It does beg the question of why if both islands and mainland will be operated from during a holiday, then why use of both EI and EJ isn’t mentioned as an option!
But more importantly, don’t you just love being proved right? Especially when those arguing in the other corner include an MT colleague and a family member!
Feeling deep satisfaction at this precise moment
Notwithstanding the fact that the answer from Comreg seems deeply flawed, almost as though the person that wrote it doesn’t really understand the licensing system. I’ve had replies of this nature from our own Ofcom as well in the past! Us lot just need to be sensible, responsible and legal in how we go about our hobby; we’ve probably got much more clue than the administrators working in those governing bodies!
I am somewhat relieved that my reading and comprehension skills have been retained though. Apparently I am losing brain cells at an alarming rate, so you never can tell!
When I contacted COMREG about using QO-100 they would do it as a special event at 30€ per location so to activate all the EI grids would cost a few 100s of €. So we have not gone to Ireland !
There is a much cheaper option than this, which I am surprised was not suggested to you (although perhaps not if they thought you’d be willing to hand over a few dozen €30s).
You can simply apply for a regular permanent Irish licence, which ComReg will issue on foot of any one of your UK Full licence, RAE/Full exam pass certificate, or HAREC certificate (obtainable free of charge from Ofcom). No further exam is required. You will also need proof of having passed a Morse test (5+ wpm) if you want to obtain a Class 1 callsign (two letter suffix e.g. EI2AA), absent this you will get a Class 2 callsign (three letter suffix ending B, e.g. EI2AAB) - but there is absolutely no difference whatsoever in privileges, with both having full access to HF and all other bands at full power.
There is no requirement to live in Ireland, hold Irish citizenship or intend to move to Ireland to do so. You will need to provide an Irish address at which your (notional) station will be “located”, but it is nothing more than this and you are not claiming to live there - the same requirement applies even to Visitor’s Licences. I am sure an Irish SOTAer would be willing to assist in this matter if necessary.
The licence incurs a once-off fee of €100 if you are under 65 or €30 if you are over 65, for a lifetime licence. You would then need to pay €30 (no discount for over 65s) for Additional Authorisation to use the QO-100 uplink band, which lasts 12 months. After 12 months, another Additional Authorisation application can be submitted, incurring the same fee. Unlike a Special Event station, this is not restricted to a specific location and can be used at any location in the country just like the underlying licence.
I had tried something along those lines but using “post restante” because I didn’t have a real address to collect mail. I would have picked up any mail on crossing the border. This was spotted by ComReg who then suggested the “Special Event” route and returned my €30. Perhaps as you say contact a SOTA person and borrow an address.
Given time ComReg may change their mind and the 2.4GHz uplink is added to the basic license and CEPT.
We went to France and did a few grids and summits on QO-100.
