Couple of things I got wrong in this video. 1) the US system does allow a 1x3 callsign to be used at Technician level. 2) Ofcom allow you to email the form in, it doesn’t need to be physically posted through the mail. We all make mistakes and I’m not perfect. But I will hold my hands up and admit my mistakes and apologise. Sorry.
You also have quoted ofcom as in the future you could pick a G4 callsign for example. Actually it appears that ofcom don’t realise what their current practice is If you are having difficulty finding an easy to remember callsign, you can can their helpdesk for assistance I was offered (and accepted) BACK IN 2020 a G4 callsign as I was struggling to find an available full licence callsign. The help desk just asked me what was my preferred suffix and said they will check the full database for any missed or silent keys call signs and I was issued a G4 callsign that had been a silent keys call signs for a number of years
@@tomKZ8TOM hey Tom, much the same as it is if you were in the UK. The RSGB offer online remote examination sessions, so it’s rather straightforward. Look at the RSGB website for more. :)
Worked hard to come up through the ranks and grateful I got my M0. Was not without issues as again on my licence journey I got accused of being a pirate and was blocked when using CW. CW was the only thing that suffered as a consequence. Great vid Jason and a useful topic to present.👍🏻 Mike
Good to see an accurate description of the topic! Thanks Jonathan. In VK it's the same - you can choose the next available or choose whatever available callsign you like - within your call area. However if you move - you can keep your original callsign.
In 1985 when you passed your class B or Class A licence, you were able to make a request for a callsign suffix. It was not issued immediately but you had to wait for it to be the next callsign to be issued. Depending on your requested suffix you could wait some time.
Years ago there was a level of respect for the older callsign especially the G3, you knew they knew their stuff and were also blessed with wisdom as they had been licensed for years! If you had questions, they had the answers. My personal view is the callsign should die with the original license holder. Kind Regards Ryan G4WKX
I think Ofcom is arguing that a callsign is simply a way of identifying a licenced station and licence class. A full licence is a full licence regardless of when the exam was passed.
I understand what you’re saying but it’s not like Ofcom can’t generate new full license prefixing, they could even experiment reversing the prefix ie 4GJSX. I can sympathize with second or third generation licensees wanting their dads or grandads callsign as it has sentimental value to them. But apart from that I feel a modern licensee should have a modern callsign. I suppose I’m getting older and don’t like change lol Anyway best wishes and take care. Ryan
Thanks for summary Jonathan. Regards the £20 fee to get a full callsign from any series (and I believe also foundation and intermediate), they also allow you to email a completed PDF form in and pay online, so don't have to use snail mail.
I picked M7 SPK as mine. Now Foundation licence holders can do a little bit more experimenting there is less need for me to upgrade but I am tempted to do the straight to full to remove all restrictions.
Best of luck with the straight to full if you go that route. I think the biggest factor for me to get the full (alongside being able to operate abroad) was to prove to myself that I could. Same reason I did the US exams, to prove to myself that I could. 73
I kinda chose mine all the way back in 1991 when upgrading to an A licence. They would tell you where they are in the suffix series and what the run rate is. You could then look at what was coming up and reserve a call. You still had to wait until they got to it though. I worked for the BBC, and realised that over the next few weeks they’d get to PBS (which in the US means Public Broadcasting Service). I reserved that suffix and lo and behold, a couple of weeks later it was issued to me! I still get Americans saying “Ah, Public Broadcasting Service” on the air, so it’s stood the test of time!😁
I chose G4LMN, consecutive letters, in 1980 and waited nearly a year for it to be issued! They wouldn't issue out of sequence and made you wait until they got to that letter sequence before issuing.
I seem to remember being able to choose your call sign when I got my G7. You could wait for one that was coming up although it did mean you were unable to operate until it came up in sequence. Best wishes. Jonathan
Thanks Jonathan, I also reserved and waited for my current call back in the 80's as it was the registration letters of my old Wolseley 4-44 car which I had the intention of restoring and which was ultimately sold on as a "project" years ago, still somewhat incomplete and needing attention. You mentioned the three letter suffix, does the process for getting a 2 letter GnAA callsign come under the postal scheme you mentioned?
