Here at Essex Ham, we sometimes receive requests for help from people who are looking to get back into the hobby after a break, in some cases for as long as 30 years. To try to help, we’re putting together this page of notes on what’s changed. All suggestions and questions appreciated to help us build this up into a useful page.
What’s changed?
- The new licensing structure, which launched in 2002:
- “Foundation” (callsigns starting with ‘M3’, ‘M6’ and ‘M7’) – Maximum 25 watts
- “Intermediate” (callsigns starting with ‘2E0’ and ‘2E1’) – Maximum 100 watts
- “Full” (‘G’ callsigns, plus ‘M0’, ‘M1’ and ‘M5’) – Maximum 1,000 watts
- The new ‘lifetime’ licence, which replaced the old BR68 in 2006
- Morse code is no longer required for access to HF
- Various changes to the bandplans, including access to more of the 70cms and 40m bands
- No more requirement to maintain a logbook
- Use of CTCSS tones for repeater access – 1750Hz toneburst is being phased out, so whistling won’t work on many repeaters!
- New data modes, such as FT-8 and JT65
- New digital voice modes, such as D-Star, DMR and C4FM (Fusion)
- Internet technologies, such as Echolink, online logging tools, electronic QSL cards
- New bands – 470kHz and 5MHz available to Full licence-holders only
- New hardware – such as software defined radios (like the £10 Realtek dongle) and cheap £25 2m/70cm handhelds (such as the Baofeng UV-B6)
- The QRA locator system has been phased out – Maidenhead Locators are now the preferred locator.
Anything I’ve missed? Let me know!
The following short video, used to recruit new amateurs, might be of interest as it shows the hobby as it is today, plus what’s involved in getting a licence today:
Renewing your licence
For information on re-activating a lapsed licence, see our guide: Reinstating an amateur radio licence
Amateur Radio in Essex
- Clubs: The county currently has over 15 active clubs – See Amateur Radio Clubs in Essex
- 2 metres: The main 2m activity in Essex centres around the GB3DA repeater – See GB3DA Repeater ; Essex Ham’s Monday Night Net ; 2m nets in Essex
Your questions?
This page was written by me, Pete M0PSX. I’ve only been in the hobby since 2010 – everything is still new to me, so I need help from those with more years on the ham radio clock than me to help make this page useful.
Anything you’d like to know, or think I should add? Please add a comment below to help us to build this page into a useful resource.
What a great idea! I returned to amateur radio this year after a break since 1982 – 32 years. You are right, a lot has changed as I am now discovering – a great number of exiting new developments alongside the more ‘traditional’ HF operation.
One of the easiest things to do if you no longer have even a short wave receiver is to take a look at the many webSDR sites through your computer (if you haven’t got a computer you aren’t reading this). There you can tune through the amateur bands, as received in many different parts of the world. I can also highly recommend the RTL dongles.
The groups info has helped me so much!! i took a long break, 1999 until now, 2020, thank goodness i kept my city and guilds certificates safe, i would probably struggle now the brain has aged, and what a difference in HAM RADIO !!!!! all this info as i say has helped me superbly, i just need to pay my fee now and enjoy bands i was never allocated to TX on only at the local club… 73s and thank you G7WDH
excellent site I like peter have been away from the hobby for more years than I care to remember but I found your explanation of sdr radio the most clear & concice I have read I will definately be back even if I am from the wrong side of the river thankyou very much ronnie
Like previous comments have been absent for ages have been listening but not transmitted recently feel anxious which is partly due to serious illness. A huge stroke which has literally left me being half the man I used to be. Will G1Wxr
As with the others here, I can’t remember when I last operated, probably around 1990. I passed the RSGB C&G test and got a G6???. Later I did my CW at Southampton coastguards’ station and was issued with G4USL. Now I’m retired I’d like to re-start but it is probably going to be too complicated? There’s no chance of me finding my old certificates.
