Differences

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

--- uk-callsigns [2026/03/10 16:41] – [Ofcom Licence Database] g3aka
+++ uk-callsigns [2026/03/30 14:52] (current) – [Ofcom Licence Database] g3aka
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== UK Callsigns ======
-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:
+These prefixes are used for UK and Crown Dependency (CD) amateur call signs, 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
+  * Short Contest Call sign 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 (0-9), c=character (a-z,0-9 or null), l=letter. Suffix may be 1-4 characters or no suffix at all e.g. GB50 issued in 2002
   * Analog Voice Repeaters GB3 + two letter suffix
@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
   * 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. The Ofcom licence lists these RSLs:
+If a call sign 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 call signs the use of a RSL is entirely optional. The Ofcom licence lists these RSLs:
 {{ :2024_uk_regional_secondary_locators.jpg?nolink&400 |}}
@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 ====== 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]]
+An easy way to see at a glance which callsigns are available for issue is to use the M0PYL Callsign Lookup.
+Use ? As a wildcard, e.g. entering P?? in the suffix will highlight all Available callsigns with a suffix starting with P.
+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]]
@@ Line 49: / Line 52: @@
 {{ :1936-11_t_r_bulletin_what_is_a_country.jpg?nolink&400 |}}
-In 1937 at the request of the RSGB the regulator, the General Post Office (G.P.O), introduced prefixes GM for Scotland and GW for Wales.
+In 1937 at the request of the RSGB the regulator, the General Post Office (G.P.O), introduced prefixes GM for Scotland and GW for Wales (prior to 1930 GW calls had been issued to stations in the Irish Free State)
 In 1946 the G.P.O agreed to an RSGB request to create the prefix GC for the Channel Islands, December 1946 T & R Bulletin
@@ Line 113: / Line 116: @@
   * {{ :2024-12-05_forbidden_callsign_suffixes.zip | Ofcom Forbidden callsign suffixes 5 December 2024}}
-Ofcom is now consistantly putting correct callsign spreadsheets on their Open Data page (in the past the quality of these spreadsheets had been variable), see [[https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/our-research/opendata | Ofcom Open Data]] and look under Spectrum->Amateur.
+Ofcom had until recently been consistantly putting correct callsign spreadsheets on their Open Data page (in the past the quality of these spreadsheets had been variable), see [[https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/our-research/opendata | Ofcom Open Data]] and look under Spectrum->Amateur.
-Callsign spreadsheet issued 20 February 2026. Note the M3 call series shows thousands of callsigns witth Reserved status despite having been in that state for well over 5 years.   They are in fact Available for issue but those who've passed their Foundation exam will need to ring Ofcom, or use the Ofcom's Online Chate facility, to ask them to change the status to Available which Ofcom will do instantly for you.
+Callsign spreadsheet issued 20 February 2026 - Error spotted, callsigns with a "Z" in the suffix have been omitted, cause unknown. Ofcom have been informed.
+Note the M3 call series shows thousands of callsigns witth Reserved status despite having been in that state for well over 5 years.   They are in fact Available for issue but those who've passed their Foundation exam will need to ring Ofcom, or use the Ofcom's Online Chate facility, to ask them to change the status to Available which Ofcom will do instantly for you.
   * {{ :2026-02-20_amateur_callsigns_sorted.xlsx | Ofcom Callsign Spreadsheet 20 February 2026}}
@@ Line 150: / Line 154: @@
 {{ :2017-05_pw_revalidation_g3xtt_editorial.jpg?nolink&400 |}}
-In 2024 Ofcom signalled an intent to revoke licences that hadn't been revalidated in the previous 5 years.  It the same year Ofcom automatically revalidated every single licence, this meant no licence would need revalidation until 2029 at the earliest.
+In 2024 Ofcom signalled an intent to revoke licences that hadn't been revalidated in the previous 5 years.  In the same year Ofcom automatically revalidated every single licence, this meant no licence would need revalidation until 2029 at the earliest.
-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 2029/2030 Ofcom eventually 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 2029/2030 Ofcom eventually do what they have indicated then there will be a dramatic drop in licence numbers.
 **When there's a licence upgrade or a Callsign change**
-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, change your callsign or alter any licence information 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.
 ====== ITU Radio Regulations for Amateur Callsigns ======