Ofcom have stated that the few two letter suffixes issued were an admin error and it wouldn’t be continuing. But wouldn’t remove the callsigns from those who did secure one.
If a call sign you choose is not already active as we say then why do the ofcom rules say different? Talking of vanity call signs mines a vanity call sign then since 2005 nothing new there then
Sorry Jonathan. I had to delete my previous comment because of some troll who thinks he is better than everyone else. Thanks for the video. Always interesting.
Got what was in the pipe in February 1979, didn't see any reason to reserve anything. Approaching 46 years as a Jait, wouldn't want to change it. I really dislike the fact that Ofcom dropped a bollock allowing old calls to be issued because they messed up the system. I mean, a G5+2 in the 21st century! I miss the days of listening to GB2RS for the latest call signs each week. That way you knew who was probably legal and who was a pirate. As for reissuing previous calls, I think that they should be blocked for at least 50 years, and I only say that because 500 years is maybe a smidge too long.
Thank you for watching. I don’t think there is a compromise which everyone would be happy with. 5 years might be too short for some, but 50 would be far too long for other (including me) 73!
@M0JSX I know, I'm just a grouchy old Jait. When I came into the hobby there was something of a hierarchy. As I have never passed a Morse test, in some minds I'm still at the bottom of the pile.
@ a full licence is a full licence. There need not be a hierarchy in 2025. In my mind it doesn’t encourage newcomers to embrace the hobby and only serves to gatekeep progress.
@M0JSX Yes, I would mostly agree with that. Unfortunately there are some licensees who don't seem to know enough to have passed the exam(s) at the level of their licence. That bothers me.
I get that. But a callsign is ultimately just a string of letters and number. Not do any of us technically ‘own’ our callsigns. We are simply licenced to identify as such on the air. 5 years seems like a reasonable cooling off period to me.
Why? It’s just a series of letter and numbers. Both indicate a full licence. (For context, I’m really just interested in your viewpoint. At no point would I think about changing my callsign)
@@M0JSX Well like many others my callsign was issued to me without any interference from me, thats the way it was then. You could show an interest in a paticular suffix but you would have to get back in line and await its issue. For me your callsign is an indication of license class and your time spent with the hobby, I do understand why people want these vanity calls or calls which where issued in pre war times but not for me, I guess I,m not vain? and respect the call I have.
Couple of things I got wrong in this video.
1) the US system does allow a 1x3 callsign to be used at Technician level.
2) Ofcom allow you to email the form in, it doesn’t need to be physically posted through the mail.
We all make mistakes and I’m not perfect. But I will hold my hands up and admit my mistakes and apologise. Sorry.
You also have quoted ofcom as in the future you could pick a G4 callsign for example.
Actually it appears that ofcom don’t realise what their current practice is
If you are having difficulty finding an easy to remember callsign, you can can their helpdesk for assistance
I was offered (and accepted) BACK IN 2020 a G4 callsign as I was struggling to find an available full licence callsign. The help desk just asked me what was my preferred suffix and said they will check the full database for any missed or silent keys call signs and I was issued a G4 callsign that had been a silent keys call signs for a number of years
@@iandstanley I meant that you’ll be able to pick a G4, for example, using the online portal.
Jonathan M0JSX What is the process for an American to get a UK license?
Jonathan M0JSX What is the process for an American to get a UK license?
@@tomKZ8TOM hey Tom, much the same as it is if you were in the UK. The RSGB offer online remote examination sessions, so it’s rather straightforward. Look at the RSGB website for more. :)
Worked hard to come up through the ranks and grateful I got my M0. Was not without issues as again on my licence journey I got accused of being a pirate and was blocked when using CW. CW was the only thing that suffered as a consequence. Great vid Jason and a useful topic to present.👍🏻 Mike
Good to see an accurate description of the topic! Thanks Jonathan.
