Introduction
Amateur radio, or ham radio, call signs are unique identifiers for the 60,000 or so licensed operators in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and Channel Islands (UK). Call signs are regulated internationally by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) as well as nationally by the UK’s Office of Communication, known as Ofcom. Ofcom regulates amateur radio in the UK as an independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services. It assigns call signs, issues amateur radio licences, allocates frequency spectrum, and monitors the airwaves.
The Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) is the UK’s recognised national society for amateur radio operators and it represents the interests of the UK’s licensed radio amateurs.
Callsign Blocks for Telecommunication
The ITU has assigned the UK the following call sign blocks for all radio communication, broadcasting or transmission.
| Callsign Block | Principal Use |
|---|---|
| GAA – GZZ | Domestic |
| MAA – MZZ | Domestic |
| VPA – VQZ | Oceanic islands, Antarctica |
| VSA – VSZ | |
| ZBA – ZJZ | Gibraltar, Middle East, south Atlantic |
| ZNA – ZOZ | |
| ZQA – ZQZ | |
| 2AA – 2ZZ | Domestic |
While not directly related to call signs, the ITU further has divided all countries assigned amateur radio prefixes into three regions; the UK is located in ITU Region 1.
Callsign Assignments for Amateur Radio
Ofcom allots the individual call signs to the amateurs it licences. Call signs are the property of Ofcom even when assigned.
| Prefixes + letters in suffix | Licence class | Issue Dates and Details |
|---|---|---|
| M3 + 3 Letters | Foundation Licence | 2002 – 2008 |
| M6 + 3 Letters | Foundation Licence | 2008 – ???? Current Foundation allocation is now (as in 2025) drawing from the M7 callsign block. |
| 2E0 + 3 Letters | Intermediate Licence | 1991 – date. Originally issued as Class A Novice until 2001 when the Intermediate Licence was created. The “E” Regional Secondary Locator (RSL) is replaced by the appropriate country-specific RSL depending on the location of the transmitting antenna. |
| 2E1 + 3 Letters | Intermediate Licence | 1991 – date. Originally issued as Class B Novice with restrictions to frequencies above 30MHz until 2001 when Intermediate Licence was created. In 2003 Morse was dropped as a requirement for HF access and Classes A and B were merged. The “E” Regional Secondary Locator (RSL) is replaced by the appropriate country-specific RSL depending on the location of the transmitting antenna. |
| G1 + 3 letters | Full Licence | 1983 – 1988. Originally issued as a Class B (RAE only) licence with restriction to frequencies above 30MHz. Classes A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001) and B (RAE only) were merged into the Full Licence following the removal of Morse requirements for access to HF frequencies in 2003. |
| G2 + 2 letters | Full Licence | 1920 – 1939. Automatically became Class A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001) on the creation of Classes A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001) and B (RAE only) in 1964. Classes A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001) and B (RAE only) were merged into the Full Licence following the removal of Morse requirements for access to HF frequencies in 2003. |
| G2 + 3 letters | Full Licence | 1920 – 1939. Originally issued as "Artificial Aerial" licence. Reissued as a Full licence 1946. |
| G3 + 2 letters | Full Licence | 1937 – 1938. Automatically became Class A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001) on the creation of Classes A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001) and B (RAE only) in 1964. Classes A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001) and B (RAE only) were merged into the Full Licence following the removal of Morse requirements for access to HF frequencies in 2003. |
| G3 + 3 letters | Full Licence | 1946 – 1971. From 1954 G3+3 calls were available to those who had just completed the RAE but not demonstrated Morse proficiency, permitting operation above 420 MHz. There is no way to distinguish a Morse test G3+3 call from one that didn’t require the test. In the 1960’s no-Morse G3+3 callsigns converted to G6+3 letter ATV call signs and then subsequently changed to G8 calls. Post 1964 these were Class A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001) licences. The G3+3 letter callsigns issued prior to 1954 became Class A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001) on the creation of Class A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001) and B (RAE only) in 1964. Classes A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001) and B (RAE only) were merged into the Full Licence following the removal of Morse requirements for access to HF frequencies in 2003. From 2003 RadioCommunications Agency/Ofcom started issuing the no-Morse G3 calls back to their original Class B (G8) holders. |
| G4 + 2 letters | Full Licence | 1938 – 1939. Automatically became Class A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001) on the creation of Classes A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001) and B (RAE only) in 1964. Classes A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001) and B (RAE only) were merged into the Full Licence following the removal of Morse requirements for access to HF frequencies in 2003. |
| G4 + 3 letters | Full Licence | 1971 – 1984. Class A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001). Classes A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001) and B (RAE only) were merged into the Full Licence following the removal of Morse requirements for access to HF frequencies in 2003. |
| G5 + 2 letters | Full Licence | 1921 – 1939. Automatically became Class A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001) on the creation of Classes A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001) and B (RAE only) in 1964. Classes A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001) and B (RAE only) were merged into the Full Licence following the removal of Morse requirements for access to HF frequencies in 2003. |
