Licencing Terms and Conditions.
A sample copy of the licence can be found here at OfCom
This section is probably the most important section to learn, in the exam there will be six questions on Licencing. This will also set you in a good position for the Intermediate and Full Licence.
I will try and make the terms and conditions easier than the book does if that helps
1a.1 Recall that the Amateur Radio Licence is for self-training in radio communications and is of a non-commercial nature.
What this means:
(a) The licence allows you to investigate how radio communications work.
(b)You cannot commercially sell items over the radio, you can advertise any product. You may however review a product to another amateur as long as you are not selling it.
ie: John has just bought a XYZ antenna, and decides to tell his local net what its like. This is fine. But if John makes the XYZ and sells the antennas, this is not acceptable and is against the terms and conditions of the licence. Another example that might help is this one: John is going on holiday but he's just found out his tent is full of holes. He mentions this on the net, and Jim (another amateur) has seen some tents at 30% off in a store in town. This is also acceptable as Jim doesn't work for this store, and is not promoting this business, he is instead passing on information.
2b.1 Recall the types of UK Amateur Radio Licence.
This includes all UK callsign formats, Foundation, Intermediate and Full.
The foundation licence format is as follows:
M(*)3AAA or M(*)6AAA
The intermediate licence format is as:
2E*0AAA or 2E*1AAA
The Full Licence format is
G(*)0AAA or M(*)0AAA
Where the asterisk appears in brackets there may be a regional identifier used. (See list below.
Where the asterisk appears with no brackets a regional identifier may be inserted.
| Region |
Identification Letter |
| Isle of Mann |
D |
| Northern Ireland |
I |
| Jersey |
J |
| Scotland |
M |
| Guernsey |
U |
| Wales |
W |
So M3AAA is on holiday in Guernsey he adds the regional identifier to his callsign making it MU3AAA.
Likewise 2E0AAA goes to wales, while there he transmits using the callsign 2W0AAA.
M0AAA goes to Northern Ireland his callsign whilst there is MI0AAA.
Remember that there are G and M callsigns for UK Licences. G licences are no longer given out for a full rundown of the Callsigns in the UK this page might be of Use: The Callsign Guide.
2c.1 Recall the requirements for Station Identification.
The Licencee must transmit their callsign on CQ Calls, on checking if a frequency is in use and then every fifteen minutes during a QSO. Whenever the frequency is changed the licencee must also announce their callsign. Remember that the licencee also needs to use the appropriate regional code as per Clause 13(1)
Advice: When you change modes or frequency announce your callsign.
2c.2 and 2c.3 Recall the requirement to only send to other amateurs.
Recall that Secret Codes are not permitted.
As a licencee you are not allowed to a) Contact non-amateurs b) encrypt a message making it unintelligable to other amateurs and spectrum users.
The Licencee may use abreviations and codes for communications as long as they are not obscure and they don't confuse the message.
You can send messages to amateurs, but not their family and friends. You can also operate under supervision, and that other amateurs can talk to you. A Trainee or Non-Amateur may send a 'greetings message'. This is done under supervision of a full licencee.
Code used in Amateur Radio is not secret you will come across morse code and Q-Codes all of these codes have one purpose to make communication quicker, and are standard across the world. Amateurs are not allowed to use secret codes or Cyphers!
2c.4 Recall that Broadcasting is not permitted
An Amateur must not make general broadcasts except CQ Calls, Nets and Mailbox/BBS for amateur usage.
ie: John is driving and he comes across roadworks, he is not allowed to broadcast "There is roadworks at x street" However if John is in a QSO and comes across the same roadworks he can tell the person he is talking to that he's found roadworks.
A net is where a group of amateurs are all talking to each other. a Mailbox or BBS is a method of digital communication by packet radio.
Remember a CQ Call is an invitation to other Amateurs to contact you.
2c.5 Recall that only the Licensee, or another UK licenced amateur operating under his or her supervision may use the radio equipment.
This is probably the oddest part of the licencing, what this means is that persons that hold a licence at the primary address may use the equipment. This is not explained very well in the above sentence.
Recall that under certain circumstances the licencee may allow the equipment to be used by a member of the User Services.
Basically this means that "Within Your Licence conditions" you may operate your equipment or supervise another UK licenced amateur. The user services are
- Any Catagory 1 responder
- Any Catagory 2 responder
- Any Government department
- The British Red Cross
- St John's Ambulance
- St Andrew's Ambulance Assoc.
- The WRVS
- The Salvation Army
- RSPCA
(SEE http://www.opsi.gov.uk/Acts/acts2004/ukpga_20040036_en_6)
Catagory 1 includes: Local Authorities (Council), Police, Fire and Rescue, NHS including the Ambulance Service, The Environment Agency
Catagory 2 includes: Utilities providers (Gas, electric, water etc), Transport providers (Rail services, airport services, Transport for London, London Underground, harbour and port services, The Health and Safety Exec.)
This section allows you to pass messages for user services, or let one of them use your radio if they need to. You are also allowed to let another Licencee use your equipment under the licenced visitor status (Not mentioned in any detail at this stage)
2c.6 Recall the requirement to notify of change of address
You must give OfCom immediate notice of change of permenent address. Using either the telephone, letter or the online forms.
2c.7 Recall that a person authorised by OfCom has the right to inspect, require the modification, close down or restrict the useage of the radio equipment.
You are required to let a OfCom officer inspect your equipment at any or all reasonable times. Or where in the opinion of that person an emergency situation exists, to ensure that the equipment is used within the terms of the licence.
What this means, if an OfCom officer turns up on your door, let them inspect your equipment, they may require you to keep a log if problems occur. They are responsible for keeping the spectrum clean. OfCom officers are not here to torment us but to aid us, so remember they are not the enemy.
2c.8 and 2c.9 Understand and apply the schedule to the licence. Identify allowable frequencies and power limits.
Pretty staight forwards I would hope.