In VK it's the same - you can choose the next available or choose whatever available callsign you like - within your call area. However if you move - you can keep your original callsign.
Thanks Hayden. One day I should do the VK test, and you do the M test!
In 1985 when you passed your class B or Class A licence, you were able to make a request for a callsign suffix. It was not issued immediately but you had to wait for it to be the next callsign to be issued. Depending on your requested suffix you could wait some time.
Isn't that still true in have to wait or not?
Years ago there was a level of respect for the older callsign especially the G3, you knew they knew their stuff and were also blessed with wisdom as they had been licensed for years! If you had questions, they had the answers.
My personal view is the callsign should die with the original license holder.
Kind Regards
Ryan
G4WKX
I think Ofcom is arguing that a callsign is simply a way of identifying a licenced station and licence class. A full licence is a full licence regardless of when the exam was passed.
I understand what you’re saying but it’s not like Ofcom can’t generate new full license prefixing, they could even experiment reversing the prefix ie 4GJSX.
I can sympathize with second or third generation licensees wanting their dads or grandads callsign as it has sentimental value to them.
But apart from that I feel a modern licensee should have a modern callsign.
I suppose I’m getting older and don’t like change lol
Anyway best wishes and take care.
Ryan
@ there are always pros and cons. Ofcom can’t start making up prefixes though. Have to conform to ITU prefixes.
@@M0JSX exactly the ITU prefixes are set.
Thanks for summary Jonathan. Regards the £20 fee to get a full callsign from any series (and I believe also foundation and intermediate), they also allow you to email a completed PDF form in and pay online, so don't have to use snail mail.
I picked M7 SPK as mine. Now Foundation licence holders can do a little bit more experimenting there is less need for me to upgrade but I am tempted to do the straight to full to remove all restrictions.
Best of luck with the straight to full if you go that route. I think the biggest factor for me to get the full (alongside being able to operate abroad) was to prove to myself that I could. Same reason I did the US exams, to prove to myself that I could.
73
I kinda chose mine all the way back in 1991 when upgrading to an A licence. They would tell you where they are in the suffix series and what the run rate is. You could then look at what was coming up and reserve a call. You still had to wait until they got to it though. I worked for the BBC, and realised that over the next few weeks they’d get to PBS (which in the US means Public Broadcasting Service). I reserved that suffix and lo and behold, a couple of weeks later it was issued to me! I still get Americans saying “Ah, Public Broadcasting Service” on the air, so it’s stood the test of time!😁
I chose G4LMN, consecutive letters, in 1980 and waited nearly a year for it to be issued! They wouldn't issue out of sequence and made you wait until they got to that letter sequence before issuing.
I too wondered when I saw the video you referred to - I was able to choose my Foundation suffix in 2003 - M3MDY
Me too M7KET
Great explanation Jonathan.
Thanks Tim! ❤️
A button specifically for that….have you been watching Auto Shenanigans? 😉
Of course, who doesn’t? He is WickedSweetAwesome!
Very clear explanation Jonathan.
Great video thanks Johnathan 73 🙂👍
I seem to remember being able to choose your call sign when I got my G7. You could wait for one that was coming up although it did mean you were unable to operate until it came up in sequence. Best wishes. Jonathan
You are right Steve. I suppose vanity callsigns have always existed, if you had patience!
Still need to pass my full so i can get my dads g8
I picked my suffix on M6, it wasn't perfect and I kept it all the way through 2E to M5 which turned out great for CW.
Thanks Jonathan, I also reserved and waited for my current call back in the 80's as it was the registration letters of my old Wolseley 4-44 car which I had the intention of restoring and which was ultimately sold on as a "project" years ago, still somewhat incomplete and needing attention. You mentioned the three letter suffix, does the process for getting a 2 letter GnAA callsign come under the postal scheme you mentioned?
Ofcom have stated that the few two letter suffixes issued were an admin error and it wouldn’t be continuing. But wouldn’t remove the callsigns from those who did secure one.
