Amateur Radio UK Callsigns - Puzzle Solved

In this video we run through regional identifiers and also special club callsign prefixes. Light hearted but educational whizz-bang tour of amateur radio UK callsigns. Do you know any series of callsigns yet to be released? How about G9XYZ or M2XYZ? Let me know in the comments.
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[@GordonHudson]

A bit of trivia: Scotland has M as the regional identifier because the ships flag messaging code uses the Scottish flag for the letter M.

[@patrickmolloy6994]

LOL and I thought it was their surname prefix. MAC ie M

[@John2E0GTU]

@@patrickmolloy6994 That is how we were taught to remember it for the exam! It is good to know the real reason.

[@Stephen_Orion]

Thanks Callum, now studying for my Foundation exam..These videos are very helpful. many many thanks..

[@GordonHudson]

G9 were experimental callsigns. Some amateurs got them for testing 934 MHz CB before it was released legally in 1981. They were also used in industry. The reason there haven't been M2 callsigns issued is that these were used by the Home Office for police base stations. So Edinburgh was M2ZH. They were finally scrapped around 2006, but current police airwave radios still use those prefixes as identifiers for different areas. We might use M2 when we run out of something.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK Gordon, thanks for that!

[@Rubedo777]

Yes… our call sign was M2CK Greater Manchester M2BD was Lancashire Can’t remember the others… it was over 30 years ago I played radio for the police. 😊

[@paulgrodkowski1021]

Thank you for taking the time to explain U.K. callsigns in a way that I can understand.🙂

[@DXCommanderHQ]

You are so welcome!

[@Broadercasting]

Additional points of interest: G8xxx were the original Class B (VHF/UHF) calls (Mine was G8KUX), and G6xxx/T were amateur television licences in addition to holding a Class A or B licence which was eventually scrapped (obviously!). G9 were commercial and industrial experimental callsigns. From memory, The ITA's Crystal Palace transmitter on VHF channel 9 carried the callsign on test transmissions.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I asked Ofcom for an experimental licence but they were a bit blank on that one..

[@SatansPooper]

Thanks for the contexts, both geographical and historical. This is meat and potatoes content. Keep it up!

[@peter-vk3acz]

I will add my appreciation to the list for your good explanation of English calls! Thank you! Here in VK we’ve (in my view) goofed up our calls by removing the number identifier meaning for the states… sure, those who want to, now have callsign portability if they move… but it wasn’t busted, so why did we have to fix it? Out portable for a contest recently, I set myself the simple goal of working every state in an afternoon. When I got home and checked my log, the one VK8 (formerly Northern Territory) was operating in my state and neglected to tell me… pfffttt. If I moved states, I wouldn’t want to give the impression I was still in Vic. with a ‘3.’. But that’s just me… Peter, VK3ACZ

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ah Peter! Yes I see the problem. Hmmm. OK!

[@richlevenson6605]

You are always a positive delight to listen to. Thanks for the info - very enlightening. Be well and best 73 always - Rich, W2FKN

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thank you kindly!

[@joeblow8593]

Ringway Manchester did several videos on UK call signs. One of them was called "Secret G7's and Experimental G9's - Elusive Radio Callsigns From The Past"

[@andreVE4BK]

I was always amazed at the UK call sign matrix… Being Canadian, one only changes his/her/etc callsign when moving to a new province/territory or, with many years (25?) operating experience, to a 2 letter suffix. Stay safe Cal! Andre - VE1OV/M0RAV (GB2CPM)

[@juanmanuelgranda17]

Over here it´s exactly the same (Argentina), also when we are mobile/portable we just add at the end of the call sign "/(Identificator of the Estate(Provincia)" that its just 1 letter. Good contacts and good dx´s ! 73! Juan Manuel LU1XBO

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Hello Andre! So after 25 years, you get to shorten your call? That's funny!

[@raydavidsonm0ray.777]

Hi Callum, Et All, Great video Callum as usual. I've had 3 callsigns, star ting with a G7 which like the G1, G6, & G8 before me were all as you rightly point out with the G6 Callsigns were all Class B permitting only VHF and above. Other prefix's for which a 12 WPM Morse Test was required include G0 G2, G3, G4, & G5. The Earliest G2, & G5 callsigns could have been 2 letter suffix or a 3 letter suffix. . My 2nd Callsign was an M5 Callsign, for which I had to pass a 5 WPM Morse test. In My particular case, like many others during a Very Special Long Weekend Sponsored by Martin Lynch & Son (back then), at Tolmers Scout Camp Grounds, The RSGB in connection with what was then known as The "Radio Communications Agency" or the "R.C.A." (now OFCOM), , , , , , , , , This Event Included the op8pertunity for Class B Licenee's to study and practice taking down Morse code on paper at 2 speed levels of 5 WPM, & 12 WPM, Sent by tutors who were setup on a stage in a massive Marquee Tent. The students where given pencils & paper & a Code Sheet with all of the Morse Code on it required for the Morse Code Test, Also issued (at great cost to Martin Lynch & Son) were Integrated practice Morse Code & Buzzer sets, so that those who felt confident enough to pass The Code Test, could then go to a separate instructor on a 1 to 1 basis to practice Sending Morse Code. When the student was told that they was proficient enough to take the exam for real, the student then went into the main building and applied for the Morse test of their choice & were they were then paired up with a pair of Morse Code Examiners who then put them through the test for real. This was How I got My M5 Call sign. Due to the Special Arrangements mentioned above, Everyone who Passed their morse test during that particular weekend, , , , , , ALSO Received Their NEW Callsign DURING That Weekend, Most of whom where issued with it on the day that they passed their morse test. The examiners never told us whether we had passed or failed, so we had to SWEAT IT OUT until later in the day in order to get the good or not so good news. I thought I had failed miserably, until one of the RSGB Staff young ladies found me and presented me with My Pass Sli[ AND My New M5 Callsign, which permitted me to go on HF as soon as we got back home. I know that there will me many reading this who were also on the receiving end of the same delights as myself. What a Fantastic weekend that was. The Icing on the cake for me was that I also got My story published in the following months copy of RADCom, unbeknown to me until I saw it for myself. Kind Regards to all, Ray, AKA M0RAY.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ray.. superb story!

