What is Amateur Radio?

More than just talking on a radio

Amateur radio is a mix of communication, science, engineering and community. Some people enjoy local contacts on VHF and UHF. Others chase DX around the world on HF, build antennas, operate portable from hills and beaches, work satellites, experiment with data modes, or take part in contests and special event stations.

How do I get an amateur radio licence in the UK?

In the UK and Crown Dependencies, amateur radio licensing is handled by Ofcom. The examinations are administered by the Radio Society of Great Britain. There are three main licence levels: Foundation, Intermediate and Full. There is also a Direct to Full exam route for people who already have strong radio, electronics or engineering knowledge.

Online training and home study

You do not have to wait for a club classroom course to start learning. There are now good online training options for UK amateur radio, especially at Foundation level. These are useful for people who want to study from home, revise between club visits, or prepare before booking an RSGB exam.

UK licence levels at a glance

The figures below are a simplified guide. The official Ofcom licence document and Schedule 1 always take priority, because some bands have lower power limits, ERP/EIRP limits, airborne restrictions, satellite-only conditions or other restrictions.

Note: “Up to” does not mean “use full power all the time”. Ofcom guidance says operators should use only the power needed for the contact or activity.

Exam structure

The exams are multiple-choice and are designed to test operating rules, safety, technical knowledge and good amateur practice.

Important rule changes to know

UK amateur radio licensing changed significantly from 2024. These are the main points new and returning operators should understand.

• Foundation power is now up to 25W PEP in most bands, not the old 10W limit and not 50W.
• Intermediate power is now up to 100W PEP in most bands.
• Full licence holders may use up to 1000W PEP on primary bands, but some bands remain lower.
• Foundation licensees may now build their own equipment, provided the station remains compliant and does not cause undue interference.
• Intermediate M8 and M9 callsigns are now live. Older 2-series callsigns may still exist, but new Intermediate issue is M8/M9.
• Most licensees can request a callsign change once every five years, subject to availability and Ofcom rules.
• Ofcom is moving towards one personal licence per licensee. When progressing, lower-level personal licences may be revoked.
• Licences must be revalidated every five years. Failing to revalidate can result in revocation.
• Regional Secondary Locators are now optional for most licences, but remain mandatory for Intermediate callsigns beginning with 2.
• Any suffix after “/” may be used, provided the station remains clearly identifiable.
• EMF compliance still matters. If transmitting above the relevant EMF threshold, operators must assess and keep records showing compliance.

Callsigns explained

A callsign is the unique on-air identity of an amateur station. In the UK, callsigns normally begin with G or M, followed by a number and letters. The prefix can often give an indication of the licence level, although older callsigns remain valid and may not look like newly issued ones.

Regional Secondary Locators and suffixes

A Regional Secondary Locator, often shortened to RSL, is an extra letter inserted after the first character of a UK callsign to show where the station is operating. Under the current rules, RSLs are optional for most licence holders, but they are mandatory for Intermediate 2-series callsigns.

Suffixes

Ofcom now allows any suffix after the slash symbol, provided the station remains clearly identifiable. Traditional examples are still widely understood:

• /M — mobile
• /P — portable
• /A — alternative address
• /MM — maritime mobile, where permitted

Safety, interference and good operating

Every amateur radio operator is responsible for operating within their licence conditions. That includes using the correct frequency, keeping within the correct power limit, identifying correctly, avoiding undue interference, and complying with EMF exposure requirements.

• Check the latest Ofcom licence terms before relying on any online summary.
• Use the RSGB band plans to choose sensible frequencies and modes.
• Only use the power needed for the contact.
• Keep your station clean: good earthing, filtering, ferrites and tidy cabling all help reduce interference.
• Keep EMF compliance records where required.
• Ask experienced operators before using unfamiliar bands, amplifiers, digital systems, satellites or remote stations.

Credits, acknowledgements and useful links

HFDXARC would like to give full credit and thanks to Essex Ham for their excellent UK amateur radio promotion and online training material. Their videos and Foundation Online course are a valuable resource for newcomers, clubs, trainers and anyone interested in getting started with amateur radio.

We also acknowledge the RSGB and Ofcom as key official sources for UK amateur radio licensing, examinations, band plans, training information and licence conditions. This page is intended as a friendly club guide and should always be checked against the latest official information.

• Essex Ham promotional videos
  Essex Ham Amateur Radio Promotion Videos
  Credit: Essex Ham. Used to help promote amateur radio to newcomers and younger visitors.
• Essex Ham / Ham Train Foundation Online course
  Essex Ham Foundation Online Amateur Radio Course
  Credit: Essex Ham / Ham Train. A free online UK Foundation licence training course.
• Ham Train training hub
  Ham Train - Supporting Amateur Radio Training in the UK
  Credit: Essex Ham / Ham Train. Training material, videos, module tests and mock exam support.
• RSGB UK amateur licensing information
  RSGB UK Amateur Licensing
  Credit: Radio Society of Great Britain. Useful guidance on UK amateur radio licensing.
• RSGB online training resources
  RSGB Online Training Resources for Students
  Credit: Radio Society of Great Britain. Lists Foundation, Intermediate and Full training providers.
• RSGB exam specifications
  RSGB Exam Specifications
  Credit: Radio Society of Great Britain. Official question counts, pass marks and examination structure.
• RSGB mock exams
  RSGB Mock Exams
  Credit: Radio Society of Great Britain. Useful revision papers before sitting the official exam.
• RSGB exam booking and payment
  RSGB Booking and Paying for Your Exam
  Credit: Radio Society of Great Britain. Official exam booking and payment information.
• Ofcom amateur radio licence information
  Ofcom Amateur Radio Information
  Credit: Ofcom. The UK regulator responsible for amateur radio licensing and licence conditions.
• Ofcom amateur radio licensing framework changes
  Ofcom Overview of Key Amateur Radio Licence Changes
  Credit: Ofcom. Official overview of the modern UK amateur radio licence framework changes.
• RSGB band plans
  RSGB Band Plans
  Credit: Radio Society of Great Britain. Recommended UK amateur band-plan information.

Page last reviewed: July 2026.