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--- uk-callsigns [2025/10/01 13:08] – m5aka
+++ uk-callsigns [2025/10/04 11:22] (current) – [Special Event RSL's] Expanded 2MT description m5aka
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== UK Callsigns ======
-The prefixes of UK callsigns have changed considerably over the past century, the regional prefixes we have today only exist because at various times the RSGB made representations over several decades to the regulator to create them. Prior to the 1980's the term "Regional Secondary Locator" (RSL) wasn't used, either "Callsign Prefix" or "Callsign Zone" were used instead.
+These prefixes are used for UK and Crown Dependency (CD) amateur callsigns, unless otherwise stated suffixes may be one, two or three characters in length:
+  * Foundation M3, M6, M7 + three character suffix
+  * Intermediate 2#0, 2#1, M8, M9 + three letter suffix, two letter suffix 2#0/2#1 calls were issued in 2018-19
+  * Full  G0, G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7, G8, M0, M1, M5 + three letter suffix, two letter suffix calls issued prior to 2020
+  * Short Contest Callsign with single character suffix, format Gnx or Mnx where n=0-9 and x=A-Z
+  * Special Event Station GBn, MBn where n= 0-1000? suffix may be 1-6? characters or no suffix at all e.g. GB50 issued in 2002
+  * Analog Voice Repeaters GB3 + two letter suffix
+  * Digital Voice Repeaters GB7 + two letter suffix
+  * Beacons GB3 + three letter suffix
+  * Gateways/Data Stations MB7 + two or three letter suffix
+If a callsign starts with 2 a Regional Secondary Locator must be inserted immediately after the 2 e.g. 2E0ABC for a station in England. For G and M callsigns the use of a RSL is entirely optional
+{{ :2024_uk_regional_secondary_locators.jpg?nolink&400 |}}
-These three QSL cards illustrate the variations a station in Glasgow had in the space of just 10 years: G-6NX, GC-6NX, back to G-6NX, then GM-6NX
+====== RSL History ======
+The prefixes of UK callsigns have changed considerably over the past century, the regional prefixes we have today only exist because at various times the RSGB made representations to the regulator to create them. Prior to the 1990's the term "Regional Secondary Locator" (RSL) wasn't used, either "Callsign Prefix" or "Callsign Zone" were used instead.
+Up until July 1991 UK amateur callsigns used only the G prefix. The introduction of the Novice (Intermediate) licence saw the use of the 2 prefix, it is likely this change triggered the use of the term "Regional Secondary Locator" instead of Prefix.
+September 1989 RadCom reported the RSGB had suggested to the then regulator, the DTI, the use of the "M" prefix for Novice callsigns but "2" was eventually chosen by the new regulator, the Radiocommunications Agency (RA) in 1991
+{{ :1989-09_radcom_rsgb_m_prefix_for_novice.jpg?nolink&400 |}}
+These three QSL cards illustrate the variations the club station of the Stirling and District Amateur Radio Society had in the space of just 10 years: G-6NX, GC-6NX, back to G-6NX, then GM-6NX.  Thanks to GM6DX for images
 {{:1927-02-12_g-6nx_qsl_card.jpg?nolink&200|}} {{:1927-05-31_gc-6nx_qsl_card.jpg?nolink&200|}} {{:1938-03-06_gm6nx_qsl_card.jpg?nolink&200|}}
-In 1927 UK obtained the country prefixes of M, G, and 2 from the ITU along with V and Z which were used in the Dominions and Empire.
+In 1927 UK formally obtained the country prefixes of M, G, and 2 from the ITU (G had been used by UK amateurs prior to 1927). The ITU also issued the UK with V and Z prefixes which were used in the Dominions and Empire. From Spring 1927 the UK used G prefix callsigns for England, Wales and CD's, GC prefix for Scotland, GI for Northern Island and GW for the Irish Free State.
+The use of the GC prefix in Scotland ceased after a few years and Scotland reverted back to G prefix, it is not currently clear why.
-Prefixes were discussed in the July 1936 issue of the RSGB T & R Bulletin. At the time amateurs in the UK and Crown Dependencies had just two prefixes, either G which covered Great Britain & CDs and GI for Northern Ireland.  The GC prefix used briefly in Scotland had reverted back to G and the former GW prefix, used for the Irish Free State, had been replaced by EI.
