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uk-callsigns [2026/09/15 14:23] – [RSL History] Added note on pre-1927 Prefix situation g3akauk-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 "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.
  
-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 "G" for stations in the British Isles.+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 "G" for stations in the British Islands.
  
 Up until July 1991 UK and Crown Dependency amateur callsigns used only the G prefix. The introduction of the Novice (Intermediate) licence saw the use of the "2" prefix which, due 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. Up until July 1991 UK and Crown Dependency amateur callsigns used only the G prefix. The introduction of the Novice (Intermediate) licence saw the use of the "2" prefix which, due 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.
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   * {{ :2024-12-05_forbidden_callsign_suffixes.zip | Ofcom Forbidden callsign suffixes 5 December 2024}}   * {{ :2024-12-05_forbidden_callsign_suffixes.zip | Ofcom Forbidden callsign suffixes 5 December 2024}}
  
-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://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/our-research/opendata|Open Data]], look under Spectrum->Amateur.  Note Ofcom does not store previous releases.+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://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/our-research/opendata|Open Data]]**, look under **Spectrum->Amateur**.  Note Ofcom does not store previous releases.
  
 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. 
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 **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.  **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. 
 +
 +  * {{ :2026-09-22_amateur-callsign-list-sorted.xlsx | Ofcom Callsign Spreadsheet Sorted 22 September 2026}}
  
 The spreadsheet released in June 2026 included the missing "Z" callsigns although it's known a valid licence callsign M7FMI is still missing. This was believed to be because Ofcom had used an incorrect record Type field of blank instead of "Call sign - Amateur" in the main licence database as a result M7FMI isn't extracted to the spreadsheet.   This spreadsheet shows almost 106,000 Allocated call signs for Individual, Club and Temporary Reciprocal licences: The spreadsheet released in June 2026 included the missing "Z" callsigns although it's known a valid licence callsign M7FMI is still missing. This was believed to be because Ofcom had used an incorrect record Type field of blank instead of "Call sign - Amateur" in the main licence database as a result M7FMI isn't extracted to the spreadsheet.   This spreadsheet shows almost 106,000 Allocated call signs for Individual, Club and Temporary Reciprocal licences:
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 [[https://life.itu.int/radioclub/rr/art19.pdf | ITU Radio Regulations Article 19 Identification of a Station]] [[https://life.itu.int/radioclub/rr/art19.pdf | ITU Radio Regulations Article 19 Identification of a Station]]
  
 +[[itu-amateur-regulations|ITU Amateur Regulations]]
 ====== Further information on early callsigns ====== ====== Further information on early callsigns ======
  
uk-callsigns.1789482188.txt.gz · Last modified: by g3aka