[@M0RMY]

Brilliant Ray. Thanks for sharing

[@ae1tpa92gwtom2]

Super Info, I learned a few new things. But I gave the thumbs up as soon as you mentioned The and Po,.. cheers Cal 73

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Brilliant Tom!

[@PatFortino]

Thanks for clarifying. Made the complex simple.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Great to hear!

[@petejones1957]

Hi there, Enjoy your videos, interesting to see how much I can remember from way back, my RAE was the last one to include valves! When did they resurrect the /P , I haven't been active for about 25 years , but seem to remember when I first got my callsign , using /P whilst out and about walking and on a bicycle, and /M in the car, think there was a/MM for maritime Mobile too. Some years later, the /P seemed to disappear, and we used /M for anything not in the shack.. Remember the excitement working Australia from the car for the first time, but the real highlight, was working 10FM on converted CB sets, talking across town (Sheffield) through a repeater in Atlanta Georgia , just 4Watts and sunspot maxima , Sadly it's all mobile phones. whatsapp, facetime etc.now, must be difficult to get youngsters into the hobby. 73's, Pete G4GRI

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Well, all the "Stroke P/M/A" are totally optional anyway. It used to be mandatory..

[@bargeutube]

Well I too took my RAE in 1968 when transistors were a thing of the future. I never applied for a call sign due to work and travel but now I am retired and have the time to take up the hobby again it will be interesting to see what callsign and level I might receive. Then it will get even more complicated as I live in France so am investigating to see whether I can get an equivalent French callsign although I have discovered that I will be able to to use a F/ prefix before the UK one for 3 months. Hmm, lots of fun ahead!

[@timprice1284]

Wild but great explanation! 73s ND4A

[@kennyrankine320]

My callsigns are GM1BAZ, GM4VZW - early 1980's (Scotland) & now EA8DEU (Canary Islands). Thanks for the callsign info Callum, I watch your videos all the time, great inspiration for me and the ham radio world, thanks Cal. Kenny EA8DEU.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good man! Thanks Kenny.

[@mdouble100]

I've always wondered about call signs in the UK. Thanks for explaining your call sign system.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Any time!

[@leo3times]

Did not know that... Very interesting, and a bit confusing. 😆 Nice video Cal, as always. Thanks for your time. 73

[@SammySouthallPhotography]

Great fun just getting my head around this 🎉

[@zeno2712]

Dipping my toe back into the hobby after retirement (I had a GM6 callsign in the early 1980s for just one year shortly after I graduated, having passed the RAE at school in 1974), I have been completely baffled by the plethora of UK callsigns and it took me a while to realise ones like 2E series were UK. Thanks for the summary! It seems like a right dog's dinner, though.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Easy once you get your head around it :) PS - Welcome back. You can retrieve your callsign from the archives (if you havve let it lapse) Ofcom will explain how. Cheers, Callum.

[@zeno2712]

@@DXCommanderHQ Not back just yet! Got myself an SDRPlay RSP1A and spending a bit of time just listening in... it might be a while before I go for my licence again. Thanks for the encouragement though!

[@sarto7bellys]

I got my G1XXX in 1984 after doing the RAE exam with City and Guilds and that was B class limited to 10 watts, I never got round to doing the morse test for A class. Then in 2020 i dug out my old Yaesu FT227R and reapplied for my old call sign, sent copies of my C& G result and an old licence and was granted a full licence with my G1xxx call sign due to grandad rights

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Fab!

[@BrianMorrison]

Limited to 10W? Heavens, not even the Foundation Licensees are limited to 10W (well they are, but many don't comply). B licence schedule was the same as the A schedule above 144MHz (later becoming above 30MHz). 400W PEP and 150W DC input and then later 100W for constant carrier modes.

[@sarto7bellys]

@@BrianMorrison Maybe I got it wrong then but it was 38 years ago and I've had quite a few beers since then

[@paulsengupta971]

@@sarto7bellys As a G(W)1 myself, I could only ever afford a 10W radio. 🙂

[@BrianMorrison]

@@sarto7bellys Beer gets my vote!

[@A.R.O.T.A.]

Hi Cal You asked so I thought I'd look it up. Optional alternative prefix for club licence GX & MX England GC & MC Wales GS & MS Scotland GN & MN Northern Ireland GT & MT Isle of Man GH & MH Jersey GP & MP Guernsey

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Brilliant!

[@steve87uk]

It's like they went "this is too easy, let's mix up the letters a bit".

[@A.R.O.T.A.]

@@steve87uk I don't know how anyone is supposed to remember the club regional identifiers fortunately they all appear to be optional!

[@paulsengupta971]

Nice, cheers for that, been a ham since 1987 and I didn't remember any of those! I'll probably forget again in 10 mins but I can come back!

[@wisteela]

Excellent video. Ringway Manchester has covered some interesting ones. 73 M7TUD

[@josuetorresaraque756]

Brilliant explanation, it was easy to understand.