Hi Paul,
I can find G4USL in the 1993 RSGB callsign book, but not the 1994. I’ve emailed you a copy, which you will be able to use to hopefully get your licence back without too much hassle – See https://www.essexham.co.uk/reinstate-amateur-radio-licence
Hope that helps,
Petw
After returning with a break of some thirty years I have found that there’s more help available,and the hobby is much more friendly than ever,as a lad I used to go to CARs and owe so much to Barry Yew,the chairman at the time,everyone encouraged and helped,I was young had no money but the monthly ‘junk’auction at every meeting helped me get my shack together.We must all encourage and nurture more and there’s a big emphasis on mentioning swls in our nets because they are our future.Well done Essex Ham your all doing a great job.
Thanks for the message of support Tony. Happy to be doing our bit to further the hobby. Pete
Very useful summary of changes Pete.
Just renewed my lapsed licence.
Will have to do some more reading before I get active.
Was briefly on top band with a home brew valve TX and an Eddystone EA12 RX in the early 80s. No longer have this kit.
73s
Alan
Hi All from Sandy G0FMN,
I have just joined the club after having a look around your very nice and informative web site. although I now live in Northampton I lived in Chelmsford for a good many happy years so I’m no stranger to Essex, in fact my brother lives in Cold Norton (near Chelmsford)
I got my licence way back in 1984 but like many, I sort of dropped out of the hobby but I’m now coming back.It may be quite a challenge calling in to the Monday night net from here, but at least I can get on (sort of) via the internet.
My rigs are an FT757GX MK1 and a FT290 MK1 so quite old, so hopefully I’ll be looking to upgrade soon
I liked the compact HF beam project I found on the site, could be very useful to me as I live in a caravan on a holiday park in Great Billing.
Hope to be back soon,
Regards,
Sandy G0FMN
Brilliant site as like the others I have had various breaks over the years. So although I kept my licence I haven’t operated enough over the years to stay current. It was good to watch the foundation licence video and read the comments for returning amateurs. I’m just starting to play in digital. Thanks again for an informative site. Bill G6JNZ
I ‘left’ amateur radio about 10 years ago, mainly because I became disillusioned with the ‘rubber stamp’ QSO. Listening around, I haven’t seen any change to that. No one seems to want to have a decent, informative QSO. So I have gone back to where I started as a kid, listening to the HF broadcast bands. I would love to be convinced that things are different, but all that I have heard on the bands doesn’t dispel that view.
thank god people like Charlie aren’t around anymore, I don’t think I would have started this hobby if they were.
I am also a “returning” amateur, having previously held the call sign G7FQZ. I have just applied to see if I can re-activate my old callsign.
The information on your site has been very useful in detailing some of the changes that have occurred since I last used the bands.
Thank you for providing the resources.
Happy to help John,
Pete
Hi, I came across this article a few weeks back, purely by chance, and I must say that after quite a few years away from the hobby I now have my licence back. There have been a few minor changes since writing though, but nothing too onerous. The application form is much shorter and doesn’t have the old licence details section, which did confuse me a little.
So I just wanted to say a big thank you for writing this article and helping me on the way.
Very useful information.
I am attempting to reinstate my licence after a gap of over 20 years (G4RMR).
The problem is that i cannot find any of my original paperwork. I don’t know anyone with historic call books either, though my call is listed on QRZ/Hamcall etc. I think a 1992/93 call book would suffice. Consequently, i’m at a bit of an impasse.
Anyone any ideas?
Richard
Hi Richard,
Found you in the 1991/92 callsign book. Scan of page 294 emailed.
Hope that helps,
Pete
Hi I am also trying to reinstate an old licence from the 80s G0fvm my name is Philip irons Bradford yorkshire
What a brilliant guide. Thanks very much. On 10th November, by following this guide, I have sucessfully reclaimed my licence. It may also be worth noting that the RSGB will send you call book extracts if you send them a friendly email & ask for them.
Thanks again, Dan G7GIK
Thank you for a well informed web site, like so many before I am looking at returning – the last time I was on was around 1980! My call sign was G8 ZDX and in those days DXing was a treat with a lift on 2m !
