course and recently passed his Intermediate exam. His commitment and growth have been inspiring to witness.
Emily
We were delighted to fund her amateur radio exam and help supply equipment to Wick School, where her enthusiasm sparked interest among her peers.
Sophie
A passionate young operator who joined us at our last Arkwright Day. Her continued dedication to the hobby reflects the spirit of YOTA.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these young radio amateurs to represent not only the UK but also the future of our hobby on an international stage.
The Radio Communications Foundation were pleased to be able to help and support them.
Let’s all wish them well as they prepare for an unforgettable week in Paris!
The Radio Communication Foundation (RCF) has decided to continue to fund the foundation license exam costs for sixty deserving youngsters in 2025.
The RCF is a small charity that seeks to promote radio engineering and amateur radio. Last year, several teachers identified the cost of Foundation exams as a barrier for some young people. As a result, the RCF Trustees considered how they might help remove this barrier.
Funding licence exams for every youngster was seen to be unaffordable, and unnecessary in many cases. As a start, and to help those with the greatest need, the Trustees have agreed to fund sixty Foundation exams each year. The funding will be available to anyone who is under the age of 21, in full-time education, and needs help with the exam fee.
Fifteen exams will be funded every three months. The first batch of 15 exams will be funded in January 2024. If any of the allocated funds are not used, they will be rolled over to the next quarter. No money will change hands, the RCF Trustees will simply make the bookings and pay the RSGB directly.
How to apply?
To apply either complete the online form here or download and complete the application form (RCF Exam Application Form) and when complete please attach it and send in an email to RCFSecretary@commsfoundation.org – or if you have any questions then please send them to the same email address
This form gives us your details together with an opportunity for you to let us know what your interests are in amatuer radio and a short supporting statement from a parent or guardian outlining why they should be supported by an RCF funded exam. For someone over 18 in full-time education we will be happy to take a supporting statement from a teacher or tutor. This will help the Trustees make their decisions.
Please do this before paying for any exam as the trustee’s will book and pay for your exam direct to RSGB , Trustee’s are unable to refund exam fee’s that you have booked and paid for yourself
If the scheme proves to be successful, and amateurs continue to donate to the RCF, with Gift Aid, there may be scope for increasing the number of exams funded each year.