[@KO4TDA]

It’s weird to hear you have to changed your callsign when you change location. Kind of a good reason not to travel. Here in the USA we don’t change our callsign at all. We can say we are in a different area if we want to. The number “normally” designates where in the USA the callsign originates. I’m in Tennessee & we have call signs from all over the USA of people who live here now, but got their calls elsewhere. Great video Callum!!! Good info to learn! Keep up the good work!

[@BobBruns]

To bad the FCC is now charging $35 for vanity calls. I've changed mine a few times but I'm staying with my 4 call even though I am in Missouri which confuses "some" people. That was because it was still a no charge admin change.

[@GordonHudson]

That's because the "regions" in the UK are separate countries and therefore separate DXCC entities. The UK is a Union of several countries, hence United Kingdom.

[@problemwithauthority]

The US call signs has an interesting history as well. I still get asked if I was a Navy radio operator as the "N" was reserved for Navy calll signs at one time.

[@russellbaker7098]

You don't really change your callsign when you move. It's where you are when you operate. So if in Scotland you add the M whether you live there or not. Same with the other regions. The US used to do this too (may still do this, I don't know) when someone operated outside their region they added it to the end e.g. W1ABC/3

[@JT-bb9di]

A good reason not to travel due to a 1 letter modifier in your amateur radio call? VS operating while exploring all the peaks and beauty spots the other parts of the UK have to offer? I'll pick the latter IMO 😊

[@MWOCQU]

M2AA to M2ZZ are allocated to the home office for the Blue light services - G9xxx was assigned to UK research and development licences and were used on 934 MHz before CB legalisation

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes, I honestly thought I could get my hands on a G9 but alas, I don't think so. Heck, you certainly know your stuff!!

[@jamesseaman2950]

In the USA, we also had our own VHF-only license called Technician Class which created a similar jumble. It was meant to inspire experimentation on VHF/UHF, but had always been considered the license for people who couldn't master the code because it used the exact same written test as the General Class license, but only required a 5-WPM code test. I've read of instances where people held two licenses, one Tech and the other Novice Class for HF because both only required 5-WPM. Those people were issued two different callsigns.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I seem to remember they dropped the code requirement.

[@jamesseaman2950]

@@DXCommanderHQ Yes, that's quite a few years ago now. The code test was dropped as soon as the international regulations no longer required it. Our FCC abolished the Novice class too. Technician is now our entry level license issued with 2x3 callsigns, most beginning with "K", same format as General Class. People also get to keep their callsigns no matter what region they may later move to and so the district numerals have become increasingly meaningless.

[@michaelgriffin628]

I love my 2 letter irish prefix and suffix, so simple 19.40

[@johnathanasiou9284]

Great explanation Callum & appreciate as it helps uncover the mysteries of the UK callsign system. Remember hearing a similar presentation from Peter @ Essex ham & found it fascinating how they came up with all the designators. Here in VK in the 1990s I got my Intermediate (we knew it as a T call back then, used to be Z call) & still use the same call to this very day as eventually the old Intermediate call (full theory, full regs but nil CW) got transitioned to Advanced when they dropped CW in the 2000s. VK is similar with the 3rd digit being the state identifier ie VkxABC but I believe they have dropped this requirement for hams who are working interstate. For a time Foundation (Novice) had F calls ie VKxFABC which many didn't like as it made their CQ calls longer & some software couldn't cope with 4 letter call signs but I believe moves are afoot to drop the F call

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Hi John.. Good detail there, thanks for info! Yes, I believe your regional identifiers already changed now. Didn't know about the 4-letter F. Thanks!

[@edcozart9916]

Thanks for the incite on this I wondered sometimes how that works over the pond as always Thanks Callum de W9US

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Hey Ed. Thanks for the encouragement!

[@magnusb6311]

In Sweden our personal identifier is actually the suffix. There is instead different geographical areas where the number moves. So lets say SM0ABC lives in stockholm but am on a trip in Scania he would be SM0ABC/7 or in the far north SM0ABC/2. However, would he/she move to Scania he would be SM7ABC. The suffix is not given to anyone else with the same prefix minus the number. It used to be that you as a foreigner using your CEPT should sign SM7/M0ABC in Scania but we have removed that rule and made it optional so that you could use either SM7/M0ABC or SM/M0ABC. The prefix identifiers has changed a bit over the years but as a rule the old prefixes still stay the same where as: SA & SM are personal prefixes, these are for private persons. SK are club stations for people involved in the FRO (Volunteer Radio Organisation) which is kind of military volunteer organisation specializing in radio. Then we have the SB-SI, the 7S and the 8S. SI and SJ is commonly used for visiting club stations. There are a few visiting club stations that a visitor with a ham license can visit and operate from, either with their own call or with the visiting club station call (usually optional). Examples SJ9WL and SI9AM. So, for anyone that wondered why SM calls go from 0-7 and wondered where the 8 and 9 goes, that is the answer to the 9. Now, what about the 8? The number 8 identifier goes to the Swedish area of Market Reef, we are used to OJ0. Market Reef is a small rock island between Åland Islands OH0, and Sweden. The west part of the island, containing the lighthouse and buildings is Finnish while the east side is Swedish. Some calls used activating the Swedish side of Market Reef are SI8MA and 8S9M has been used as well but I heard the 8-number should be used here. The 0-7 regions are well defined by the Laen they are in with only 1 exception and that is in the far south east corner of West Gothia where they can choose to be SM6 or SM7 as the Laen border has moved with the communes Habo and Mullsjö. Operators that already lived there or who have summer houses there when the change of län occured can choose what they will identify as SM6 or SM7 while new hams will automaticly get the 7.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Fantastic explanation!

