uk-callsigns
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| uk-callsigns [2025/11/12 17:21] – [Licence Revocation] g3aka | uk-callsigns [2026/02/25 19:45] (current) – [Find Available Callsigns] g3aka | ||
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| * Full G0, G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7, G8, M0, M1, M5 + three letter suffix, two letter suffix calls issued prior to 2020 | * 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 | * Short Contest Callsign with single character suffix, format Gnx or Mnx where n=0-9 and x=A-Z | ||
| - | * Special Event Station MB5 issued in 2015 now format is GBnccccl, MBn where n=numeral, c=numeral, letter | + | * Special Event Station MB5 issued in 2015 now format is GBnccccl, MBn where n=numeral |
| * Analog Voice Repeaters GB3 + two letter suffix | * Analog Voice Repeaters GB3 + two letter suffix | ||
| * Digital Voice Repeaters GB7 + two letter suffix | * Digital Voice Repeaters GB7 + two letter suffix | ||
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| {{ : | {{ : | ||
| + | |||
| + | ====== Find Available Callsigns ====== | ||
| + | |||
| + | An easy way to see at a glance which callsigns are available for issue is to use the M0PYL Callsign Lookup. Note: All callsigns marked as Reserved with a Last Modified Date of either blank or more than 5 years old are available for issue, you just need to ring Ofcom and ask them to change it to Available status. | ||
| + | * [[https:// | ||
| + | |||
| ====== RSL History ====== | ====== 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 " | + | The prefixes of UK callsigns have changed considerably over the past century, the optional |
| - | 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, | + | 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" |
| September 1989 RadCom reported the RSGB had suggested to the then regulator, the DTI, the use of the " | September 1989 RadCom reported the RSGB had suggested to the then regulator, the DTI, the use of the " | ||
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| 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 (prefix believed to to voluntary rather than mandatory), GI for Northern Ireland and GW for the Irish Free State. | 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 (prefix believed to to voluntary rather than mandatory), GI for Northern Ireland and GW for the Irish Free State. | ||
| - | 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. | + | 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 & Crown Dependencies |
| 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 | 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 | ||
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| 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 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" | + | In 2014/15 an attempt was made by Cornish amateurs to get the "K for Kernow" |
| [[https:// | [[https:// | ||
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| In 2023 Ofcom again proposed changing the licence words to make it clear the RSL was optional. | In 2023 Ofcom again proposed changing the licence words to make it clear the RSL was optional. | ||
| - | In August 2025 RSGB Director Stewart Bryant G3YSX posted | + | In August 2025 RSGB Director Stewart Bryant G3YSX posted |
| {{ : | {{ : | ||
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| Ofcom will no longer issue callsigns with the suffixes listed in the Forbidden Suffixes spreadsheet, | Ofcom will no longer issue callsigns with the suffixes listed in the Forbidden Suffixes spreadsheet, | ||
| * {{ : | * {{ : | ||
| + | |||
| + | Callsign spreadsheet issued on 11 November 2025 four weeks after the release of Intermediate M8/M9 callsigns and all categories of amateur being able to change their callsign. Callsign changes supposedly could take place from the 13 October 2025 but Ofcom' | ||
| + | * {{ : | ||
| Callsign spreadsheet issued prior to the release of M8/M9 callsigns, gives Status, Last Modified Date and Original Start Date | Callsign spreadsheet issued prior to the release of M8/M9 callsigns, gives Status, Last Modified Date and Original Start Date | ||
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| * {{ : | * {{ : | ||
| - | Callsign spreadsheet issued before the February 2024 re-issue of all licences. Ofcom' | + | Callsign spreadsheet issued before the February 2024 re-issue of all licences. Ofcom' |
| * {{ : | * {{ : | ||
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| **For failure to revalidate every 5 years** | **For failure to revalidate every 5 years** | ||
| - | As of November 2025 Ofcom had only ever revoked amateur licences on one occassion for failure to revalidate in the previous 5 years. | + | As of November 2025 Ofcom had only ever revoked amateur licences on one occassion for failure to revalidate in the previous 5 years. |
| + | * {{ : | ||
| Ofcom found the revocation procedure was labour-intensive and expensive they never repeated the exercise, no further licences were revoked. | Ofcom found the revocation procedure was labour-intensive and expensive they never repeated the exercise, no further licences were revoked. | ||
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| In 2024 Ofcom signalled an intent to revoke licences that hadn't been revalidated in the previous 5 years. | In 2024 Ofcom signalled an intent to revoke licences that hadn't been revalidated in the previous 5 years. | ||
| - | In January 2024 there had been some 63,000 unvalidated licences, many hadn't even been validated once in the previous 18 years. If Ofcom do what they have indicated then there will be a sudden drop in licence numbers | + | In January 2024 there had been some 63,000 unvalidated licences, many hadn't even been validated once in the previous 18 years. If in 2029/ |
| - | **Upgrading | + | **When there' |
| As of October 2025 if you upgrade or change your callsign then your lower-level licences will be put into the 30 day revocation procedure during which time should you wish to keep the licence you can appeal the decision to revoke. At the end of that period if no appeal is submitted the licence will be revoked. | As of October 2025 if you upgrade or change your callsign then your lower-level licences will be put into the 30 day revocation procedure during which time should you wish to keep the licence you can appeal the decision to revoke. At the end of that period if no appeal is submitted the licence will be revoked. | ||
uk-callsigns.1762968117.txt.gz · Last modified: by g3aka