User Tools

Site Tools


uk-callsigns

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revisionPrevious revision
Next revision
Previous revision
uk-callsigns [2026/02/09 10:06] – [UK Callsigns] g3akauk-callsigns [2026/02/25 19:45] (current) – [Find Available Callsigns] g3aka
Line 23: Line 23:
  
 {{ :2025-10-13_amateur_radio_callsign_formats.jpg?nolink&400 | Ofcom Amateur Radio Callsign Formats}} {{ :2025-10-13_amateur_radio_callsign_formats.jpg?nolink&400 | Ofcom Amateur Radio Callsign Formats}}
 +
 +====== 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.  The Last Modified Date can be obatined from the [[https://wiki.oarc.uk/uk-callsigns#ofcom_licence_database|Ofcom Database Spreadsheet]]
 +  * [[https://m0pyl.lorier.net/callsigns/|M0PYL Callsign Lookup]] 
 +
 ====== 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 "Regional Secondary Locator" (RSL) wasn't used, either "Callsign Prefix" or "Callsign Zone" were used instead.+The prefixes of UK callsigns have changed considerably over the past century, the optional 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 may well be this change triggered the use of the term "Regional Secondary Locator" instead of 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 "2prefix whichdue to ITU callsign regulations ([[https://wiki.oarc.uk/uk-callsigns#itu_radio_regulations_for_amateur_callsigns|ITU-RR Article 19.68]]), required the use of a letter (A-Z) between the "2" and the next numeral to prevent a two digial numeral appearing at the start of the callsign e.g. "20". It may well be 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 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
Line 38: Line 44:
 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.  The GC prefix used briefly in Scotland in the mid-1920's had reverted back to G around 1929 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 & Crown Dependencies and GI for Northern Ireland.  The GC prefix used briefly in Scotland in the mid-1920's had reverted back to G around 1929 and the former GW prefix, used for the Irish Free State, had been replaced by EI.  
  
 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
uk-callsigns.1770631597.txt.gz · Last modified: by g3aka