About Callsigns.

About Callsigns.
By Brian MW0GKX.

Approximate Issue Dates, Classes and
notes on useage of UK Licence Callsigns.

Early Days.

In the early days of Amateur Radio (1920 to 1939) you could choose your own callsign, as long as it was not already in use, and they were re-allocated when the original holder died or relinquished it. The Amateur Radio service was ceased during the Second World War.

The use of different modes (TV for example) or methods of operation (mobile) used to require a seperate licence. After various revisions the system we use today was arrived at.

Additional Suffixes previously used with all classes of licence except "GB" callsigns.

The following additional suffixes were to be appended to callsigns to indicate the stated operating conditions:

/A Operation from a temporary address.
/M Mobile operation from a land vehicle or vessel on non-tidal waters. (Operation from any type of aircraft or airborne vehicle is not permitted).
/MA Operation from a moored or anchored vessel on tidal waters or at sea.
/MM Maritime mobile operation from a vessel on tidal waters or at sea. (Permission must be obtained from the vessels' master who has the authority to order radio silence when necessary. Also, when in international waters, only those frequency bands permitted in the ITU region being visited may be used).
/P(i) Portable operation from a temporary fixed location or address. (This included operation from buildings other than those forming part of the licensee's registered address, tents and caravans etc. which had to be identified by the operator).
/P(ii) Portable, hand-held equipment being carried by the operator.
/T Fast scan television operation.

Additional Suffixes used today with all classes of licence except "GB" callsigns

The following additional suffixes may be appended to callsigns to indicate the stated operating conditions:

/A Operation from a temporary address. (Location should be identified by the operator).
/M Mobile operation from a land vehicle or vessel on non-tidal waters. (Operation from any type of aircraft or airborne vehicle is not permitted).
/MM (Full Lincence holders ONLY) Maritime mobile operation from a vessel on tidal waters or at sea. (Permission must be obtained from the vessels' master who has the authority to order radio silence when necessary. Also, when in international waters, only those frequency bands permitted in the ITU region being visited may be used).
/P Portable operation from a temporary fixed location or address. (This includes operation from buildings other than those forming part of the licensee's registered address, tents and caravans etc. and must be identified by the operator).

NOTE: The use of "/P" NO LONGER applies to the use of hand held transmitting equipment unless it is being used in such a way that that would class it as "/P" (a fixed antenna for example). If you can move away from the current opperating site whilst still operating then it is classed as "/M".

General Notes about the Licences.