@@M0JSX Jonathan, many thanks for the clarification
I picked my callsign to match my private car reg. Cost me nithing. Just picked the suffix I wanted, which was instantly available.
@@M0JSXAn utter travesty but sadly the miscreants can't be sanctioned now more's the pity.
If a call sign you choose is not already active as we say then why do the ofcom rules say different? Talking of vanity call signs mines a vanity call sign then since 2005 nothing new there then
Uk vanitys have been around for years. My m3 and my 2e0 are both vanities because i did choose my suffix heh so i totally agree
Sorry Jonathan. I had to delete my previous comment because of some troll who thinks he is better than everyone else. Thanks for the video. Always interesting.
I’m sorry about the troll, but I’m pleased you like the video. 73’
Got what was in the pipe in February 1979, didn't see any reason to reserve anything.
Approaching 46 years as a Jait, wouldn't want to change it. I really dislike the fact that Ofcom dropped a bollock allowing old calls to be issued because they messed up the system. I mean, a G5+2 in the 21st century!
I miss the days of listening to GB2RS for the latest call signs each week. That way you knew who was probably legal and who was a pirate.
As for reissuing previous calls, I think that they should be blocked for at least 50 years, and I only say that because 500 years is maybe a smidge too long.
Thank you for watching. I don’t think there is a compromise which everyone would be happy with. 5 years might be too short for some, but 50 would be far too long for other (including me)
73!
@M0JSX I know, I'm just a grouchy old Jait. When I came into the hobby there was something of a hierarchy. As I have never passed a Morse test, in some minds I'm still at the bottom of the pile.
@ a full licence is a full licence. There need not be a hierarchy in 2025. In my mind it doesn’t encourage newcomers to embrace the hobby and only serves to gatekeep progress.
@M0JSX Yes, I would mostly agree with that. Unfortunately there are some licensees who don't seem to know enough to have passed the exam(s) at the level of their licence. That bothers me.
@ I would invite you to take your concerns to the RSGB’s Examinations Standards Committee. Engagement is the only way to bring about change :)
For us yanks, "... 1x3 can only be issued to a general license and above" is incorrect. I'm only a Tech and my vanity is K5AIN. 73s!
Ah thank you for the correction! I’m right with 2x1 being only for Extra though?
@@M0JSX yessir. 1x2, 2x1, and I'm pretty sure 2x2 are reserved for Extra class.
I just let Ofcom choose one for me. I just don't like the M7, need to pass my full license
Heard G5RV on 40m the other day
I believe G5RV is now a club callsign
You've been able to get two letter postfix for ages
Ofcom have stopped that practice, saying it was a mistake.
@ Really! Tim managed to sneak in at just the right time!
@@mr.mistoffelees7188damn right 😉
mm7!
Sounds a bit disrespectful to those who had old calls and not still here (unless related or something, then that's a bit different).
I get that. But a callsign is ultimately just a string of letters and number. Not do any of us technically ‘own’ our callsigns. We are simply licenced to identify as such on the air. 5 years seems like a reasonable cooling off period to me.
@@M0JSX500 would be better.
Being a M0 then wanting to be a G4 is very vain and wrong in my opinion,
Why? It’s just a series of letter and numbers. Both indicate a full licence.
(For context, I’m really just interested in your viewpoint. At no point would I think about changing my callsign)
@@M0JSX Well like many others my callsign was issued to me without any interference from me, thats the way it was then. You could show an interest in a paticular suffix but you would have to get back in line and await its issue. For me your callsign is an indication of license class and your time spent with the hobby, I do understand why people want these vanity calls or calls which where issued in pre war times but not for me, I guess I,m not vain? and respect the call I have.
@@M0JSXI remember the late G3NYY who started referring to those post G4 as G nothings :)
rsgb exam? ........i sat 'city and guilds exams'
Yes, but I was talking about the current system. Not the system which finished in the early 2000s! 73!
@@M0JSXI sat the very last written exam. Six munce agow I cutnt spel injuneer and now I are wun.