+Prefixes were discussed in the July 1936 issue of the RSGB T & R Bulletin. At the time amateurs in the UK and Crown Dependencies had just two prefixes, either G which covered Great Britain & CDs and GI for Northern Ireland.  The GC prefix used briefly in Scotland having reverted back to G and the former GW prefix, used for the Irish Free State, had been replaced by EI.
-The view was expressed that both Scotland and the Channel Islands should be counted as a separate entities with a unique prefix but it was not felt the Isle of Man deserved a unique prefix and Wales was regarded as an integral part of England, so should have the same prefix. However, within a few months the RSGB would shift its position regarding a Welsh prefix
+The view was expressed in the Bulletin that both Scotland and the Channel Islands should be counted as a separate entities with a unique prefix but it was not felt the Isle of Man deserved a unique prefix and Wales was regarded as an integral part of England, so should have the same prefix. However, within a few months the RSGB would shift its position regarding a Welsh prefix
 {{ :1936-11_t_r_bulletin_what_is_a_country.jpg?nolink&400 |}}
@@ Line 19: / Line 41: @@
 {{ :1946-12_t_r_bulletin_gc_prefix.jpg?nolink&400 |}}
-In 1947 the RSGB changed its mind over a prefix for the Isle of Man and requested the G.P.O. to create one, June 1947 T & R Bulletin
+In 1947 the RSGB changed its mind over a prefix for the Isle of Man and asked the G.P.O. to create one, June 1947 T & R Bulletin
 {{ :1947-06_t_r_bulletion_gd_prefix.jpg?nolink&400 |}}
-In 197? the Channel Island GC prefix was replaced by GU for Guernsey and GJ for Jersey leading to the creation of a new DXCC entity for amateurs to collect.
+In 1977 at the request of the RSGB the Channel Island GC prefix was replaced by GU for Guernsey and GJ for Jersey leading to the creation of a new DXCC entity for amateurs to collect, December 1976 RadCom
+{{ :1976-12_radcom_gc_and_gj_prefixes.jpg?nolink&400 |}}
-In 2000 Short Contest Callsigns with MZ and GZ prefixes were introduced for use in the Shetland Islands, {{ :2000-12_radcom_new_z_rsl.jpg?linkonly | RSGB RadCom announcement}}
+In 1995 new RSL's were introduced for Club stations, they could be used to identify those stations permitted to send Greeting Messages from unlicenced persons, a facility introduced at the same time, but the use of the Club specific RSL's was optional and many clubs stuck to the RSL they'd always used.
-In 2002 new RSL's were introduced for Club stations, this was done to identify those stations authorised to carry out on-air training of new amateurs.
+In 2000 Short Contest Callsigns with MZ and GZ prefixes were introduced for use in the Shetland Islands, {{ :2000-12_radcom_new_z_rsl.jpg?linkonly | RSGB December 2000 RadCom announcement}}
-Ofcom had said in 2008 they did not regard the RSL as being part of the core UK callsign and in 2013 stated the words in the licence actually meant the Main Station RSLI should be used when visiting other regions but they were happy for amateurs to continue with existing practice of changing RSL if they wished.
+In 2008 Ofcom said they did not regard the RSL as being part of the core UK callsign and in 2013 stated the words in the licence actually meant the Main Station RSLI should be used when visiting other regions but they were happy for amateurs to continue with existing practice of changing RSL if they wished.
-In 2014 Ofcom proposed making it clear in the licence that the RSL was optional, this generated opposition from the RSGB and Ofcom decided not to add clarity to the licence at that time but Ofcom continued to consider that amateurs with M or G callsigns could either omit the RSL or give the RSL for the region they were visiting if they wished.
+In 2014 Ofcom proposed making it clear in the licence that the RSL was optional, this generated opposition from the RSGB so Ofcom decided not to add clarity to the licence at that time but Ofcom continued to consider that amateurs with M or G callsigns could either omit the RSL or give the RSL for the region they were visiting if they wished.
+In 2014/15 an attempt was made by Cornish amateurs to get the "K for Kernow" RSL issued for use in Cornwall. While Ofcom appeared to be supportive of the idea and issued a temporary "K" RSL during 2016 the RSGB did not support a permanent "K" RSL so it did not happen
+[[https://web.archive.org/web/20160408145201/https://gb2gm.org/k-for-kernow/ : Poldu report on RSL]]
+[[https://web.archive.org/web/20161022043736/https://gb2gm.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Permanent-K.pdf | Correspondence from Ofcom and RSGB]]
 In 2023 Ofcom again proposed changing the licence words to make it clear the RSL was optional, this time the RSGB did not oppose it.