Callsigns, once allowed to lapse (but see above), are not normally re-issued to persons other than the original licensee. There are certain exceptions to this rule but these are rare (see 2 and 6). Consequently, for licences issued up to April 2000, the approximate date of issue can be determined from the callsign. After April 2000, callsigns in series later than those shown below may be issued as callsigns may now be requested (just like the early days!).
In certain circumstances, a callsign may be re-issued to a person other than the original licensee. This is only usually done in one of two instances:
i) The new licensee is a close relative of an original licensee who has died.
ii) A club may take over the callsign of a respected deceased member (as we did recently with GW8NP, ex Cyril Parsons, founder member).
In all cases the new licensee must have passed all the necessary tests and examinations appropriate to the grade of licence being transferred.
The callsign prefixes shown below relate to when the station is located in England. Should the station be located in one of the other six parts of the UK that has its own prefix, then that prefix will be used. The seven countries are:
England (G, M, 2E). Guernsey (GU, MU, 2U). Isle of Man (GD, MD, 2D). Jersey (GJ, MJ,2J).
Northern Ireland (GI, MI, 2I). Scotland (GM, MM, 2M). Wales (GW, MW, 2W).
Callsigns in the G2 series were originally pre-WW2 "artificial aerial" licences with 2 callsigns. These "AA" licences were re-issued in 1946 as full licences, with the original callsign preceded by the appropriate country designator. Note that these "AA" callsigns must not be confused with callsigns in the 2x0 and 2x1 series, where x is the country designator, which are now issued to holders of Intermediate Grade licences.
Callsigns in the G5 series were originally used for reciprocal licences but these were discontinued following the introduction of the current regulations relating to foreign nationals operating amateur radio equipment in the UK. There are only four valid G5 licences listed in the current UK Call Book. See 8 below relating to amateur radio operation by foreign nationals holding an amateur radio licence when visiting the UK.
Callsigns in the G6 series were originally issued to stations transmitting fast scan television only. This practice was discontinued when a specific television licence was abolished and permission to transmit television was incorporated into all UK licences in 1977. The G6 series was then used for Class B licences issued between 1981 and 1983. This is the only instance of previously issued callsigns being cancelled and subsequently re-issued to different individuals, apart from the special cases mentioned in note 1 and in Early Days.
Callsigns in the G9 series are commercial licences, issued for experimental purposes and these may not be used on the amateur bands.
The holders of valid amateur radio licences issued by countries which have implemented CEPT Recommendation T/R 61-01 are permitted to operate amateur radio equipment within the UK, subject to the various conditions set out in the new licence conditions which came into force on 1 December 2006. Previously, these conditions were defined in the Terms, Provisions and Limitations Booklet BR68. Such operators must use their own callsign preceded by M/, MD/, MI/, MJ/, MM/, MU/ or MW/, depending on the region of the UK that they are visiting.
Proficiency in the Morse Code is no longer a requirement for obtaining a UK Amateur Radio Licence, following the decision taken at WRC-03 the World Radio Conference held in Geneva from 9 June to 4 July, 2003, to abolish the mandatory Morse requirements for the Amateur Radio Service relating to operation on frequencies below 30MHz. The Radio Communications Agency decided to merge existing UK Full Class A and Full Class B licence grades to form a single Full Licence having all the privileges of the old Class A grade. The Novice A and Novice B grades of licence have also been merged to become a single Intermediate Licence. These changes took effect on 26 July 2003. The regulations relating to the Foundation Class licence, which include a rudimentary knowledge of the Morse Code, remain unchanged. (The functions and powers of the Radio Communications Agency were transferred to Ofcom (Office of Communications) at the end of December 2003).
Stations located in the Channel Islands were originally issued with callsigns having the prefix "GC", which has now been replaced by GJ (Jersey) and GU (Guernsey, Alderney and Sark). The prefix "GC" is now (optionally) used to denote club stations located in Wales.
Linences having the suffixes QAA to QZZ are not normally issued.
From 4 June 1977 to 12 June 1977 all UK licensees were allowed to use the prefix "GE" instead of the normal country prefix, to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
During the whole month of June 2002, all UK licensees were allowed to use the prefix "GQ", "MQ" or "2Q", as appropriate, instead of the normal country prefix, to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
Also during this period, the special callsign "GB50" was used by a commemorative station set up at Windsor Castle, England. This callsign was unique in that it did not contain any suffix letters.