Anyone with a very old book between 1977 and 1980 would be most helpful, you will understand that it would mean a lot to get it back!
Kind regards
Chris
Very useful website, thanks! I, too, am going to try to reinstate my licence and callsign (G7KOU). I found my original RSGB membership certificate and C&G RAE certificate, packrat that I am! Worth a shot!
Aaaaannnd… sorted!
Neil, G7KOU
Evening all…
I passed my RAE with ease, back in ’95.
However, I was so saddeled with student debt I did not apply the license, as I could far from afford a radio.
Now SDR has rekindeled my radio interest, so I picked up an Ettus Research B210 to play with.
Thus I’d like to see if I can apply a full license given that the Morse is no longer required.
Any advice for me?
Thanks.
If you still have the paperwork (pass slip / other proof), you should be able to approach Ofcom, send them a get your licence and callsign.
If you don’t have the paperwork, you could try contacting the appropriate exam board for a copy.
If you have no proof of ever passing, never held a licence, weren’t an RSGB member, and can’t get hold of paperwork from the exam board, then you probably need to start again by taking a Foundation course.
Pete
Wow – you guys here are faster than 400GE!
Great news thanks! I have FOUND my certs, so my next step is to send a general email asking for an M0 callsign?
You’ll need to complete the licence application form and send it off with the proof. For lapsed licenses, I think Ofcom charge a £20 admin fee – details: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/manage-your-licence/radiocommunication-licences/online-licensing-service
Hi i passed the RAE IN 1989 never applied for mine , but found out i can get the full one sent off copies of the cetificates hope this helps, 73 Russell
Hi, very helpful info on your site, but I have one other question you may know the answer to ( I have asked ofcom but no reply as yet). I passed my radio amateur exam in 1968 and received a G8 callsign. If I successfully reinstated it, what level of licence would I receive?
Thanks,
John
Just noticed that a previous question and answer gives me most that I require!
Hello Chums
Phew much has changed since I was G7BGS. I also held G7RBY (Long story) used to do lots on 2M packet radio and now DMR looks like a fun thing to do.
I’d love to return to the hobby and get back to building a shack (seems a quainty phrase these days) stuggling to find my pass document – Can anyone help with an RSGB entry please?
Many thanks
Hi All, Thanks to the information on Essex Ham I’ve got my old licence back.
I can’t quite figure out how I’m supposed to request my old call sign back on the Ofcom form that’s been linked? I was 2E1CUS, and the form only provides space for five character callsigns. Am I missing something or should I just put my request in a covering letter along with the form?
Hi All, Well I’m taking very slow steps back, a few years ago I was chatting to some Raynet guys on Bournemouth beach during the airshow and they convinced me to apply for my license back, which much to my surprise I got back! G8LGP or Low Gas Pressure as I was called in Southend (my home town). I still have not even listened to the radio again as I’m trying to make sense of what the hobby has become, for me it was extremely important to my progression as an electronics engineer in my early career. I think I stopped operating in the early 1980’s not long after getting married! I have only just rejoined the RSGB, I was expecting to find a lot of information about returning to the hobby but not so. I’m trying to work out which parts of the hobby will interest me now especially as I have spent most of my career in electronics and computing.
73’s
Keith Harris G8LGP
Hi all
Some years ago after us B class license holders were permitted to transmit on HF, I acquired an SEM Z-Match atu with no information, but I have used it with a Yaesu FT857, not that its fundamental to setting up the unit.
I have now acquired very minimum information and I have come across requests for any information of the unit online.
I am pleased to pass this on to a suitable online data library.
Any suggestions.
Best regards
Royston King
G8CHK
Good morning everyone.
Many moons ago, (mid 80’s from memory) I sat the exam, passed and was issued my class B callsign, which was G1WIL. As life got in the way I foolishly allowed it to lapse. Having now retired, I am hoping to get it reinstated, but no longer have the paperwork. I am hoping that there is an RSGB entry. I would be very grateful if someone can have a look for me please? Thanks in advance for any info.
Best wishes
Colin Green (ex) G1WIL