Hi Andy I suspect you will get a few of these in the next few weeks. Could you please change my call sign from 2E0BIA to M8BIA
For your info Ofcom tell me that 2E0s will change to M8 and
2E1 will be M9
For other Intermediate hams who want to change their callsign this is a useful explanation: https://www.essexham.co.uk/intermediate-m8-and-m9-callsigns-now-available.html
Thanks
Martin
Hi Martin,
Just a point, although Ofcom are reserving the equivalent call signs - e.g. 2E0BIA has M8BIA reserved and 2E1BIA has M9BIA reserved for them, you don’t have to take the reserved call. Any Intermediate licence holder who voluntarily changes their call can choose a different extension as long as it is not reserved or already issued, and that can be from the M8 or M9 pool.
As there have not been very many 2E1 calls issued, there are lots of free (not reserved) M9 extensions available to choose from.
In short, now is a good time to change to M8 or M9 as you have a choice, rather than waiting for Ofcom to forcibly change you to the equivalent call.
This is part of Phase 2/ Phase 3 implementation, which also includes forfeiture of extra personal callsigns (usually from keeping calls from earlier licence classes).
73 Ed.
P.S. for others who want to change their displayed callsign on the reflector, it’s better to use the contact form here: Summits on the Air
I’d like a snazzy MW9 callsign but I quite like my unusual 2W1 as well. Ofcom are going to take either off me at some point anyway 
Thanks Ed. I did understand that. I actually wanted BIA as both my other call signs had that. As you said it is a good opportunity to get the call sign you want. The most interesting one I have heard about is M9MMM or in Scotland MM9MMM that’s a lot of Mike’s!
Martin formally known as 2E0BIA. 73
PS. I have a large number of out of date QSL cards for sale. Get them for historical interest or could be shredded and repurposed for rabbit bedding.
M9MMM formally 2E0YYY - Mike! His foundation callsign was M6MMM! a lot of Mikes! Ive seen it on social media way before Ofcom even announced it! Anyway I’m going to keep my callsign as it is, mainly due to all the QSL cards I ordered a while back. Once they have been used up I will attempt the full licence again.
73 Dom (Still keeping 2E0KIO)
Does this mean there won’t be any more “2E:” and other “2” calls?
I have yet to ever get a real QSL from a “2” callsign on any band or mode.
I have worked some.
K6YK
The plan is:
Anyone with a 2xxxxx call (IL intermediate licence) can change to an M8 or M9 call online now.
Anyone passing the IL exam from now on will get an M8 or M9 call.
At some point in the future all remaining 2 calls will be changed to M8 or M9 but how far in the future isn’t being said.
I would suggest you do your best to engineer a QSO with someone who hasn’t changed their 2 call and is willing to QSL.
The other important take is that the UK is finally reissuing expired/lapsed/returned licences. We’re now like most other countries in that your call may be new or may have been previously well used. The calls have to remain out of issue for 5 years before they will be reissued.
OK.
I can’t say I ever heard of a M8 or 9 before. Something new to me.
K6YK
They have only been in existence for about 3 days John !
Early adopter here - although they’d already been out for a day by the time I got to it…
…so I lost the opportunity to nab an M8 (dah dah dah didit). Easier than 2E0 regardless, so I’m pleased.
I was also thinking that Mike Eight would be easier to convey on a marginal voice QSO… but it’s too late now!
Yes Phase 3 involves reducing the number of personal calls held, down to just one.
73 Ed.