Class A (now Full) Licences.
G2AA to G2ZZ 1920 to 1939 G3AA to G3ZZ 1937 to 1938 G4AA to G4ZZ 1938 to 1939 G5AA to G5ZZ 1921 to 1939 G6AA to G6ZZ 1921 to 1939 G8AA to G8ZZ 1936 to 1937 G2AAA to G2ZZZ Issued to Artificial Aerial Licence holders (See note 4 above) issued between 1920 and 1939 with callsigns in the 2AAA to 2ZZZ series but re-issued as Full Licences in 1946. G3AAA to G3AZZ 1946 to 1947 G3BAA to G3BZZ 1947 G3CAA to G3CZZ 1947 G3DAA to G3DZZ 1947 to 1948 G3EAA to G3EZZ 1948 G3FAA to G3FZZ 1948 to 1949 G3GAA to G3GZZ 1949 to 1950 G3HAA to G3HZZ 1950 to 1951 G3IAA to G3IZZ 1951 to 1952 G3JAA to G3JZZ 1952 to 1954 G3KAA to G3KZZ 1954 to 1956 G3LAA to G3LZZ 1956 to 1957 G3MAA to G3MZZ 1957 to 1958 G3NAA to G3NZZ 1958 to 1960 G3OAA to G3OZZ 1960 to 1961 G3PAA to G3PZZ 1961 to 1962 G3RAA to G3RZZ 1962 to 1963 G3SAA to G3SZZ 1963 to 1964 G3TAA to G3TZZ 1964 to 1965 G3UAA to G3UZZ 1965 to 1966 G3VAA to G3VZZ 1966 to 1967 G3WAA to G3WZZ 1967 G3XAA to G3XZZ 1967 to 1968 G3YAA to G3YZZ 1968 to 1969 G3ZAA to G3ZZZ 1969 to 1971 G4AAA to G4AZZ 1971 to 1972 G4BAA to G4BZZ 1972 to 1973 G4CAA to G4CZZ 1973 to 1974 G4DAA to G4DZZ 1974 to 1975 G4EAA to G4EZZ 1975 to 1976 G4FAA to G4FZZ 1976 to 1977 G4GAA to G4GZZ 1977 to 1978 G4HAA to G4HZZ 1978 to 1979 G4IAA to G4IZZ 1979 to 1980 G4JAA to G4JZZ 1980 to 1981 G4KAA to G4KZZ 1981 G4LAA to G4LZZ 1981 G4MAA to G4MZZ 1981 G4NAA to G4NZZ 1981 G4OAA to G4OZZ 1981 G4PAA to G4PZZ 1981 to 1982 G4RAA to G4RZZ 1982 to 1983 G4SAA to G4SZZ 1983 G4TAA to G4TZZ 1983 G4UAA to G4UZZ 1983 G4VAA to G4VZZ 1983 to 1984 G4WAA to G4WZZ 1984 G4XAA to G4XZZ 1984 G4YAA to G4YZZ 1984 G4ZAA to G4ZZZ 1984		G0AAA to G0AZZ 1984 to 1985 G0BAA to G0BZZ 1985 G0CAA to G0CZZ 1985 G0DAA to G0DZZ 1985 to 1986 G0EAA to G0EZZ 1986 G0FAA to G0FZZ 1986 G0GAA to G0GZZ 1986 to 1987 G0HAA to G0HZZ 1987 G0IAA to G0IZZ 1987 to 1988 G0JAA to G0JZZ 1988 G0KAA to G0KZZ 1988 to 1989 G0LAA to G0LZZ 1989 to 1990 G0MAA to G0MZZ 1990 to 1991 G0NAA to G0NZZ 1991 G0OAA to G0OZZ 1991 G0PAA to G0PZZ 1991 G0RAA to G0RZZ 1991 to 1992 G0SAA to G0SZZ 1992 to 1993 G0TAA to G0TZZ 1993 G0UAA to G0UZZ 1993 to 1994 G0VAA to G0VZZ 1994 to 1995 G0WAA to G0WZZ 1995 G0XAA to G0XZZ 1995 G0YAA to G0YZZ 1995 G0ZAA to G0ZZZ 1995 to 1996 M0AAA to M0AZZ 1996 to 1997 M0BAA to M0BZZ 1997 to 1998 M0CAA to M0CZZ 1998 to 2000 M0DAA to M0PZZ 2000 onwards M0RAA to M0ZZZ 2000 onwards When a Full licence is held on behalf of a Club the callsign prefixes listed below may be used instead of the normal prefix. The use of these "club" prefixes is optional. See also note 10 above. GC can replace GW GH can replace GJ GN can replace GI GP can replace GU GS can replace GM GT can replace GD GX can replace G MC can replace MW MH can replace MJ MN can replace MI MT can replace MD MP can replace MU MS can replace MM MX can replace M
Class A/B (now Full) Licences.
M5AAA to M5PZZ 1999 to 2003		M5RAA to M5ZZZ 1999 to 2003
Class B (now Full) Licences.
G8AAA to G8ZZZ 1964 to 1967 G8BAA to G8BZZ 1967 to 1968 G8CAA to G8CZZ 1968 to 1969 G8DAA to G8DZZ 1969 to 1970 G8EAA to G8EZZ 1970 to 1971 G8FAA to G8FZZ 1971 to 1972 G8GAA to G8GZZ 1972 to 1973 G8HAA to G8HZZ 1973 G8IAA to G8IZZ 1973 to 1974 G8JAA to G8JZZ 1974 to 1975 G8KAA to G8KZZ 1975 G8LAA to G8LZZ 1975 to 1976 G8MAA to G8MZZ 1976 to 1977 G8NAA to G8NZZ 1977 G8OAA to G8OZZ 1977 to 1978 G8PAA to G8PZZ 1978 G8RAA to G8RZZ 1978 G8SAA to G8SZZ 1978 to 1979 G8TAA to G8TZZ 1979 G8UAA to G8UZZ 1979 G8VAA to G8VZZ 1979 to 1980 G8WAA to G8WZZ 1980 G8XAA to G8XZZ 1980 G8YAA to G8YZZ 1980 to 1981 G8ZAA to G8ZZZ 1981 G6AAA/T to G6ZZZ/T 1964 to 1977 (See note 6 above) G6AAA to G6AZZ 1981 G6BAA to G6BZZ 1981 G6CAA to G6CZZ 1981 G6DAA to G6DZZ 1981 G6EAA to G6EZZ 1981 G6FAA to G6FZZ 1981 G6GAA to