[@magnusb6311]

@@DXCommanderHQ Thank you Callum

[@debbiecurtis4021]

Taking Foundation exam end of November. Hoping to get callsign before New year.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes!

[@foxonem7dfh257]

Great explanation Cal yet another excellent video, Thank you

[@andy2E0JIU]

Nice video cal,nice to finally find out where Jersey and Guernsey are as well 🙈🙈🙈

[@sshaw37]

Mines an M1. Was originally B license but then got upgraded when the morse test was stopped.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

M1.. Lovely.

[@dougdaniels]

Makes for interesting options traveling for CQ WPX

[@jest.s50si83]

Heii Call👽This is a bit of a complicated matter😄 Here in Slovenia, you can, in principle, choose a call sign for class A, as I have it myself, only if it is still available. But only in A class! That's why my very simple S5- is the prefix for Slovenia. SI- is the international designation for it. 0- means CORONA time (vegetation) 😄So S50SI For me personally, the most beautiful call sign in Slovenia 😇 Well deserved anyway😉 I still like to follow your posts and follow them as much as I can 👍 Keep it up 😎

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Haha.. Very good!

[@hamradiohef]

Thanks Callum. Great info!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

My pleasure!

[@hamradiotube]

Boy they made it nice and simple to follow didn’t they?

[@timg5tm941]

I've forgotten what my own name is now

[@DXCommanderHQ]

HAHA Mike!

[@MWOCQU]

The UK also holds the Z prefix , used by British dependencies e.g. gibraltar, think It might also have V for commonwealth countries

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ah! So we could end up with ZE0ABC calls one day!

[@stuart4858]

Thank you for the insight in UK calls. At lot of commonality with VK, however the regional identifiers seem to "muddy" the waters rather than add clarity. Stuart, VK3SH from Melbourne

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yeah, I've heard about regional down your way..

[@JT-bb9di]

(Using M0ABC as an example. I am not affiliated with that callsign) Another interesting thing: when using your UK Full license in another country under CEPT rules, you remove all modifiers (even for intermediate I believe). So if you are calling from the Republic of Ireland under CEPT, then you'd be EI/M0ABC, even if you lived in Scotland and were usually MM0ABC. Although I believe there are some who ignore this and just use the modifier from their home region.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Technically correct but at least your are fully identifying yourself I guess. Foundation and Intermediate don't have automatic CEPT rights BUT if they write to each country and ask, often they will say yes, you can use your call in our country (although not Germany who love rules more than I love food).

[@JT-bb9di]

@@DXCommanderHQ opps yes I forgot that foundation and intermediate don't have CEPT rights. This was my main motivator for studying for my full.

[@JT-bb9di]

@@DXCommanderHQ also really interesting that if you ask other countries you will often get a yes. I didn't know this!

[@AussieAndyHardy]

My goodness the UK callsign system is complicated..! When I was back in Aus it was a lot more straightforward! Great video (although map not to scale and islands in the wrong place :) ) 73 Andy / G1AJH

[@AussieAndyHardy]

Also found this helpful..! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Call_signs_in_the_United_Kingdom

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Haha yes..

[@MWOCQU]

also historically G5 +3 series were used for non UK nationals residing in the UK , but the series has now been re released

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ah! I didn't know that !

[@peterlowrie1216]

GN/MN are club calls in Northern Ireland. My own club have MN0PQR just need to get it on air a bit more.

[@pauls8456]

VK Australia are in the process of scrapping area identifiers in callsigns as New Zealand and other countries have done. I don’t like it but if you move state you now longer have to change your callsign a VK3 can operate from VK6 which is 3000km 2000m away.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ah OK!

[@IrishHamRadio]

It’s fairly crazy the amount of uk call sign prefixes out there and I’m sure there’s some history to why it kept changing.. I have a uk callsign acquired by simple application on the basis of my EI licence.. I’m EI5IMB & operate often in Northern Ireland, so I acquired MI5IMB… which is only one character difference to my home call and is very handy 😊

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good show!

[@LightBlazeMC]

Excellent video as always

[@BentConrod]

Any licensed VK operator, should they so choose, may change their callsign prefix to AX on Australia Day (26th Jan), ANZAC Day (25th Apr) and IT Day (17th May).

[@3dPrint_and_chill]

I had a G7 from when I lived in the UK. The RSGB said I can get it back when I spoke to their reps at Dayton hamvetion. I need to get around to it.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Do it!

[@mu0chn]

You got GJ and GU the wrong way round. I passed the RAE in 1988 and got the call Gu7cqn, vhf and up max 400 watts 😬 I had hoped to get a G0 call but failed the morse test first time. 1999 took it again and passed issued mu0chn.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I didn't have a map. I think IoM was much worse!

[@grahamg4pfk510]

Hi Cal, it was 1982 when i was first licensed, and had to wait 2-3 months for my G6 callsign during which time i learned cw and passed the test at a coastal station before G6JPU was received then applied for the A license - how things have changed, don't know where the years have gone. Travel is now a major interest with two trips to India before end of year booked but no reciprical license available, not like going to Alicante and operating EA5/ Keep the vids coming 73 de Graham G4PFK

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Nice memories Graham!

[@arthurphillips453]

You have a lot to thank G2DAF for during the war he pioneered SSB in the forces and after the war in 1960 he pioneered the G2DAF rx it took a few amateurs a few years but soon it took off and it is all thanks to Dick Thornley the uk

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Amazing..

