uk-callsigns
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| uk-callsigns [2026/08/31 18:59] – [RSL History] Added announcement that GPO had approved RSGB's request for GM prefix g3aka | uk-callsigns [2026/10/01 14:50] (current) – [ITU Radio Regulations for Amateur Callsigns] g3aka | ||
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| 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 " | 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 " | ||
| - | Up until July 1991 UK amateur callsigns used only the G prefix. The introduction of the Novice (Intermediate) licence saw the use of the " | + | Prior to 1914 the regulator, the G.P.O, issued callsigns to amateurs comprising just three alphabetic characters e.g. NXT. From 1919 the G.P.O. issued callsigns comprising a numeral followed by two alphabetic characters e.g. 2IW. It wasn't until the 1927 ITU Conference in Washington that country prefixes were formally agreed although there had been informal use of prefixes by amateurs prior to that date such as " |
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| + | Up until July 1991 UK and Crown Dependency | ||
| 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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| ====== Ofcom Licence Database ====== | ====== Ofcom Licence Database ====== | ||
| - | Ofcom stores callsigns in their licensing database in the base format for the UK, the Regional Secondary Locator (RSL) is not regarded as part of the call sign for Regulatory purposes. | + | Ofcom stores callsigns in their licensing database in the base format for the UK, the optional |
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| + | None of the callsigns are shown with an RSL, in consequence 2E0ABC appears as 20ABC. Ofcom has been transitioning the legacy " | ||
| 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, | ||
| * {{ : | * {{ : | ||
| - | In response to Freedom of Information (FoI) requests Ofcom periodically releases a spreadsheet of amateur radio call signs to their Open Data page. You can download the latest speadsheet released from [[https:// | + | In response to Freedom of Information (FoI) requests Ofcom periodically releases a spreadsheet of amateur radio call signs to their Open Data page. You can download the latest speadsheet released from **[[https:// |
| - | The spreadsheet shows Individual, Club and Temporary Reciprocal licence call signs that are either Allocated or Reserved along with a few call signs marked as Available but any call sign that **does not** appear in the spreadsheet (or in Forbidden) is also Available. | + | The spreadsheet shows Individual, Club and Temporary Reciprocal licence call signs that are either Allocated or Reserved along with a few call signs marked as Available but any call sign that **does not** appear in the spreadsheet (or in Forbidden) is also Available. |
| - | None of the callsigns are shown with an RSL so 2E0ABC would appear as 20ABC but Ofcom has been transitioning " | + | **Note:** When Ofcom' |
| - | **Note: | + | **Note: |
| - | **Note:** The Foundation M3 call series shows thousands of callsigns with Reserved status despite having been in that state for well over the required 5 years. They are in fact Available for issue but those who've passed their Foundation exam will need to ring Ofcom Spectrum Licensing (0300 123 1000) to ask them to change the status to Available which Ofcom can do almost instantly for you. | + | |
| The spreadsheet released in June 2026 included the missing " | The spreadsheet released in June 2026 included the missing " | ||
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| * {{ : | * {{ : | ||
| - | 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 on 11 November 2025 four weeks after the release of Intermediate M8/M9 callsigns and all categories of amateur |
| * {{ : | * {{ : | ||
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| A list showing the approximate issue year of amateur radio callsigns up until 2000 is available at | A list showing the approximate issue year of amateur radio callsigns up until 2000 is available at | ||
| * [[https:// | * [[https:// | ||
| - | The Original Start Date for callsigns issued after 1977 is available in the Ofcom Callsign Spreadsheet dated 11 September 2025. Due to an administrative glitch by the then Regulator that date field is not reliable prior to 1977. | + | The Original Start Date for callsigns issued after 1977 is available in the Ofcom Callsign Spreadsheet dated 11 September 2025. Due to an administrative glitch |
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| [[https:// | [[https:// | ||
| + | [[itu-amateur-regulations|ITU Amateur Regulations]] | ||
| ====== Further information on early callsigns ====== | ====== Further information on early callsigns ====== | ||
uk-callsigns.1788202780.txt.gz · Last modified: by g3aka