G6GZZ 1981 G6HAA to G6HZZ 1981 G6IAA to G6IZZ 1981 G6JAA to G6JZZ 1981 G6KAA to G6KZZ 1981 G6LAA to G6LZZ 1981 G6MAA to G6MZZ 1981 G6NAA to G6NZZ 1981 G6OAA to G6OZZ 1981 G6PAA to G6PZZ 1981 to 1982 G6RAA to G6RZZ 1982 G6SAA to G6SZZ 1982 G6TAA to G6TZZ 1982 G6UAA to G6UZZ 1982 G6VAA to G6VZZ 1982 G6WAA to G6WZZ 1982 G6XAA to G6XZZ 1982 G6YAA to G6YZZ 1982 G6ZAA to G6ZZZ 1982 to 1983 G1AAA to G1AZZ 1983 G1BAA to G1BZZ 1983 G1CAA to G1CZZ 1983 to 1984		G1DAA to G1DZZ 1984 G1EAA to G1EZZ 1984 G1FAA to G1FZZ 1984 G1GAA to G1GZZ 1984 G1HAA to G1HZZ 1984 G1IAA to G1IZZ 1984 G1JAA to G1JZZ 1984 G1KAA to G1KZZ 1984 to 1985 G1LAA to G1LZZ 1985 G1MAA to G1MZZ 1985 G1NAA to G1NZZ 1985 G1OAA to G1OZZ 1985 G1PAA to G1PZZ 1985 G1RAA to G1RZZ 1985 to 1986 G1SAA to G1SZZ 1986 G1TAA to G1TZZ 1986 G1UAA to G1UZZ 1986 G1VAA to G1VZZ 1987 G1WAA to G1WZZ 1986 to 1987 G1XAA to G1XZZ 1987 G1YAA to G1YZZ 1987 G1ZAA to G1ZZZ 1987 to 1988 G7AAA to G7AZZ 1988 G7BAA to G7BZZ 1988 G7CAA to G7CZZ 1988 G7DAA to G7DZZ 1988 to 1989 G7EAA to G7EZZ 1989 to 1990 G7FAA to G7FZZ 1990 G7GAA to G7GZZ 1990 to 1991 G7HAA to G7HZZ 1991 G7IAA to G7IZZ 1991 G7JAA to G7JZZ 1991 G7KAA to G7KZZ 1991 G7LAA to G7LZZ 1991 to 1992 G7MAA to G7MZZ 1992 G7NAA to G7NZZ 1992 to 1993 G7OAA to G7OZZ 1993 G7PAA to G7PZZ 1993 G7RAA to G7RZZ 1993 to 1994 G7SAA to G7SZZ 1994 to 1995 G7TAA to G7TZZ 1995 G7UAA to G7UZZ 1995 G7VAA to G7VZZ 1995 to 1996 G7WAA to G7WZZ 1996 G7XAA to G7XZZ 1996 G7YAA to G7YZZ 1996 G7ZAA to G7ZZZ 1996 M1AAA to M1AZZ 1996 M1BAA to M1BZZ 1996 to 1997 M1CAA to M1CZZ 1997 to 1998 M1DAA to M1DZZ 1998 to 1999 M1EAA to M1EZZ 1999 to 2000 M1FAA to M1PZZ 2000 to 2003 M1RAA to M1ZZZ 2000 to 2003
Novice Class A (Now Intermediate) Licences.
2E0AAA to 2E0PZZ 1991 onwards		2E0RAA to 2E0ZZZ 1991 onwards
Novice Class B (now Intermediate) Licences.
2E1AAA to 2E1AZZ 1991 to 1992 2E1BAA to 2E1BZZ 1992 to 1993 2E1CAA to 2E1CZZ 1993 to 1994 2E1DAA to 2E1DZZ 1994 to 1995 2E1EAA to 2E1EZZ 1995 to 1996 2E1FAA to 2E1FZZ 1996 to 1997 2E1GAA to 2E1GZZ 1997 to 1999 2E1HAA to 2E1HZZ 1999 to 2000 2E1IAA to 2E1PZZ 2000 to 2003 2E1RAA to 2E1ZZZ 2000 to 2003		It was common practice for stations "upgrading" from the old Class B licence to a Foundation Class licence (to gain HF use) to keep the suffix letters of the Class B licence. This was only possible where the corresponding M3 call had not been previously issued. Now that the old Class A and Class B licences have been merged into a single Full Licence, this type of upgrade is no longer necessary. (See Note 9 above).
Foundation Class Licences.
M3AAA to M3PZZ 2002 onwards		M3RAA to M3ZZZ 2002 onwards
M6AAA to M6PZZ May 2008 onwards		M6RAA to M6ZZZ May 2008 onwards
Voice and TV Repeaters.
GB3AA to GB3ZZ When licenced
Data Repeaters.
GB7AA to GB7ZZ When licenced
Data Mailboxes, Clusters and Servers.
GB7AAA to GB7PZZ When licenced		GB7RAA to GB7ZZZ When licenced
Internet "Gateways".
MB7AAA to MB7PZZ When licenced		MB7RAA to MB7ZZZ When licenced
Single Frequency "Store and Forward", Voice Relays and "Experimental" Services.
MB7AA to MB7ZZ When licenced
Beacons.
GB3AAA to GB3PZZ When licenced		GB3RAA to GB3ZZZ When licenced
Special Event Stations.
Licences are normally issued for a limited period appropriate to the special event. The callsign prefix is always GB, regardless of the location within the UK, and the suffix consists of one or more figures, followed by up to three letters. Prefixes GB3 and GB7 are not used for special event stations, as they are used for other things. Suffixes in the QAA to QZZ series are not issued.
Special Contest Callsigns.
Clubs can apply for special callsigns for use during contests. These consist of the country prefix followed by a single figure and a single letter.