| G5 + 3 letters | Overseas initially, then Full Licence | Originally issued to foreign nationals as a form of reciprocal ham radio licence. They were withdrawn and either visiting foreign nationals would use existing home calls with additional UK prefix, or if applicable they could apply for UK licence. 1966 – 1981 Following the withdrawal of the reciprocal allocation this group was issued domestically as a Class A (RAE + 12wpm/5wpm post 2001). Classes A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001) and B (RAE only) were merged into the Full Licence following the removal of Morse requirements for access to HF frequencies in 2003. Checking the Callbook (sorry, RSGB Yearbook before some pedant corrects us) for 2025 shows that there are under 200 G5+3 letter callsigns in use. |
| G6 + 2 letters | Full Licence | 1921 – 1939. Automatically became Class A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001) on the creation of Classes A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001) and B (RAE only) in 1964. Classes A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001) and B (RAE only) were merged into the Full Licence following the removal of Morse requirements for access to HF frequencies in 2003. |
| G6 + 3 letters | Full Licence | 1964 – 1977 Originally issued as a TV licence for transmitting fast scan TV. These licenses were recalled in 1977 when the ability to transmit TV was included in the general licence provision. 1981 – 1983. Reissued as Class B (RAE only) with restrictions to frequencies above 30MHz. Classes A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001) and B (RAE only) were merged into the Full Licence following the removal of Morse requirements for access to HF frequencies in 2003. |
| G7 + 3 letters | Full Licence | 1988 – 1996. Originally issued to Class B (RAE only) with restrictions to frequencies above 30MHz. Classes A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001) and B (RAE only) were merged into the Full Licence following the removal of Morse requirements for access to HF frequencies in 2003. |
| G8 + 2 letters | Full Licence | 1936 – 1937. Automatically became Class A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001) on the creation of Classes A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001) and B (RAE only) in 1964. Classes A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001) and B (RAE only) were merged into the Full Licence following the removal of Morse requirements for access to HF frequencies in 2003. |
| G8 + 3 letters | Full Licence | 1964 – 1981. Originally issued to Class B (RAE only) with restrictions to frequencies above 30MHz. Classes A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001) and B (RAE only) were merged into the Full Licence following the removal of Morse requirements for access to HF frequencies in 2003. |
| GØ + 3 letters | Full Licence | 1984 – 1996. Originally issued to Class A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001). Classes A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001) and B (RAE only) were merged into the Full Licence following the removal of Morse requirements for access to HF frequencies in 2003. |
| MØ + 3 letters | Full Licence | 1996 – date. Originally issued to Class A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001). Classes A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001) and B (RAE only) were merged into the Full Licence following the removal of Morse requirements for access to HF frequencies in 2003. |
| M1 + 3 letters | Full Licence | 1996 – 2003. Originally issued to Class B (RAE only) with restrictions to frequencies above 30MHz. Classes A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001) and B (RAE only) were merged into the Full Licence following the removal of Morse requirements for access to HF frequencies in 2003. |
| M5 + 3 letters | Full Licence | 1999 – 2003. Originally issued as a Class A/B (RAE + 5wpm CW) this licence group was upgraded to full Class A in 2001 when the CW requirements for access to the HF bands were reduced to 5wpm. Classes A (RAE + 12wpm CW/5wpm CW post 2001) and B (RAE only) were merged into the Full Licence following the removal of Morse requirements for access to HF frequencies in 2003. |
The above table draws on information published by Ofcom.
Optional regional two-letter prefixes are assigned according to the following table.
| Region | G-prefix | M-prefix | Intermediate (RSL’s Mandatory) |
G-club prefix | M-club prefix | Special event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | G | M | 2E | GX | MX | GB |
| Guernsey | GU | MU | 2U | GP | MP | GB |
| Isle of Man | GD | MD | 2D | GT | MT | GB |
| Jersey | GJ | MJ | 2J | GH | MH | GB |
| Northern Ireland | GI | MI | 2I | GN | MN | GB |
| Scotland | GM | MM | 2M | GS | MS | GB |
| Wales | GW | MW | 2W | GC | MC | GB |
Overseas Callsign Assignments
| Prefix | DXCC Entity |
|---|---|
| VP2E | Anguilla |
| VP2M | Montserrat |
| VP2V | British Virgin Isles |
| VP5 | Turks & Caicos |
| VP6 | Pitcairn Island |
| VR6 | Pitcairn Island (prior to 1 May 1998) |
| VP6D | Ducie Island (Pitcairn group) |
| VP8/F | Falkland Islands |
| VP8/G | South Georgia Island |
| VP8/O | South Orkney Island |
| VP8/SA | South Sandwich Island |
| VP8/SH | South Shetland Island |
| VP8 | Antarctica |
| VP9 | Bermuda |
| VQ9 | Chagos (Indian Ocean) |
| ZB, ZG | Gibraltar |
| ZC4 | UK Sovereign Base Areas on Cyprus |
| ZD7 | St Helena |
| ZD8 | Ascension Island |
| ZD9 | Tristan Da Cunha |
| ZF | Cayman Islands |
Reciprocal Agreements
Holders of licences in countries signed up to CEPT TR 61-01 may operate in the UK with their home call sign prefixed with an M/. Holders of licences in countries signed up to CEPT TR 61-02 can operate for 3 months before needing a UK call sign as issued by Ofcom.