 In August 2025 RSGB Director Stewart Bryant G3YSX posted an explanation:
-{{ :2025-08-15_steward_vryant_g3ysx_rsls_and_suffixes.jpg?nolink&400 |}}
+{{ :2025-08-15_steward_bryant_g3ysx_rsls_and_suffixes.jpg?nolink&400 |}}
 ====== Special Event RSL's ======
@@ Line 47: / Line 75: @@
 The GV prefix was used for special event calls, not personal calls (unlike the GE & GQ prefix). The "V" possibly signified Victory.
-During December 2001 the three character callsign "2MT" was used by the Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society special event station set up at the old Marconi factory in New Street, Chelmsford, Essex, to commemorate Marconi's first trans-Atlantic wireless transmission. The station used all Marconi Equipment.
+During December 2001 the three character callsign "2MT" was used by the Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society special event station set up at the Marconi factory in New Street, Chelmsford, Essex, to commemorate Marconi's first trans-Atlantic wireless transmission. The station used all Marconi Equipment.  This is believed to be the only example of a Special Event Callsign with a "2" prefix. Unlike Intermediate "2" calls it was permitted full legal power and didn't require the use of an RSL.
+MT had been used in 1922 for the UK's first regular entertainment broadcasts which were made from Writtle.
 During the whole month of June 2002, all UK licensees were allowed to use the prefix "GQ", "MQ" or "2Q", as appropriate, instead of the normal country prefix, to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
@@ Line 58: / Line 87: @@
 Source: [[https://web.archive.org/web/20140909091215/http://highfields-arc.co.uk/call/callfacts.htm | Highfields Amateur Radio Club]]
+{{ :2024_rsl_list.jpg?nolink&400 |}}
 ====== Ofcom Licence Database ======
@@ Line 66: / Line 97: @@
   * {{ :2024-12-05_forbidden_callsign_suffixes.zip | Ofcom Forbidden callsign suffixes 5 December 2024}}
+  * {{ :2024-09-17_every-radio-callsign-spreadsheet.zip | Ofcom Callsign Spreadsheet 17 September 2024}} includes Special Event Station callsigns (GB/MB calls) and Special Research Permits e.g. high power
   * [[https://m0pyl.lorier.net/callsigns/|M0PYL Callsign Lookup]] See at a glance which calls are available for issue
-====== Further information on early callsigns ======
+====== ITU Radio Regulations for Amateur Callsigns ======
-[[https://ukspec.tripod.com/rf/ukcalls.html|RF-Man UK Callsign page]] Shows approximate date callsigns first issued
+ITU Radio Regulation state a callsign must comprise:
-[[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Short-Wave-UK/40s/SWM-1949-04.pdf | Short Wave Magazine April 1949 page 134 (PDF page 56)]] Callsigns in the 1920's
+.68 1)
+– one character (provided that it is the letter B, F, G, I, K, M, N, R or W) and a
+single digit (other than 0 or 1), followed by a group of not more than four
+characters, the last of which shall be a letter, or
+– two characters and a single digit (other than 0 or 1), followed by a group of not
+more than four characters, the last of which shall be a letter. (WRC-03)
-====== ITU Radio Regulations for Amateur Callsigns ======
+.68A 1A) On special occasions, for temporary use, administrations may authorize use
+of call signs with more than the four characters referred to in No. 19.68. (WRC-03)
-ITU Radio Regulation 19.68 § 30 1) states an Amateur call sign must comprise:
+.69 2) However, the prohibition of the use of the digits 0 and 1 does not apply to
-– one character (provided that it is the letter B, F, G, I, K, M, N, R or W) and a single digit (other than 0 or 1), followed by a group of not more than four characters, the last of which shall be a letter, or
+amateur stations.
-– two characters and a single digit (other than 0 or 1), followed by a group of not
-more than four characters, the last of which shall be a letter.5 (WRC-03)
-[[https://life.itu.int/radioclub/rr/art19.pdf | ITU Radio Regulations Article 19 Identification of Station]]
+[[https://life.itu.int/radioclub/rr/art19.pdf | ITU Radio Regulations Article 19 Identification of a Station]]
+====== Further information on early callsigns ======
+[[https://ukspec.tripod.com/rf/ukcalls.html|RF-Man UK Callsign page]] Shows approximate date callsigns first issued
+[[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Short-Wave-UK/40s/SWM-1949-04.pdf | Short Wave Magazine April 1949 page 134 (PDF page 56)]] Callsigns in the 1920's