Class A (now Full) Licences.

G2AA to G2ZZ      1920 to 1939
G3AA to G3ZZ      1937 to 1938
G4AA to G4ZZ      1938 to 1939
G5AA to G5ZZ      1921 to 1939
G6AA to G6ZZ      1921 to 1939
G8AA to G8ZZ      1936 to 1937
G2AAA to G2ZZZ     Issued to Artificial Aerial Licence holders (See note 4 above) issued between 1920 and 1939 with callsigns in the 2AAA to 2ZZZ series but re-issued as Full Licences in 1946.
G3AAA to G3AZZ     1946 to 1947
G3BAA to G3BZZ     1947
G3CAA to G3CZZ     1947
G3DAA to G3DZZ     1947 to 1948
G3EAA to G3EZZ     1948
G3FAA to G3FZZ     1948 to 1949
G3GAA to G3GZZ     1949 to 1950
G3HAA to G3HZZ     1950 to 1951
G3IAA to G3IZZ     1951 to 1952
G3JAA to G3JZZ     1952 to 1954
G3KAA to G3KZZ     1954 to 1956
G3LAA to G3LZZ     1956 to 1957
G3MAA to G3MZZ     1957 to 1958
G3NAA to G3NZZ     1958 to 1960
G3OAA to G3OZZ     1960 to 1961
G3PAA to G3PZZ     1961 to 1962
G3RAA to G3RZZ     1962 to 1963
G3SAA to G3SZZ     1963 to 1964
G3TAA to G3TZZ     1964 to 1965
G3UAA to G3UZZ     1965 to 1966
G3VAA to G3VZZ     1966 to 1967
G3WAA to G3WZZ     1967
G3XAA to G3XZZ     1967 to 1968
G3YAA to G3YZZ     1968 to 1969
G3ZAA to G3ZZZ     1969 to 1971
G4AAA to G4AZZ     1971 to 1972
G4BAA to G4BZZ     1972 to 1973
G4CAA to G4CZZ     1973 to 1974
G4DAA to G4DZZ     1974 to 1975
G4EAA to G4EZZ     1975 to 1976
G4FAA to G4FZZ     1976 to 1977
G4GAA to G4GZZ     1977 to 1978
G4HAA to G4HZZ     1978 to 1979
G4IAA to G4IZZ     1979 to 1980
G4JAA to G4JZZ     1980 to 1981
G4KAA to G4KZZ     1981
G4LAA to G4LZZ     1981
G4MAA to G4MZZ     1981
G4NAA to G4NZZ     1981
G4OAA to G4OZZ     1981
G4PAA to G4PZZ     1981 to 1982
G4RAA to G4RZZ     1982 to 1983
G4SAA to G4SZZ     1983
G4TAA to G4TZZ     1983
G4UAA to G4UZZ     1983
G4VAA to G4VZZ     1983 to 1984
G4WAA to G4WZZ     1984
G4XAA to G4XZZ     1984
G4YAA to G4YZZ     1984
G4ZAA to G4ZZZ     1984

