1. AMATEUR RADIO TRAINING
Licence Conditions
Release: v1.44
hamtrain.co.uk

2. Licence conditions Rules & Restrictions UK Callsigns
Operating Practices
Schedules & Band Plans

3. Ofcom The UK’s radio regulator
The UK’s radio regulator
They have the right to inspect your radio equipment
They can order the restriction or modification of your equipment, close down your station and/or revoke your licence
You must notify Ofcom if you change your name or main station address

4. Amateur Radio Licence
To transmit, you must hold a valid licence, and abide by its terms
Covers all 3 licence levels: Foundation, Intermediate and Full
Check what applies to Foundation
Copy available from the Ofcom website

5. Getting & Validating your Licence
Getting your licence
Create an account on the Ofcom Online Licensing website
Enter your candidate number to get your callsign and licence
Validating your licence
Login and confirm details at least every 5 years – We recommend more frequently!

6. Amateur Radio Rules Leisure only – “Not for commercial purposes”
You must only communicate with other Amateurs
You must not “broadcast” messages for general reception (e.g: to multiple people, or to anyone who may be listening)
“Secret codes” and encryption are not permitted
Playing of music, use of offensive language, and/or threatening behaviour is not acceptable
You must not cause undue interference and must test that you’re not… “from time to time”

7. Foundation Restrictions
You cannot operate from outside the UK (other countries do not accept Foundation)
You cannot operate from an aircraft (including balloons) or at sea
Operation on inland waters, rivers and canals is allowed, but operating ‘Maritime Mobile’ at sea, is not permitted
Only use commercially-available radios & kits that comply with Ofcom requirements (no transmitter construction until Intermediate)

8. Callsigns The following applies to operating from England: Licence
Power limit *
Other callsigns
FOUNDATION
M6ABC
10 Watts M3
INTERMEDIATE
2EØABC
50 Watts
2E1
FULL
MØABC
400 Watts
GØ,G1,G2,G3,G4,G5 G6,G7,G8,M1,M5
* Note: Power limits are lower for some bands

9. Callsign Identifiers E (Intermediate only) M W I D J U Region
Examples
England
E (Intermediate only)
M6ABC
2EØABC
Scotland M
MMØABC
2MØABC
Wales W
MW6ABC
2WØABC
Northern Ireland I
MIØABC
2IØABC
Isle of Man D
MD6ABC
2DØABC
Jersey J
MJØABC
2JØABC
Guernsey U
MU6ABC
2UØABC

10. Using your Callsign /M /A /P
You must use your callsign “as frequently as practicable” so that your station is “clearly identifiable at all times”, and in an “appropriate format”.
Good practice to give your callsign:
When calling CQ or making contact with an amateur
When you change frequency and start transmitting
The original rule was “at least once every 15 minutes”
Suffixes: Recommended to use suffixes, and to give your location.
Suffix
Meaning
Example /M
Mobile: Car, pedestrian or on inland waters
MM6MMM/M /A
Alternate Postal Address: Friend’s house, hotel
2EØAAA/A /P
Temporary: Field event with no postcode
MØPPP/P

11. Supervision Clause
A Licence-holder can let another UK licensed amateur use their equipment and callsign under direct supervision.
If you are letting another amateur use your callsign, they must adhere to your licence conditions.
Example:
A Foundation licence-holder (M6ABC) could let a Full licence-holder (MØQQQ) use M6ABC under direct supervision. The Full licence-holder would be limited to the Foundation restrictions (i.e. 10 Watts maximum)

12. User Service Clause
In certain circumstances, you may be asked to pass messages on behalf of a “User Service”, or allow your equipment to be used by them.
Encryption of messages in these cases is permitted, if requested by the User Service.
For Info - User Services include:
British Red Cross, St John Ambulance, the St Andrew's Ambulance Association, the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service, the Salvation Army
Any Government Department
Any ‘Category 1’ responder (Emergency services, principle local authorities, Environment Agency, NHS, etc.)
Any Category 2 responder: (Utility companies, Network Rail, Airport operators, harbour authorities, etc.)
Source: Civil Contingencies Act 2004

13. Good Practice / Handling Abuse
Don’t respond to anyone you believe is unlicensed
Don’t respond to any abuse you may encounter.
Don’t confront the perpetrator
If it is persistent, keep a log
The RSGB’s AROS (Amateur Radio Observation Service) can help with repeated abuse
Guidance on the Ofcom and RSGB websites

14. Schedule The Schedule is part of your licence
A copy is provided in the exam booklet
“Primary / Secondary”
Watch the exceptions:
“Charing Cross”
e.r.p
1 Watt
Example-only

15. Example-only. Visit RSGB site for latest
Band Plan
In place to ensure amateur bands used fairly
2m and 20m plans supplied in the exam booklet
Telegraphy & data mostly near the top of the plan
Watch the exceptions: Beacons, repeaters and space comms
Example-only. Visit RSGB site for latest

16. Licence Conditions Summary
You can’t operate: From aircraft, at sea or overseas
Not allowed: Transmission of music, “broadcasting”, transmitter construction (except for compliant kits)
Ofcom has power to inspect & close down your station
Don’t respond to any abusive behaviour
Learn the required callsigns & suffixes
Use the Schedule and Band Plans provided in the exam – and note the exceptions
Handy links:

17. Licence Conditions
Any questions?
HamTrain.co.uk
© EssexHam.co.uk