[@Quoodle1]

This was fun

[@4X4-RADIO]

Special Events GB[nnnn][aaaaa] n = numerical(4) , a = alpha(5) (I believe) Like we run GB0PIT Involved in GB2012MV Things like GB50RNARS GB2012OSP

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Oh yes, all the GB special event stations.. Not in Foundation but very good as is the repeater callsigns.. Some good data in the comments under here..

[@walesunt]

Great video Cal , can’t the band police get a call sign for the hard work not pressing the PTT , did hear a transmission on 20m last night of someone playing your voice causing qrm which is very sad , must be the jealousy kicking in , good weekend from Wet Tenby wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Gawd FFS! You should DF them. Probably someone near Coventry.. I have one "supporter" there!

[@arthurphillips453]

The G9 callsign has been in years before ofcom took 0ver my callsign dates from 1981 for testing on 934

[@halloweenchainsawsforgoo]

don't we just love the band police hi Callum love the videos keep them up Gordon farmer M7INT

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Hahaha

[@Roddy1965]

Cor blimey! But that was helpful.

[@m0jeo]

There are a few G calls free. People passing their full tests can apply for them via the paper application and a £20 fee if they dont mine waiting a week or two.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good answer! Thanks.

[@mewrongwayKOCXF]

Very interesting Callum! 👍 Has Ofcom approved Vanity call signs? I have my Fathers call.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

No.. Once allocated, we've got it :)

[@Jacpearce]

Ooooh Jersey decided to go North of Guernsey :)

[@mrx7956]

Thanks, very interesting... but hell is it complicated :D Someone in some office had some fun i guess ;-) But anyhow, good to know.

[@daveengstrom9250]

I always thought call signs should have been like Snow White's dwarfs: Doc, Grumpy, Bashful, Sleepy, Happy, Sneezy and Dopey. Much more descriptive than what we have now, don't you think? If spelled phonetically, I would like my call sign to be: "I need some more coffee". Or maybe "Is there any more pie?"

[@DXCommanderHQ]

More pie.. Indeed!

[@Chris_KS5KY]

Thank you for the explanation, it was very interesting and straightened some things out for me. If you'd like a brief explanation on US calls, maybe I could send you an email. There is a method to the madness but not always 100% at least with the numbers. 73, KS5KY

[@petertate3436]

Forgive me if I missed it... But is the callsign allocated to the station or the operator? Im in Australia..... VK land. When I got my license the call was for the station. You had a Certificate Of Proficiency.... I was NAOCP and my stations call was vk4nek.... the year was 1981... I was only allowed 3.5mhz 21mhz 28mhz.... I had to do 5wpm morse. No vhf. You also knew where they were by the number in my case 4 means Queensland. The suffix back then meant the type of license. Novice calls were N or V. A fair bit of info could be worked out just by the callsign. But not today. It's all different. If I went to a mates ham shack I'd have to use his callsign and add second operator back then. If you took your portable rig on holiday around VK I'd have to say vh4nek portable 2 or 3 or whatever state number I was in. Back then if I moved interstate I'd have to change my callsign to show my new location. You run the risk that someone else might have the vk2nek that I'd need. That meant a whole different callsign then. There was even set times you had to get it sorted. All different today. 73s

[@DXCommanderHQ]

A "Full" callsign is allocated to "you" and "YOUR" station is anywhere you take your callsign. So I can go to Fred's house and operate HIS station with HIS callsign *OR* I can operate my callsign and assume that it's now MY station. Ownership of the station itself is not the issue. But the issue here is who "owns" the callsign. Well technically the authorities own it and "give" it to you for life. Until you either SK or do something to warrant they take it away. The operator will have a permanent address, sure - but if you move, you must inform the authorities. But it's the callsign's address - not the station. Stations don't have callsigns.

[@JT-bb9di]

For the international folks here that are curious, the UK is a country made up of 4 "home nations": England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Together, these 4 regions make up the UK proper. Americans could think of these 4 nations as states, although they are not states in the true legal sense as the UK is not a federation. The Isle of Mann, Jersey, Guernsey are not part of the UK itself, but have some historical ties to the UK (they are technically British oversees territories) however are self governing. The relevant thing here is that even though they are self governing, they delegate the UK's licensing authority (Ofcom) to handle RF licensing on their behalf, thus are integrated into the UK's callsign nomenclature.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Perfect!

[@BrianMorrison]

We're also not a confederation as some would wish. We are a single nation since the various Acts of Union hundreds of years ago.

[@n5yiz]

Thanks for this.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Lovely!

[@JoshColletta]

Interesting that you have to change a regional identifier depending on your current location. Here in the U.S., the regional identifier is a permanent part of the call sign based on the mailing address of the licensee. For example, most of the South (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia) makes up Region 4, so if I had applied for a license when I was growing up in Miami, my call sign would have had the numeral 4 after the prefix -- for example, WA4BCD. California is its own region (Region 6), so if I moved there and updated my license, the call sign could be KA6BCD (and I'm just using W and K to reflect geography the way our broadcast stations do; that's not necessarily applicable to amateur radio). Both systems make sense in their own ways, I just found the difference interesting.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Indeed. But like you (maybe) I'm still unsure why the "region" is so important - for both US and UK (and VK I think).

[@JoshColletta]

@@DXCommanderHQ Yes, I'm unsure about that, as well. The only stab I can take at it, in our case, is that the FCC might have initially planned to use the regions to better organize records, but if that's the case, that idea went out the window when they decided that call signs don't need to be changed when the licensee moves. I don't know the history of that allowance, so I can't say one way or the other.

[@JoshColletta]

@Jannie Kirsten Interesting! Any idea on what the rationale behind that is?

