Foundation, Advance & Full Licence

The RSGB’s “Advance, the Full Licence” book comprehensively prepares candidates for the Full License examination.

LICENCE	Max. Power	General Limitations
FOUNDATION	50w	HF (160m to 10m), VHF (2m) and UHF (70cm) Commercially made equipment only UK Only
INTERMEDIATE	100w	All UK Amateur Frequencies Can build / Repair equipment from kits or published plans UK Only
FULL	1KW	All UK Amateur Frequencies Can build / Repair equipment from scratch Can operate abroad where reciprocal agreements exist Can operate Maritime Mobile with permission of the Ship’s Master.

At first, Amateur Radio Station call signs appear to comprise a semi-random collection of letters and numbers, but there is some logic involved (although they’re not as simple to understand as the generally accepted and used FreeBand call signs). The first letter (nearly always) identifies the country in which the licence was issued, and the remaining letters and numbers identify the individual that holds the licence, and perhaps some information about the level of licence held.

LICENCE	Current Typical Format	Meaning / Historical	Examples
FOUNDATION	M6abc	“M” indicates a UK Licence, “6” indicates the licence is Foundation level “abc” are the individual’s unique identification letters Previous to “M6” Licenses, Foundation holders were issued “M3”. There is no difference in the two, the change to M6 was simply made because the majority of M3 call-signs had been used.	M6MAD, M6ERG, M3CDE, MD4CAT
INTERMEDIATE	2x0abc	“2×0” indicates a UK Intermediate Licence), “x” is the Regional Identifier (see below) “abc” are the individual’s unique identification letters	2E0QWE, 2W0DAI, 2M0MCC
FULL	M0abc	“M” indicates a UK Licence, “0” indicates the licence is Full level “abc” are the individual’s unique identification letters Previous to “M0” Licenses, all UK Class 1 and Class 2 Licenses were prefixed “G”. Before the Morse requirement was lifted the last digit usually indicated a Class 1 or Class 2 licence determining whether the licence holder had completed the mandatory Morse Speed Test and could use HF frequencies, or was limited to VHF and above. Now all “G” licenses and “M0” have exactly the same privileges.	M0SDY, M0DAN, MI0MIL

A Summary of UK Callsigns follows:

Call sign	Issue dates and details
G2 + 2 letters	1920 – 1939
G3 + 2 letters	1937 – 1938
G4 + 2 letters	1938 – 1939
G5 + 2 letters	1921 – 1939
G6 + 2 letters	1921 – 1939
G8 + 2 letters	1936 – 1937
G1 + 3 letters	1983 – 1988 – originally issued as Class B licence
G2 + 3 letters	Originally issued as “Artificial Aerial” licence
G2 + 3 letters	Originally issued as “Artificial Aerial” licence
G3 + 3 letters	Issued between 1946 and 1971. Originally issued to amateur radio Class A licence holders
G4 + 3 letters	Issued between 1971 and 1985. Originally issued to amateur radio class A licence holders.
G5 + 3 letters	Originally issued to foreign nationals as a form of reciprocal ham radio licence. They were withdrawn and either they used existing home calls with additional UK prefix / callsign, or if applicable they could apply for UK licence.
G6 + 3 letters	1981 – 1983. Originally issued as a class B licence
G7 + 3 letters	1989 – 1996. Originally issued as a class B licence
G8 + 3 letters	1964 – 1981. Originally issued as a class B licence
G0 + 3 letters	1986 – 1996. Originally issued as a class A licence
M1 + 3 letters	1996 – . Originally issued as a class B licence.
M0 + 3 letters	1996 – . Originally issued as a class A licence
M3 + 3 letters	Foundation licence.
M6 + 3 letters	Foundation licence, from May 2008.

UK Amateur Licenses also include a Mandatory Prefix and an optional (but recommended Best Practice) Suffix when used.

PREFIX	SUFFIX
PURPOSE: – The Prefix Letter indicates from which Country within the United Kingdom the Radio is currently being operated. If no Prefix is shown it is assumed to be operating in the Default Country, England. However, for Intermediate licenses (only) the “E” is required (eg 2E0MLN).	MEANING: – Inclusion of the Suffix letters used to be Mandatory but is now optional (although Recommended). The letter(s) indicate the type of location from which the station is transmitting.
POSSIBLE PREFIX LETTERS: W – Wales M – Scotland I – Northern Ireland D – Isle of Man J – Jersey G – Guernsey E – England (Intermediate only)	POSSIBLE SUFFIX LETTERS: No Suffix – The Station is being operated from the Registered Address of the Licence Holder. /M – Mobile. On foot, Car/Van/Truck or aboard a boat on an inland waterway. /A – Alternate. A UK Address other than the register station. /P – Portable. Operating from a location that does not have a Postcode (eg, Hilltop or Field). /MM – Maritime Mobile (Full Licence only)
PREFIX EXAMPLES:     MW6DSA – MW=Wales/6=Foundation – Foundation Licence in Wales MM3TYU – MM=Scotland/3=Foundation – Foundation Licence in Scotland M0POP – No regional identifier, default is England – Full Licence in England 2D0CAT – “D” identifier=Isle of Man/2×0=Intermediate. MG6TOM – Foundation Licence in Guernsey 2E0CCT – Intermediate Licence in England. (the “E” only shows in the Intermediate Licence)	SUFFIX EXAMPLES: M6NBV/M – Foundation Licence, in England, currently Mobile MM0WEB – No Suffix, Default is at Registered Address, Full Licence at Home in Scotland 2J0RUT/A – Intermediate Licence Currently at Alternative Address in Jersey MW3TRS/P – Foundation Station operating “Portable” in Wales M0TMP/MM – UK Full licence operating from a Ship or Boat on Tidal waters.