G0AAA to G0AZZ     1984 to 1985
G0BAA to G0BZZ     1985
G0CAA to G0CZZ     1985
G0DAA to G0DZZ     1985 to 1986
G0EAA to G0EZZ     1986
G0FAA to G0FZZ     1986
G0GAA to G0GZZ     1986 to 1987
G0HAA to G0HZZ     1987
G0IAA to G0IZZ     1987 to 1988
G0JAA to G0JZZ     1988
G0KAA to G0KZZ     1988 to 1989
G0LAA to G0LZZ     1989 to 1990
G0MAA to G0MZZ     1990 to 1991
G0NAA to G0NZZ     1991
G0OAA to G0OZZ     1991
G0PAA to G0PZZ     1991
G0RAA to G0RZZ     1991 to 1992
G0SAA to G0SZZ     1992 to 1993
G0TAA to G0TZZ     1993
G0UAA to G0UZZ     1993 to 1994
G0VAA to G0VZZ     1994 to 1995
G0WAA to G0WZZ     1995
G0XAA to G0XZZ     1995
G0YAA to G0YZZ     1995
G0ZAA to G0ZZZ     1995 to 1996
M0AAA to M0AZZ     1996 to 1997
M0BAA to M0BZZ     1997 to 1998
M0CAA to M0CZZ     1998 to 2000
M0DAA to M0PZZ     2000 onwards
M0RAA to M0ZZZ     2000 onwards

When a Full licence is held on behalf of a Club the callsign prefixes listed below may be used instead of the normal prefix.
The use of these "club" prefixes is optional. See also note 10 above.

GC can replace GW
GH can replace GJ
GN can replace GI
GP can replace GU
GS can replace GM
GT can replace GD
GX can replace G
MC can replace MW
MH can replace MJ
MN can replace MI
MT can replace MD
MP can replace MU
MS can replace MM
MX can replace M

Class A/B (now Full) Licences.

