UK amateur radio callsigns.
Amateur radio callsigns issued in the UK to individual operators, with class of licence and dates issued alongside, are listed in the table below. For simplicity, these UK amateur radio callsigns are categorised against the current Foundation, Intermediate, and Full classes.
| Callsign | Class of licence | Dates issued |
|---|---|---|
| M7 + 3 letter | Foundation | 2018 - onwards |
| M6 + 3 letters | Foundation | 2008 - 2018 |
| M3 + 3 letters | Foundation | 2002 - 2008 |
| M5 + 3 letters | Full | 1999 - 2000 |
| M0 + 3 letters | Full | 1996 - onwards |
| M1 + 3 letters | Full | 1996 - 2000 |
| 2x0 + 3 letters | Intermediate | 1991 - onwards |
| 2x1 + 3 letters | Intermediate | 1991 - 2000 |
| G7 + 3 letters | Full | 1988 - 1996 |
| G0 + 3 letters | Full | 1985 - 1995 |
| G1 + 3 letters | Full | 1983 - 1987 |
| G6 + 3 letters | Full | 1981 - 1982 |
| G4 + 3 letters | Full | 1971 - 1984 |
| G8 + 3 letters | Full | 1964 - 1981 |
| G3 + 3 letters | Full | 1946 - 1971 |
| G2/3/4/5/6/8 + 2 letters | Full | 1920 - 1939 |
| G2 + 3 letters | Full | 1920 - 1939 |
The dates shown have been obtained by researching the RSGB Yearbook and therefore presumed to be correct. Some dates shown on other websites may differ from those shown here.
What is amateur radio?
Amateur radio is a popular technical hobby and volunteer public service. As a licensed amateur radio operator, you are permitted to transmit and receive radio signals on frequency bands allocated for use by amateur radio amateurs. Amateur radio operators use these designated bands of radio frequencies for non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, and emergency communications. A 1910 announcement by the then HM Postmaster General licensed “experimental wireless”, which still uniquely gives radio amateurs the ability to innovate without commercial or statutory controls even in the closely regulated environment of the 21st century. Amateur radio is the only hobby governed by international treaty.
Amateur radio operators use amateur radio bands for a variety of purposes:
- Contacting people all over the world by radio often leads to developing international friendships,
- Competing in international competitions to test the effectiveness of their equipment and their skill as radio operators,
- Technical experimentation — many of the leaps forward in radio technology have been initiated by radio amateurs,
- Communication through amateur space satellites or with the International Space Station (which carries an amateur radio station),
- Providing communications at times of emergencies and undertaking exercises to maintain that capability.
There is no better way to explore the fascinating world of radio communications than by becoming a radio amateur.
You can also find out more through the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) https://rsgb.org/
