I thought about resurrecting a previous post in relation to the changes that OFCOM are implementing , but wanted to highlight one specific area.
I have had a couple of chats on a net recently about re-issuing of old callsigns for new licensees or an Amateur that wants to change their callsign? (Similar to the Vanity Calls in USA)
So My question is: How many established Operators on here, have looked at it and how many will consider it?
As most of you know, when I passed my Advance Exam, my Uncle donated his “B” class to me which I hold and is obviously dear to my heart.
But this got thinking about the potential issues that it may or may not cause, does any one have any positives to throw at us on here?
I have been thinking about this the past few months as having kept my foundation licence M6WKR alongside M0OAT I prefer the M6 to my full mainly sentimental reasons but enjoy the perks that come with a full licence (60m band and power when needed)
Now that OFCOM are making changes and I may have to surrender the call M6WKR if there is an option to purchase a full licence call ending WKR I may be tempted. It would be great if OFCOM could provide some basic history with a reissued callsign, could probably start a new event RICOTA re-issued call on the air.
yes I agree , I actually gave back my M6 and 2E0 Callsigns, as soon as I passed my Advanced, so don’t really have any sentimental value of them, but it will feel weird when I hear them on air anytime.
My understanding is that changing your call sign “at will” is only going to be possible 5 years after all of the changes have come in. One exception to this is that 2E0 and 2E1 stations can surrender those calls and choose an M8 or M9 call. It’s probably best that anyone thinking of doing this does it sooner rather than later as eventually you will be allocated whatever is left from the M8/M9 calls. Ofcom are taking all “2” calls back.
just had a quick read of the OFCOM Guide and I copy and pasted this extract below:
“Licensees will also be able to change their call sign periodically. This will also be limited to 5 year periods to minimise risk of confusion and maintain the unique identity of a station, meaning that if a person obtained their call sign on 1 January 2022, they will be able to change their call sign on 1 January 2027. This facility will be available via the licensing platform and will not require an individual to submit evidence to support their request”
This was what I read, hence my original Post?
If I wanted to change my call it looks like I could ask for a reissued one or an M0 that has not been issued yet??
Hi Tony,
I could have misinterpreted the 5-Year rule - as you have had your call already for over 5 years you probably will be able to apply for a different call. I get the feeling that this option will only become available once the removal of multiple call signs held by one person is complete, as that action will put a lot of free calls back into the “pool”.
We’ll hopefully know more once OFCOM get to this stage of their changes.
I wonder whether all groups of call letters will then be available to any class of licence?
Hi Ed, that’s my interpretation also,
I think apart from 2 calls , That OFCOM will still issue prefixes that relate to your level. This would probably free up any Old G calls for advance level license only. It would be very detrimental to say “have a Foundation level license” with a “G” callsign and extremely confusing?? IMHO
Well, that has occurred with similar revisions in Australia. Previously a Foundation licence had 4 letters starting with F, the Intermediate (standard) had 3 letters starting with H, L, M, N, P or V, and the Full licence was either three letters starting with any letter apart from those allocated to the Standard call plus not R (repeaters), plus and calls with 2 or 1 letter suffixes.
Now any class operator can have any call sign with a 3-letter extension (except R). Only the 1 or 2-letter suffixes tell you the station holds a full licence.
I doubt it. Ofcom rely on UK amateurs to police themselves on adhering to their license conditions. I imagine that licensing authorities in other countries do much the same. Until now that’s been possible based on recognizing the operator’s callsign as being full, intermediate or foundation class. That wouldn’t be possible if the license class couldn’t be determined by the operator’s callsign.
I suspect the full flexibility on new callsigns will be only for full licences, hence the planned migration of intermediate 2#0 and 2#1 to the new M8 and M9 prefixes and current M7 for foundation.