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QFCOM Changes to call signs. (3 replies and 1 comment)
My understanding was that where a licensee holds several callsigns with different privileges (i.e. Foundation, Intermediate and Full), the callsigns relating to the lower level licences have to be surrendered - whereas a licensee who holds, say, a G8 and a G0 callsign could choose which to retain. I may be wrong though.
Therefore, I don't think you would find an M3/M6 transmitting at 1kW.
my understanding is certain the current M*??? and 2*0??? type callsigns you will end up with the one with the highest privilege and the rest will be surrendered
as to the older G*??? series its not clear but as far as i understood the link between callsign and privilege was staying the same
73
Peter M0PWX
(Not Pete M0PSX who runs essexham)
As mentioned it is the lower levels of licence that will be revoked. Ofcom has Not stated they will be scrapping the link between callsign block and licence level so at the present time the current system remains. However, the system of having M3 Foundation, M5 Full and M8 Intermediate is illogical, other countries have scrapped the link between call and licence type and it would make sense to do so here. It seems one enterprising Foundation holder has already managed to get himself what has hitherto been regarded as a Full callsign - M5SHA (MM5SHA). It's holder is a Foundation licensee and is you look in the callsign database released on November 18, 2023, its Product Type is shown as Foundation. In the January 11, 2024 database the Product Type is shown as Blank. Certainly confusing. I personally hope Ofcom will take advantage of the introduction of the new Online Licensing system to scrap the link between Call & Class but they've not said anything yet
Ofcom is not breaking the link between callsign prefix and licence privileges which I believe is a good thing.. I much prefer the UK system, where the station's operating parameters are clear from its callsign, to the US system. The only way to know a US licensee's privileges, and therefore which HF band segments they can use, is to look up their callsign in the FCC database.
The Ofcom guidance document on the new licence published last month says:
"Individuals will be limited to holding one personal licence, and therefore call sign, at any one time (excluding any temporary special event call signs).
"When a licensee progresses to the next level of licence, their lower-level licence will be revoked. Licensees can retain their highest-level licence; in cases where licensees hold multiple Full Licences, will be required to nominate those they wish to keep, and surrender the others."
If you wait for Ofcom to act later in the year, you will automatically keep your highest-level licence and your other licences will be revoked. Those with two callsigns at their highest level, which was possible before the abolition of Morse as a licensing requirement to operate below 30MHz (one Class B licence without HF privileges and one Class A licence with HF privileges) will be asked to nominate which of their callsigns they want to retain; I would expect that Ofcom will set a deadline for the licensee to inform them of their choice and a failure to respond will mean Ofcom chooses which licence to revoke. Most of the 'two callsigns at your highest level' cases will be Full licensees, but it is possible that some are Intermediate.
Anyone wanting to give up your additional licences now or retain a licence other than your highest-level licence should contact Ofcom Spectrum Licensing. Those thinking about giving up your highest-level licence should think very carefully, as your operating privileges will be those of the licence you retained after Ofcom implements your decision. The situation that @rbannocks mooted is impossible - a Full licensee cannot choose to have their M6 Foundation callsign issued as a Full licence; if someone in this position chooses their M6 callsign then they will only have a Foundation licence going forward.
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Hi,
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0033/272985/Updating-the-amatuer-radio-licensing-framework-overview-of-key-changes.pdf
and
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0037/272998/Statement-Updating-the-amateur-radio-licensing-framework.pdf
Can someone clarify with the now to be implemented rules as currently call signs are tied licenses old licenses and as lesser licenses will be withdrawn, this means that you will end up with just one call sign.
The second document goes on to say:
3.10 We recognise the sentimental value which some licensees attach to call signs; under our proposal individuals are still able to retain their exam certificates as they progress through the licensing system and will be able to choose which call sign they retain. However, we have considered these points alongside the anticipated benefits of ensuring the unique identity of a station is maintained and improving efficiency in the licensing system.
So this implies that you can keep oen of your callsigns. Hence I may choose to keep my foundation M6.. callsign. In my understanding then they are breaking the link between callsign prefixes and licence levels, so in principle you will find M6s M7s transmitting at 1kW in the future?
Have I understood?
Regards