M5AAA to M5PZZ 1999 to 2003

M5RAA to M5ZZZ 1999 to 2003

Class B (now Full) Licences.

G8AAA to G8ZZZ     1964 to 1967
G8BAA to G8BZZ     1967 to 1968
G8CAA to G8CZZ     1968 to 1969
G8DAA to G8DZZ     1969 to 1970
G8EAA to G8EZZ     1970 to 1971
G8FAA to G8FZZ     1971 to 1972
G8GAA to G8GZZ     1972 to 1973
G8HAA to G8HZZ     1973
G8IAA to G8IZZ     1973 to 1974
G8JAA to G8JZZ     1974 to 1975
G8KAA to G8KZZ     1975
G8LAA to G8LZZ     1975 to 1976
G8MAA to G8MZZ     1976 to 1977
G8NAA to G8NZZ     1977
G8OAA to G8OZZ     1977 to 1978
G8PAA to G8PZZ     1978
G8RAA to G8RZZ     1978
G8SAA to G8SZZ     1978 to 1979
G8TAA to G8TZZ     1979
G8UAA to G8UZZ     1979
G8VAA to G8VZZ     1979 to 1980
G8WAA to G8WZZ     1980
G8XAA to G8XZZ     1980
G8YAA to G8YZZ     1980 to 1981
G8ZAA to G8ZZZ     1981
G6AAA/T to G6ZZZ/T    1964 to 1977
(See note 6 above)
G6AAA to G6AZZ     1981
G6BAA to G6BZZ     1981
G6CAA to G6CZZ     1981
G6DAA to G6DZZ     1981
G6EAA to G6EZZ     1981
G6FAA to G6FZZ     1981
G6GAA to G6GZZ     1981
G6HAA to G6HZZ     1981
G6IAA to G6IZZ     1981
G6JAA to G6JZZ     1981
G6KAA to G6KZZ     1981
G6LAA to G6LZZ     1981
G6MAA to G6MZZ     1981
G6NAA to G6NZZ     1981
G6OAA to G6OZZ     1981
G6PAA to G6PZZ     1981 to 1982
G6RAA to G6RZZ     1982
G6SAA to G6SZZ     1982
G6TAA to G6TZZ     1982
G6UAA to G6UZZ     1982
G6VAA to G6VZZ     1982
G6WAA to G6WZZ     1982
G6XAA to G6XZZ     1982
G6YAA to G6YZZ     1982
G6ZAA to G6ZZZ     1982 to 1983
G1AAA to G1AZZ     1983
G1BAA to G1BZZ     1983
G1CAA to G1CZZ     1983 to 1984

G1DAA to G1DZZ     1984
G1EAA to G1EZZ     1984
G1FAA to G1FZZ     1984
G1GAA to G1GZZ     1984
G1HAA to G1HZZ     1984
G1IAA to G1IZZ     1984
G1JAA to G1JZZ     1984
G1KAA to G1KZZ     1984 to 1985
G1LAA to G1LZZ     1985
G1MAA to G1MZZ     1985
G1NAA to G1NZZ     1985
G1OAA to G1OZZ     1985
G1PAA to G1PZZ     1985
G1RAA to G1RZZ     1985 to 1986
G1SAA to G1SZZ     1986
G1TAA to G1TZZ     1986
G1UAA to G1UZZ     1986
G1VAA to G1VZZ     1987
G1WAA to G1WZZ     1986 to 1987
G1XAA to G1XZZ     1987
G1YAA to G1YZZ     1987
G1ZAA to G1ZZZ     1987 to 1988
G7AAA to G7AZZ     1988
G7BAA to G7BZZ     1988
G7CAA to G7CZZ     1988
G7DAA to G7DZZ     1988 to 1989
G7EAA to G7EZZ     1989 to 1990
G7FAA to G7FZZ     1990
G7GAA to G7GZZ     1990 to 1991
G7HAA to G7HZZ     1991
G7IAA to G7IZZ     1991
G7JAA to G7JZZ     1991
G7KAA to G7KZZ     1991
G7LAA to G7LZZ     1991 to 1992
G7MAA to G7MZZ     1992
G7NAA to G7NZZ     1992 to 1993
G7OAA to G7OZZ     1993
G7PAA to G7PZZ     1993
G7RAA to G7RZZ     1993 to 1994
G7SAA to G7SZZ     1994 to 1995
G7TAA to G7TZZ     1995
G7UAA to G7UZZ     1995
G7VAA to G7VZZ     1995 to 1996
G7WAA to G7WZZ     1996
G7XAA to G7XZZ     1996
G7YAA to G7YZZ     1996
G7ZAA to G7ZZZ     1996
M1AAA to M1AZZ     1996
M1BAA to M1BZZ     1996 to 1997
M1CAA to M1CZZ     1997 to 1998
M1DAA to M1DZZ     1998 to 1999
M1EAA to M1EZZ     1999 to 2000
M1FAA to M1PZZ     2000 to 2003
M1RAA to M1ZZZ     2000 to 2003