[@stargazer7644]

Except that people generally don't ask for a new callsign when they move, and vanity calls throw all of it out of the window. I've never lived in the region my call is from.

[@stargazer7644]

@@JoshColletta That's optionally done in the US as well. The number in my call is not from the region I live in, and it confuses some hams who then point the wrong way. If I put my correct region as a suffix, then they figure it out. So if my call is a west coast W7ABC, and I actually live on the east coast in 1 land, I could sign W7ABC/1 so the folks in Chicago don't point the wrong way.

[@arthurphillips453]

Before the 2nd world was the callsign groups were G2+2 and then came G5+2 and then G2+3 these were issued before the RAE was introduces in about 1946. Then we had the first of the licenced amateurs taking the test these were G3+3 and the B licence came in in the 1960, the confusion with radio amateur came in with the issue of the G2+2 and the G5 +2 later as they had been issued before the war. the G9 callsign is intended for professional use on all bands specific to experiment only, it is not an amateur call sign at present though amateurs can get one, also the G5+3 was issued as a development call sign for 27 mhz. I personally knew G2AC, G5HH and G2DAF, along with some others of much lesser note.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I asked Ofcom about a G9 and they looked blank at me..!

[@BrianMorrison]

The original 2DAF was a pre-war Artificial Aerial licence, meaning that you could build transmitters but only operate them into a non-radiating termination (dummy load). After 1946 these became A licences with a G added in front of the pre-war identifier.

[@K4SRF]

Outside of the club call signs, can a user request a "Vanity" call sign? For example, when I was first licensed, my call sign was KN4ZEC, but I requested, and was granted the vanity call sign K4SRF. Do individual Ham Radio Operators have the same option?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Not here.. Ylu CAN apply for a contest callsign but ONLY for contests and if you don't use it, you lose it.

[@BrianMorrison]

Currently, with the exception of a list of callsigns held by Ofcom some of which are considered rude or are reserved for historical reasons, people have been able to get hold of all sorts of out of sequence callsigns that old hands would regard as a variant of grave-robbing, but other people have no such compunction. Those of us licensed for the best part of 50 years tend not to like this, but we do not have the final say. I don't know which callsigns are being issued new these days if one does not specify or request a callsign, but I have a suspicion that G is a far more popular country prefix than M for some reason 😛

[@johnorrells3797]

I stand to be corrected but the old grey matter tells be the M5 three letter were for foreign calls before the CEPT reciprocal licence. A long time ago before I was licenced I understand G6 was for amateur television before they reissued them. Think G9 was suppose to be experimental non amateur and Calum 😊

[@Paul_1967]

Hi John I received a G6 class B license callsign before getting a class A G4 licence in the 1980's

[@johnorrells3797]

@@Paul_1967 yes Paul my call G6DQY was issued in the early 1980's but I understand well before this G6 was Special TV call, perhaps someone can confirm ( or not) this was the case.

[@russellbaker7098]

It was G5 that was used for reciprocal licences and also anyone living in the UK that was not a UK citizen. One of our club members is Dutch and had a G5 callsign. They withdrew them and he was issued a M0 call instead

[@patrickmolloy6994]

...and the 2 letter M5's get forgotten every time! So annoying! LOL 73 de M5PM 🇬🇧

[@BrianMorrison]

@@russellbaker7098 The G5+3 series were withdrawn because some people were able to identify certain clandestine military and intelligence bases by plotting the addresses of these foreign amateurs and putting a spot pretty much in the middle of the clusters so created. Can you say Menwith Hill?

[@Rick-se5qm]

I recently worked a UK station, that I worked previously, but with a different call sign. I congratulated him on the upgrade, but he went on to explain that they are allowed to keep their original call and use it whenever they please. Did I understand that correctly?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

You CAN keep your old / previous callsign but if used, you also must only use the privilages that come with it.. So if you have a 2E0 call (50W max) but you upgrade to M-Zero.. Then if you ever use the 2E0 again, you have to dial back to 50W.

[@sall7661]

I may be wrong with this as i am stretching my memory back 60 years, but i thought G9 callsigns were for commercial use and possibly military and thus were not issued to amateurs.

[@russellbaker7098]

Yes that's right. A load of them were issued in the months preceding legal CB radio for testing purposes. I don't think they bother now. I think Calum would have previously been issued with a G9 call for his high power antenna testing work but not now

[@workroommadness3921]

Oi! No mention of us G6’s. We really pushed VHF. I worked the whole of Europe on VHF back in the 80s

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I'm sure. The club I was originally with had a huge VHF bunch of guys and gals.

[@jimjungle1397]

The City of Gibraltar? The Falkland Islands? Normally here in America, call signs do get shorter, fewer letters, the higher the license. Some newer licenses do get additional letter at the front, because they've run out of shorter call signs in those regions.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Gibraltar and Falklands run their own thing.. DX Entity so don't start with Gs and Ms etc.

[@TomG2NV]

Gibraltar uses ZB & ZG prefixes and The Falkland Islands issues VP8+2/3 calls, other British Overseas Territory's (Fourteen in total) issue calls with ZC-ZD and VP-VR-VQ prefixes among others. 73.

[@didierpenchenat6494]

Thought that in france we were champions of complicated administration with our callsigns, I'm pleased to see I'm wrong HI! Can't see what ALT means.

[@dasy2k1]

Then you have the special range call signs that don't generally relate to people. GB3AB being a repeater for example GB7AB being a digital repeater (DMR, YSF, Dstar etc) MB7AB is a packet Digipeater (mainly APRS) MB7ABC however is a simplex voice gateway.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Oh yes! Callsigns not for people!

