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:
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POSSIBLE SUFFIX LETTERS:
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| PREFIX EXAMPLES:
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SUFFIX EXAMPLES:
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This weeks meeting of the Keighley Radio Club is on the 19th Febuary and will be in The Bronte, Lees Lane, Keighley BD22 8RA at 20:00
Shirley M0KWS, Secretary
30 November 2025 