Novice Class A (Now Intermediate) Licences.

2E0AAA to 2E0PZZ 1991 onwards

2E0RAA to 2E0ZZZ 1991 onwards

Novice Class B (now Intermediate) Licences.

2E1AAA to 2E1AZZ     1991 to 1992
2E1BAA to 2E1BZZ     1992 to 1993
2E1CAA to 2E1CZZ     1993 to 1994
2E1DAA to 2E1DZZ     1994 to 1995
2E1EAA to 2E1EZZ     1995 to 1996
2E1FAA to 2E1FZZ     1996 to 1997
2E1GAA to 2E1GZZ     1997 to 1999
2E1HAA to 2E1HZZ     1999 to 2000
2E1IAA to 2E1PZZ     2000 to 2003
2E1RAA to 2E1ZZZ     2000 to 2003

It was common practice for stations "upgrading" from the old Class B licence to a Foundation Class licence (to gain HF use) to keep the suffix letters of the Class B licence.
This was only possible where the corresponding M3 call had not been previously issued.

Now that the old Class A and Class B licences have been merged into a single Full Licence, this type of upgrade is no longer necessary.
(See Note 9 above).

Foundation Class Licences.

M3AAA to M3PZZ 2002 onwards

M3RAA to M3ZZZ 2002 onwards

M6AAA to M6PZZ May 2008 onwards

M6RAA to M6ZZZ May 2008 onwards

Voice and TV Repeaters.

GB3AA to GB3ZZ When licenced

Data Repeaters.

GB7AA to GB7ZZ When licenced

Data Mailboxes, Clusters and Servers.

GB7AAA to GB7PZZ When licenced

GB7RAA to GB7ZZZ When licenced

Internet "Gateways".

MB7AAA to MB7PZZ When licenced

MB7RAA to MB7ZZZ When licenced

Single Frequency "Store and Forward", Voice Relays and "Experimental" Services.

MB7AA to MB7ZZ When licenced

Beacons.

GB3AAA to GB3PZZ When licenced

GB3RAA to GB3ZZZ When licenced

Special Event Stations.

Licences are normally issued for a limited period appropriate to the special event. The callsign prefix is always GB, regardless of the location within the UK, and the suffix consists of one or more figures, followed by up to three letters.
Prefixes GB3 and GB7 are not used for special event stations, as they are used for other things.
Suffixes in the QAA to QZZ series are not issued.

Special Contest Callsigns.

Clubs can apply for special callsigns for use during contests. These consist of the country prefix followed by a single figure and a single letter.

About Callsigns.By Brian MW0GKX.Approximate Issue Dates, Classes andnotes on useage of UK Licence Callsigns.

Early Days.

Additional Suffixes previously used with all classes of licence except "GB" callsigns.

Additional Suffixes used today with all classes of licence except "GB" callsigns

General Notes about the Licences.

About Callsigns.
By Brian MW0GKX.

Approximate Issue Dates, Classes and
notes on useage of UK Licence Callsigns.