License Conditions and station identification
Purpose of an Amateur Radio Licence (1A1)
The amateur radio licence is for self-training in radio communications and is of non-commercial nature.
You are certainly allowed to experiment.
Amateur radio is unlike other radio services (e.g. broadcasting, emergency services, military, mobile phones) as it is NOT commercial.
Amateur radio is of value in areas of
· Technical innovation
· Emergency communications
· Development of skills for the United Kingdom
· International friendship
· Recreational activity in a time of increasing leisure time.
Types of Amateur Licences & Callsigns (1A2)
Type |
Typical Callsign(England) |
Amateur Bands |
Power(See Schedule for exceptions) |
|
Foundation |
M7ABC |
HF to 70cm + 10GHz |
10 Watts |
|
Intermediate |
2E0ABC |
All |
50 Watts |
|
Full |
M0ABC |
All |
400 Watts |
Older callsigns may have
• ‘G’ prefix instead of ‘M’
• Different numbers
• Fewer letters after the number
When operating in other parts of the UK and Crown Dependencies the callsign prefix changes, so for example when M7ABC operates in Wales the callsign MW7ABC should be used.
Country |
Foundation Callsign |
Intermediate Callsign |
Full Callsign |
|
England |
M7ABC |
2E0ABC |
M0ABC |
|
Isle of Man |
MD7ABC |
2D0ABC |
MD0ABC |
|
Northern Ireland |
MI7ABC |
2I0ABC |
MI0ABC |
|
Jersey |
MJ7ABC |
2J0ABC |
MJ0ABC |
|
Scotland |
MM7ABC |
2M0ABC |
MM0ABC |
|
Guernsey |
MU7ABC |
2U0ABC |
MU0ABC |
|
Wales |
MW7ABC |
2W0ABC |
MW0ABC |
Locations and Addresses (1A2)
Main station Address is the address of the property where you normally keep and use your amateur radio transmitter. No callsign additional suffix needed. e.g. M7ABC
An alternative address is another fixed postal address such as a hotel, relative’s or friend’s home. /A suffix on end of callsign. e.g. M7ABC/A
A temporary location is Another place where there is no fixed postal address such as a field in the countryside. /P suffix on end of callsign. e.g. M7ABC/P
Mobile. In a vehicle or on board a boat on inland waterways (not at sea). /M suffix on end of callsign. e.g. M7ABC/M
You may hear a station using /MM as suffix (Maritime Mobile). This means that they at sea. Only available to those with a Full licence (so not with a Foundation or Intermediate Licence). UK amateurs are NOT allowed to operate from Aircraft or balloons.
Where are you |
Callsign / Suffix |
|
Mobile (in a vehicle) |
Callsign / M |
|
Temporary Location (field) |
Callsign / P |
|
Alternative Location (other building) |
Callsign / A |
|
Maritime Mobile (Full licence only) |
Callsign / MM |
When operating from away from the Main Station Address, it is recommended to transmit your location within 5km e.g. by Postcode, Lat/Long, IARU Locator, NGR etc.
Transmitting Equipment (1A3)
With a Foundation licence you are limited to transmitting with certified radios or commercial kit transmitters only. You can build other equipment for your station such as Receivers, antennas, data interfaces.
You need an Intermediate or Full licence to design, build or modify transmitting equipment.
Your relationship with Ofcom (1A4)
You MUST notify Ofcom IMMEDIATELY if you change your Name, Main station address, Mailing address.
You must hold a current personal version from the Ofcom online system for the station to be used, otherwise you cannot operate.
Revalidation: Your details must remain current and be confirmed at least once every 5 years on the Ofcom online system. Try to do it more frequently!
Ensure you are able to log-on and access your own online version!
Ofcom can revoke (cancel) your licence for failing to revalidate your licence at least every 5 years or breaching you licence conditions.
Station Identification (1A5)
You must transmit your Callsign:-
· When calling for the first time or changing frequency.
· As frequently as practicable during transmissions.
· To ensure you are clearly identifiable at all times.
· In an appropriate format consistent with the mode of operation (FM, AM, SSB, Morse or Data Protocol).
· When you change Frequency, Supervisor, Mode or Regional Locator.
It is good practice to give Callsign more regularly when using repeaters and on nets involving multiple stations.
Operators (1B1)
Only the licensee or another UK licenced amateur operating under supervision of the licensee can use the Radio Equipment
In special cases you may either pass messages on behalf of, or permit your equipment to be used by, the User Services (Police, Fire, Ambulance etc.)
Supervisors (1B1)
When a supervisor’s callsign is used to identify the station, the station must be operated in accordance with the licence conditions (e.g. Power, Bands) of the supervisor’s callsign (no matter what licence type they have)
· The supervisor must be present to supervise
· It doesn’t matter who the equipment belongs to
Whoever’s callsign is used to identify, then their licence conditions apply.
Only a Full licensee can supervise on-air operation by candidates on a Foundation Training Course.
Messages (1C1, 1C2, 1C3)
You are only permitted to transmit to other amateurs who may be anywhere in the world. Any language can be used.
You must not use secret codes to hide what you are talking about. Morse Code is NOT a secret code. Q-Codes are NOT secret codes.
If you are passing messages on behalf of, or permit your equipment to be used by, the User Services (Police, Fire, Ambulance etc., then the use of encryption or codes may be requested and used (e.g. for confidential patient / casualty details).
You are not permitted to broadcast (transmit without the expectation of speaking to another amateur). Amateur Radio is not like the BBC or ITV.
The intent of any transmission must be to contact an individual amateur or group of amateurs (e.g. a “net”). The one exception is when you call “CQ” which is an initial call which other amateurs can reply to.
A 'Net' or 'Network' refers to a conversation with several amateurs with whom communication and identification has been established.
Apparatus, Inspection and Closedown (1D1 & ID2)
You must make tests from “time to time” to ensure that your station is not causing Undue Interference with other radio users.
A person authorised by Ofcom has the right to inspect, require modification, closedown, and restrict the operation of the Radio Equipment.
To assist in an interference investigation, a person authorised by Ofcom may require the Licence Holder to keep a log of all transmissions over a specified period of time.
CEPT and International (1F1)
Other Administrations (the equivalent of Ofcom in other countries) generally do not recognise the UK Foundation Licence. So, you cannot operate abroad.
Licence Schedule (1G1 and 1G2)
Accompanying your licence when you receive it will be a licence schedule. This lists what bands, types and modes of transmission and powers limits that you are licensed to use.
You do NOT need to memorise the licence schedule, but you must be confident in finding you way around the schedule so that you can find out whether you can operate on a specific frequency or not.
Whilst you can transmit on most bands at up to 10 Watts into any antenna, pay particular note to the restrictions on power and/or geographic limits on several bands.
Note those bands where
restrictions exist:
- on Power, ERP, 100km around Charing Cross etc
Exceptions are in 136kHz, 430-432MHz, 10GHz
Secondary Allocations means that you must avoid interfering with the Primary User. A copy of the Licence Schedule will be provided to you in the exam.