[@BrianMorrison]

@@DXCommanderHQ The best sort, that you never speak to.

[@thomasclancy4607]

Hello Lord Callum. You should do some drum covers like Sina. 73--Tom, NC3Y

[@DXCommanderHQ]

If I was a good looking as Sina and had a whole family of sound engineers! LOL

[@thomasclancy4607]

@@DXCommanderHQ LOL. You're right and her sister is even better looking!

[@JohnLedger-z4r]

We have had special call sign s at our club for children in need ! Cal GB0 CIN so sometimes other call sign s pop up to confuse us !😂 Keep up with the channel Calum great job !

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Love that!

[@johnjones2259]

Great Vid Cal de GW9Z and MC0HMJ … and GW1YQM

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thank you!

[@tapretals698]

good vid, thx Cal. M7OLE

[@NatesRandomVideo]

I assume with no “vanity” system Cal, you guys also don’t have any “family” rights to a call sign? When my father passed here in the Colonies (grin) I could have applied for and received his call as long as it matched my privileges in length - which it did. But I liked mine better and a young ham who liked my dad politely asked me privately if I wasn’t going to use it if I minded if he applied for it as a vanity. I didn’t mind at all. He’s using it to this day.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK, so you CAN apply for a family call. I don't know the procedure but I have heard it happen.. PS - Nice story.

[@petereverett1455]

There's a good list of callsign prefixes on Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Call_signs_in_the_United_Kingdom#Call_sign_assignments_for_amateur_radio Club prefixes elsewhere are GC, GT, GN etc. 2E1 callsigns have been issued for at least the last 12 months for intermediate (I had 2W1) although I think some 2E1s were issued for a short time many years ago. Don't forget the temporary GQ/MQ prefixes that were used during June, and the /70 suffix!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Oh yes, and Special callsigns... But let us not confuse the folks! :)

[@JelsterUK]

The "original" 2xXXX callsigns came from an early attempt at a more basic licence when we still had the old A & B system. My Nephew was a 2E1 while he was at school (he's now in his 40's, so it was some time ago!).

[@CC-hk6vy]

Thanks for explaining this as I had no idea. Very confusing system changing callsign, 😕 thanks for clarity. I like just end/stroke which is even optional. What is Alternative? Standing on my head or under a certain speed?

[@petereverett1455]

/Alternative is when you are at a fixed address but not the address you've registered with Ofcom (e.g. a friend's house).

[@johnorrells3797]

I thought /A was scrapped a long time ago just leaving /P and /M Mind you I find which to use out of P and M confusing I suppose It doesn't really matter as they are optional, in my mind if I can drive off with the aerial on I'm /M if not /P

[@Dave-VK5PL]

@@johnorrells3797 Exactly, if you are moving along your are Mobile, not moving, Portable.

[@johnorrells3797]

@@Dave-VK5PL what about if you were just pulled up on the side of the road for say five minutes, or three hours

[@Dave-VK5PL]

@@johnorrells3797 parked - Portable, driving - Mobile

[@russellbaker7098]

Hey Cal, I think the objection to those guys getting calls like G5XX now is that to those of us licenced in the post war years, the two letter calls were older, wiser people who should be respected (with notable exceptions). Now anyone can get one it debases that tradition. There is jealousy too of course. I have a G4XXX call but I'm not allowed to change it to a shorter call. But someone else, newly qualified is allowed to get a shorter call

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes - and like all traditions, it soon goes to pot as soon as a change is introduced! :)

[@TomG2NV]

Or looking at it another way. Older, wiser people who were all but totally forgotten/ resting in obscurity until their calls began to be re-issued! what is truly ironic and clearly lost on those complaining about "Grave robbed callsigns" is that until the late 1930's many of the old 1x2 calls where routinely re-issued, many on multiple occasions! Meaning your sainted granddad's callsign might have belonged to 2/3/4 other peoples granddad between 1919 & 1939.

[@BrianMorrison]

@@TomG2NV While that may well be true some of us like to hang on to our prejudices.

[@magnusb6311]

Really nice video of explaining the UK callsigns. I think I pretty much had it down before watching this video. I would like you to expand to the V-callsigns. Can you explain all the V-calls (well not VK) that exist and how they work in relation to the G/M/2E0 calls? Example, if M0XYZ is in South Orkney, Antarctica or Tristan da Cunha how can you fiddle your identifier around to fit the locations or is it just VP8/M0XYZ? How does a foundation license call look like in Falklands etc? 73

[@patrickmolloy6994]

you don't hack anything. If the country you're visiting is country code ABC - and you get that from that country's licence authority...or amateur radio - then Cal would become ABC/M0MCX and I'd be ABC/M5PM.

[@magnusb6311]

@@patrickmolloy6994 I'm asking about brittish territories. Not other countries

[@patrickmolloy6994]

@@magnusb6311 we follow OffCom as per our licence conditions and overseas we follow the local guidelines - and British overseas territories are usually autonomous., (The Channel Islands asked to stay under Offcom) ..Tristan da Cunha for example, I believe is ZD9, so I'd be ZD9M5PM. I think

[@geoffpriestley7001]

Foundation and intermediate licences are not recognised in most over seas countries and can't be used maritime mobile

[@DXCommanderHQ]

This video covered only UK. If CEPT rules allow, and I go to another DX entity I would be DX/M0MCX (I think!)

[@kevinmatthews2620]

G2 and 2 letters were issued in the 1930s, as were the G8 and 2 letters i know this as i have a G2 call and a friend of mine who lives near me has a G8, when i got my G2 call the chap @ Spectrum told me over the phone when ordering it(the callsign), that it had never been prevously issued on its original run :), bonus i get a circa 1930s calls for the first time ,not bad for £20 :) :), regards the cockup you mentioned for the G2 calls its just snobbery plain and simple when i first used my G2 on 80m ssb i attempted to have a qso with 2 chaps in birmingham area, and soon as they found out i was not the original holder they suddenly could not hear me despite 400w into a dx commander with a 80m inverted L, the very same night , i worked into slovenia jn76 grid @ 5 &9, hence why i deliberately avoid the G mob on on ssb uk too snobby for there own good imho and a lot of them are not good operators in my own experience, the very same g3/g4 stations on ft8 can not figure out your signal is 50hz wide and insist on txing 5 hz away from you, must be something to do with the way they operate on ssb :) (my opinion/my experience sad to say)

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Excellent!

[@paulsengupta971]

Are there any original two letter callsign people still alive?

[@kevinmatthews2620]

@@paulsengupta971 proably pushing it tbh honest ,even if licensed in 1938 @ 20 they would be around the the 104 mark, so more than likely no, but if they were issued post ww2 still a strong possibility

[@cthoadmin7458]

Missed the island of Alderney, GY I believe.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I don't believe Alderney is listed. It comes under Guernsey.

[@msn164]

When will we see more of the new unit? Don’t think we’ve seen any of it since you moved in.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Erm.. I think I did show it.. No idea which video that was - but we can do a tour when we're back from Cornwall.. Good idea.

[@MENSA.lady2]

What about G4xxx/AM for aeronautical mobile.

[@TrimeshSZ]

You seem to have missed out the G8s and G6s from your list. (I'm an old G6, although I haven't operated for years...)

[@BrianMorrison]

We G8s don't care whether we are missed out or not.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Doesn't matter. I said they've all been used bar G9 I think.. But hey, like Brian says, you guys don't mind!

[@MENSA.lady2]

Nice man cave.

[@NivagSwerdna]

I chose my three letters to be good in CW... ETA... not sure it was a very clever choice in retrospect. 73 DE M0ETA

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Haha!

[@izzetmuroz]

Hi got a question for you all. I am from Turkey and temperately living in London/UK got my full amateur radio licence ( Harec ) . What prefix do l need to use.? My call sign is TA3APW .

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Use G/TA3APW

[@izzetmuroz]

@@DXCommanderHQ Cal thank you and l look forward to meeting you on air... 73....

[@pitpit64]

What happens if went on holiday to Italy (for example) and went on the air? Would it effect your callsign?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Look up CEPT.. There should be questions in the exam about this. But yeah. Just follow the rules!

[@pitpit64]

@@DXCommanderHQ I'm a total stranger to the Ham world I'll have to look up to understand your answer. I used to dabble with a CB back in the 80's, Upper and Lower side bands were very interesting.I would like to study and get my ham licence,but i wouldn't be able to afford such an expensive hobby!! No one has just a beat up ham radio and a wire!! It doesn't work like that in real life.. I do have a couple of hand held Baofengs 82 which i listen to,but there's never any body on even with 0 squelch hahahahaha

[@graeme9184]

Is the G5xxx series still being issued? If you don't like the callsign issued as your final highest level call in uk, The only way to change it if it's not exceptional circumstances is to surrender your licence & wait 2 years. Exceptional circumstances could be a stutter on certain letters.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Well I didn't know that!

[@BrianMorrison]

A callsign is a station identifier, why would you care what it is?

[@stargazer7644]

@@BrianMorrison Because it becomes your name on the radio and you use it constantly. Also, if you work CW, you really don't want a long or confusing callsign because it can cause lots of logging mistakes. If you got issued WH0RE you might want to change it. Lots of people like to get their initials, or a word relating to radio or electronics or their radio interests like W1ANT, K2OHM, N9GHZ or N2SEX.

[@BrianMorrison]

@@stargazer7644 In the past, UK callsigns with such connotations were not issued anyway and indeed they are not issued now. Callsigns were issued in strict sequence and the only way to get what you wanted was to reserve a callsign and wait for the sequence to reach it. This was the way of things, some of us view it as the one and only correct way. Of course other people don't, which just shows how the world has changed in my lifetime. I suppose it doesn't matter to some people but it does to me.

[@stargazer7644]

@@BrianMorrison The call was an example. Perhaps a more realistic example is someone who does CW would likely have serious problems with WJ0OMO. What makes your way the "correct" way? What difference does it make if callsigns are issued out of order? If I'd like to have my initials in my call, what does that take away from you?

[@DominicMazoch]

Let me guess. The area within the City of London where the Queen has to have the Mayor's permission to enter has its own call sign rules?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Haha...

[@TonyBlews]

it always irks me that you can't make a uk numberplate out of a 2E0 callsign. Not as much as the fact that someone registered my M7TXB and put it on a bloody BMW!

[@chrisg7veo495]

Could you do a video on US callsigns? just an idea

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I would but I think that's one for the USA boys! :)

[@stargazer7644]

The US callsign system is similar, but has changed a lot over the years. With the introduction of the vanity call system, basically it is almost anything goes, with restrictions based on license class, and in a few instances it is restricted based on location such as Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico. US is issued K,N,W, and AA to AL prefixes. The number indicates what region of the country you lived in when it was first issued, but only if it isn't a vanity call. The format (length) of the call indicates what class license you have. Shorter calls for higher classes, though you can also get a lower class (longer) call if no higher class ones are available as is usually the case now. I tried to include a link that explains it, but that got my comment censored.